#alan alda tweets

[thebreakfastgenie]

HI that longjohn post got me thinking and like. how much of the queercoding in mash do u think is intentional?? i think most of it was unplanned, like hawks mpreg kink, and then. mr alda thought hed write an episode based on a sexual dynamic like u pointed out. ok. dod he know the effect it was gonna have on gay people 50 years later

I mean, I don't think most of what fans on tumblr 5 years later get excited about is queercoding per se. There is definitely some intentional subtext: a lot of moments with Frank, some of the hawnk stuff, Hawkeye acting flirty or effeminate, Hawkeye and Trapper are sometimes framed as the "other" couple with Frank and Margaret. Klinger is basically a subversion because he's always written and acted as completely straight, but the way people react to him isn't necessarily. There are more direct jokes like Hawkeye pretending to be in love with Frank or Frank's phone call with that guy who thinks he's hitting on him and is totally into it.

But I think people tend to think of queercoding as sending a specific message, as saying "this character is queer but we can't show it openly" and I don't think MASH was doing that. Even if the original ending of George had been left in and Frank was revealed to have once been attracted to a man, Frank's affair with Margaret and references to affairs with secretaries would have continued, and the man probably wouldn't have been referenced again.

Most of the subtext in MASH is played for humor, but it doesn't feel mean-spirited like a lot of gay jokes from that era. This is because MASH basically rolls the queer subtext into the anti-establishment message. Okay, society says gay people are perverted; MASH is pro-perversion. So to the extent that it's intentional, I think it's to that end, and of course to be funny.

I don't think Hawkeye was "coded" as bisexual, it's just very easy to interpret him as bisexual based on intentional choices. A lot of it is cultural context. Hawkeye sleeping with women was enough to reassure straight people in the 70s that he was one of them and his comments about Trapper and Henry's legs were just jokes. (And straight men do make jokes like this, Alan Alda saying Jamie Farr had great legs unprompted at the 30th reunion.)

The vast majority of the intentional queercoding/queer subtext is in the first few seasons. I'm not sure exactly why it dropped off, probably a combination of a changing political climate and the show getting more serious making it harder to get away with it.

I hope I didn't mislead you bringing up La Ronde. I was having fun applying it to Hawkeye and Trapper but given the rest of the episode and what he's said about it, I don't think Alan Alda was actually implying the longjohns represent sex. It's just... fun to imagine they could between Hawkeye and Trapper.

And no I don't think they had any idea what it would do to us 50 years later! Of course, The Longjohn Flap was season 1, and at that point they didn't even know they were going to get another season, let alone be beloved 50 years later! But here we all are anyway and I think they'd be glad to know people are still enjoying the show, and the ones still with us are!

[radarsteddybear]

[ID: A tweet from Alan Alda that reads: "Burt Metcalfe is gone now. We all loved him. If you enjoyed MASH it was in large part because of Burt. he was a producer on every season and ran the show for 7 years. We were very close. We wrote together, directed together and inspired each other. He was such a good person." Included is a black and white photograph of Burt Metcalfe. End ID.]

[flintism]

experiencing bcs s6 week after week is probably the closest i’m ever gonna get to what it must have been like to experience mash s8/9 when they aired but like without the insane gay part

[not-trustworthy]

taking bets on whether alan alda will take out his ipad tomorrow and tweet about mash’s 50th anniversary

[fieryphrazes]

Alan Alda ass tweet

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #31: January 22nd - 28th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from January 22 - January 28, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing!

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

@thefinestmuffin and @JessBakesCakes are hosting a casual Josh/Donna Rom Com Fest that will reveal on February 14. Prompts and claims are open; details here. 

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from January 22 - January 28.

Bradley Whitford posted a photo of Mariska Hargitay on the set of Law & Order: SVU, where he was filming for an episode that will come out later this season. 

Dule Hill posted photos of himself and his family at Dinosaurs in the Valley. 

In response to a tweet about classified documents, Kim Webster tweeted a photo of her West Wing ID badge from when she played Ginger and a selfie where she is wearing an FBI hat. 

Marlee Matlin posted a photo of herself with her late father at her wedding along with a memorial post in honor of his birthday. 

Marlee Matlin posted a promo video for an episode of Accused that she directed. 

Marlee Matlin posted a video from Sundance Film Festival.

Mary McCormack posted a video of herself, some TWW cast members, and other celebrities made in support of Americans United. 

Rob Lowe posted a 911 Lonestar promo video. 

Rob Lowe posted a throwback photo with the late David Crosby along with a memorial post honoring him. 

Donna Moss Daily: January 22 | January 23 | January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28

Daily Josh Lyman: January 22 | January 23 | January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28

No Context BWhit: January 22 | January 23 | January 24 | January 25 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28

@janelmilfoney: January 23 | January 24 | January 26 | January 27 | January 28

Edits/Artwork:

#THEWESTWING: i want to be a comfort to my friends in tragedy and celebrate with them in triumph. and for all the times in between, i just want to be able to look them in the eye. By @jenniferjoIie [VIDEO EDIT] 

#ABBEYANDJED: my dear, devoted, delicate by @livsbenson [VIDEO EDIT]

#JOSHDONNA: until i found you by @JessBakesCakes [VIDEO EDIT]

#JOSHDONNA: how could you think i’d be your friend? by @HeatherEdits [VIDEO EDIT]

Miscellaneous:

Happy birthday to Alan Alda, who played Senator Arnold Vinick on The West Wing!

Creator Spotlight:

Each week, we will talk to a fandom creator and interview them about their work and their process. We’ll also give you the opportunity to ask them questions, too! Want to be a featured creator? Find us via one of the methods listed at the end of the briefing!

This week’s creator is @sameschtick on twitter and jazzjo on ao3. You can find the spotlight on tumblr or on twitter.

 This Week in Canon:

Welcome to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 1, Episode 13: Take Out the Trash Day aired on January 26, 2000.

Season 2, Episode 12: The Drop-In aired on January 24, 2001.

Season 6, Episode 13: King Corn aired on January 26, 2005.

Season 7, Episode 12: Duck and Cover aired on January 22, 2006.

Editor’s Choice: 

This week marks the anniversary of the premiere of King Corn. Here are some of our favorite fics inspired by this episode!

can’t call you a stranger (but i can’t call you) by joshatella (shuuuliet) | Rated T |  Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | King Corn. The elevator gets stuck.

(Written for the prompt: "stuck together (in an elevator, locked room, something)".)

 shine a little light (don’t wrestle with the night) by hanyolo | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Josh is in Gaza. At least, he thinks he’s in Gaza. He’s never been before, but he’s watched the news footage of the explosion enough times that he immediately recognises the three black SUVs lined up along the dirt road, the buildings in the distance, the crowd of people standing around.

He holds his hand above his eyes as he squints against the sun, can already feel sweat trickling down his back from the blazing sun. He can’t remember how he got here, has no idea why he’s still wearing his suit, his impractical work shoes.

// prompt: josh having a nightmare about donna d wording in gaza and waking up and staring at his phone trying to decide if it’s okay to call her (set during king corn)

 sinking slowly, the water’s higher by sam_writes_fics | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | It’s not what either of them wants, not really, but it’s all they have. It’s all they have for right now, or maybe forever, so they cling to it how they want to cling to each other and somehow, it’s enough to get them through the night.

 For You, I Came This Far by thefinestmuffins | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | A King Corn AU where Josh and Donna talk it out, and Josh gets by with a little help from his friends.

 Talking (And Not Talking) by onelargecoffeepls | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | "He knows that you have to have a reason to talk to a woman or else you end up looking like an idiot, but it’s Donna and he’s never had a hard time talking with Donna.

Until now."

Another King Corn AU. Josh knocks, and Donna has some things to say.

 burning slowly, my one and only by thotsandfeelings | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | "I can't stop thinking about you."

 Unlocking The Door by orphan_account | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Iowa. Josh knocks, eventually.

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. If you are so inclined, please be sure to leave the authors some love in the form of kudos or comments. Be mindful of posted warnings/tags for each story.

Josh/Donna

Presidential Impetus by JayeReid1 | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

As Swords Go by thefinestmuffins | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Roses and Sacrifice for You by Shinyrosa | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

say my name and everything just stops by flowersinapril | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

how i love the view when i’m beside you by JessBakesCakes | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

 Other Pairings/Gen Fic

compel me to ask you for more by jazzjo | Rated G | Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler | In Progress

before i forget by jazzjo | Rated G | No Pairings | Complete

For Love and Politics by Mabis | Rated T | Josh Lyman & Sam Seaborn | Complete

You're Gonna Die Bloody (and All You Can Do is Choose Where) by onekisstotakewithme for daylight_angel, miabicicletta, Luppiters, hondagirll | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Complete

Wait For Me by imperfectirises | Rated M | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | In progress 

A Different Life by PreppyPrincess5103 (JAG crossover) | Rated M | Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie/Sam Seaborn | In progress 

Adorable, Yet Ill Adored by HotchkissRoyale | Rated E | Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn | In progress 

 Multiple Pairings

A Political War by Hitomi_Zotz | Not Rated | Mallory O'Brien/Sam Seaborn, Zoey Bartlet/Charlie Young, John Hoynes/Original Female Character(s) | In Progress

Unto Us, A Child Is Born by mlea7675 | Rated G | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Helen Santos/Matt Santos | Complete

Forbidden Fruit by footloosecutloose | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Elizabeth Bartlet Westin, Elizabeth Bartlet Westin/Doug Westin | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

[pherre]

good morning to me and alan alda's mash 50th anniversary tweet only

[thethief1996]

im having a blast with the hollywood strike bc a blockbuster actor will show support and the tweet will have like 50 comments and then alan alda or david duchovny come forward saying they didnt get residuals from fox and every gay person averaging from 15 to 60 will be in the comments like 😤😤🤬🤬

[shatteredwriters]

I love how we were all waiting for Alan Alda to tweet about the 50th anniversary—because we all know he was going to, it was just a matter of time—and then this man proceeds to post a picture with Mike freakin’ Farrell and send mashblr into a tizzy about it and we all collectively lose our minds.

Beautiful.

The man has no idea what he did by posting that picture of the two of them drinking wine. He broke mash tumblr for a few hours my god.

[colesterstrudel]

Alan Alda tweeted about episodes of MASH with his father and I just think he’d think it’s fun that there are young people on this website going absolutely bonkers over that show. As they should.

[thebreakfastgenie]

Actually devastating that Alan Alda hasn’t taken the opportunity to tweet about that time the new king of England visited the mash set

[radarsteddybear]

[ID: A tweet from Alan Alda that reads, “ Mike Farrell and I today toasting the 50th anniversary of the show that changed our lives - and our brilliant pals who made it what it was. MASH was a great gift to us.”  Included is a current photograph of Mike Farrell standing next to Alan Alda.  Each is holding a glass of red wine, and Mike’s hand is on Alan’s shoulder.  End ID.]

[thealogie]

tell me you remember that (probably fake?) gary burghoff twitter account that just rambled about how much he hated alan alda

It’s ringing a bell but I don’t remember the tweets clearly. It was clearly a joke account I think but god I wish I could find it again

[chiefofboatwatsonstittymug]

Whatever Alan Alda has going on send tweet

[the-4077th]

[fieldtomatoes]

so true alan