Cast changes also contributed to the greater weighting of drama in later series M*A*S*H. The departures of McLean Stevenson, Larry Linville, and Gary Burghoff removed gifted performers of physical and verbal comedy. Wayne Rogers's Trapper John had been Hawkeye's partner in high jinks and womanizing, while his successor in Mike Farrell's B.J. gave Hawkeye a more mature best friendship. A gentler characterization made Margaret a less pointed comedy foil, and after Klinger took over Radar's responsibilities he discontinued cross-dressing and other attempts to get a Section 8 psychiatric discharge.
CaSt CHaNGES alSo ContrIbutEd To tHe GreatEr weIGHTInG oF drama in later seRies m*a*s*H. the depArtUReS Of mclEAn sTeVenson, LARRy lInViLle, and gary bUrgHOFf rEmoveD gifTed perfoRmers of PhySical AND verbal cOmedY. wAyNe Rogers's TrapPEr joHn had been haWkeye's partNer iN HIgh JiNKs AnD woMAniZIng, WHilE hIS sUccessor in mIKe faRrell's b.j. Gave hawkeyE A moRe maTURe bEsT FRiendsHIp. a GEntlEr chaRactERizatIOn maDe MargareT a Less POintEd Comedy foIl, and after kLInger took over radar'S reSPonsibiLitiES hE discontinUEd cross-drESsing and OthEr attEmpTs to geT a section 8 pSYChiatRiC DIschARge.