Mike Farrell, who played B. J. Hunnicutt on M*A*S*H when he joined the series in its fourth season, was surprised when he read the script on his first day on the set. Executive producer Gene Reynolds asked Farrell for any suggestions on page one, which they used every time. Farrell responded by saying that the writers and directors on the show actually wanted actors' input. The series ran for 11 seasons and ended in a two-and-a-half-hour finale that broke ratings records.