Known for showcasing classic television to today’s streamers, MeTV is paying tribute to the late Loretta Swit with a weeklong celebration of her iconic work on MASH*, airing from Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6 at 7pm and 7:30pm ET/PT. The special lineup features standout episodes highlighting Swit’s powerful portrayal of Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, a role that earned her 10 Emmy nominations and 2 wins during the show’s legendary run.
Swit passed away on May 31 at the age of 87. Her performance helped transform what could have been a one-note character into one of the most nuanced and progressive portrayals of a woman in military television history. Fellow cast members including Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, and Jamie Farr have since shared heartfelt tributes, crediting Swit for shaping Houlihan into a character with complexity, ambition, and emotional depth.
How To Watch The MAS*H MeTV Tribute
MASH* airs on MeTV, a free over-the-air broadcast channel. You can tune in with a digital antenna, or stream via platforms like Frndly TV, Philo, or Sling TV, which carry MeTV in select markets. Check your local listings or streaming service for availability.
“MeTV Remembers Loretta Swit” Schedule
Monday, June 2
7:00pm – The Nurses (Season 8, Episode 9)
Margaret’s tough exterior softens when the nurses work behind her back to reunite a colleague with her husband.
7:30pm – Margaret’s Engagement (Season 8, Episode 3)
Her sudden engagement shocks the camp—and Frank Burns takes it the hardest.
Tuesday, June 3
7:00pm – Comrades in Arms: Part 1 (Season 1, Episode 16)
Stranded behind enemy lines, Hawkeye and Margaret’s relationship takes a romantic turn.
7:30pm – Comrades in Arms: Part 2 (Season 1, Episode 17)
Their newfound closeness quickly implodes when help arrives.
Wednesday, June 4
7:00pm – Bug Out: Part 1 (Season 8, Episode 1)
When the camp must evacuate, Margaret stays behind to help care for a critical patient.
7:30pm – Bug Out: Part 2 (Season 8, Episode 2)
The relocation continues, but so does Margaret’s commitment to her patient.
Thursday, June 5
7:00pm – The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan (Season 8, Episode 8)
Margaret vanishes during a late-night mission to help deliver a baby, triggering a camp-wide search.
7:30pm – The Birthday Girls (Season 10, Episode 12)
A birthday trip to Tokyo derails, and Margaret finds herself in an unusual birthday situation.
Friday, June 6
7:00pm – Are You Now, Margaret? (Season 8, Episode 2)
Margaret faces a career-threatening investigation during the height of McCarthyism.
7:30pm – Hot Lips Back in Town (Season 4, Episode 19)
Newly divorced, Margaret revamps triage—and Radar falls head over heels for a nurse.
A Lasting Legacy
Known for her tireless advocacy for animals and her work beyond MASH*, Loretta Swit left a mark on stage, film, and television. But it was her evolution of Major Houlihan, from a comic foil to a respected and layered leader, that cemented her place in television history.
As Alan Alda wrote on X, “Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it…She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out, listing her character not as Hot Lips but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.”
Be sure to tune in this week as MeTV celebrates the life and legacy of one of TV’s most unforgettable performers.