Trapper John, M.D. was a television medical drama and spinoff of the film MASH, and ran on CBS from September 23, 1979 to September 4, 1986. It featured 'Trapper John' McIntyre 28 years after he had left the 4077th MASH. The series had Trapper working as chief of surgery at the San Francisco Memorial Hospital. In this incarnation, Trapper was played by Pernell Roberts.

One of the other characters in the show was Doctor George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates, who was played by Gregory Harrison. Gonzo was a man who had just returned to the states after serving in a Vietnam-era MASH unit, and who was much like what Trapper had been earlier.

In this series, Trapper had mellowed somewhat, and had become more a part of establishment than what he had been in his younger days. Eventually his son J.T., played by Timothy Busfield, joins him at the hospital. While the show had a comedy element, it also dealt with serious subjects, such as AIDS - which had appeared in the developed world during the series run.

Legally, the show is considered a spinoff of the original movie MASH, rather than the M*A*S*H television show. This is due to a court case in which the producers of the series had sought royalty payments on the grounds that Trapper John, M.D. was a spinoff of their television series. However, the court found that the series was a spinoff of the original movie. As a result, the series producers did not receive any royalties from Trapper John, M.D.

This series brought the character of "Trapper John" from M*A*S*H in as the Chief of Surgery at San Franscico Memorial Hospital. Joining him on the surgical staff was a brilliant young surgeon, G. Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates, who had also served in a MASH unit --- in Vietnam. The show covered standard medical stories, but it also took chances with such subjects as AIDS, the Epstein-Barr Virus, and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Written by Linda Adams

Twenty-eight years after he was discharged from the army, Trapper John McIntyre, who was very much against authority, now finds himself the very thing he was against during the war as he is now chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. One day a young surgeon named G. Alonzo Gates (Gonzo for short), a former MASH surgeon and Vietman vet, walks into surgery and assists Trapper. Trapper then finds out that Gates is not a member of the staff. However, he is impressed with with the brash young doctor who reminds Trapper of himself when he was younger and hires him on the spot. Other members on the staff are Dr. Stanley Riverside (who's father was on the board of directors), intern Justin "Jackpot" Jackson, nurses Clara "Starch" Willoughby, Gloria "Ripples" Brancusi and Ernestine Shoop and, much later, Trapper's son J.T., who is working as an intern at the hospital. Written by Brian Washington