Ed Asner has passed.

Yeah. I was a kid, too, and it was the first time I'd seen a character make that transition from a sitcom to an hour-long drama. I thought it was the inspiration to do the same with Trapper John, though Trapper was played by different actors in M*A*S*H* and Trapper John, M.D.

Yeah, he was a 9/11 conspiracy theorist and he has always maintained that Lou Grant was cancelled because of his political activism. It was a top-rated show when it was cancelled.

Ah that's too bad, interesting guys as I recall.

I was only young at the time but the character Lou Grant going from a supporting comedy role to a dramatic lead was bold.

I never really watched Lou Grant but was it not cancelled for quasi-McCarthy-ite reasons due to his politics?

I never followed the details but am I right in thinking he had some unconventional 9/11 views?

Anyway, RIP fella.