Let's start with MASH. The show ran for 11 seasons to 1983. It followed a group of doctors and nurses serving in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital Unit, the 4077th. Although there was conflict between the characters, noone could doubt that they were of solid character. Hawkeye Pierce and cohorts were trying to do a difficult job in the best possible manner and under adverse circumstances.
Contrast that with Seinfeld, a show that ran for 9 seasons to 1993, and took place in modern day, peace-time New York. These people had it good. Any adversity they encountered could be traced back to their own weakness. I specifically contrast MASH's Major Frank Burns with Seinfeld's George Costanza. While Major Burns was the most disliked character on MASH he was nowhere near as reprehensible as George Costanza. Even if you disliked Frank Burns, you had to admit he was a qualified surgeon. George, on the other hand, is a weak, slimy character that brings down everyone he is involved with. Quote from Jerry to George:"Do you know how hard it's getting to be to admit to people that I know you?" In another episode, George flees from a fire, knocking down women & children on his way out. I know of no character on MASH that was so derelict in his/her duty.
When commanding officer Henry Blake died on MASH, the entire unit was in pain. On Seinfeld, when George's fiancee Susan died from postage stamp toxicity, George was relieved and the rest of the gang didn't really care. When corporal Klingor was accused of theft, his buddies in the unit went to great lengths to exonerate him. On Seinfeld, the characters would help each other when/if it was convenient.
The values espoused on MASH make me proud to be a citizen of a free people. The values espoused on Seinfeld do not. Keep in mind that both shows were immensely popular. Comments?