In a video released today, Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H fame, praised the grassroots activists, and Calitics, for work for the public option. And the effort is getting a fair bit of attention, appearing in Roll Call today.

“M*A*S*H” actor Mike Farrell – who isn’t a doctor, but played one on TV – weighs in on the health care battle in new television advertisements, arguing that “real health care reform … will not happen without the public option.”

“Now, that’s just a fact,” he says in the ads, produced by progressive groups Brave New Films and Firedoglake. “And it’s only because of the hard work of true grass-roots activists that the public option is still alive.”

Whatever you say, Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt.

The videos will be aired in selected states, with Farrell thanking 11 Democrats who have pledged not to vote for a bill without the public option, including Reps. Jackie Speier (Calif.), Jesse Jackson Jr. (Ill.), Rush Holt (N.J.) and Dennis Kucinich (Ohio).(Roll Call 9/3/09)

I’ll forgive the mispronunciation of Rep. Speier’s name, but the underlying message is critical. The public option makes health care reform work.

UPDATE: Here’s the FDL Link.