Mail Call(2002)

Name: Mail Call
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2002-08-04
Rating: 7.2
Cast: R. Lee Ermey

★ 7.2(6)30m105 episodesEnded

Documentary

Mail Call was a television program that appeared on the History Channel and hosted by R. Lee Ermey, a retired United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant,. The show debuted on August 4, 2002 as part of the 'Fighting Fridays' lineup. Most episodes were 30 minutes, but from 2007 through the show's end in 2009 some episodes were 60 minutes. During each episode, Ermey read and answered questions submitted by viewers regarding weapons and equipment used by all branches of the U.S. military now or in the past, as well as by other armed forces in history. Ermey often took his viewers on location to military training areas to film demonstrations. When not on location, Ermey broadcast from a set resembling a military outpost, including a tent, a Jeep, and various other pieces of military gear which changed throughout the series. At times, he would also have a bulldog - usually symbolic of Marines, especially drill instructors - on his show as well. Comic relief was provided as Ermey inflicted DI-style verbal abuse on his viewers or tests the effects of various weapons on watermelons and paint cans, as well as occasional appearances of "Mini-Lee", an action figure styled in Ermey's likeness, often seen berating a luckless G.I. Joe figurine. His demeanor as host was similar to the character "Gunnery Sergeant Hartman" portrayed by Ermey in the Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket, though this attitude was shown only towards his viewers and not the military special guests. Older viewers might compare him to Sergeant Vincent Carter, a character in the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. television program.

First aired:: 2002-08-04
Country:: US
Network:: History

Episodes

Season 1(13)Season 2(13)Season 3(14)Season 4(13)Season 5(12)Season 6(12)Season 7(17)Season 8(11)

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1. Grenade Launchers; Grape Shot; Shrapnel; D-Day Paratrooper Gear; Jet Packs
2002-12-15 · 30m
Learn how grenade launchers work; how a .30 caliber machine gun compares to a .50 cal; watch Ermey behind the wheel of a Flyer 21; and discover the origin of the word shrapnel.
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2. Civil War Rifles; 1st Missile Sub; Navy Divers' Gear; Field Strip; Bowie Knife
2002-12-22 · 30m
American Civil War rifles from both sides; the first missile fired from the deck of a sub; deep-sea and crush-proof suits; breaking down a weapon; the Bowie knife; the evolution of a hedgechopper.
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3. AVLB; Fulton Recovery System; Pilot Survival Kit; Trireme; Battleship Guns; Grapeshot
2002-12-29 · 30m
The Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge; the Fulton Recovery System; a pilot's survival kit; the ancient Greek warship Trireme; battleship guns; grapeshot.
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4. Marine Weapons Training; Greek Phalanx; MiG-29; Hellcat Tank Destroyer
2003-01-19 · 30m
Simulated marksmanship training; fastest front-line combat jet and World War II tank; Greeks of ancient times use the phalanx; Civil War cavalry gear; dazzle paint.
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5. Trebuchet; Troop Headcounts; BAR; Smart Bombs; Modern Parachutes; Boomerangs
2003-01-26 · 30m
Medieval catapults; platoons, companies and divisions; the Browning automatic rifle; smart bombs; parachutes; the weapon version of the boomerang.
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6. LAV; Landing Craft; Doughboy; OPFOR; Chain Mail; Military Salute
2003-02-02 · 30m
Light Armored Vehicle; landing craft; World War I Doughboys; training troops; medieval chain mail; the military salute.
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7. Deuce & a Half; Vietnam Gun Truck; World War II Household Fat; Missile Silos; C-17 Loadmaster; Scottish Kilts
2003-02-09 · 30m
Vietnam gun truck; World War II household fat; missile silos; C-17 Loadmaster; Scottish kilts.
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8. Self-Propelled Artillery; Matchlock Musket; Airships; Blue Angels;Pirate Weapons
2003-03-02 · 30m
full title: Self-Propelled Artillery; Matchlock Musket; Airships; Blue Angels; Pirate Weapons; Depth Charges --------- Maneuverable artillery; musket; Navy airships; precision flying team; pirates; depth charges
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9. Anti-Tank Rocket; Bazooka; HQ Tour; Tactical Operations Center; Downed Pilots
2003-03-09 · 30m
The bazooka's replacement; mobile command post; Air Force Pararescuemen; 21-gun salute.
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10. Medieval Weapons; Lewis Gun; Carrier Pigeons; Gliders in Combat; Anti-Tank
2003-03-15 · 30m
Medieval weapons; World War I Lewis gun; carrier pigeons; gliders; anti-tank missile; ejection seats.
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11. Amphibious Assault Vehicle; Jeep; Medieval Battering Ram; Urban Warfare; Ball Tu
2003-03-23 · 30m
Marines' 26-ton AAV stays afloat; jeeps; battering rams; urban warfare; World War II bombers; pictures on World War II airplanes.
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12. Unmanned Aircraft; Bogey; 1st Combat Helicopter; Forward Observers
2003-04-06 · 30m
Experimental planes; unidentified aircraft; first combat helicopter; directing artillery fire; commando knife.
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13. Newest Coast Guard Ship; Carrier Battle Group; Tanks; Sherman Tank; XM-29 Rifle
2003-04-12 · 30m
Motor lifeboat; carrier battle group; Sherman tanks; futuristic rifle; voice mail.