Mail Call (TV series): Difference between revisions

{{About|the History Channel TVtelevision series|the World War II radio series|Mail Call (radio program)}}

| show_nameimage = Mail Call.DVD.The best of season 2.jpg

| imagecaption = Season =2 [[Image:Mail Call.DVD.The best of season 2.jpg|220px]]cover

| captioncamera = ''Mail Call'' Season 2 DVD cover

| location =

| network = [[History Channel]]

| first_aired = August{{start date|2002|8|4, 2002}}

| last_aired = {{end date|2009}}

| list_episodes =

'''''Mail Call''''' is a television program that appearedaired on the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]]. It was hosted by [[R. Lee Ermey]], a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Staffstaff Sergeantsergeant]] who had received theand honorary rank of [[Gunnerygunnery Sergeantsergeant]].<ref>{{cite inweb May| of 2002url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/137004/history-channel-features-predator-on-mail-call/ | title=History Channel features Predator on 'Mail Call' }}</ref> The show debuted on August 4, 2002 as part of the "Fighting Fridays" lineup.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/television-ermy-dc/ermey-extends-history-channel-tour-of-duty-idUSN2631483720070326 | title=Ermey extends History Channel tour of duty | newspaper=Reuters | date=26 March 2007 }}</ref> 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, equipment, customs, and terminology 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 education and training|military training]] areas to film demonstrations and consult with experts. 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.

Ermey often provided comic relief in the form of light-hearted [[drill instructor|DI]]-style verbal abuse aimed at viewers; testing the effects of weapons on assorted objects (most often watermelons, which he described as his "sworn enemy"); and occasional appearances of "Mini-Lee", an action figure styled in Ermey's likeness, often seen berating a luckless [[G.I. Joe]] figure. His demeanor in character as host was similar to that of '''Gunnery Sergeant Hartman''', the character he portrayed in the [[Stanley Kubrick]] film ''[[Full Metal Jacket]]''. However, he only showed this attitude toward viewers, such as ordering them to return in time for the end of a commercial break.

The program had several DVD video releases, including selected episodes from the first seven seasons, as well as a [[blooper]] video called ''Mail Call: [[Military slangSNAFU|S.N.A.F.U.]].'' Reruns continue to be aired on the [[Military History Channel]].

* ''[[Lock Nn' Load with R. Lee Ermey]],'', a show with a similar premise which Ermey also hosted.

{{History Showsshows}}

[[Category:History (American TV channel) original programsprogramming]]

[[Category:MilitaryAmerican military television series]]

[[Category:Television shows about the United States Marine Corps in popular culture]]