CineScope

Mail Call

Mail Call Poster

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.

Documentary

3.4 / 5

4th August 2002 - 25th May 2007
Top Cast
R. Lee Ermey
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Tank; Gatling Gun; Samurai Sword Still
Tank; Gatling Gun; Samurai Sword
4th August 2002

Episode 1

Steering a World War II tank; Gatling gun's speed; power of the samurai sword.

Knight's Armor; WWI Backpack; Landmine Still
Knight's Armor; WWI Backpack; Landmine
11th August 2002

Episode 2

Parts of 15th-century armor; World War I infantry backpack; ingredients of a land mine.

Flak Vest; Medieval Crossbow; WWI Pilots Still
Flak Vest; Medieval Crossbow; WWI Pilots
18th August 2002

Episode 3

Body armor; accuracy of a medieval crossbow; how World War I pilots shot through their propellers.

Civil War Cannoneers; Night Vision; Clearing a Minefield Still
Civil War Cannoneers; Night Vision; Clearing a Minefield
25th August 2002

Episode 4

Aiming Civil War artillery pieces; how night-vision technology works; how to clear a minefield.

Landing Craft, Air Cushion Hovercraft (LCAC); U.S. Cavalry Saddles; Gas Masks Still
Landing Craft, Air Cushion Hovercraft (LCAC); U.S. Cavalry Saddles; Gas Masks
1st September 2002

Episode 5

Operating the LCAC; cavalry saddles used in the Old West; how gas masks work.

Mortar; WWII GIs' Personal Items; Native-American Arrows Still
Mortar; WWII GIs' Personal Items; Native-American Arrows
8th September 2002

Episode 6

Maneuverable artillery; musket; Navy airships; precision flying team; pirates; depth charges

Re-Fueling a Fighter Jet; Naval Signal Flags; GI Chow Still
Re-Fueling a Fighter Jet; Naval Signal Flags; GI Chow
15th September 2002

Episode 7

How to refuel a fighter jet in mid-air; how ships send messages using signal flags; what soldiers eat.

Revolutionary WarMusket; Jousting; Foxholes Still
Revolutionary WarMusket; Jousting; Foxholes
22nd September 2002

Episode 8

How fast a Revolutionary War soldier could fire a musket; jousting; how to dig a foxhole.

The Pilum; WWII Radios; First Rockets Still
The Pilum; WWII Radios; First Rockets
29th September 2002

Episode 9

The ancient Roman pilum is designed to penetrate armor; World War II army radios; how rockets were first used on the battlefield.

Ninja Weapons; Flamethrower; Military Dogs Still
Ninja Weapons; Flamethrower; Military Dogs
5th October 2002

Episode 10

The weapons of the Japanese Ninja; how flamethrowers work; what military dogs do.

Grenades; Dog Tags; Dinner in a Pouch Still
Grenades; Dog Tags; Dinner in a Pouch
7th October 2002

Episode 11

No overview available.

The Jeep; HIMARS; Hurricanes Still
The Jeep; HIMARS; Hurricanes
21st October 2002

Episode 12

No overview available.

Future Gear; Marine Camouflage; Army's New Armored Vehicle Still
Future Gear; Marine Camouflage; Army's New Armored Vehicle
28th October 2002

Episode 13

Possible gear for troops on tomorrow's battlefields; Marines design their new camouflage pattern; the Stryker.

Full Crew

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