Everyone’s favorite gunnery sergeant now has his own TV show. The Outdoor Channel is presenting “GunnyTime,” a new series starting next week, starring R. Lee Ermey. The show is described as a “fully immersive” series focusing on weapons and weapons technologies. If the preview Ermey posted on his YouTube channel is anything to judge by, it will also feature Ermey blowing up a lot of stuff.
Gunny Ermey is most famous for his role in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket,” where he played Gunnery Sgt. Hartman. But he isn’t just an actor — Ermey served 11 years in the Marine Corps, including a stint in Vietnam and, inspiring his performance in one of the most famous military movies of all time, as a drill instructor. He left the Marine Corps as a staff sergeant, but received the honorary title of gunnery sergeant. Ermey was originally hired to be a consultant for the actors Kubrick was considering to play Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, but impressed Kubrick after giving a demonstration in which he hurled abuse and insults upon the film crew for 15 minutes without stopping, even while they pelted him with tennis balls and oranges. Ermey oversaw the set construction for the scenes in Parris Island, and was allowed to improvise many of his lines in the movie. He has since been featured in over 60 films and TV shows.
In the new show, Ermey will demonstrate and test out both historic and high-tech weapons, as well as showcase military vehicles. Some of the episodes were filmed aboard Camp Pendleton in California, and Marines will be featured on the show. He will also have a line-up of special guests including former SEALs and Green Berets, and 2013 Miss Kansas Theresa Vail, who caught the country’s attention as she also serves in the Army National Guard.
“GunnyTime” will premiere on the Outdoor Channel on April 15th at 8:00pm.