What is your major malfunction, numbnuts?
October 1, 2006 2:15 PM Subscribe
Are you American enough? The website of character actor R. Lee Ermey (perhaps best known as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket). The flash intro alone is worth the price of admission.
Has the phrase "jumped the shark" finally jumped the shark?
posted by ChasFile at 2:32 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by ChasFile at 2:32 PM on October 1, 2006
Seemed reasonable enough up until the "under God" part. Does the "only one loyalty, only one flag" part mean we're kicking out Jehovah's Witnesses? And Catholics who fly the papal flag?
posted by hifiparasol at 2:32 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by hifiparasol at 2:32 PM on October 1, 2006
One can only hope.
Come to think of it, my (private, religious) school as a kid made us pledge to the Christian flag every morning as well, so the most extreme Protestants are out too, I guess.
posted by Ryvar at 2:40 PM on October 1, 2006
Come to think of it, my (private, religious) school as a kid made us pledge to the Christian flag every morning as well, so the most extreme Protestants are out too, I guess.
posted by Ryvar at 2:40 PM on October 1, 2006
That's an actor's website? How disturbing.
posted by Hildegarde at 2:43 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by Hildegarde at 2:43 PM on October 1, 2006
People who work for McDonald's have to wear uniforms, right? So that's their website?
Yeah, take that everyone before 1954! Screw you Lincoln!
posted by revgeorge at 3:00 PM on October 1, 2006
If you have ... a problem with the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance, good bye.
Yeah, take that everyone before 1954! Screw you Lincoln!
posted by revgeorge at 3:00 PM on October 1, 2006
Let's not forget, he did play a gay, escaped convict, ex-football coach in Saving Silverman.
I think he's a funny caricature. Pity if he's serious.
posted by quin at 3:09 PM on October 1, 2006
I think he's a funny caricature. Pity if he's serious.
posted by quin at 3:09 PM on October 1, 2006
Nothing wrong with "playing a character" for a living. It's not like he's the only person who does it.
posted by mrbill at 3:10 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by mrbill at 3:10 PM on October 1, 2006
I coulda swore this was a double...I know I've seen the site before.
posted by Kickstart70 at 3:25 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by Kickstart70 at 3:25 PM on October 1, 2006
"Nothing wrong with "playing a character" for a living. It's not like he's the only person who does it."
Yeah, just look at the guy sitting in the Oval Office.
Texan my Aunt Fanny...
posted by stenseng at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
Yeah, just look at the guy sitting in the Oval Office.
Texan my Aunt Fanny...
posted by stenseng at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
I'm kinda glad the price of admission was free.
posted by DenOfSizer at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by DenOfSizer at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
His schtick is tired, but he can at least lay claim to the fact that he was a reactionary dick head before it was (back) in style.
posted by 2sheets at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by 2sheets at 3:57 PM on October 1, 2006
Ummm, folks, you do realize this isn't just a movie role he's famous for, right? Kinda like Jack Webb?
posted by pax digita at 4:41 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by pax digita at 4:41 PM on October 1, 2006
Just reading this makes me want to copy stuff, but there's nothing worth taking on the site:
Any unauthorized use will be severely dealt with. We do not tolerate any unauthorized usage what so ever. If you do take content from our site, we will know as everything is digitally watermarked and tracked. We keep logs of all IP's that access and download from our sites. If you feel you need some of this for your website, marketing of R. Lee Ermey products or use of R. Lee Ermey in any way, you must first submit a request for permission to use it. Failure to do so will result in possible site shut down, legal matters and even suit if necessary. Ask before you use it. Our Web Team searches sites everyday for violations and we will have it removed from the web.
posted by exlotuseater at 5:19 PM on October 1, 2006
Any unauthorized use will be severely dealt with. We do not tolerate any unauthorized usage what so ever. If you do take content from our site, we will know as everything is digitally watermarked and tracked. We keep logs of all IP's that access and download from our sites. If you feel you need some of this for your website, marketing of R. Lee Ermey products or use of R. Lee Ermey in any way, you must first submit a request for permission to use it. Failure to do so will result in possible site shut down, legal matters and even suit if necessary. Ask before you use it. Our Web Team searches sites everyday for violations and we will have it removed from the web.
posted by exlotuseater at 5:19 PM on October 1, 2006
Ummm, folks, you do realize this isn't just a movie role he's famous for, right? Kinda like Jack Webb?
Yeah, do you guys not know that Emry actually was a Marine Corps drill instructor? And that he auditioned after Kubrick made an open casting call for actual DIs to come berate his actors? And that he won the part, hands down? And that his scenes in Apocalyse Now were almost entirely improvised? You do realize he's doing about as much acting in that movie as I did, right?
posted by ChasFile at 5:35 PM on October 1, 2006
Yeah, do you guys not know that Emry actually was a Marine Corps drill instructor? And that he auditioned after Kubrick made an open casting call for actual DIs to come berate his actors? And that he won the part, hands down? And that his scenes in Apocalyse Now were almost entirely improvised? You do realize he's doing about as much acting in that movie as I did, right?
posted by ChasFile at 5:35 PM on October 1, 2006
revgeorge, Lincoln was dead when the Pledge of Allegiance was first written.
So, uh, screw you, Taft!
posted by zsazsa at 5:53 PM on October 1, 2006
So, uh, screw you, Taft!
posted by zsazsa at 5:53 PM on October 1, 2006
this thread was inciteful:
http://www.rleeermey.org/viewtopic.php?t=6865
posted by pwedza at 5:54 PM on October 1, 2006
http://www.rleeermey.org/viewtopic.php?t=6865
posted by pwedza at 5:54 PM on October 1, 2006
Has pointing out that the phrase "jumped the shark has jumped the shark" jumped the shark?
posted by horsewithnoname at 5:59 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by horsewithnoname at 5:59 PM on October 1, 2006
Yeah, do you guys not know that Emry actually was a Marine Corps drill instructor? And that he auditioned after Kubrick made an open casting call for actual DIs to come berate his actors?
While he did have a small part in Apocalypse Now (helicopter pilot, if memory serves), the role Ermey is by far best known for is Full Metal Jacket. He was not originally hired as a cast member, but as a technical advisor to the film. Kubrick was so impressed with his abilities as a drill instructor (ancedotes abound; view the IMDb trivia page for the film) that he replaced the actor he'd hired with Ermey.
That being said, mrbill does have a point ... he's playing a character that's gained him immense recognition, and is probably the only of his 60-odd film roles that the majority of the public is familiar with. Where's the problem in playing to that? If you're gonna be stereotyped, you may as well make the most of it.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 6:04 PM on October 1, 2006
While he did have a small part in Apocalypse Now (helicopter pilot, if memory serves), the role Ermey is by far best known for is Full Metal Jacket. He was not originally hired as a cast member, but as a technical advisor to the film. Kubrick was so impressed with his abilities as a drill instructor (ancedotes abound; view the IMDb trivia page for the film) that he replaced the actor he'd hired with Ermey.
That being said, mrbill does have a point ... he's playing a character that's gained him immense recognition, and is probably the only of his 60-odd film roles that the majority of the public is familiar with. Where's the problem in playing to that? If you're gonna be stereotyped, you may as well make the most of it.
posted by the luke parker fiasco at 6:04 PM on October 1, 2006
Weirdly I switched on the History channel and there he was, shouting about various weapons.
Looks like I might want to tag this show for future viewing.
posted by Artw at 6:19 PM on October 1, 2006
Looks like I might want to tag this show for future viewing.
posted by Artw at 6:19 PM on October 1, 2006
It's interesting that in the IMDB trivia page it talks about a jeep accident that broke his ribs and resulted in several scenes where he doesn't move his left arm, which is mirrored in the Flash intro where the Ermey image does not move his left arm either.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:36 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:36 PM on October 1, 2006
One of many of Ermey's appearances playing himself is an episode of Invader Zim. Someone or other on the commentary track mentions that Ermey was rather confused by some of his dialogue. I find his supposed confusion far more amusing than I probably should.
posted by sparkletone at 6:47 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by sparkletone at 6:47 PM on October 1, 2006
Artw: Mail Call is an awesome show. Gunny shure loves to blow up some watermelons.
I loved the episode when they took him up in a B-2 Stealth bomber. After his flight was over, they presented him with a plaque that stated he was number-whatever out of X-many (not a lot) people to ever fly in the B-2.
posted by mrbill at 7:00 PM on October 1, 2006
I loved the episode when they took him up in a B-2 Stealth bomber. After his flight was over, they presented him with a plaque that stated he was number-whatever out of X-many (not a lot) people to ever fly in the B-2.
posted by mrbill at 7:00 PM on October 1, 2006
I am going to corpse you up, soldier.
--Col. Leslie "Hap" Hapablat
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:05 PM on October 1, 2006
--Col. Leslie "Hap" Hapablat
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:05 PM on October 1, 2006
FYI, Ermey is involved in a great charity that's worth checking out.
posted by Heminator at 9:26 PM on October 1, 2006
posted by Heminator at 9:26 PM on October 1, 2006
I remember him talking about being a Drill Sargeant, he lamented the fact that all they can do is shout now. He says he used to be able to "teach" a lot faster when he could get his hands on the soldiers.
So... yeah.
posted by Talanvor at 6:38 AM on October 2, 2006
So... yeah.
posted by Talanvor at 6:38 AM on October 2, 2006
Talanvor: He says he used to be able to "teach" a lot faster when he could get his hands on the soldiers.
And this is a surprise to you, that a 60-odd year old Marine drill sergeant acknowledges that his job was a lot easier when he could use physical means to make his point? A lot of mothers would probably agree with him, if not out loud. The difference in the stories I'd hear from my grandfather (Army, WWII), my father (Navy, Vietnam) and my husband (Navy, East Timor among others) are pretty vast, and no disrespect, my grandfather was the most disciplined of the bunch. Interestingly, my husband, having been through boot camp, thinks they should do more than just yell; he'd argue that the "beating" you may or may not suffer at the hands of your DI is nothing compared to the hell they're sending you into, and it's instructional to get an inkling of what's going to be expected of you down the road. Take that for what it's worth, because this would open up a whole can of worms not necessarily relevant here and which I'm not really trying to argue.
My point in bringing this up: even if he's not just playing the stereotypical part that has been attributed to him, this particular comment, when taken in context, doesn't really say anything to support or disprove that. I'd argue it's more a function of his age and when he served than a barometer of his conservatism.
posted by jennaratrix at 11:27 AM on October 2, 2006
And this is a surprise to you, that a 60-odd year old Marine drill sergeant acknowledges that his job was a lot easier when he could use physical means to make his point? A lot of mothers would probably agree with him, if not out loud. The difference in the stories I'd hear from my grandfather (Army, WWII), my father (Navy, Vietnam) and my husband (Navy, East Timor among others) are pretty vast, and no disrespect, my grandfather was the most disciplined of the bunch. Interestingly, my husband, having been through boot camp, thinks they should do more than just yell; he'd argue that the "beating" you may or may not suffer at the hands of your DI is nothing compared to the hell they're sending you into, and it's instructional to get an inkling of what's going to be expected of you down the road. Take that for what it's worth, because this would open up a whole can of worms not necessarily relevant here and which I'm not really trying to argue.
My point in bringing this up: even if he's not just playing the stereotypical part that has been attributed to him, this particular comment, when taken in context, doesn't really say anything to support or disprove that. I'd argue it's more a function of his age and when he served than a barometer of his conservatism.
posted by jennaratrix at 11:27 AM on October 2, 2006
Has pointing out that the phrase "jumped the shark has jumped the shark" jumped the shark?
Less than 4 meta-levels of hipsterism. You lose.
posted by hoverboards don't work on water at 11:32 AM on October 2, 2006
Less than 4 meta-levels of hipsterism. You lose.
posted by hoverboards don't work on water at 11:32 AM on October 2, 2006
Only metalevels of prime ordinal win. You lose.
posted by sonofsamiam at 11:34 AM on October 2, 2006
posted by sonofsamiam at 11:34 AM on October 2, 2006
This is second hand from a cow-orker who was a Vietnam era Marine, but his DI beat a recruit who fell out of a run until he was knocked out. The recruit died two days later in the hospital.
Even without hitting people, they aren't exactly singing Kumbaya at Parris Island.
posted by Andrew Brinton at 12:27 PM on October 2, 2006
Even without hitting people, they aren't exactly singing Kumbaya at Parris Island.
posted by Andrew Brinton at 12:27 PM on October 2, 2006
flamethrowers were used to suck the air out of pillboxes....who the hell needs one now?
Cadet?
Also, hitting recruits is pointless. Although I do think boot camp should be longer.
posted by Smedleyman at 3:26 PM on October 2, 2006
Cadet?
Also, hitting recruits is pointless. Although I do think boot camp should be longer.
posted by Smedleyman at 3:26 PM on October 2, 2006
I was surprised to see him as the main figure in the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie advert. I didn't realize he was in the TCM remake nor did I know he was in Megiddo: The Omega Code 2.
posted by infowar at 3:58 PM on October 2, 2006
posted by infowar at 3:58 PM on October 2, 2006
Just saw him on a "Scrubs" episode as well, doing what he does best - belittling a grunt (in this case, his son, the janitor.)
I agree with quin. If his site's just a play on his character acting, lovely. If he's serious, well, it'll be like reading Orson Scott Card - I can enjoy the art while detesting the artist.
posted by FormlessOne at 4:20 PM on October 2, 2006
I agree with quin. If his site's just a play on his character acting, lovely. If he's serious, well, it'll be like reading Orson Scott Card - I can enjoy the art while detesting the artist.
posted by FormlessOne at 4:20 PM on October 2, 2006
For what it's worth, I have met him and had some drinks with him, and he was really, really nice and friendly and not drill sergeanty at all.
posted by mckenney at 3:15 PM on October 3, 2006
posted by mckenney at 3:15 PM on October 3, 2006
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posted by Heywood Mogroot at 2:27 PM on October 1, 2006