IMS Alert - Possible Live Shirtlessness!

I have it from a very good authority, namely a friend who waited on him, that IMS Official Poster Boy 2007 is in New York. I will keep this post short because I have to go look for him and tell him to take his shirt off. At this point, I feel I have to take such extreme measures because I am certainly not getting any good shirtlessness on tv. None of my four stand-bys gave me anything this week. I think I saw a little bit of Jason Gedrick's torso during his fight scene with Tom Scavo last night, and that was about it. Even my guilty pleasure "Brothers & Sisters" did not use the opportunity provided by two scenes at the beach surfing to display good shirtlessness. Instead I was looking at Justin, Kevin, and Tommy in surfing suits sitting on the beach, talking. Dear ABC execs, please take note from the above photo of some good things you can do in a scene with a beach - ask your actors to take off their shirts and dip them in water. It's very good!

An update on the Broadway front - while no one took my nuanced and totally out of the box suggestion to have Zach be shirtless in the revival of "A Chorus Line," it does look like Mario Lopez is wearing some very tight shirts in his triumphant Broadway debut. Check him out! His muscle-y arms sticking out of the sleeves suggest very good shirtlessness, and his lines look beautiful. Hurrah!

Also, an update on the Ma-Yi Writers' LabFest which is going very well- I was there on Saturday night and delighted to find that not only are the plays all written by talented Asian American writers, but their casts seem to be multi-ethnic too. Who could have ever imagined such a thing in the theater? It was great! My play goes this Friday (sadly without shirtlessness, although in the full production, one character will enter the stage drenched), and I am both excited and scared about it. I need some shirtlessness to calm my nerves!

Until I find Mr. Craig, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

No New Shirtlessness

Because I am - shall we say "chest-deep" in re-writes for my new Jane Austen play in which I have combined many of my interests but sadly not shirtlessness - I was only able to catch "Grey's Anatomy" last night while I cooked and ate my dinner, and I can only say that I was bitterly disappointed. Re-writing my play has caused me enough stress to stop sleeping, and I turned to GA for a little bit of shirtlessness to get me through. Is that too much to ask? Again, McSteamy with the zipped up jackets and such. What is going on? We have not had any new episodes in months, and this is what we waited for? I'm sad. If I write a play about shirtlessness (which at this point I may have to do to get some) it will feature shirtlessness in every single scene because I know how to give the audience what it wants. Grumble grumble...

I'd also like to take a moment to respond to the kind person who posted a comment. Thank you! It has been rather lonely on my blog lately, and I am happy to read comments. I must remind you that IMS is a forum in which to discuss instances of good male shirtlessness. I have made my two point standard for good shirtlessness clear in my March 24 post. However attractive you may find Kyle MacLachlan, he did not live up to the standard of fitness and seeing the sun. Jesse Metcalfe, however plastic you may find him, has met the standard on the show. (What he is like post-rehab is anyone's guess.) If you disagree with the standard, then please feel free to offer your own standard for good shirtlessness. I would prefer you not assault my taste, even if you do so in a cute "Grey's Anatomy/ER" kind of way.

Sorry about the pictures. I have no time for trolling the net this week. But if you would like to use your shirtlessness time which is so clearly being wasted these days on network television for seeing new plays, may I suggest checking out the Ma-Yi Writers' Lab LabFest which is taking place at the Abingdon Theater on West 36th Street until May 11th. Perhaps I am biased, being part of the Lab and all, but LabFest does feature some incredibly talented writers presenting their latest full-length plays. And in the white-washed world of theater today, how nice to know that there are so many writers of color doing their thing!

I'm saving Ugly Betty for when I finish the next draft and know that even if it disappoints in shirtlessness as ABC seems want to do, it will satisfy my laughing out loud quota. Thank goodness for small mercies. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

No Thank You, ABC

Okay - imagine my outrage during "Desperate Housewives" tonight when I found out that the fabled male nudity that was to be featured in our precious few new episodes is no other than Orson, totally naked in a stupor at Susan's kitchen table. No ABC, no. Perhaps you have forgotten that "Desperate Housewives" was the show that launched the weekly shirtlessness fixation. Back in the day, I used to have happy feelings knowing that I would see Jesse Metcalf shirtless at least once a week. Now all I have is Orson? I waited three months for this? To sweet Kyle MacLachlan, I'm sorry to say that you displayed bad male shirtlessness when I know you just had to let it all hang out, but you did not uphold the two point standard. Meanwhile, where is Mike Delfino, and why bring back Jason Gedrick (Rick) if he's not going to take off his shirt? I am totally confused. The only thing that sustained me during the show was the Patrick Dempsey shirtlessness in the commercial for "Made of Honor." Check out the trailer , and you will see that obviously, a review of this movie will be be forthcoming.

The other saving grace of the evening was Steven Weber shirtless in a new episode of "Brothers & Sisters." Though brief, I thought that this episode made an excellent use of lighting to cover a possible breach in maintenance of the two point standard. It was sort of dark and sexy with lots of moving around which made it hard to tell if Steven Weber had seen the sun during the hiatus. I hope so. I also hope that he will continue to be shirtless in upcoming episodes.

So no pictures tonight. I'm certainly not putting up any shirtless Kyle McLachlan photos, and at this late hour I couldn't find an Steven Weber ones that didn't involve pantslessness as well. I must uphold the dictates of my blog! But I will leave you with the knowledge that I actually witnessed Steven Weber shirtless at BC/EFA Benefit a few years ago called Broadway Bares when another performer actually ripped his shirt off. He didn't seem thrilled that his tank top had been snatched from his body, but he was physically ripped. Let's remember that IMS is about voluntary shirtlessness and no one should be shirtless who doesn't want to be.

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtlessness on Broadway

For those of you who were wondering, Seth's show was a fabulous success on Monday night. Both shows were sold out, the crowds went wild, and there was a lot of buzz on "All That Chat" on TalkinBroadway.com. Although there was no shirtlessness in the evening, I was made aware that there is actually a lot of shirtlessness on Broadway this season, and I encourage you all to check it out. I'm not able to post any pictures on this post because all of them are copyrighted and somehow unable to be copied, but I'll try to make up for it with links

Two prime examples of good male shirtlessness on Broadway this season in new productions are "South Pacific" and "The Little Mermaid." While I have yet to see either of these shows, the publicity photos are enough to make me a believer. Check out the second page of the New York Times review for "South Pacific" to see an excellent picture of Matthew Morrison demonstrating an adherence to the two point standard of good shirtlessness. If only I could get a ticket to the show! No worries, though, because Lincoln Center recently announced that the show would be extended for an open-ended run. I'll catch it before the end of the summer for sure.

Meanwhile, "The Little Mermaid" features a shirtless Norm Lewis who meets the two point standard and raises it with the extra element of sparkle. He seems to be covered in glitter which makes this example even more of a standout. Check it out! He was part of Seth's show and brought down the house with his rendition of "Lullaby of Broadway." I always like when someone can demonstrate good shirtlessness and do something else too. For instance, Daniel Craig, Official IMS Poster Boy 2007, looks exceptional shirtless and is also a great actor. Mike Delfino on "Desperate Housewives" looks great shirtless and can also fix the sink. It's the little things that really elevate the shirtlessness to new levels.

Now, I know that there is also pantslessness on Broadway, but I remind you that this is not the forum for such sightings. I am just riding the high from Seth's show to point out some powerful moments in the theater.

Happily DH is new this week and will hopefully pick up speed after the somewhat lukewarm narrative of last week. Jason Gedrick is to return, and he definitely needs to take off his shirt. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Thank you, ABC!

A new episode of Desperate Housewives was on last night, and I was filled with happiness because it was clear to me that the writers' strike did not cause anyone to forget that we want shirtlessness! Hurrah! Not only did they give us some good male shirtlessness, but they gave us some new male shirtlessness in the form of Susan's cousin, Tim, played by Chris Carmack, a former Abercrombie and Fitch model. Thank you, ABC! While Chris is not exactly my type, I have to say that I am very pleased by the choice of him. As someone who has actually gone to the Abercrombie and Fitch store to check out rumors of male shirtlessness (which were true but sadly all the models were 12), I know that A&F models take shirtlessness very seriously (as evidenced by the above picture taken from iBaller.com), and I'm sure that we can expect to see Cousin Tim shirtless for the rest of his visit to Wisteria Lane. Now if only we could get Mike Delfino into shirtless rehab...

I'm off to tech rehearsal for "Seth's Broadway 101" which if you live in New York and are looking for something to do you should come see tonight. I have had many illuminating discussions with some of the chorus about the "4 Minutes" song, and while I still do not understand how 4 minute sex translates into saving the world, everyone is in agreement that JT should take off his shirt. He dates Jessica Biel which means that he must go to the gym. Look at her butt; she must do squats for hours. At least, if you are not going to take off your shirt, please do not dress for a blizzard. Why is he wearing a scarf in this video? In any case, I still can't stop listening to this song - it may rival my obsession with GoldDigger and Toxic.

New episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty" come on April 24th, and I feel that then my shirtlessness equilibrium may be restored. In the meantime, I'll try to catch up on the Tudors for my fix. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
Indians for Male Shirtlessness

4 Minutes of Shirtlessness

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to a YouTube video of the new single that Madonna released with Justin Timberlake called "4 Minutes." I downloaded the song on iTunes and have been listening to it obsessively. It's a hot song. Here's the thing, IMS members, in the video, Madonna is writhing around in a bustier showing off her rockin' bod, and JT is, well, not shirtless. He is wearing not one but two t-shirts. What is this about? Despite listening to this song 200 times in the past 24 hours, I still cannot figure out what this song is about exactly, but generally, I feel it is about sex. 4 minute sex does not sound exciting to me, but listen to the song, and you too might get excited about it. In any case, I feel that a hot new single about some kind of sex by Madonna and Justin Timberlake requires some shirtlessness. I asked a fellow dancer about this today, and he said he thought that perhaps JT was not in as good shape as Madonna. Okay, Madonna looks amazing. But Justin Timberlake, you are under 30 and live in California. You also ripped Janet Jackson's nipple cover off a few years ago. Take off your shirt.

Check out the video and see for yourself - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfUjfioAnKY

And for the shameless plug section of this blog, may I say that I am performing on Monday in a benefit for the Actors' Fund of America? The show is called "Seth's Broadway 101" featuring the hilarious Seth Rudetsky and a band of gypsies (Broadway-speak for chorus members) and amazing guest stars of the Broadway stage. I am one of the gypsies dressed in a blue two piece get-up that is so small that my mic pack has to go in my panties. The show was a huge success last year and was tons of fun. In fact, some of the pictures from last year are being used as publicity for this year, and because of Seth, I have made my first appearance in Next magazine, firmly anchoring my position as America's Next Top Gay Icon. I mention it here only because although there is no male shirtlessness in this show, there could be. The boys are quite fit, shall we say. I'm also taking notes so that one day, I can do an Actors' Fund Benefit called "Nandita's Shirtlessness 101." It's a dream. Help me make it come true.

For more information go to - http://new.actorsfund.org/performances/PAST_PERFORMANCES_AND_EVENTS_BY_YEAR/2008/SETHSBWY101

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Do-Over

I'm trying to post Mario again, but I don't think I am having any luck. Technophobe that I am, I can't get the picture to pop up like the others. The irony of my inability to post pictures of men of color is not lost on me. Grrr....

I was at the theater last night seeing an Actors' Fund special performance of "The Homecoming" and missed my dose of shirtlessness on the Tudors. Surprisingly enough, one of the characters in the play was played by James Frain who also plays Thomas Cromwell on the Tudors. He was shirtless in neither, and I am not really at liberty to say whether this is a good or bad thing. All I can say is that I am jonesing for some good shirtlessness and invite any of you to alert me to some before the next post.

Yours in desperate shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Fringe Benefits

Happy April, fellow IMS members! Spring is in the air (not really, but I'm an optimist), and it seems as though some good shirtlessness is on its way. I'm feeling very happy because I've discovered some fringe benefits to being the President of IMS.

1) People send you shirtless pictures! One member sent me clippings from Italian Vogue and Chinese newspapers of excellent male shirtlessness and even addressed the envelope to Mme. President!
2) People send me links to funny videos! Another IMS member sent me a link to a YouTube clip. Sadly, it did not feature any shirtlessness, but I feel hopeful that soon they will.
3) People offer to take off their shirts to help me! My friend Charlie Schroeder offered to take his shirt off when I was having trouble downloading his podcasts. He said after sendng me some advice, "If that doesn't work, I'll take my shirt off!" Imagine shirtlessness as a consolation prize to every technological problem you have. This is amazing! ( I hope someone at the Apple Store is reading this.)

Speaking of Charlie Schroeder, he has some pretty hilarious stuff on his website (charlieschroeder.net) including some shirtless video. I cannot officially sanction this video due to a failure to meet my two point standard of Good Shirtlessness, but I would like to applaud him for putting it out there. His podcasts make my ride on the subway so much more enjoyable. Check him out!

Finally, I have realized that I have not featured any beautiful men of color on my blog which shames me as a woman of color. So I leave you with this picture of Mario Lopez, a shirtless favorite of mine, from last season on "Nip/Tuck" that I found on another blog on blogger. Click on the weird box at the top to see it. I have no idea why my picture appears this way, but enjoy the mystery. Mario goes into "A Chorus Line" in two weeks as Zak, and all I can say is "Take your shirt off Zak!"

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS