Indian Shirtlessness

Happy Holidays, brave IMS members! As a cold front sweeps into the Northeast of the United States, I am reminded that good shirtlessness is not always accessible to all. But that does not make it a goal less worth pursuing. Over the holidays, I watched a Bollywood movie with my family called "Jodha Akbar" which I will admit that I really liked. It was a Bollywod costume drama with some of the most sumptuous costumes ever, and yet it had some incredible shirtlessness by the above featured, Hrithik Roshan. Like "The Tudors," Jodha Akbar combined two of my favorite things, historical fiction and good male shirtlessness. Evidently the DP found his shirtlessness quite appealing as well in his practicing-his-sword -skills-in-front-of-Jodha's-room scene. I have never seen muscles so lovingly caressed by a camera in my life, and I own a copy of "Casino Royale!" But honestly, I am often faulted for not featuring enough Indians on my blog, and so to the haters, I offer Mr. Roshan as an excellent example of the 2 Point Standard.

I also saw "It's Complicated" on Christmas (yes, the holidays are big movie watching times in my family) and must comment on the prominent shirtlessness featured in that film. Although Alec Baldwin did not uphold either point of the 2 Point Standard, he did take off his shirt with such glee and abandon that I had to cheer for him. Also, how amazing to see a romantic comedy in which the male lead takes off all his clothes while the female lead barely shows any cleavage. Fantastic! Sometimes shirtlessness can even make a point.

As we head into the New Year, I want to thank all of you who check my blog on a regular basis. Thanks for checking in on the state of male shirtlessness in the world and continuing your efforts to make a difference. With so many issues at stake this year like health care, underwear bombers, and corporate bailouts, I appreciate your attention to this small issue which may with any luck make the world a better place, especially to those of us who don't have health insurance, routinely get frisked at airports, and have seen a drastic drop in employment due to the global financial crisis even though bankers apparently have not. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and hope that 2010 will feature even more good shirtlessness than ever before! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Holiday Shirtlessness

As holiday specials that do not feature good male shirtlessness have taken over the final prime time hours of the year, I thought I would offer a holiday special of a more home-grown variety. Some friends of mine created this holiday greeting which I think exemplifies how good shirtlessness can add to almost any occasion. Tony took pictures of Mike demonstrating adherence to the 2 Point Standard of Fitness and Seeing the Sun while wishing us all well. I like the jaunty use of the scarf as well as the soft focus on the edges! Thank you Tony and Mike for sharing your creative use of good shirtlessness with us at a time when we need it and continuing to promote the cause while spreading good cheer!

There was a big storm in the Northeast over the weekend. I find that a storm can transform New York into a pretty, fluffy, and friendly place. People help each other over snow drifts and hold the doors. Everything looks pretty under a layer of white. And for one day, work and obligations can wait while we take the time to play and enjoy Mother Nature. My wish is for more snow storm days in 2010, perhaps figuratively more than literally because the charm of 20 inches of snow wears off pretty quickly. And I hope that there is always some good male shirtlessness to come home to, waiting with a cup of hot chocolate. I will be taking Christmas Day off, and so these are my holiday wishes for you, brave IMS members. I'll be back on Monday. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Ode to a Secret Santa

Last night, my writers' lab had its Secret Santa festivities, and I have to say that mine was the best! Dustin Chinn gave me the Asian Pacific Male 2010 Calendar, filled with lots of shirtless pictures of Asian Pacific men, including the above pictured Yul Kwon, in various interesting locations. Not only does this gift fulfill my shirtlessness quotient, but all of the proceeds go to Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc, a health care center that provides quality services in a culturally competent manner in Los Angeles. Shirtlessness for a good cause - what better present could anyone get for the President of IMS?

Not only was the gift great in and of itself for obvious reasons, but it sparked the most fascinating discussion amongst many of the writers. Some of us took turns deciding who we would marry, who we would not, and who made a great martini. Mr. August, who holds a tire in his photo, started quite a bit of debate about why one might hold a tire for a shirtless calendar. I will say that I wish the vice president of IMS had been the stylist on this shoot because I think he would have made some interesting choices and we probably would have lost the tire. But tire or no tire, the calendar is great. I love it!

For those of you who were wondering, Mr. Kwon (who was declared the husband of several people in my lab last night) looks so familiar because he is the winner of "Survivor: Cook Island" in 2006. Apparently this is the man that you want stranded on a desert island. He's Mr. December, and I think he'll be worth the wait. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Bond Revisited

Although I am not caught up on all of the episodes of Ugly Betty, I will say that I caught up on the important parts. How no one called me immediately after this episode is unfathomable to me. Good male shirtlessness plus water? You know how that combination makes me weak in the knees! I had called for Connor's shirtlessness last year, and I am so grateful that they did it and they did it right. This YouTube video is also saved on my toolbar so that I can watch it once a day. Unbelievable!

Interestingly enough, I think that ABC is trying to save UB by moving it to Wednesday night in January. This is going to be a tough night, going up against Glee, but if they can keep the good shirtlessness coming, I know which one I'll be watching even if there is a big theater queen living inside me.

In the meantime, I would like to address the makeover of Betty. Obviously they are trying to make Betty more attractive so that it seems like she has actually worked at a fashion magazine for a few years. I like how she still chooses colorful outfits but with fewer prints. I do take issue, however, with the straight hair equals prettier thing going on. This is exactly what they did to Anne Hathaway in the "Princess Diaries." Betty's hair just keeps getting straighter and straighter, and on behalf of curly-haired girls all over, I'd like to say that curls are beautiful and upscale too. And you shouldn't have to have Debra Messing's stylist in order to wear them on television. I know I could start another whole blog on the topic of women's hair in the media and how it puts ethnic women at a distinct disadvantage, but I'll refrain so that I can stay true to the cause. I hope that one day we'll be able to have good male shirtlessness and curly hair all over the place! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Searching for Holiday Shirtlessness

From the ads for the new Sherlock Holmes movie coming out on Christmas, there appears to be a fresh batch of good male shirtlessness on the horizon. In an otherwise bleak holiday season, it brings me comfort to know that I can see Robert Downey, Jr. shirtless and tied to a bed for $12.50. I also noticed some shirtlessness in George Clooney's new film "Up in the Air" and in Meryl Streep's upcoming "It's Complicated" although I have gone on the record saying that I do not approve of Alec Baldwin shirtless. Nonetheless, it's nice to see a big Hollywood film in which the male star has to take his shirt off while the female star does not. Maybe the tables are turning slightly.

I am going to try to catch up on several weeks of "Ugly Betty" this weekend since I hear there is some fantastic shirtlessness to be had on that show. I don't know why ABC moved UB to Friday other than in an attempt to kill it. Even Jane Austen-loving me usually has something to do on Friday night, and I can only keep up with so many shows at once. Hopefully, I will have something good to report on Monday. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Where It All Began

It's that time of year when I get very nostalgic for modern dance because the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is performing at City Center. I moved to New York to become a dancer and spent my first years here at the Alvin Ailey school. I spent the better part of my first Christmas season at City Center watching the company, one of the perks of working as the assistant to the Executive Director while a student at the school. I remember being moved to tears in almost every single performance, and even now, many years later, the effect they have on me is just the same.

The program I saw last night included lots of good male shirtlessness. The first piece, Festa Barocca, choreographed by Mario Bigonzetti, featured an entirely shirtless male ensemble. I was especially grateful to hear that other IMS members were in the house when they applauded the section in which all the men entered the stage on the cue of the lead dancer, the fierce Hope Boykin, snapping her fingers. Of course, all of us were gratified by the duet of the above pictured Clifton Brown (shirtless) and Constance Stamatiou(wearing a shirt). Their pas de deux emphasized the intense athleticism of dance and showcased how strength, precision, and technique can come together to make art. What really struck me about last night's performance was how well matched the men and women in the company were. Each partnering paired equals, an inspiration in an unbalanced world.

After last night's performance, I reflected on how long good male shirtlessness has been a part of my aesthetic. I was 14 the first time I saw the Ailey company, and I remember the "Sinner Man" section of the masterpiece "Revelations" (the piece with three stunning and shirtless male dancers performing feats of wonder) being my favorite even then. The search for good male shirtlessness started way back then! It continues on, and if you are in need of a fix this Christmas season, I highly recommend you check out the company at City Center until January 3. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Fantasy Shirtlessness

I obviously could not force myself to record the two-hour Private Practice "event" that kicked GA off the air last night for various reasons, not the least of which was the commercial promising a storyline in which Addison's father sleeps with her friend. I remember that clunker from an Ally McBeal, and it was not appealing, shirtlessness or no. So instead I give you a fantasy sequence from a happier time on GA, when George was alive and all the attendings got along. I hope you will enjoy. This is also my payback for the amount of gratuitous girl-on-girl action tailored to the straight male gaze that we have been seeing on network television of late.

Actually, my writers' lab had a holiday dinner last night, and a group of female writers pondered good shirtlessness for a while and the accessories that make good shirtlessness great. We came up with the ability to vacuum, do the dishes, make sensible conversation, and massage. After watching this video, I'd like to add scrubbing my back in the shower. All these are excellent additions to good male shirtlessness, and I'd like to see more work done on these fronts by IMS in the coming year along with our continued dedication to preserving the two-point standard.

Our work is never done at IMS, but we must go on. In this holiday season, I urge you to remain true to the cause as I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS