Remembering more than Shirtlessness

Another touching moment in last week's Oscar ceremony was the acceptance speech given by Heath Ledger's family for his Supporting Actor award. I didn't think it appropriate to post a shirtless picture of him, but maybe just this shot of him looking happy. Not only did Mr. Ledger appear shirtless in many of his films, but he always gave an in-depth performance that suggested a serious attention to craft that so many may forget. I watched "Cassanova" over the summer and found him so delightful that I felt sad for his passing all over again.

I had my writers lab last night and missed all of the television last night, although after the ridiculousness of last week's GA/PP "event," I admit, I needed a break. For this weekend's B&S "event," the vice president of IMS and I are going to watch together and play the drinking game called "Drink Whenever You See Sally Field Running" since the commercial has suggested that show will follow Ms. Field on a marathon down a hospital corridor. It should be a fun night. I think someone will die, but I hope it is not the baby since the baby would be the only series regular of color on that show. I will keep you posted on the results of that game.

I don't know why the winter is affecting me so deeply this year. I did grow up in Buffalo and should be accustomed to the cold. But I remind myself that when I lived in Buffalo, I drove everywhere as opposed to walking which seems to make the difference. I'm so cold that I don't even care if anyone takes their shirt off right now. I hoping that spring is just around the corner. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Indians and Shirtlessness!

I did see "Milk" yesterday just before the Oscars, and I was so glad that I caught it. This film featured a lot of shirtlessness, including some from James Franco, pictured above shirtless in a costume drama, and a message that was deeply moving. I found myself tearing up almost through the whole film, possibly from seeing how much has changed in 20 years time and how little. I loved Sean Penn's Oscar speech last night and have to recommend the movie to everyone. Tolerance and understanding are great messages to spread, and if good shirtlessness can help spread that message, then hooray!

Another hooray for "Slumdog Millionaire" which cleaned up quite nicely on the Oscars as well. I was delighted to see some fellow Indian artists accepting their most deserved recognition last night, and while my cultural heritage is decidedly more American than Indian, I can't help but feel some ethnic pride when the desis were up on stage. And I may be the only one to say this, but I thought that Irfan Khan should have been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category. He is amazing in everything that he does, and I hope this film will help him get the recognition that he deserves.

So I am recovering from what turned into quite an emotional day for me. I always cry in awards ceremonies just from the magic of seeing someone's dream come true, and last night's ceremony was no exception. I have very little left to say other than hoping that 2009 will bring us another such crop of films with important stories and messages to tell that include people from all walks of life. And if these stories include some good male shirtlessness, then all the better! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Oscar Shirtlessness

Of all the actors nominated for Best Actor this Sunday, I decided that Brad Pitt is the one I would most like to see shirtless, and judging from this still from Benjamin Button, I guess he follows our mantra in his Oscar turn. Hurrah! Sean Penn comes in a close second. I am seeing "Milk" on Sunday and perhaps will get a moment of that. Ooh, it just occurred to me that James Franco may be shirtless in the film, and now I feel a little bit happier! In any case, since no one from "Slumdog Millionaire" was nominated in this category, I have no allegiances. I know Mickey Rourke is favored to win and is shirtless in his movie, but I don't think I can endorse his shirtlessness at this juncture.

Last night found Ugly Betty in a locker room full of shirtless men which tickled me. Although I am the president of IMS, I sense that I would respond much like Betty in that situation, looking down and giggling nervously. One of our goals as an organization is to make the public more comfortable with good shirtlessness, and so I invite suggestions for how to further this portion of our mission. One really great thing about last night's episode was Betty's epiphany about fashion being a way that an artist can let what is inside show on the outside. Each artist uses a different medium, but I beleive that in the end every artist is trying to let what is inside show on the outside. That moment made me feel all warm and fuzzy about the theater, but only for a moment.

What is happening on GA? Izzy should sue Seattle's Grace Hospital because it is taking so long to diagnose her cancer. I guess now that Derek and Meredith are poised on the precipice of getting engaged, the writers have to fabricate all kinds of ridiculous drama. Often the drama emerges as a blond lesbian. I'm very disappointed. At least make Eric Dane take off his shirt while punching out Patrick Dempsey. It is the least they could do for their fans. And btw, last night's "event" was once again two separate episodes of two separate shows with one line of crossover dialogue. I could not even watch "Private Practice."

I'm off to get more comfortable with good shirtlessness in yoga class. My fingers are crossed for good shirtlessness on the Oscars. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Boot Camp Shirtlessness

I received a special request from an IMS member recently concerning the character of the Israeli fitness instructor on DH last week, and so here he is, shirtless as requested. I thought his tank top showed off some nice arm action last week, but my IMS colleague was deeply disappointed in his costuming. Upon further investigation, I found that the actor playing Yaniv was in fact TJ Ramini, an actor of mixed ethnic heritage whom you can learn more about on his website. I thought the storyline with Gabby going to fitness boot camp with Eddie was strangely sweet and wouldn't mind seeing him again in the future, hopefully with his shirt off.

I have enjoyed the resolution of the old and new Gabby over the past few weeks and found last night's episode of DH no less enjoyable on this front. Actually DH was fun last night in spite of endless setting up for future episodes. I can't wait to see what happens in the woods whenever we get a new episode of DH. Sadly we will have to wait for the B&S 2 hour movie "event" to pass before we can get to the bottom of that one. ABC is overdoing it with the "events" these days. B&S is truly venturing into the ridiculous by bringing more characters than anyone can keep track of together in a hospital. I thought they did this already a few weeks ago with Tommy's baby and wonder if the show is shortly to become a medical drama.

I've been feeling a little lackluster on the posting front, depressed by the weather and the economy. I apologize for less than exciting posts. It's hard to get excited about shirtlessness when my true passion, the theater, seems destined for doom. Since this isn't a theater blog, I won't wax philosophical here, but I do encourage you all to keep supporting the theater wherever you are. If we let this art form die, we will be forced to get all of our shirtlessness from episodes of "The Bachelor" because that will be the only form of entertainment left - reality television. Hopefully, it won't come to that since I will forever be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Yay Taye!

Thankfully, last night's GA-Private Practice "event" was a bona fide combination of the shows instead of the switch and bait that happened last week. I am even more thankful that the writers of this event had the good sense to make Taye Diggs have an asthma attack which required his shirt to be stripped off. Well done. Thank goodness, since Eric Dane has brought out that leather jacket again that he likes to zip up all the way, and everyone knows how I feel about that jacket. Take it off! I am disappointed, however, that each "event" seems to be followed by another event. So next week, I will be forced again to watch some very uninspired dialogue between Tim Daly and Amy Brenneman in order to get a few more moments of shirtlessness in February. And was it just me, or did it look like Faye Dunaway is going to guest star next week?

Today, I am embracing the power of Friday the 13th and wishing you all happiness and good shirtlessness on this Valentine weekend. It's a big weekend here in America because in addition to being the first superstitious scary night of the year followed by the Hallmark holiday known as St. Valentines, it is also the weekend we commemorate Abraham Lincoln's birth. In the spirit of living in difficult times, I am going to spend some quality time reflecting on the long term impact of our 16th President and what his presidency can teach us about today. That's a big question to ponder. Good thing that there will be chocolate and shirtlessness to bolster me.

I think that DH holds some juicy fun for Sunday too. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Federer, Take 2

I don't know what the problem was with the last picture that I posted of Roger Federer, but I hope that this one takes. Maybe he just wanted to be posted to my blog with a smile instead of a scowl. Tennis is a favorite of some IMS members, and so I thought I would do right by Mr. Federer and try again. Wait until soccer season!

I have caught up on all of last weeks required television and must say that I was wholly unimpressed with the GA- Private Practice "event." It seems to me that a show should be billed as an event when something highly unusual happens, like members of another show interact with the cast. The unusual action cannot be a phone call to someone on another show. It looks as though the actual crossover will happen next week. Frankly, I am not so sure about how much of an event next week will be either. But a shout out to Grey's for giving me some Jane Austen style furtive looks and secret touches underscored by tinkly piano music. These scenes made me giggle and reminded me that every show does not need to be hot and dirty in the call room. Also, thank goodness that Denny is gone.

Also, has anyone noticed that the ABC shows seem to be recycling their guest stars? The same man who played MJ's new principal in DH showed up again on B&S to offer Kitty a job. I know there are many actors in Hollywood looking for work, especially now when the threat of a strike is still looming and everyone needs their health insurance. Can we not have different sets of actors on these shows, or did I miss that last night was a special event on ABC as well?

I think February is making me cranky. I need some good new shirtlessness to perk me up. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtlessness, Anyone?

To continue on this week's tennis theme, I give you Roger Federer who lost to Rafael Nadal last weekend in the Australian Open. He's not too shabby either, although I suspect this post may start a discussion on manscaping and when it should be practiced. As an Indian person, I feel it may be inappropriate to weigh in on this topic since I cannot go swimming without scheduling a bikini wax first. I am open to discussion on what all of you think about it in terms of male shirtlessness. In the spirit of equality among the sexes as engendered by this blog, I have to say I don't know why women are the only ones to wax. But seriously, I think this Roger Federer looks cute. He has a more pleasing expression in the pictures of him with his shirt on, but again, this is not Indians for Nice Smiles.

I did not get to watch either UB or the two-hour GA-Private Practice "event" last night because of my lab. I am pleased to report that members of my writers' lab are increasing the instances of male shirtlessness in their plays. This trend leads me to think that our next LabFest may have to be heavily promoted right.

It continues to be frigid in New York City. My own natural tan is fading. I see no need for waxing when a pool is clearly not in my future. The outlook is bleak for male shirtlessness in this corner of the world. Please send reports from sunnier places. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Spanish Shirtlessness

Sorry for the late post. I became so caught up in an application for my Jane Austen play that I totally forgot to post until tonight when I was at a friend's play reading whose stage directions included the characters taking their shirts off and I was jolted into the realization of my missing post. Oops! I hope this means that my play will get accepted. After all I must have been concentrating very hard to miss out on my bi-weekly shirtlessness fix.

Judging from my brother's comment to my last post, he is still recovering from yet another no-Bills Superbowl, and so I am refraining from posting any Superbowl shirtlessness here. I did hear, however, that Rafael Nadal (pictured above) tore off his own shirt during the finals of the Australian Open and won. I am pleased that he was able to win the Australian Open and demonstrate good shirtlessness simultaneaously. IMS encourages individuals who can multi-task. Good job, Rafael!

I am hoping that some new television will boost the shirtlessness quote of this totally dreary winter. It has been so cold that I ran outside today to enjoy the "good weather" of 40 degrees. I realize that it is February in New York, but this winter has seemed to sap the life out of this normally chipper little Indian. I need sun and vitamin D! So do all of the people around me. Times are bad when a South Indian feels pasty. And now that Punxsutawney Phil has seen his own shadow, good male shirtlessness is on hold for at least another 6 weeks. I guess I will scour the internet for other pictures of good shirtlessness or alternately, the sun. Until I find some, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS