Easy Shirtlessness

I apologize for Harry Shum Jr's mysterious disappearance over the weekend and for the fact that this picture will not fit very well into the format. I don't know why Google images has become so difficult to navigate recently, but I am trying to make the most of it. If nothing else, maybe these strange, hard-to-see photos make you want to check out the source of the shirtlessness even more?

In any case, after a summer of seeing almost no movies at all, I saw two movies in one weekend and discovered the delectable Penn Badgely who seems to be quite game for taking his shirt off. Hurrah! I have not watched "Gossip Girl" since I was trying to keep one night television free (which has gone out the window with my new obsession of "Hawaii 5-0") and really did not know much about Mr. Badgley. But I enjoyed him in "Easy A" this weekend. In fact, I enjoyed "Easy A" quite a lot with the exception of my difficulty imagining that a girl could be so completely vilified in high school for having sex. Perhaps it is too long since I went to high school, but I distinctly remember that more than one person in my class was having it without causing too much outrage. On the flip side, the hommage to John Hughes movies of the 80s made me laugh and cheer, and of course, I can't help but love a leading lady with a caustic wit.

Thank goodness that I got my laughing and cheering at the movies because there wasn't much to be had last night with the season premiers of either DH or B&S. While I enjoyed DH to a certain extent, I couldn't help feeling that I was watching a recycled show. We watched Vanessa Williams bring a slghtly kinder and gentler Wilhemina Slater to Wisteria Lane and Bree set up almost the exact same scenario as we saw Susan in two seasons ago, strangely with newly wed Brian Austin Green in the role of the housepainter. The only saving grace was the beardless Carlos looking quite dapper. I think he should take his shirt off for sure!

As for B&S, that show has jumped the shark. Even the giant billboard of shirtless Gilles could not save the episode. Why was everyone speaking so slowly? I felt like I was in the final scene of an episode of "Party of 5" for the entire show. Pregnant pauses do not make good television; nor does excessive whining. I don't know that I will be able to continue on Sunday nights. They didn't even let poor Gilles say anything. Why, ABC, why?

I'm just grateful that I have H50 to watch tonight. It looks like Mr. O'Loughlin will be shirtless and wet tonight. I can hardly wait! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtless Glee!

I may be the only person in America who did not see the season opener of "Glee" this week (well besides the other 4 people who were on a conference call with me), but my inbox was full after the airing with buzz about a shirtless hottie named Harry Shum, Jr. From what I can see, this young actor has already learned how to give good shirtlessness, and I like it! He is almost abnormally muscle-bound which in a strange way makes me proud of a fellow Asian thespian. Way to represent, Mr. Shum!

In other news, I love "Hawaii 5-0," and I love Alex O'Loughlin. Click here to see a profile of him on CBS. Mr. O'Loughlin speaks with his native Australian accent which is oh so sexy. My favorite part is his voice-over about how "naturally athletic" he is laid over a shot of him taking his shirt off. It's all good. Plus the banter with Scott Cahn appeals to my need for good dialogue. I have a feeling that "Castle" may lose out to the 50th state. If only the writers could write something interesting for the Asian characters, I would be completely happy.

Also speaking of sexy men with accents, I caught Gilles Marini on the Wendy Williams show yesterday. He was trying to make strawberry shortcake with her and became rather flummoxed when she sprayed whipped cream directly into her mouth. I love that Gilles can even make a talk show segment that has gone terribly wrong look adorable. I look forward to seeing him on B&S this Sunday where I believe that he will take his shirt off.

And finally, I enjoyed GA last night even thought no one took his shirt off. I will say that the new psychologist played by James Tupper would do much better if he conducted his sessions shirtless, but of course, I am biased. My favorite line from last night's opener was "Derek is the love of my life, but you are my soulmate" once again giving props to the power of female relationships. For all of the twistiness, I have to say that Meredith and Christina remain one of my favorite television pairings on air today.

Looking forward to Sunday. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

And so it begins...

The week of season premiers is upon us, and I am extremely excited that it starts with "Hawaii 5-0" tonight. Alex O'Loughlin is so dreamy, and the show's premise seems to offer many opportunities for shirtlessness to be paired with water. This is how I like to get the party started. Not to mention that I'm also going to see a dear friend on NBC's "The Event" tonight as well. Is there a better way to kick off a new season?

I doubt it. If Mr. O'Loughlin does not take off his shirt, I will be very disappointed indeed, but in what has been described as "the most intensely competitive opening night in recent memory" (NYT, 9/20/10) CBS would be foolish not to make the most of its casts' assets. I know Grace Park will be wearing a bikini for most of the show, and so it stands to reason that Mr. O'Loughlin will take off his shirt. I am so excited for tonight!

I hope this is the beginning of a very beautiful and shirtless season! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

The Very Bad No Good Day

Every so often, each of us has a terrible, very bad, no good day in which everything goes wrong. Yesterday was just such a day for me, and the result was no post. The upside of this story is that in times of distress, Gilles Marini can and does make everything better.

I could go through all the details of what made my day bad including finding myself at what I thought was a print go-see and finding out that it was actually an on-camera commercial audition that was running one and a half hours behind, but then I would end up making today annoying as well. And why do that when I could just day dream about new storylines for B&S to make Gilles take his shirt off? I liked the pool scene last season and could do with another one of those. As you know, I am a big fan of water and shirtlessness. I think they go well together. I also like steam and shirtlessness, shirtless cooking, and shirtless cleaning. These would all be excellent additions to the season at hand.

So with those happy thoughts, I am going to venture out into the world and try to have a better day. Hopefully another tornado will not touch down as I attempt to meet a friend in the park. Perhaps instead, the park will be filled with tan, shirtless men offering to clean my apartment and make me dinner. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Hawaiian Shirtlessness

Walking around my neighborhood, I am happily reminded by almost every bus and telephone kiosk that the new season not only brings new shows from old favorites but also new shows from new contenders. The poster that has caught my eye the most this fall is that of Hawaii 5-0. Here is a show whose very premise demands male shirtlessness in every episode, and from the trailer, it appears that show's producers are aware of the excellent shirtless potential exhibited by its star, Alex O'Loughlin. I've posted him before, and I have a feeling I'll be posting him again. I remember watching this show with my parents back in the days when only women ran around in beach scenes, and I admit there's something about the theme song from the original series that still sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. I look forward to some Monday night shirtlessness very soon!

Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

End of Summer Shirtlessness

As summer turns into fall and the temperature drops to an acceptable level, I have to reflect on the good shirtlessness of the summer and give props to my friend Louis Ozawa Changchien for the excellent shirtlessness he displayed in "Predator." He was the mystery man with back tats of the spring, and although his agent never did get around to sending me any shirtless photos, I feel that Louis is dedicated to the cause. When I saw him in "Year Zero" Off-Broadway, he wore his wife-beater style tank top with the panache of an IMS poster boy and made me proud. Live and on film, Louis is the real thing, kind heart with great shirtlessness!

Brave IMS members, we now approach the beginning of the new season on TV, and I'm looking forward to more good shirtlessness on big screens and small. Please feel free to post suggestions of who should take off their shirt in the fall line up, and I will do my best to post accordingly. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Gearing up for the Premieres

I don't know where my head was last season that I didn't post the fine Jason George giving Dr. Bailey some excellent and well deserved shirtlessness on the penultimate episode of Grey's Anatomy, but it's never too late to remedy the situation. What is not to love about this scenario? Working woman Bailey is being wined and dined by sexy anesthesiologist, Ben Warren, who then takes off all his clothes and insists that he make sweet sweet love to her. Swoon! Now I don't really know any anesthesiologists who are built like Jason George, but I am going to keep hoping. I'm also hoping that he didn't die in the bloodbath that was the season finale, because he and GA definitely need to keep that coming!

In the meantime, my reading at the Kennedy Center went very well, and it appears that my play is funny even to people that don't know me personally. Phew! Sometimes writing is so personal that I worry it won't transcend the page. My Jane Austen play is definitely a very personal play, and I'm glad to know that it can resonate with people other than my friends. I am grateful for that.

Now that the fall is upon us, I'm feeling hopeful for the season premieres and the shirtlessness they may hold. The fact that Vanessa Williams is joining the cast of DH assures me that something hot and wicked is coming to Wisteria Lane, and a shirtless man should be in tow. GA always has Eric Dane to fall back on, and I'm beginning to think that Glee can be a reliable source of shirtlessness as well. I feel optimistic, and I hope you do, too, brave IMS members. Until Friday, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Gleeful Shirtlessness

I have come to the "Glee" bandwagon late, primarily because I was afraid of committing myself to too many nights at home. However, I caught this video from a rerun this week and decided that the show was definitely on the right side of good shirtlessness. Also, I love Olivia Newton-John and will fully cop to having sported a look very much like hers in the "Physical" video back in the 6th grade. Little did I know then that I looked like Sue Sylvester. I have posted Matthew Morrison on the blog before, and I think guest star Jonathan Groff is just the sweetest from having participated in a benefit for the Actors' Fund with him a few years ago. Finally, the delightful takes on my favorite songs from the 80s keep me wanting more. So let's get physical, IMS!

I was not able to catch "The American" this week as planned due to some family issues. I hope to see George shirtless soon, however. The fact that he is shirtless in Italy will make the film even more visually appealing. Sometimes the anticipation just adds to the enjoyment.

I'm off to Washington DC tomorrow for the reading of my Jane Austen play that will be presented at the Kennedy Center. I'm pretty excited to have the play in such a prestigious venue, and I'm thrilled to be playing my own role. Lately, I have been reflecting on how many small steps it takes to make a big step. Sometimes the little steps seem endless. But every once in a while, one step can make the rest seem worthwhile, and I think that this one is that kind of step.

Due to the holiday and my reading, I will post on Tuesday next week. I wish you all a Labor Day weekend filled with tanned and trim torsos! Until then, I am...

Your in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS