Burlesque!

Over Thanksgiving, my mom and I went to see "Burlesque." She loves dancing movies, and since I had already seen "Morning Glory" and promised "Love and Other Drugs" to a couple of my friends, I figured, why not? And I'll admit I had a good time. I don't think that my mom ever really understood that burlesque is old-fashioned stripping which eliminated any discomfort which may have existed in watching a strip show with my mother. The numbers were all suitably fabulous and particularly well created for the camera. Christina looked and sounded great, and Cher was her fabulous self. And most importantly, the most skin that we saw was on this gentleman pictured above, Cam Gigandet. Mr. Gigandet wore lots of eyeliner and little else which made me happy. So the story was trite and all the songs were not hits - who cares? Mr. Gigandet stalking around wearing nothing but a cookie box was something to be thankful for! Further research shows that Mr. Gigandet apparently goes shirtless in all of his movies, with good reason. I look forward to his next film. Strangely enough, Eric Dane was in the movie, wearing a shirt for the entire film. I'm not sure what to make of that, but given how much shirtlessness Mr. Gigandet provided, I really cannot complain.

My other Thanskgiving movie wound up being "Princess Diaries 2" which I watched on the couch on Saturday night after flying home and ordering take-out. This movie looks like it was shot at DisneyWorld itself with its faux-European cobblestones, but I could not stop watching it. I love Anne Hathaway, and her speech for why queens should not have to marry at the end of the movie made me feel happy that at least one generation of girls is being told that marriage is not the be-all that we see in virtually every single other form of mass media. So go, Princess Mia, and rule alone while having fun on the side with the princely Chris Pine!

So what am I thankful for this year? I'm thankful for better male shirtlessness all over the place and a community of people who appreciate it as much as I do! Thanks for keeping the cause alive!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Sexiest Man Alive Edition

Oh happy day when People magazine comes out with its "Sexiest Man Alive" issue! A double feature filled with shirtless pictures for me to enjoy in the privacy of my own home. Sigh... I don't actually think that Ryan Reynolds is the sexiest man alive, but he has done a lot for the cause. So congratulations to Mr. Reynolds for joining the club! I can only imagine that good shirtlessness is a requirement of every SMA candidate, and I am happy to see that this year's winner continues to promote good shirtlessness in every movie he does. Also, I am grateful to People.com for continuing to provide good shirtless photo spreads in honor of the issue. Hurrah!

As for my sojourn to the Apple Store on Friday, I will say that my plans were somewhat thwarted. As you may recall, I chose the West side location because that store seemed to be above ground and therefore would promote the second point of the Two Point Standard, seeing the sun. Unfortunately, the Genius bar is underground, and again, I was faced with a long line of geniuses for whom the sun was not a familiar figure. My pale genius, Kevin, did fix my phone, however, which was the whole point of the trip. He was also very sympathetic when I explained my problem to him. So I guess it wasn't a bad trip after all.

I'm off to Buffalo for the Thanksgiving holiday. My father has still not reinstated internet service, and so I will not be posting on Friday. Often the day after Thanksgiving is not the best day to contemplate shirtlessness as filling oneself with stuffing and sweet potatoes does not lead to a strong sense of fitness. But I will see you next Monday with hopefully something interesting and juicy to discuss. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Hey 5-0! Here's an Idea!

Continuing on my crusade to get more shirtlessness on H 5-0, I offer the delightful Scott Cahn showing what he's made of to the producers at CBS. This is what we want. This and allowing the Asian people to speak. I can't even believe that IMS has to mount a campaign for shirtlessness on a show like "Hawaii 5-0" because why else would anyone make such a show with such a cast if not to exhibit a lot of shirtlessness? Honestly, I rented "The Back-Up Plan" just to make sure that Alex O'Loughlin is not made of wood, and indeed he is not. In fact, he is delightful both with his shirt on and off. I don't understand what is happening on this show. Please fix it.

Thanks at least to GA for giving a girl a little sugar right before Thanksgiving. I am headed upstate for the holiday and am fairly certain that I won't be getting any good shirtlessness there. So at least I have Jesse Williams and Eric Dane to remember as I stuff myself with turkey and sweet potatoes.

Also, I am making a trek to the Apple Store this morning to try to have my phone fixed. It started behaving oddly last weekend, and then the steps I took to fix it as directed by AT&T succeeded in erasing half my contacts. The only upside I can gather from this phone trauma is that I will be going to the one place in New York that will have more straight men than women and gays. I even chose the West side store since that store is above ground (unlike the East side store) and has a higher likelihood that the "geniuses" there will have seen the sun. Of course, the last time I had an appointment at the Genius bar, I was helped by the only woman working at the counter, and so my expectations are quite low. Hopefully F through Z can be restored on my phone by someone, and if that someone is a smart, Vitamin D sufficient, and shirtless, well then so be it! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Love and Other Shirtlessness

Here's a cute picture of Jake Gyllenhaal demonstrating how to take one's shirt off with a smile. Now I was a little bit mad at Mr. Gyllenhaal for playing a Persian prince last year because while he was predominantly shirtless, there really was no way to believe that he was Persian, or in modern language, Iranian, but really how can you blame the man for taking the job? I did see the trailer to his new film with Anne Hathaway, "Love and Other Drugs,"and he kind of had me at hello, to quote another terrible romcom. I can already tell that I am going to see this film during the holiday season which is when I get my yearly dose of fairy tale which often follows the storyline of total cad meets amazing girl and is miraculously changed into a loving and compassionate human being. I actually think that I have lived this storyline, except for the miraculous change part. In any case, the movie looks cute, and Mr. Gyllenhaal should be shirtless as much as possible, in my opinion. See above.

In the meantime, I did take time out to go to another romcom this weekend, "Morning Glory," only to find out that it wasn't actually a romcom at all. There was a romantic storyline, but it was barely a part of the plot. Instead it was much more a tale of a woman struggling to make her way in the career that she dreamed of ever since she was a little girl. It actually hit the spot for me and perked me up. My only disappointment was that Patrick Wilson did not take his shirt off in any meaningful way. A proper romcom would have featured at least one excellent shirtless scene.

I'm still not excited by any of the network shirtlessness. Hopefully some mid-season replacement will give me something to write about soon. In the meantime, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtless Stephen

Since the secretary of IMS sent me a request for Stephen Dorff with the subject heading "I used to love him," I thought I should honor her request and post Mr. Dorff for a little bit of fun off the beaten path. Finding a shirtless picture of Mr. Dorff without a cigarette proved a bit more challenging than expected, but at last here is one that should please the secretary. Mr. Dorff has inspired some discussion of manscaping with his unshorn pecs on several blogs. I rather like him au naturel, but I am open to commentary. Every man need not be plucked and waxed hairless; just a general sense of tidiness is appreciated.

Catching up on DH last week, I was glad to see that Marc Cherry has finally embraced the gay storyline on Wisteria Lane and gave us a hilarious and yet touching story for Bob and Lee which included the antics of their favorite gay icon, Gabby. For anyone at ABC reading this blog, I will point out that the vice president of IMS would like to add a pool to Bob and Lee's house where Bob could lounge shirtless. I certainly second that motion. Overall, DH could definitely stand to up the shirtless quotient. Brian Austin Green is no substitute for Jesse Metcalf or James Denton. Sorry.

I still keep hoping that H5-0 will give me something to get involved in emotionally. Frankly, to have entire episodes without any shirts coming off is really just a big waste. Please have more shirtlessness, and let the Asian people speak. And having a happa-howli actress cry a lot does not make a compelling storyline. Actual plots make for compelling television, no matter how much weeping is lauded in the media.

I seem to be seeing more and more shirted television and theater which makes me a little bit sad. I hope someone takes his shirt off in my vicinity soon. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtless for a Good Cause

Last night I worked on a benefit fundraiser for a New York theater company which featured short plays in various locations of two New York apartments in Tribeca. One of the plays took place in a shower and featured some shirtlessness. In spite of the fact that in order to watch the play, one had to sit on the edge of the bathtub and risk getting wet, I will say that it was the most popular play of the evening. Of course, one guest did come and complain to me that the actor did not take all of his clothes off in the shower, but overall, the guests seemed quite satisfied. It was such a hit that there was almost a mandate to always include one shower play in every benefit from now on. We shall see. The important lesson I walked away with is that shirtlessness inspires generosity. I have witnessed this first hand at Broadway Bares, the famed BC/EFA benefit that happens every June, and was pleasantly reminded of it again last night. To make my point, I give you Matthew Morrison, back in his Broadway days, baring his abs at Broadway Bares for charity. Shirtless benefits are good!

Because of the madness that was last night's benefit, I have no idea of what happened on the shows. I realized after I got home last night that I did not change the clock on my quaint VCR, and so I did not tape B&S. This illustrated to me the fact that I need to upgrade my cable so that I can DVR like the rest of the world. To do so would require me to make a more consistent monthly income which has not been so easy these days. I know the recession was declared over last January, but somehow I still don't seem to be making any money. Hmmm... I'm not going to think about this too much or else I will get upset. In any case, I'm putting it out there, that for Christmas, I would like DVR and more good shirtlessness to record with said DVR , and while I'm asking for things, I might as well say that real shirtlessness would be much appreciated too. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtless and Appreciative

I've never posted Ashton Kutcher before, but it seems like high time I do because of late, he seems to take his shirt off in every movie he does. Also, it seems that every movie Katherine Heigl does involves her co-star taking off his shirt which makes me like her a little bit more than I normally do (which is not much). In any case, I know one IMS member who admires Mr. Kutcher not only for his good shirtlessness but also for his marriage to Demi Moore. I have to say when I looked it up, seeing that she met him when she was 40 and married him at 42 gives me new hope that there may be some good shirtlessness to be found in my future yet. I know one should hardly look to Hollywood for inspiration for romance, but given that there aren't very many other places to look, I'll take my hopeful moments where I can.

In other news, now that the election is over, I hope that we will return to a world of normal commercials. I don't think I could have handled one more day of watching Linda McMahon talk to me as a mother. In addition to the fact that she was not running in my state and therefore I couldn't understand why I was being subjected to her, the sheer volume of her commercials made me want to do something to vote against her. I realize that for billionaires, it's hard to understand the concept of too much, but please try. I'm still reeling from the story about the Indian billionaire's 27 story house in Bombay. At what point do you lose the perspective to realize building a house as big as an apartment building for yourself down the street from slums is tasteless?

Sadly I realize that elections have become like Christmas, and it's probably only a few days before we start seeing commercials for 2012. The Food Emporium in my neighborhood hung up a wreath on Monday, the day after Halloween. If only the candidates and Santa were in good shape, I might have a better attitude.

In any case, I am woefully behind on my tv and have no new shirtlessness to report. This may be why I am so cranky. Hopefully new shirtlessness will arrive soon, and the moment will pass. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Trick or Treat!

I received some frantic texts on Wednesday about how I should post Cory Monteith who plays Finn Hudson on "Glee" after the Halloween episode. I did not see the Halloween episode, and frankly after the lukewarm reviews it received on Facebook from my friends who are die-hard fans, I didn't rush to check it out on Hulu. But there was enough love for Mr. Monteith to suggest that he should be posted. So happy Halloween all! Singing in the shower seems more appealing somehow.

Where was I on Friday, you may ask? Honestly, I have been caught up in a swirl of writing a new play and organizing an event for another theater company that had me so attached to my computer on Friday working, I completely forgot to post. You know things are bad when I forget my twice weekly dose of shirtlessness, and I am looking into how my life could possibly be so out of control. I even forgot to record GA on Thursday.

To return to equilibrium, I did spend quality time on the couch last night watching DH and B&S, and I have to say that B&S has become so bizarre, I almost don't know what to do. Sunday night is my designated non-multitasking time, but honestly, I felt like I should have a magazine or something while this show was on. I don't know how Kitty went from mourning her dead husband to breaking up with her transitional man (who incidentally seemed crazy even while shirtless) in the span of two weeks. Time makes no sense on that show, nor does space. We are led to believe that Kitty fled to Ojai to get physical distance from her old life in LA/Pasadena, and yet members of her family keep dropping in on her hideaway on their way to work. It's very strange. I don't know what's going on in that show, and I want it to return to the days of everyone sitting by the pool watching Luc swim. That was much more fun. Also, is it just me or does the whole family seem to be bordering on alcoholism since they all (except for Justin, the alcoholic) drink morning, noon, and night and in response to good news and bad? I'm confused as to why they didn't keep the winery since it would have at least kept them all stocked in beverages.

With the passing of Halloween comes the acceptance that there will be no more occasions to see men with their shirts off in the street until next spring. This seems very sad to me, and I hope that my shows will be able to help me through the winter. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS