Dear showrunners,
Hi. We know you’re back in production because your Twitter updates tell us so. You’re busy breaking stories, thinking up cases that will play well in syndication and, just maybe, reveal something about your characters. Do not neglect your men’s chests. Look at what the folks at CSI: Miami have already accomplished with new addition Eddie Cibrian (pictured, courtesy of a People First Look). To stop a gunshot victim from bleeding out, he must take off his shirt and use it as a tourniquet. Totally believable. All this required was a little forethought: Presumably, his character, an officer from the Hollywood division who transfers to Miami, does not believe in belts.
We realize this shirt-as-tourniquet routine won’t work for all of you. Fans of Bones, for instance, already know that David Boreanaz‘s FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth loves his “Cocky” belt buckle. Alex O’Loughlin, on his new CBS medical drama Three Rivers, plays a cardiothoracic surgeon who’ll have actual instruments that can be used to apply pressure. Get creative. Both those jobs are stressful — have them work out to relax. Then shower. Or take baths. (We’ve already seen Booth in the tub once, with his beer helmet and comic book — it’s not gratuitous to do it again; it’s continuity!)
We’ll ask our readers to suggest other ways to get your leading men shirtless, so please continue reading the comments. (Maybe Cibrian is really, really clumsy when he eats? Or perhaps he’s prone to getting residue from the crime scene on his clothing, and it has to become evidence each week? If you’re very creative, you can use that to get two men shirtless at once, like they did on NCIS when Sean Murray‘s McGee had to bag and tag his top, and Michael Weatherly‘s Tony DiNozzo gave him the shirt off his back rather than a fresh one from his desk.)
All our best,
PopWatch
Photo credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS
Agreed! The lack of gratuitous shirtlessness of some of the male leads on these shows is distressing!
Definetly!The Mentalist and Bones could use more shirtless men.
All the CSI girls always have gratuitous non-necessary cleavage showing. It’s time for us to get our eye candy!
Excuse me, but why do we need an reason for men to go shirtless? How about just some gratuitous flesh? And why are you sticking to procedurals? I’m sure that Chuck would look great without his shirt, as would lots of other guys in comedies. Maybe even a few news or weather guys, like Sam Champion or Anderson Cooper. (OK, even I draw the line at Andy Rooney, though)
We did see Anderson shirtless (in a bathing suit no less!) when he interviewed Micheal Phelps.
Hey, if Burn Notice can have Michael Westen water plants shirtless just because, I don’t see why other shows cannot follow suit. Who needs a real reason? As someone above said, the women all have had to wear really inappropriate clothing for awhile, so why can’t we get more eye candy from the men? (I have to say, some of the best eye candy was not on a procedural, but rather when Lee Adama wore the teeny tiny towel on Battlestar Galactica. There are a few other guys I wouldn’t mind seeing in that situation!)
Mmm…Michael Weatherly.
Those are some serious low-rise pants on Eddie. From the angle of the picture, was it possible there was plumber action going on?
Hmm, there’s a thought! Can someone please send an envelope of talcum powder to the guys at NCIS so we can have another shower scene. There’s 3 birds with one stone… oh, and one chick, of course (Ziva).
Was that when they were discussing “honey dust”? A yummy moment all around!
I think there should be a shirtless week on tv. The way NBC had green week. It’s not like entire story lines would have to revolve around the guys shirtlessness but just a glimpse here and there. Plus you could play drinking games while watching! Everyone takes a shot when you see a bare chest!
Yes Please! I vote for shirtless week too!!! mmm Michael Weatherly…Jonathan Togo…Eddie Cibrian…mhmmm
Mandi – you’re my hero!
If we can’t go completely shirtless, can I get a little gun show action once in a while? Some Tight Shirt Tim time?
Ahh well… I think if we got it too much, we wouldn’t appreciate it. And then there are some might not live up to the expectations that we’ve created in our minds.
oh jeez just watch True Blood- you see shirtless guys constantly on that show… god, Mandi your such a pig
Learn the difference between you’re and your, pig.
OINK !!!!!!
I’m pretty sure Alex O’Loughlin is getting sweaty and dirty playing rugby in the very first episode of Three Rivers. Alex without a shirt is like heaven on earth! Thank you writer bunnies!!! Keep those pecs out there where we can see them!
Shirtless Booth is what we’re all dreaming about. But pantsless Booth with a shirt on is great too as Brennan comes to the door and he answers it.
She could just unbutton his shirt and that would definitely work for me.
While we’re on the topic of Alex O’Loughlin, medical personnel can have tats, you know. My last trip to a real hospital, I was cared for by a nurse in short-sleeved scrubs with tats on both of his arms and I survived.
Anytime we can get Alex O’Loughlin shirtless the world STOPS till we get our view of viewage! I understand his character, Dr Andy, plays rugby….a hot, sweaty, dirty game….SHOWER required! Hope he plays EVERY WEEK!