Sure, office curmudgeon John Del Signore railed against The No Pants Subway Ride earlier this week, but we're happy to report that he's been coming in to the office sans pants all week and it has really turned him around on this whole thing. So we lift our ban, for now, on No Pants Subway Ride coverage... because we don't really have a ban on coverage, just a desire to see them take it to the next level. And yes, there's MORE to say! Actually, there's nothing more to say. What you just read was FILLER, all we've really got is this new video of the action. Enjoy! more ›

This Sunday, January 8th, the No Pants Ride will be happening once again (don't say we didn't warn you) for what the Improv Everywhere organizers say is the 11th year (though it feels like eternity). So before we ready ourselves to see more boxers on the subway cars this weekend, let's take a look back. The most shocking thing revealed in this video below: the No Pants Ride was actually pretty fun during its first trial run. more ›

In case the bazillion photos were not enough, there's finally some video documentation of this year's No Pants Subway Ride! Just regular YouTube video, not 3-D, not IMAX, not Smell-O-Vision... and not once is there a rat attack. But maybe next year one of those elements can be added... because how many years in a row can one look at pantless subway riders? more ›

Yesterday afternoon the Improv Everywhere troupe grew to around 3,000 people as the No Pants Ride converged underground. This is their 9th time doing the annual ride, which floods the subway system with underwear-clad participants each winter. The high yesterday was 28 degrees, so this takes some dedication! Did you see any bare legs? Send us your pics! more ›

Yesterday was No Pants Day 2008, the 7th Annual Improv Everywhere event that includes hundreds of people riding the subway with no pants on. According to IE's initial report, yesterday's event drew 900 participants, requiring that the group split up onto three different lines--the 6, the R, and the 2 trains, which they rode from downtown Manhattan to Union Square. more ›

It's that special time of year again when Charlie Todd and a troupe of others that like to de-pants every January go underground for a nice, brisk ride on the subway. As usual, you're all invited (warning: you may be arrested), but if you show up you must not have pants on! They warn, in all caps, that "THIS IS A PARTICIPATORY EVENT. DO NOT SHOW UP UNLESS YOU PLAN TO TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF. THIS INCLUDES NEWS MEDIA." Hear that "new media"? You are not exempt (though there's a possible loophole here in which one could wear skirts, shorts or a dress). more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a bank robbery on Richmond Ave. on Staten Island, an injured corrections officer at Rikers Island in the Bronx, and a gas leak on East 68th St. in Manhattan.
• Chris Booker, the NY radio DJ boyfriend of Philly news personality Alycia Lane who allegedly punched a female NYPD police officer after calling her a dyke, says that she's being singled out because "[she's] a babe." Or it's because she allegedly punched a female NYPD police officer in the face after calling her a dyke.
• The Observer directs the politically inclined to Iowa Caucus-watching parties around town.

Thursday April 5th at 10:30 on MTV, the world will say, "Hello," to Human Giant, but the people who go to Crash Test at the UCB every week are going to be saying, "Hey," to the familiar faces of Aziz Ansari, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, and Jason Woliner. The foursome have been screening selections from their show for months now and the reaction is always the same: uproarious laughter. Thanks to the Internet and to MTV, Human Giant is going to bring alternative comedy to a mainstream audience, but first Gothamist brings you this Q and A with Human Giant. (Bonus: Trailer for the show after the interview, and get the first episode on iTunes for free!) more ›

In Congressional testimony in Washington D.C. yesterday, deputy NYPD commish Richard Falkenrath told lawmakers that he wakes up every morning braced for another terrorist attack. The method of attack? Simultaneous detonation of satchel bombs. Falkenrath, who was testifying in front of the Homeland Security Committee on a mass transit bill, also told House members that there have been 22 bomb threats and 31 leads related to subway attack plots this year. The proposed bill would set aside $4 billion for subway and rail security, including $100 million for tunnels in Penn Station. more ›

It's radio-free NYPD when it comes to the subways. In a totally reassuring article about the state of NYPD security, technology, and how money is spent, the NY Times reports that police refuse to use a new $140 million radio system in the subways because it doesn't work very well. The MTA put a new radio system in because police stationed underground were never able to communicate with police aboveground. Truckloads of money later, there is a new radio system, but there's so much interference, "it sounds as if you're talking through a glass of water," according to a NYC Transit engineer. more ›

I am Legend in Washington Square Park, by sdsparks. more ›

Yesterday afternoon, over 200 people convened on a 6 train to participate in Improv Everywhere's No Pants! Subway Ride. Unlike last year's ride which resulted in arrests, yesterday's event seemed to go swimmingly: The Daily News reports that other panted riders were shocked and amused. more ›

MUSIC: We've been enjoying us some Ford & Fitzroy, and are eager to hear what they've got in store sonically (as there is only one track available online right now). But the ex-Asobi Seksu bassist and his talented bandmates have got us hooked off just that one tune. Give a listen at their MySpace. And check them out tonight with V2's Roman Candle. more ›

If you ever wondered how it would feel asking the MTA to pay for your pants, after they been ruined by an LIRR or Metro-North seat, wonder no more! The NY Times investigates the pants-chewing armrests on commuter trains on the M7 train cars. The armrests are "made of a rubbery material that seems to grab onto fabric and not let go" and love to attack when passengers sit down. more ›

Hazy summer skyline by e-liz on Flickr. more ›

Charlie Todd wrote in to say that the last of the people arrested in January's No Pants 2006 subway ride had her case dismissed yesterday. Apparently "Agent Omega" overslept the court date last month, so it took a little longer for her to get cleared. Charlie scanned in the dismissal order-- it contains some amusing judicial prose: more ›

This morning we received not one, but three emails about ImprovEverywhere's No Pants prank. This one was from Charlie, the founder of the group: more ›

View this clip on Vimeo more ›

With all the trouble last weekend at the No Pants ride, we're wondering what's going to happen at the Idiotarod race tomorrow! The race has been very well publicized on all the New York sites, and the route has been published on the Idiotarod site (starts at Monster Island in Williamsburg tomorrow at 2:30pm [updated] the monument in Fort Greene Park at 2PM.) The NYPD seems to be cracking down on everyone recently-- first Critical Mass, then bikers in general, then No Pants. Will the Idiotarod be next-- will the NYPD allow thirty teams of wildly costumed racers to push their carts at top-speed through the city streets? Take our poll after the jump-- and please, Idiotarodders, be careful when you are racing. And don't forget to write your lawyer's number on the back of your hand! more ›

- And the Village Voice says this year's No Pants 2K6 backfired because of the arrests more ›

In order to make sure everyone knows how wacky New York is, the press descended upon Improv Everywhere's No Pants 2k6 ride yesterday afternoon. The NY Post, Daily News and Newsday - as well as the AP - all filed reports about pranksters trying to make people crack a smile on a subway during an otherwise routine Sunday afternoon. The press was probably disappointed there wasn't another transit strike, so this was a good second option ("Human interest angle - should people really wear pants if they don't want to? Or are your legs too winter-white?"). However, the police got involved, "detaining" some of the pantless (but not naked) and saying it was because "People couldn't get on and off the train and [the stunt] created a hazardous condition." Gothamist finds that NYPD claim to be BS, because if that really were the case, the NYPD should be arresting people at 59th Street Columbus Circle and tourists at Times Square on a very regular basis - they do not understand the unspoken subway contract of letting people GET OFF the subway car first before piling in. more ›

Whoa-- busy Sunday night! Yesterday we told you about Charlie Todd's No Pants 2006 Subway Ride-- one of his more famous ImprovEverywhere projects. The plan for today was to ride from Brooklyn Bridge to 125th Street on the 6, and then turn around and come back down. Sadly, the fuzz busted the event up and nabbed six of Charlie's agents at 59th Street! Presta Cottage Industries has the details: more ›