Chippendales dancers
Encyclopedia
Chippendales is a touring dance troupe best known for its male erotic dancing (striptease)
performances and for its dancers' distinctive upper body costume of a bow tie
and shirt cuffs worn on an otherwise bare torso.
Established in 1979, Chippendales was the first all-male stripping troupe to make a business performing for mostly female audiences. Through the quality of its staging and choreography, Chippendales also helped legitimize stripping as a form of popular entertainment.
Today, the company produces Broadway
-style shows worldwide and licenses its intellectual property for select consumer products ranging from apparel and accessories to slot machines and video games. The Chippendales perform in a ten-million dollar theater and lounge built specifically for them at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
in Las Vegas. Annually, the official men of Chippendales are seen by almost two million people worldwide, performing in more than 25 cities in the U.S., 23 cities in Central
and South America
, 60 Europe
an cities, four Asia
n countries, and eight South Africa
n cities.
, Paul Snider
, and attorney Bruce Nahin. After operating a Mobil
gas station and a failed backgammon
club, Banerjee bought a failed Los Angeles club named Destiny II and turned it into a nightclub featuring female mud wrestling
and a "Female Exotic Dancing Night." Destiny II was located at 3739 Overland Avenue at McCune Avenue in Palms.
The concept of the male strip show was brought to Nahin and Banerjee by Snider (who subsequently became infamous for killing his estranged wife, Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten
and then himself). Broadening the operation, Banerjee soon created Chippendales, which immediately gained a huge female following. Together with Nahin and new partner/choreographer Nicolas de Noia (Snider had died in 1980), Chippendales was expanded to New York's Club Magique, London, Hamburg, Philadelphia, and Florida. Choreographer de Noia was originally in charge of the stage show, and after awhile he and associate producer Candace Mayeron took the Los Angeles and New York Chippendales on the road and played throughout the East Coast. Authorized shows also toured extensively in the U.S. (by de Noia), Asia, and Europe (through Banerjee).
For Chippendales, the early 1980s were filled with major lawsuits pertaining to personal injury, alleged sexual bias against male guests, and charges of racial discrimination. Eventually, de Noia and Banerjee had a falling-out, and Banerjee brought in choreographer/director Steve Merritt
, who, with his partner Mark Donnelly, had stage shows playing in Las Vegas and London. Merritt and Donnelly had the idea of putting the male stripper
s into a kind of mini-Broadway
show, with dancers, music, and themes. To find strippers, they recruited the most attractive men they could find from Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach
, and Santa Monica Beach. Merritt taught the men how to perform. He and Donnelly felt that women would respond to male strippers if they were presented in a "safe" (female-only) environment that was about fun and fantasy fulfillment.
Merritt became the choreographer of the Los Angeles show, and ultimately took charge of New York also. This resulted in two separate shows being performed, the de Noia touring version, and the "legitimate" Merritt Version. Once de Noia was killed in 1987, Merritt took control of the touring shows as well.
Chippendales, though still incredibly popular, continued to suffer from legal troubles, conflicts with "copycat" companies, and in 1993, an allegation of murder — that Banerjee had arranged de Noia's 1987 killing.
Banerjee's bail was denied, due to testimony that Banerjee had said he intended to pay a private pilot $25,000 to fly him back to India without a passport, and threatened to commit suicide if he was arrested. Soon after, the charges against him were expanded to include the hired hit of de Noia. In the early morning of October 23, 1994, hours away from his sentencing, Banerjee's body was found hanging in his cell. Because Banerjee wanted to shield his wife from a wrongful death lawsuit and from a $1.75 million fine from the government (Chippendales was worth considerably more than $1.75 million), he killed himself before his trial was technically completed. Banerjee knew that the almost-certain wrongful death suit by Nick de Noia's relatives would not be able to rely on the higher standard of evidence ("beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, largely recognized to be 95% or more likely to be guilty, required in criminal trials), and the family of de Noia would have to re-prove all of the evidence at any wrongful death trial (a civil standard would apply here, only a mere "preponderance of the evidence" standard, or 51% or more likely to be guilty.)
The entirety of Banerjee's share in the Chippendales corporation and his estate were passed on, (in the absence of a $1.75 million dollar fine and any successful lawsuit by the de Noia family), to his wife Irene, who thereafter sold the company (without, according to court records, Nahin's knowledge and without first obtaining Nahin's permission) to the current owner, Chippendales USA. Nahin remained a shareholder of the company until it was sold following Banerjee's death. Merritt staged shows at various Chippendales clubs until his death in the 1990s. Irene died of breast cancer in the early 2000s. Mark Donnelly is currently a screenwriter living in Los Angeles.
The company is currently run by Kevin Denberg, whose grandfather ran a Chippendales club in New York City in the 1980s. Kevin Denberg bought Chippendales in 2000 with several other investors, and immediately set about distancing the company from its somewhat risqué past.
On October 1, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Nothing in that decision affected the validity of the 2003 registration. One of the reasons for upholding the decision was the testimony of Chippendales' own expert, who admitted the male dancers' outfits were "inspired" by those of the Playboy Bunny
, who also feature a bow-tie and shirt cuffs. In April 2011, St. Joseph, Missouri, police shut down a show by a Chippendales impostor group, alleging that it violated Missouri's adult entertainment laws.
was an original Chippendale dancer, performing with the company for four years into the early 1980s. Similarly, Mark Davis danced with the company for four years in the mid-1980s. Radio host Todd Michaels
performed with the company in 1991 and 1995.
Recently, former The Bachelor fiancée Vienna Girardi hosted the Chippendales' "Ultimate Girls Night Out" in November 2010. Karina Smirnoff
of Dancing With The Stars
hosted the following month. Ronnie Magro of Jersey Shore
guest hosted an event in February 2011. Jeff Timmons
will be performing with the group through the summer.
. Chippendales was featured in the 2000 film The Chippendales Murder, directed by Eric Bross
; and the 2001 film Just Can't Get Enough
. Director Tony Scott
is reportedly working on a film about Banerjee and the Chippendales story.
Striptease
A striptease is an erotic or exotic dance in which the performer gradually undresses, either partly or completely, in a seductive and sexually suggestive manner...
performances and for its dancers' distinctive upper body costume of a bow tie
Bow tie
The bow tie is a type of men's necktie. It consists of a ribbon of fabric tied around the collar in a symmetrical manner such that the two opposite ends form loops. Ready-tied bow ties are available, in which the distinctive bow is sewn into shape and the band around the neck incorporates a clip....
and shirt cuffs worn on an otherwise bare torso.
Established in 1979, Chippendales was the first all-male stripping troupe to make a business performing for mostly female audiences. Through the quality of its staging and choreography, Chippendales also helped legitimize stripping as a form of popular entertainment.
Today, the company produces Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
-style shows worldwide and licenses its intellectual property for select consumer products ranging from apparel and accessories to slot machines and video games. The Chippendales perform in a ten-million dollar theater and lounge built specifically for them at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino
The Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino is located off the Las Vegas Strip in the unincorporated area of Paradise, Nevada, USA. It is better known as The Rio and is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Inc. The Rio was the first all suite resort in the Las Vegas area...
in Las Vegas. Annually, the official men of Chippendales are seen by almost two million people worldwide, performing in more than 25 cities in the U.S., 23 cities in Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, 60 Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an cities, four Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n countries, and eight South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n cities.
History
Chippendales was founded in 1979 by Somen BanerjeeSomen Banerjee
Somen "Steve" Banerjee was an Indian American entrepreneur and co-founder of Chippendales. After operating a Mobil gas station and a failed backgammon club, Banerjee bought a failed Los Angeles club named "Destiny II" and turned it into a nightclub that featured female mud wrestling and a "Female...
, Paul Snider
Paul Snider
Paul Leslie Snider was the estranged husband and manager of Playboy model Dorothy Stratten, whom he murdered before killing himself the same day.- Biography :...
, and attorney Bruce Nahin. After operating a Mobil
Mobil
Mobil, previously known as the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, was a major American oil company which merged with Exxon in 1999 to form ExxonMobil. Today Mobil continues as a major brand name within the combined company, as well as still being a gas station sometimes paired with their own store or On...
gas station and a failed backgammon
Backgammon
Backgammon is one of the oldest board games for two players. The playing pieces are moved according to the roll of dice, and players win by removing all of their pieces from the board. There are many variants of backgammon, most of which share common traits...
club, Banerjee bought a failed Los Angeles club named Destiny II and turned it into a nightclub featuring female mud wrestling
Mud wrestling
Mud wrestling is defined as physical confrontation that occurs in mud or a mud pit. The popular modern interpretation specifies that participants wrestle while wearing minimal clothing and usually going barefoot, with the emphasis on presenting an entertaining spectacle as opposed to physically...
and a "Female Exotic Dancing Night." Destiny II was located at 3739 Overland Avenue at McCune Avenue in Palms.
The concept of the male strip show was brought to Nahin and Banerjee by Snider (who subsequently became infamous for killing his estranged wife, Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten
Dorothy Stratten
Dorothy Stratten was a Canadian model and actress. Stratten was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for August 1979, Playmate of the Year in 1980 and was the second Playmate born in the 1960s. Stratten appeared in three comedy films and at least two episodes of shows broadcast on US network...
and then himself). Broadening the operation, Banerjee soon created Chippendales, which immediately gained a huge female following. Together with Nahin and new partner/choreographer Nicolas de Noia (Snider had died in 1980), Chippendales was expanded to New York's Club Magique, London, Hamburg, Philadelphia, and Florida. Choreographer de Noia was originally in charge of the stage show, and after awhile he and associate producer Candace Mayeron took the Los Angeles and New York Chippendales on the road and played throughout the East Coast. Authorized shows also toured extensively in the U.S. (by de Noia), Asia, and Europe (through Banerjee).
For Chippendales, the early 1980s were filled with major lawsuits pertaining to personal injury, alleged sexual bias against male guests, and charges of racial discrimination. Eventually, de Noia and Banerjee had a falling-out, and Banerjee brought in choreographer/director Steve Merritt
Steve Merritt
Steve Merritt was an American dancer and choreographer. Together with Nancy and Ronnie Horowitz and Mark Donnelly, Merritt created the musical Dream Street, which played in Las Vegas from 1983 to 1987. Merritt and Donnelly also conceived the Broadway-style format for the Chippendales show...
, who, with his partner Mark Donnelly, had stage shows playing in Las Vegas and London. Merritt and Donnelly had the idea of putting the male stripper
Male stripper
Until the 1970s, strippers in Western cultures were almost invariably female, performing to male audiences. Since then, male strippers, performing to female audiences, have also become common. Male and female strippers also perform for gay and lesbian audiences respectively, as well as for both...
s into a kind of mini-Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
show, with dancers, music, and themes. To find strippers, they recruited the most attractive men they could find from Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach is the wealthiest beachfront city located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, USA. The city is on the Pacific coast, south of El Segundo, and north of Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Beach is the home of both beach and indoor volleyball, and surfing. During the winter, the...
, and Santa Monica Beach. Merritt taught the men how to perform. He and Donnelly felt that women would respond to male strippers if they were presented in a "safe" (female-only) environment that was about fun and fantasy fulfillment.
Merritt became the choreographer of the Los Angeles show, and ultimately took charge of New York also. This resulted in two separate shows being performed, the de Noia touring version, and the "legitimate" Merritt Version. Once de Noia was killed in 1987, Merritt took control of the touring shows as well.
Chippendales, though still incredibly popular, continued to suffer from legal troubles, conflicts with "copycat" companies, and in 1993, an allegation of murder — that Banerjee had arranged de Noia's 1987 killing.
Banerjee's bail was denied, due to testimony that Banerjee had said he intended to pay a private pilot $25,000 to fly him back to India without a passport, and threatened to commit suicide if he was arrested. Soon after, the charges against him were expanded to include the hired hit of de Noia. In the early morning of October 23, 1994, hours away from his sentencing, Banerjee's body was found hanging in his cell. Because Banerjee wanted to shield his wife from a wrongful death lawsuit and from a $1.75 million fine from the government (Chippendales was worth considerably more than $1.75 million), he killed himself before his trial was technically completed. Banerjee knew that the almost-certain wrongful death suit by Nick de Noia's relatives would not be able to rely on the higher standard of evidence ("beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, largely recognized to be 95% or more likely to be guilty, required in criminal trials), and the family of de Noia would have to re-prove all of the evidence at any wrongful death trial (a civil standard would apply here, only a mere "preponderance of the evidence" standard, or 51% or more likely to be guilty.)
The entirety of Banerjee's share in the Chippendales corporation and his estate were passed on, (in the absence of a $1.75 million dollar fine and any successful lawsuit by the de Noia family), to his wife Irene, who thereafter sold the company (without, according to court records, Nahin's knowledge and without first obtaining Nahin's permission) to the current owner, Chippendales USA. Nahin remained a shareholder of the company until it was sold following Banerjee's death. Merritt staged shows at various Chippendales clubs until his death in the 1990s. Irene died of breast cancer in the early 2000s. Mark Donnelly is currently a screenwriter living in Los Angeles.
The company is currently run by Kevin Denberg, whose grandfather ran a Chippendales club in New York City in the 1980s. Kevin Denberg bought Chippendales in 2000 with several other investors, and immediately set about distancing the company from its somewhat risqué past.
Legal affairs
The company continues to battle similar male revues in the courts. Chippendales succesffully registered its "Cuffs and Collar" uniform as a trademark in 2003. However, because this registration was based on "acquired distinctiveness," Chippendales filed a subsequent application for the same mark in an effort to have the mark recognized as being inherently distinctive. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board affirmed the decision of the examiner that the mark was not inherently distinctive with one member of the panel dissenting. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board noted that its decision in no way detracted from the rights flowing from the registration in 2003: "However, the fact that applicant already owns an incontestable registration for the Cuffs & Collar Mark should serve as no small consolation in spite of our decision here."On October 1, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Nothing in that decision affected the validity of the 2003 registration. One of the reasons for upholding the decision was the testimony of Chippendales' own expert, who admitted the male dancers' outfits were "inspired" by those of the Playboy Bunny
Playboy Bunny
A Playboy Bunny is a waitress at the Playboy Club. The Playboy Clubs were originally open from 1960 to 1988. The Club re-opened in one location in The Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2006...
, who also feature a bow-tie and shirt cuffs. In April 2011, St. Joseph, Missouri, police shut down a show by a Chippendales impostor group, alleging that it violated Missouri's adult entertainment laws.
Notable dancers and hosts
Pornographic actor John StaglianoJohn Stagliano
John Allen Stagliano , also known as Buttman, is an American entrepreneur, pornographic actor, producer and director, who founded and owns the Evil Angel pornographic film studio.-Early life and career:...
was an original Chippendale dancer, performing with the company for four years into the early 1980s. Similarly, Mark Davis danced with the company for four years in the mid-1980s. Radio host Todd Michaels
Todd Michaels
Todd Michaels is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Saturday Night '80s," heard live on over 100 U.S. radio stations each weekend via the Dial-Global 24/7 Radio Network....
performed with the company in 1991 and 1995.
Recently, former The Bachelor fiancée Vienna Girardi hosted the Chippendales' "Ultimate Girls Night Out" in November 2010. Karina Smirnoff
Karina Smirnoff
Karina Smirnoff is a Ukrainian professional ballroom dancer. She is best known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars, where she held a runner-up title, a semi-final title, and several quarter-final titles...
of Dancing With The Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
hosted the following month. Ronnie Magro of Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
guest hosted an event in February 2011. Jeff Timmons
Jeff Timmons
Jeffrey Brandon Timmons is an American pop singer and producer and founding member of the Grammy-nominated pop group 98 Degrees.-98 Degrees:...
will be performing with the group through the summer.
In popular culture
Chippendales dancers were the impetus for the plot of the 1997 film The Full MontyThe Full Monty
The Full Monty is a 1997 British comedy film directed by Peter Cattaneo, starring Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, William Snape, Steve Huison, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber, and Hugo Speer. The screenplay was written by Simon Beaufoy...
. Chippendales was featured in the 2000 film The Chippendales Murder, directed by Eric Bross
Eric Bross
Eric Bross is an American film director. He has directed numerous films from 1995 to now.- External links :...
; and the 2001 film Just Can't Get Enough
Just Can't Get Enough (film)
Just Can't Get Enough is a 2001 film based on the true story of the rise and fall of the popular male dance revue Chippendales. It was directed and written by Dave Payne, and stars Jonathan Aube, Shelley Malil and John Paul Pitoc....
. Director Tony Scott
Tony Scott
Anthony D. L. "Tony" Scott is an English film director. His films include Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State, Spy Game, Man on Fire, Déjà Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Unstoppable...
is reportedly working on a film about Banerjee and the Chippendales story.