This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Calling all comedians, cut-ups and practical jokers: Saturday is your day to shine.
Improv Everywhere, a national group that regularly creates "scenes of chaos and joy in public places" is staging its seventh annual No Pants! Subway Ride in 10 cities - including Salt Lake City.
Anyone who is willing to take off their pants on a TRAX train - while keeping a straight face - can participate.
The idea is to make unsuspecting riders think there is nothing strange about commuting in boxers or briefs.
"That's what's so funny about it," said Ashley Merrill, the 25-year-old Bountiful resident who volunteered to organize the Utah ride.
Participants - still wearing pants - will meet at 3 p.m. at the Triad Center fountain on the corner of 300 West and South Temple. Wear coats, hats, gloves and even boots to stay warm.
From there, groups will board trains and at a designated stop "stand up and take their pants off," said Merrill. The plan is to ride back and forth in the Free Fare zone from EnergySolutions Arena to the Courthouse station until about 5:30 p.m.
Once on the train and pants-free, Merrill said participants can read or listen to music. They must not let on that they know the pants-less people around them. If someone asks, they should say something like: "I took them off because I was uncomfortable" or "I was so busy this morning I forgot."
Since it was founded in 2001, Improv Everywhere has executed 70 such pranks. Those who participate are called "undercover agents."
In addition to Salt Lake City and New York City, where Improv Everywhere is based, other participating cities include: Boston, Washington D.C., Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, Baltimore, Toronto and Adelaide, Australia.
UTA "Rider Rules" say footwear and shirts are required on TRAX trains and buses.
But there is no mention of pants. But disorderly and inappropriate conduct is prohibited on trains and indecent exposure could get you arrested.
"They will need to comply with all the laws of all the jurisdictions and all the UTA ordinances," said UTA spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware, who was aware of the prank plan.
"We definitely are not encouraging it," said Bohnsack-Ware, "but I doubt anyone is going to get arrested."
Merrill and Improv Everywhere encourage "agents" to wear modest underwear. That means thongs - and depending on what you look like, the tighty whities - should remain at home.
"The whole point is to be funny, not crude," said Merrill. "Life is so serious so much of the time. Sometimes we need a break from that. We need a reason to laugh."
For more information about the no-pants prank,
e-mail Merrill at improvslc@ gmail.com or visit the Improv Everywhere Web site: www.improveverywhere. com.
* JOIN IN: Participants - still wearing pants - will meet at 3 p.m. at the Triad Center fountain at 300 West and South Temple. Wear coats, hats, gloves and even boots to stay warm.
* IS IT LEGAL? UTA ''Rider Rules" say footwear and shirts are required on TRAX trains and buses. But there is no mention of pants. However, disorderly and inappropriate conduct is prohibited on trains and indecent exposure could get you arrested.
* WHAT NOT TO WEAR: Organizers encourage modest underwear. That means thongs - and perhaps even tighty whities - are a no-no.