It’s official: New Kids on the Block are reuniting. Today had the big "reveal" this morning, sending Meredith Vieira and Natalie Morales out onto the rain-soaked Rockefeller Plaza — where the besuited man band magically appeared from behind a red curtain. The girls in the crowd went apes— as the guys quickly fell into their old roles: Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, and Joey McIntyre did all the talking, while Jonathan Knight stood behind them looking uncomfortable. Danny Wood was there, too. Off to the side. (The good news: neither Jonathan nor Danny was as awkward as Today’s cut from the screaming New Kids crowd to a somber Al Roker, who was reporting from outside the Memphis hotel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated 40 years ago today. Seriously. Awkward.)
But, using the same let’s lighten things up! segue Today did, back to the New Kids! They’ve been recording since last August. On May 16, they’ll return to Today for their first live performance together in 15 years. They’ll release an album this summer (same signature sound, "maybe a few less oh-ohs," said Wahlberg). And they’ll launch a limited tour this fall (yes, there will be dancing). Frankly, that’s all we needed to know. But Morales kept the guys around for another segment so she could ask this poorly worded question: "You guys went from the biggest act around to just disappearing. We didn’t see you. Some of you went on to have your own singles, and your own albums, but we really didn’t hear about a lot of you. Where did you all go?" Honestly, I think she just wanted to get into a real-estate conversation with Jonathan (sales are terrible, he said), but instead, she got always-serious Donnie talking about his acting career. "I shot a film with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino called Righteous Kill, and I guess after that, it was kinda like, what more could I do in acting? So I get back with my boys and make some music."
Of course, the question is: Do we want to hear that music? I suppose I’ll tune in May 16, because I want to know if Jordan’s and Joey’s voices are still as good as Donnie said they are. And whether Jonathan, who, let’s face it, was never the best dancer, will keep up (or even show up). And if I’m really switching allegiances from Jordan to Joey after all these years. You?
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I’ll be there! I saw Joey in Wicked on Broadway and also at a concert he did here in Boston last year and his voice is still in good shape.
“what more can i do in acting”? damn, he thinks he’s the one who was oscar nommed not his more talented brother eh?
um- when did danny get kinda hot?
I was always in the minority being a Donnie fan, so I don’t know who I’ll go for now, because he just looks… worn out. In a bad way. I don’t know how I feel about this. Oh, but I’ll fo sho be tuned in!!
I’m kind of in shock that Danny became the hot one. (Joey’s eyebrows take away whatever hotness he had.) Still a Jonathan fangirl, though. I watched that interview and kept giggling over his hiding in the back. Yep. 15 years hasn’t lessened that fear.
I was just really happy Al Roker didn’t even attempt a clever segue for that.
When groups like this regroup after what? 20 years — it’s because THEY NEED THE MONEY!
God, I was SUCH a fan. I’m not sure how I feel about this, though. They look so…old! However, that said, I still think Jordan is the cutest.
I am with you Mandi, I think I have switched to Joey from Jordan as well. I enjoyed songs from both of their solo projects, so I think their voices will still be good. But I am shocked they are actually doing this. Wasn’t there a VH1 show about getting bands back together for one performance and half of these guys flaked or said no?
I am with you Mandi, I think I have switched to Joey from Jordan as well. I enjoyed songs from both of their solo projects, so I think their voices will still be good. But I am shocked they are actually doing this. Wasn’t there a VH1 show about getting bands back together for one performance and half of these guys flaked or said no?
I’m psyched. How often do you get a chance to revisit your inner twelve-year-old?
They all look great, perhaps better than before… With the exception of Jordan Knight. He looked better when his solo album was out, what happened? I loved him around then.
Oh, you’ve just made my week. I may not get any more work done this afternoon. And Joey’s voice is better now than it was then.
Words. Cannot. Express. My. Excitement. I think I think I jumped off the Jordan bandwagon too. They are ALL looking fine though. Especially since they all lost the rat tails.
I was always a Joey girl. I had his doll. My room was covered in posters and sadly, I put little lipstick marks on all of the pictures of Joey. I was 10.
Why yes, I’ve regressed from 30 to 12 in a matter of seconds at the news. (And for those who don’t care about this event, just remember that some never cared for grunge either.)
Oh, and I still have my New Kids poster puzzle. It’s so old, but surprisingly, still has all of its pieces.
Am I the only one who always liked Jon the best?
This news makes me want to dig out my old NKOTB pin-ups and hang them up on my wall.
I’m still trying to figure out what Danny has done to his face. Botox? HGH? Steroids? A combination of the three? Somethings off….
I can’t wait! I’m going to dig out all my NKOTB stuff in my old closet!
I was all about Donnie then and some things never change. (Loved him on Boomtown, too.)
Cannot wait for the tour! 13 or 33… who cares, Joey Joe is still my fave!
I am like a kid in a candy store right now! My co-workers are just cracking up at how excited i am (is that sad?). Anyways, I love them and cant wait for May 16, the new album and the tour!!!
Popwatch Genie Found! Turns out that Diablo Cody IS the popwatch genie I’ve been writing about all these years. She writes about BC Bud and the “Harold and Kumar” trailer comes out. She pens a column asking for the return of the New Kids, and sure enough they came back!
I’m impressed with the powers of this writer/academy award winner/fellow midwesterner.
Regarding the band’s return, good for them. I was never that big of a fan, but always dug how the lives of Donny and Mark Wahlberg were the clear inspiration for “Entourage”. Hopefully, the return of the band will spawn a new story arc for the series.
I, too, am thrilled beyond belief that NKOTB are getting back together, for however long. I am keeping my fingers crossed that their limited tour will bring them out west. I always hated that I never got to see them perform back in the day. I will not let that happen again. Joey Joe — you still make my heart go pitter-pat.
If this tour is successful, I plan to sell all my old NKOTB shiz and make a handsome profit. Goodbye NKOTB comforter set. Hello moolah!
If this tour is successful, I plan to sell all my old NKOTB shiz and make a handsome profit. Goodbye NKOTB comforter set. Hello moolah!
If this tour is successful, I plan to sell all my old NKOTB shiz and make a handsome profit. Goodbye NKOTB comforter set. Hello moolah!
My goodness I’m beyond excited. My coworkers don’t get it. I’m already recruiting the girls for the Boston concert. Shiteous or not, I’m so there!!! My allegiance shifted from Jon to Jordan when I saw how manly he became…SWOON!
I’ll be tuning in just to hear what they sound like. And I’ll be switching allegiances from Joe to Donnie. Also, they say Danny has some tight street-dancing moves. I hope Jordan and Joe will give up the spotlight long enough to let Danny showcase if he really does have the moves. That’d be sweet.