Academy Award Winner, Diablo Cody Loves the New Kids March 5, 2008
Here’s a recent article by Diablo Cody:
The Internet has been recently abuzz—an appropriate modifier, given the female-fantasy nature of the subject, but anyway—abuzz with gossip that the New Kids on the Block might be reuniting for a tour. Yeah, the actual New Kids on the Block. I feel that’s an important distinction to make, because when I was in junior high, my sixth-grade teacher announced that a “Kids on the Block” performance was scheduled at our school. This caused a minor riot and may have single-handedly triggered the onset of puberty in several Chicago-area tweens. But then we filed into the gymnasium and discovered that “The Kids on the Block” was an education puppet show. (Perhaps the same could be said about an actual NKOTB performance, but that irony was lost on us.)
I myself identify as a recovering Blockhead. You’d be surprised how many twenty- and thirtysomething hipster chicks have the NKOTB skeleton in their closet, albeit artfully concealed by stacks of Ksubi skinny jeans and iron Judas Priest T-shirts. (Hey, Girl-Who-Works-at-Urban-Outfitters: You can pretend to love the Arcade Fire and Panda Bear, but a glance at your iTunes reveals that “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” has been played 307 times, Since October). My very first concert was the New Kids at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis. It was a three-hour Coke-sponsored extravaganza that featured among other treats, Donnie Wahlberg “singing” reggae while swinging from an aerial harness. My mother still describes that concert as if recalling a stint in a POW camp: “It was so loud. It was horrible. So much screaming.”
If you were a female or gay male between the ages of 4 and 15 in 1989, chances are either you or your best friend was obsessed with Danny, Donnie, Jordan, Joe or Jon. And even if you were a conscientious objector, the stench of the Kids inevitably fogged your social bubble. The merch was ubiquitous. The pillowcases. The dolls. The cheap Saturday-morning cartoon that made Hammerman look like Fantasia by comparison. You couldn’t cruise past a Spencer Gifts without being assaulted by that logo with the giant, elliptical O in “Block”. At 12, that O symbolized my social life: a gaping, mocking void.
In the movie Mallrats, Ben Affleck famously (rhetorically?) asks, “Who’s your favorite New Kid?” while atop a schoolgirl. This surprisingly profound question begs the inevitable Beatles analogy. IF you liked Donnie—the “bad” one – you were probably the type of girl who’d have pined for John Lennon in 1964. (You might also have nursed a crush on AJ McLean of the late-90’s Backstreet Boys.) Jonathan Knight was the “quiet Kid”, as soulful Harrison in billowy silk shirts. Doe-eyed Jordan Knight was the charismatic Paul of the group; his epic six-inch rattail could be likened to Paul’s Wings Mullet. And Danny Wood, like Ringo, was frequently overlooked but defended by a small cabal of devoted fans; arguably the song “Hold On” was Danny’s “Octopus’s Garden”.
Which leaves us with Joe McIntyre, who defies classification by virtue of his utter awesomeness. (I was a Joey Girl, in case you haven’t guessed.) At the height of my New Kids obsession, I bought a giant poster of Joe and taped it to my closet door. Then—get ready to laugh and/or cry, ladies and gentlemen—I dabbed some men’s aftershave on “Joe’s” neck and shoulders so he would smell like a real guy when I kissed him at goodnight. Tragic. Unfortunately, the Drakkar Noir interacted unfavorably with the laminate on the poster, and Joey’s beautiful flesh turned zombie green. I didn’t care. Joey was so beautiful. His hair was shaped like the explosion on Bikini Atoll and his eyes were as blue as those of his idol, Frank Sinatra. (Though nearly two decades have passed, I’ve managed to retain a lot of random facts about Joe McIntyre. His favorite food is Mexican, his middle name is Mulrey, and he’s one of nine kids. Interestingly, I remember more about Joe than I do about actual guys I’ve dated. Maybe it’s because they didn’t’ have their own Topps trading cards.)
Naturally, when I heard NKOTB might reunite, a flock of exotic butterflies took win in my lower torso. So many questions! Would the original five be all accounted for? Would Jordan wear bib overalls without a shirt? Would Donnie still fit the harness? Unfortunately, Danny Wood has dismissed the tour rumors on this block, crushing the dreams of so many women who still remember that the Kid’s bodyguard was named “Bizcuit” and that Jon’s dog was a shar-pei.
But don’t lose hope ladies—Wood also teased, “Never say never.’ I choose to take that to heart. No matter what happens, no matter how poorly those NKOTB albums have aged (which is to say, very poorly), I remain a fan. If the Kids taught us anything with songs like “I’ll Be Loving You Forever” and “Please Don’t Go Girl”, it’s loyalty. Bubblegum may lose it’s flavor, but it can stick with you for life.
Source: NKOTBfans
Donnie Wahlberg to Present at 2008 Whiney Awards February 28, 2008
Found this on a NKOTB message board:
There is a sports radio station here in Boston WEEI 850AM that is hosting an awards show called the “Whiney Awards” to give awards out for callers into their station that have the funniest “whines” about the Boston sports scene. Anyway, they annouced today that Donnie is going to be one of the presenters. About two seconds later the radio host says to pay attention because he hears a certain boy band is getting back together and that something might happen that brings thier little award show some national attention. Sounded to me like Donnie might be bringing some friends with him to his appearance.
The awards show is March 11th at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston…so my real purpose for posting this if they’re going to be together in their hometown, my guess is that some sort of annoucement will come around the time they are home. I can’t imagine they would annouce anywhere else but here. Home is where the heart is as they say
I know I’m a new poster around here so new news can be skeptical but the awards show is real and even though they mis-spelled Donnie’s last name on their website you can see he’s going to be there by going to: http://weei.com/pages/1349264.php? You can also get tickets to this event for all you other Bostonians on the board….if a few of the guys show up you never know what might be revealed.
Source: Superior Web Hosting
New Kids On The Block Seen in L.A. today! February 26, 2008
They were all there! I’m at work don’t have much time to post..check out NKOTBlog.com for all the info. I”m soo excited!
NKOTB TV! February 22, 2008
Just noticed that NKOTBlog added a NKOTB TV section. Very cool. It has a bunch of old school New Kids On The Block Videos! I guess old school videos will have to do until the boys decided to give us an update. I’m sooo impatient!
P.S. The third video is a little creepy.
La, la la la la la la Tonight!
Record Studio Intern reveals NKOTB Reunion Plans February 20, 2008
Another day…another New kids On The block rumor. I love it! I found this on NKOTBfans.com
Yes it is true that they are recording a new album. Whether it gets RELEASED is another matter.
When I was at the studio, only Jordan and Donnie were there. Jordan was the only one working on a song at the time, Donnie must have just been there for moral support or whatever.
Im just an intern at this studio so i dont know too many details, other than the song we were working on (Jordan’s number) is a solo.
I also heard them talking about Joey doing one too, so I know that he is in on it.
And from what Ive heard, all 5 members will be on the album. Dont quote me on that though.
I had the pleasure of hanging out with both of them, and Jordan is very shy and keeps to himself (which is understandable). Donnie was a load of laughs, and I had a great time with him.
They only recorded that one song at the studio, and then they left. So the other songs are being recorded elsewhere.
Hope this helps.
NKOTB – Live in New York City 1990 February 18, 2008
Just for old time sakes, I thought I would put up one of my favorite New Kids On The Block You Tube videos. This NKOTB concert was also featured on one of their VHS tapes..I knew every single word. Love, Love Love it!
NKOTB Member loses father February 17, 2008
Regrettably I must report that New Kids On the Block Member Donnie Wahlberg has lost his father. It was reported that Donald E. Wahlberg died this past Valentine’s Day. He is survived by his wife, Alma,10 children and 17 grandchildren.
Please pray for the Wahlberg, this must be a hard time for them.
Visit Robert Wahlberg’s site to send well wishes.
NKOTB Reunion News Round Up February 16, 2008
The New Kids On the Block are Making a Comeback!
Here is a round up of the rumors so far:
1. NKOTB recording in Orlando
2. It may only be Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight & Joey McIntyre who are into the whole reunion thing
3. Danny Wood denied the reunion on his MySpace
4. Online Ticket Venues are pre-selling NKOTB tix
5. The NKOTB.com site is active again!
6. All the rumors are pointing to March as the official announcement date.
Source: NKOTB Reunion News
