Married With New Kids

Becky's two-week turn as queen bee of the A.T. comes to a close, and she sure hopes she's done a better job keeping up with every celeb's T-town antics than Jena Malone did dressing herself. Plus, a couple of familiar faces come back on the pop scene with some fresh moves and new clothes—damn, we thought baggy jeans and high-tops were more deserving of a comeback than the New Kids were. Also, one Simpson sister splits up, while the other settles down, but we're just glad we don't have to listen to either of them sing.

Been Around the Block

Move over Posh and the rest of the spice rack—the New Kids on the Block are the hottest pop group hoping to go from has-beens to are-nows. We got psyched up on a heavy cocktail of nostalgia and curiosity and hopped over to the House of Blues to check out the dudes’ dress rehearsal for their Today Show performance. No better way to spend a Tuesday night than blasting to the past with some outdated tuneage, n’est-ce pas?  

Outside Sunset Boulevard’s HOB, the lines were down the block, every heart-pounding fan clamoring to get in first and snag a choice spot, perf for catching some sweet singer sweat, fer sure. There were absolutely no cell phones or cameras allowed in the house, which resulted in tons of disappointed Industry types boo-hooing about not having their BlackBerries by their side. Heaven forbid a member of the entertainment press loses contact with the outside world for a half hour.

The boy-band bonanza began with video interviews and some behind-the-scenes footage of the guys goofing off in the studio. Joey McIntyre brought out his best “Leave Britney Alone!” impresh, tear ducts and all, proving just how serious a thespian the stud’s become in the last decade or so. The curtain dramatically lifted and the New Men on the Block walked out, lookin’ all sorts of stylish in sleek gray suits and classy black ties, handsomely dressed as though they were taking every lady in the place to the prom. They performed a medley of their greatest hits, including “Step by Step,” “Hangin’ Tough” and “The Right Stuff,” tho you could hardly hear a harmony or melody over the screams coming from gals in their late 20s, early 30s. How much ya wanna bet some of those women still sleep with NKOTB bedsheets?

These five fine guys can still shake it, kickin’ it with some old-school signature choreography. The only one who seemed to struggle with the steps was “the sensitive one," Jonathan Knight, who was lookin’ at the other fellas’ feet to remember the moves. Eh, can you blame him? J.K.’s the only New Kid without delusions of grandeur hoping to score a solo career, having opted to go into real estate once the group disbanded. Welcome back to the incredibly critical world of entertainment, Jonny boy!

The “bad boy” of the boy band, Donnie Wahlberg, reached into the crowd and took a note from an admirer in the front. “Donnie, ignore the wedding ring on my finger,” Wahl-babe read aloud. “My husband is OK with it. You’re my freebie!”