Still Lovin New Kids on The Block

Still hangin’ tough

2011-01-31T18:07:00.000-08:00

January 31, 2011 by Leslie Ventura

New Kid Joey McIntyre brings his show to Las Vegas

As I walk into The Lounge at The Palms, Joey McIntyre is Tweeting away feverishly on his phone. It’s 10:30 a.m. and the New Kid is in high spirits, waiting to finish his lineup of interviews for the morning. But this isn’t 1992 and New Kids on the Block is not the topic of discussion (for the most part). Instead, I’m meeting with McIntyre to talk about his new show at The Palms.

Starting Feb. 5, the New Kid will be performing in The Lounge at The Palms with producer and friend Emanuel (Eman) Kiriakou every Saturday of the month. Having worked with some of the biggest popstars in the business, Kiriakou and McIntyre’s show “One Too Many at Midnight” is a blend of early ‘90s throwbacks, top 40 covers and everything else in between. I sat down with McIntyre and Kiriakou to discuss the new show and how life is fairing — post NKOTB fame. I’d say the kids are alright.

The Rebel Yell: Have you been busy preparing for the show?
Joey McIntyre: Yeah, we hadn’t performed like this for about five or six years and then we did a couple shows in the fall and just got back together and you know it was so much fun.

RY: Why did you choose to perform in Las Vegas for this show?
JM: Our friend Zoe Thrall who runs the studio at The Palms is good friends with us, especially with Eman. She loved the idea and … we knew how perfect this room would be for what we do — you know, kind of an acoustic intimate fly by the seat of your pants show.

RY: What can we expect the show to be like?
JM: Well you know we’ve written a lot of music together so a lot of our original stuff. Of course a few New Kids songs, we try to do great covers. Some current stuff, you know, songs that are out now that we think are gonna be the future standards. In NY we did a Taylor Swift song, “You Belong to Me.”

RY: You’re [McIntyre] one of the pop all stars and you’ve [Eman] worked with some of the biggest pop stars. Who do you think is going to be the next up-and-coming artist?
JM: Well he’s just gonna say the people he works with!
Emanuel Kiriakou: No, I’m not actually! I think there’s so much good music out. I think Bruno Mars is really talented, and I actually knew him when he was writing for other people and struggling and I think he’s incredibly talented.

RY: So do you [McIntyre] write your own blogs on your website?
JM: All the time.

RY: Back in October, you announced on your blog that you were no longer performing with Eman and that it might be 25 years before you perform again as a duo. What happened?
JM: It was honest … I was trying to be honest by saying this is it, we’re not going to be performing anytime soon. And then this kinda came along … I wanted them to know that we’re not going to be doing a 25-city tour.

RY: Do you have any independent projects in the works?
EM: I’m working with Selena Gomez right now. I just did three songs with Jordin Sparks. I got a song that I’m really excited about with this band called Hot Chelle Rae.

RY: How is the crowd different from NKOTB fans? Do people expect NKOTB songs?
JM: You know, my fans know. But it’s always nice to get fans who don’t know. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people who have never seen this show coming to see [it.] … Obviously, [it’s] very different from playing the Staples Center or the Thomas & Mack arena, it’s a different setting. It’s very intimate and kinda anything goes.
EM: And they still get to hear Joe’s hits and the New Kids hits, but in a different way. In a way that they have never heard.
JM: Yeah.

RY: Speaking of New Kids, the band announced a tour with Backstreet Boys that will launch this summer. Are you excited to be back?
JM: Yeah, you know, it’s fun … the two groups get along really well together and we both have been doing it a long time so we know how lucky we are to be doing what we’re doing again … we want to make it one big amazing awesome concert ride. Since New Kids have gotten back together, we started off thinking, ‘Okay this might be fun,’ but then it just snowballed into this rebirth of the relationship that we’ve had with our fans. Except they’re older now and they can embrace the past and they can feel young and feel current.
RY: You were in one of the biggest boy bands to date. How do you feel about New Kids now that you’re older?
JM: It is crazy. You know, it’s so long ago. All we know is that right now it’s great so whatever we did we must have done right by ourselves and by our fans.
EK: The fact that there’s still such a high demand for it says everything, that it wasn’t just a fluke. It was real.

RY: Is there going to be a new record?
JM: Another New Kids record?

RY: Yeah.
JM: The plot thickens. We would like to, you know, hopefully do some music together. It’s hard to get nine guys on the same page … It’s tough enough getting five guys on the same page now you got nine guys. So that music thing is definitely another level. It’s got great value. I really hope that we can do that.

New Kids On The Block to play Fenway Park

2011-01-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

SOURCE
Boston Music Spotlight, Staff

After weeks of speculation, Boston’s New Kids On The Block have officially announced they will play a homecoming show at Fenway Park this summer with tourmates and fellow boy band favorites the Backstreet Boys. The concert will take place on Saturday, June 11, one week after the two groups will perform a sold our show at the TD Garden. The announcement was made during a press conference this afternoon at Fenway Park.

Tickets for the show will go on sale Saturday, February 5 at 10 a.m. through etix.com. No tickets will be made available at the Fenway Park box office.

“This is a tremendous honor for us,” proclaimed New Kids’ Donnie Wahlberg in a press release. “As a group of South Boston kids we never thought we would get an opportunity like this. Our dreams are coming true. And one of the best parts is that we get to share this moment with our friends the Backstreet Boys.”

“We are all so grateful and excited to have this opportunity,” added the members of Backstreet Boys. “It’s a once in a lifetime moment. And to get to experience this with our Boston friends NKOTB puts it on a whole other level.”

In order to play the Fenway show, the two groups have had to re-route their “NKOTBSB”. The groups had been scheduled to perform at the Nassau Memorial Coliseum on Long Island on June 11 to July 31.

Fenway Park began hosting concerts in 2003, when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined the historic ballpark. It was not until last summer when Aerosmith and the J. Geils Bands teamed up for a co-headliner that the home of the Red Sox was headlined by hometown bands. Other artists to perform at Fenway Park over the past decade include Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, The Police, Neil Diamond, Phish and Paul McCartnery.

The inspiration for the co-headlining tour came last year when the Backstreet Boys joined the New Kids On The Block at their show in New York City. New Kids on the Block reunited in 2008 for a tour and the release of their first studio album in fourteen years, The Block. Backstreet Boys most recent release was 2009′s This Is Us, their second album without founding member Kevin Richardson.

NKOTBSB @ FENWAY PARK - JUNE 11, 2011 from New Kids on the Block on Vimeo.

McIntyre has advice for Bieber

2011-01-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

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Justin Bieber has been offered words of wisdom from New Kids On The Block veteran Joey McIntyre.

The star, who shot to fame with the US boyband when he was just 13, said 16-year-old pop sensation Justin had to stay grounded and not forget that there was more to life than performing.

"Hopefully kids like Justin... there's a lot of young artists out there, and hopefully they've got good family around them and they're able to take the ups and downs," Joey told Entertainment Tonight.

"You gotta learn how to hang in there and know that there's so much more to life than just singing pop tunes and dancing around on stage. And that takes a while," he said.

"Everybody's got their own path and their own time. You have to go with the flow and learn some things the hard way."

Joey admitted he found it difficult to deal with the highs and lows of stardom at such an early stage.

He revealed: "We weren't perfect. We certainly made mistakes, and there were dark days. You're the biggest thing in the world (but) you gotta come down. What goes up comes down, for whatever reason."

New Kids on the Block to play at Fenway Park MyFox Boston

2011-01-28T18:25:00.000-08:00

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New Kids on the Block to play at Fenway Park: MyFoxBOSTON.com

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - It looks like they have “the right stuff” for Fenway Park. The New Kids on the Block will perform at the home of the Red Sox.

The reunited Boston boy band's tour with the Backstreet Boys is reportedly making a stop at Fenway in June.

The group already has a sold-out show set for the Garden just a week earlier, but they really wanted to hold a concert at Fenway.

They pitched the potential gig to the Sox and an official announcement is expected today.

Twitterview: Joey McIntyre

2011-01-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

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By Rebecca Silverstein

Most lounge singers aspire to sell out stadiums around the world, but Joey McIntyre is working in reverse. The New Kids on the Block stud, who's been in the spotlight since he was 13, will be performing intimate shows at the Lounge at the Palms Las Vegas every Saturday night in February with pal Emanuel Kiriakou. But Joey isn't

straying too far from the packed arenas; this summer he'll be back with NKOTB as they team up with the Backstreet Boys for the much-anticipated NKOTBSB tour. Read on for details on all things Joey, and when you're done, make sure you're following @WonderwallMSN and @JoeyMcIntyre on Twitter.

@WonderwallMSN: Ready for our #twitterview? :)

@JoeyMcIntyre: ok- How do I answer these questions? I hate the new Twitter (thats not really new anymore) Cant just see my followers- Quick to the iPhone!

@WonderwallMSN: Haha, just hit reply and you'll be golden! So what made you decide to do shows every Saturday at @PalmsLasVegas this February?

@JoeyMcIntyre: Hey! We wanted to start kind of semi- "residence gig"- Nothing like having a "home" in Vegas at the Palms

DonnieWahlberg with Mr. Kraft this weekend

2011-01-18T15:08:00.001-08:00

He looks like a little kid in a candy store!! So Cute!!

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Blue Bloods Upcoming Episode Preview #3 January 2011

2011-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Donnie Opens Up About New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys Tour

2011-01-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

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He plans on covering Bon Jovi with Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean—in addition to other surprises

By Andy Greene

January 14, 2011 12:40 PM EDT

Donnie Wahlberg is a busy man. He's deep in the midst of the meticulous planning for the massive New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys summer tour, but he's also got a full-time job portraying Detective Daniel Reagan on the CBS police drama Blue Bloods. "We just filmed a dinner scene and I ate about four pounds of that veal thing, osso bucco," he says. "I feel a little sick."

It's a 24/7 schedule few people would welcome, but Wahlberg says he thrives on it. "I don't sleep very much," he says. "I really like to work though. I feel like a kid in a candy store."

Photos: The 9 Most Influential Boy Bands, Then and Now

Things will get even crazier in April when he goes into production rehearsal with his fellow New Kids and the Backstreet Boys for their tour. In a tough economic climate, the tour has been a gigantic success: Sixteen shows were just added to the itinerary, bringing the grand total to 41. "There were naysayers when the New Kids first re-formed in 2008 and there were naysayers for this," Wahlberg says. "It's sort of vindicating after years of people thinking we were sort of a flash in the pan."

Live Report: Backstreet Boys

The idea of the two boy bands teaming up was first floated a year ago when somebody suggested that the Backstreet Boys might open up some New Kids shows. "I just thought that was ridiculous," says Wahlberg. "I didn't want to even insult them with that offer. That's a co-headlining show."

Last summer, the Backstreet Boys were the surprise guest at the New Kids' Radio City Music Hall show when they came onstage to sing "I Want It That Way." "It caused such a stir and we really got along with those guys," says Wahlberg. "We said 'hey, let's look into a co-headlining show.'"

New Kids on the Block Cause Mayhem at Reunion Announcement

At preview performances during the American Music Awards and New Year's Rocking Eve the two groups performed their hits together, but Wahlberg says that won't always be the case during the tour. "Backstreet Boys fans don't want to hear the New Kids singing all of their hits," he says. "Just like our fans don't want to hear the Backstreet Boys singing all of our hits. I think we'll pick our spots when we want to work together onstage. We'll do some big numbers together, and a few surprises."

Wahlberg is tight-lipped about what those surprises might be, but he does have his eye on the possibility of a duet with A.J. McLean. "I could see him and me rocking out or sitting down with a couple of acoustic guitars and doing something like 'Wanted Dead or Alive' by Bon Jovi," he says. "I like the kid and we get along great." (McLean is currently in rehab for the third time; he has said he wanted to go in before the tour started.)

Kevin Richardson left the Backstreet Boys in 2006, though he has returned for the occasional special appearance. "He made his choice and that's the Backstreet Boys' situation to deal with," says Wahlberg. "If they wanted him back it wouldn't be a problem for us. Whatever he decides is up to him. As much as we're two bands teaming up, we're still two separate bands and their business is still ultimately their business."

Early on there were rumors that Boyz II Men were going to join the tour, but Wahlberg shoots those down. "That's not happening at this point," he says. "We're definitely planning a lot of surprises and we're in discussions with different people. We're all fans of Boyz II Men, but the momentum was so strong with these two bands after Radio City that this was just the way it had to be."

Though two of the three biggest boy bands of the past few decades are touring together, there are no indications that 'NSync are planning a reunion. Does Donnie think that Justin Timberlake will ever return to his boy band — and possibly one day tour with the New Kids? "That's up to those guys, and quite frankly it's probably up to Justin Timberlake," he says. "If that's something he decides to do, then he'll do it. It really has no bearing on us. I just have one goal right now: Make this tour as great as it can be and make every person that bought a ticket go home happy."

Joe McIntyre Launches "One Too Many at Midnight" Shows in Las Vegas in February

2011-01-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

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New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre will perform every single Saturday in February at The Lounge at The Palms in Las Vegas. The bill also features Emanuel Kiriakou. Go here for tickets.

McIntyre posted the following statement about the tour, without any edits: "It's your grandfather's Vegas, which was much cooler back then. But for a while now, Vegas is back. It lives up to all the hype. There's something for everyone- especially those who wanna start their night at midnight. And that's what we are gonna do in February at The Palms. Eman and I couldn't have dreamed it up any better. We have a lot of fun, but it means a lot to be playing in Vegas at such a special venue at legitimately the coolest and hottest hotel in LV.

"The Lounge is beautiful and a real throw back to the intimate rooms that all the legends would play. And they would play late (and early in the morning) at these places. Dean, Frank, Sammy- the audiences back then got to see these greats up close and personal. Now please... understand, I'm not thinking of us as legends and we are not trying to recreate something that will never be duplicated. But there is a spirit in this town, Las Vegas, that is tapped into every night. People feel it when it's authentic. It's that thing- that bang, that boom, that somethin' somethin'. I believe we are gonna feel that spirit and we won't let you leave The Palms until you feel it too. That feeling may be the one thing that happens in Vegas that doesn't stay in Vegas."

This is the perfect prelude to NKOTBSB this summer when New Kids On The Block and The Backstreet Boys will take over the country together! Also, Joey McInTyre's "Here We Go Again" EP remains one of the coolest pop releases of the past few years, and we're still spinning it over here! Be sure to pick it up here!

Are you going to see Joe McIntyre in Sin City?

-Amy Sciarretto
01.10.11

Times Square Puts Another New Year's Eve Celebration in the Books

2011-01-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

SOURCE

Jeanne Rose, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Celebrating New Year's Eve is always fun and entertaining to watch, especially when you are watching one of the biggest celebrations in the world.

CNN reports that the biggest New Year's Eve Party took place in its traditional location this year at
Times Square in New York City. Times Square

has long been one of the best places to watch the New Year's Eve celebration and countdown to each year.

This year, I watched the event in Times Square on television and definitely will not forget the performance by New Kids on the Block. I have always been a fan of New Kids on the Block, although they were not really popular when I was growing up. The guys performed a medley of their hits throughout the years and put them all into one huge song, which got everyone excited. New Kids on the Block really got involved with the crowd and it was just cool seeing them sing all of their hit songs on such a festive night. I really enjoyed how everyone was singing along with them as well, which kind of made it hard to hear the band. The crowd being into the music and singing along is definitely my favorite moment of the night. I will remember that performance because it was like I was back in the 1980s, watching them on television for the first time.

The Backstreet Boys were also one of the musical acts but as far as boy bands are concerned, New Kids on the Block performed better. I have always wanted to see them perform live but never had the opportunity except to see YouTube videos of their old shows. Last night was the first time I have seen them perform in front of such a huge crowd, and it really felt like I was a part of it.

Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block Reveal New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

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By Paul Chi

Monday January 03, 2011 09:55 AM EST

The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block ended 2010 on a high note with a rollicking New Year's Eve mashup of their greatest hits in Times Square. But the guys still see room for improvement in 2011.

"I want to act more like an adult," New Kid Joey McIntyre, 38, who will welcome his third child in May, told PEOPLE about his New Year's resolutions.

"Being in a rock 'n' roll and pop world, it's very easy to act like a kid. So, my resolution is to really act like an adult. It's a personal inventory that I'm trying to take."

Backstreet Boys Nick Carter, 30, and Brian Littrell, 35, will be turning over new leaves of their own. Carter's resolutions? "Not to talk so much on the phone, and no texting while driving," he says. "And I just want to stay fit."

And Littrell? "To read more books and try to make better music."

The two bands have been rubbing elbows ever since the Backstreet Boys made a surprise appearance at a NKOTB show at Radio City Music Hall last summer. Now, they have a whole North American tour planned together for summer 2011.

"We haven't really explored everything about each other. We're taking it slow and just being gentle with each other," McIntyre says jokingly. "We get along really well. These are the best group of guys. We have a lot of shared experiences, and when we get together, it's an amazing way to make a living."

Asked which New Kid is most like which Backstreet Boy, New Kid Donnie Wahlberg, 41, replied: "You'd think it's Joe and Nick who are the same and Donnie and A.J. [McLean, 32] are the tough ones. But if you are in the band, you know that every person is more than what they are perceived."

Wahlberg adds: "A.J. is not the bad boy. He's a sweetheart. And Joe's not the young one. He's wise beyond his years. There's multi layers to everyone, which makes us all different, and that makes it great."

New Kids On The Block And Backstreet Boys Prepare For "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" With Ryan Seacrest 2011

2011-01-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

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NKOTBSB NYE Pics

2011-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

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New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB) Perform on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve - HQ

2011-01-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

New Kids on the Block meet Backstreet Boys on New Year's Eve 2011

2011-01-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

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Hey New Kids and Backstreet Boys: Happy 2011!Credit: Getty Images

Welcoming in the New Year, the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block charged into Times Square to an ear shattering amount of screams and howls.

A New Year's Even 2011 highlight on New Year's Rockin' Eve, these two boy bands banded together again for an astrounding crowd estimated at about one million. That's nothing for these show biz veterans but perhaps the outdoor atmosphere and the meaning of the occasion ramped up the energy even more than its usual epic level.

Whatever it was, this collabation was not only highly anticipated but utterly enjoyed so much so that's it's what everyone's talking about on the social media circuit the day after even though chatter started late in the afternoon. Perhaps a fair share of hangover action on the first day of 2011 had something to do with that but the revelry was remembered.

And if not, it's not too late to take a look as the Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on the Block get together for a giant New Year's Eve 2011 highlight. Love it? Thoughts? Thanks.

Best Television Show of 2010: Tom Selleck’s ‘Blue Bloods’

2010-12-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

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by Larry Schweikart

Given the astoundingly sudden collapse of several new television shows this season—most notably Jon Voight’s “Lone Star,” which unfortunately vanished quicker than you could chug a beer of the same name — “Blue Bloods” appears to be a keeper. And well it should be.

This police drama features a talented ensemble cast of Tom Selleck as Francis Reagan, the current New York City Police Commissioner; Donnie Wahlberg as his son, detective Daniel Reagan, Bridget Moynahan as his daughter, Erin Reagan-Boyle, Will Estes as rookie officer Jamie Reagan, and Len Cariou as the great-grandfather and former police commissioner Henry Reagan. Also providing solid and convincing roles are Jennifer Esposito (“Jackie Curatola,” Danny Reagan’s partner); Amy Carlson (“Linda,” Danny’s wife), Sami Gayle (“Nicky,” Erin’s daughter), and Nicholas Turturro (Sgt. Anthony Renzulli,” Jamie’s training officer).

Wahlberg is believable and refreshing in any role he’s in, whether it’s Lieutenant Lipton in “Band of Brothers” or Duddits in “Dreamcatcher.” Selleck, though he tends to reprise his “Jesse Stone” character (without the alcoholism), is nevertheless always a joy to watch—probably even more so for the ladies. Esposito is at home as a cop, and Cariou looks like he could still wield a police baton.

What makes “Blue Bloods” work is a well-worn interchange of a weekly action plot combined with an almost Waltonesque family life, usually including a family dinner at least once per episode and sometimes more often. At these dinners, the true moral and messages of “Blue Bloods” emerges, and it ain’t typical Hollywood liberalism. A common dinner discussion frequently turns into a debate between the (somewhat) bleeding heart Erin and the street-tough Danny, with Henry playing the role of out-of-style, head-knockin’, old-fashioned cop and Selleck moderating.

Adding to family tensions, Dylan Moore (“Sydney Davenport,” Jamie’s fiancee) got engaged to an up-and-coming big-shot attorney when Jamie felt the call of the family profession and abandoned the well-heeled life of a corporate lawyer to dodge bullets and chase drug-dealers. More often than not, the conclusion is that police are hampered by overly-protective measures for defendants; that the mayor and other politicians care only about good news instead of real results, and that there was something to be said for the “good old days” of law enforcement.

A dark, subplot involves a secret police society called the “Blue Templar” that, Jamie is told when a pair of Internal Affairs cops try to recruit him, may have had a part in the death of his brother, Joe (also a policeman). But this has unfolded throughout the first season, and wisely the creative team has not jumped the shark with this story line. Moreover, because none of the family is caricatured, their infighting carries the mark of reality. More important, however, the series seems to avoid the modern temptation to “go dark” at every opportunity, both in terms of plot and camera work. The current obsession with scenes so dim that an screech owl would have difficulty spotting a caribou at thirty paces is becoming tiresome and has detracted from story.

One other endearing character to the series is the fact that even when the Reagans disagree, they all appreciate the special sacrifices and contributions made by cops. A recurring theme of justice being done graces this series, and is welcome in an age of “Brooklyn’s Finest,” where the only honorable and successful cop is the one who has just retired. And speaking of justice, if there is any, the producers will find a way to bring in Jon Voight as a special consultant to the NYPD.

New Kids, Backstreet make play for Fenway show

2010-12-25T17:23:00.000-08:00

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Boy bands of summer By Thomas Grillo
Friday, December 24, 2010

Photo by Faith Ninivaggi

BLOCK PARTY: Donnie Wahlberg, donning a Red Sox cap, performs with New Kids on the Block in a 2008 show at the Garden. The boy band may retune its 2011 summer tour with the Backstreet Boys to add a date at historic Fenway Park in June.

Reunited boy bands New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys hope to show off their choreographed dance moves and smooth harmonies at a Fenway Park [map] concert this summer, the Herald has learned.

The Boston Red Sox [team stats] applied for show permits for Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, when the team is out of town for a series in Toronto. But the bands would have to rearrange their schedules to play the storied ballpark.

The groups have already booked and sold tickets to perform at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., on the 11th of June and the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., on the 12th. A source close to the situation said the groups would reschedule one of those shows to make the Fenway date a reality.

“The New Kids really want to play Fenway,” said a second source familiar with the plan. “They grew up here going to shows at the Boston Garden and ballgames at Fenway. This is their heritage. They’re coming home. They are willing to reroute a bit to play Fenway.”

The Fenway show would come just days after the bands’ June 4 show at Boston’s TD Garden, which quickly sold out when tickets for the “NKOTBSB” tour went on sale Dec. 11.

The Sox’ permit application does not list what band will perform. A Red Sox spokeswoman referred calls to concert promoter Live Nation, which did not return a call seeking comment yesterday. Kristen Foster, a spokeswoman for the bands, declined to comment.

Ever since John Henry and company bought the Red Sox in 2002, they’ve been seeking ways to squeeze more revenue out of the 98-year-old park through non-baseball events.

Fenway’s summer concert series started in 2003, when Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band sold out two shows. Since then, Jimmy Buffett, the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, the Police, Neil Diamond, Phish, Paul McCartney and Aerosmith have performed at Fenway.

The New Kids, founded in the 1980s by producer Maurice Starr, broke up in 1994 but have been “Hangin’ Tough” since reuniting three years ago. The pop group’s members - brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood - hit their hometown of Boston during a 2008 tour.

The Backstreet Boys - A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter - formed in Orlando, Fla., in 1993 and have sold more than 130 million records.

Boston Pops, Joey McIntyre perform at Children's Hospital

2010-12-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

Backstreet Boys And New Kids On The Block Debut New Song!

2010-12-20T06:49:00.000-08:00

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Nice! But we want to hear the whole thing!

Check out a sample of a brand new Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block track, Don't Turn On The Lights, that AJ McLean and Brian Littrell debuted during the Backstreet Boys Cruise (above)!

We'll save our final judgment for when we can hear the track in completion, but we think fans are going to EAT THIS UP!

Thoughts??

“The Town: A Novel” Audiobook Download Now Available DONNIE

2010-12-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

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he Town: A Novel is now available as an audiobook from Audible.com. The book, published by Simon & Schuster Audio and written by Chuck Hogan, has also made Audible.com’s Top 2000 Best Sellers List for the month of November..

The audiobook version of The Town: A Novel, narrated by Donnie Wahlberg, has received an average rating of 0. The title has a run length of 6 hours and 6 min. The book was first released in July 2010 and a sample of the audiobook is available for download.

The written description of the book is “Four masked men – thieves, rivals, and friends from the tough streets of Charlestown – take on a Boston bank at gunpoint. Holding bank manager Claire Keesey hostage and cleaning out the vault were simple tasks. But career criminal Doug MacRay didnt plan on one thing: falling hard for Claire.When he tracks her down without his mask and gun, their mutual attraction is undeniable. With a tenacious FBI agent following his every move, he imagines a life away from his gritty, dangerous work, a life centered around Claire. But before that can happen, Doug and his crew learn that there may be a way to rob Boston’s venerable baseball stadium, Fenway Park. Risky yet utterly irresistible, it would be the perfect heist to end his criminal career and begin a new life. But, as it turns out, pursuing Claire may be the most dangerous act of all.Racing to an explosive climax, The Town is a brash tale of robbery in all its forms – and an unforgettable odyssey of crime, love, ambition, and dreams.(Previously published as Prince of Thieves)”

The book retails for $21.53 and is normally sold by Audible.com for $19.93, but if you’re not already a member of Audible.com, you can take advantage a deal in which you can get The Town: A Novel or any other audiobook for free and fourteen days of free service. If you are currently a member of Audible.com, the book is available for 1 credit(s).

If you’re not yet familiar with Audible.com, it’s an online service that provides audiobooks as digital downloads that can be played on Macs, PCs, Android devices, iPods, iPhones, iPads, Kindles, Zunes, MP3 players, Garmin GPS devices and a number of other devices. The service now has more than 85,000 titles to choose from. You can find non-fiction, fiction and periodicals on Audible, as well as books featured on Oprah’s Book Club and the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Audible.com currently has two subscription plans. The platinum membership ($22.95 per month) entitles members to two audiobooks per month. The gold membership ($14.95 per month) entitles listeners to one audiobook per month. Having either membership will entitle you to great discounts on additional books that purchase through the service. Fortunately, getting started with Audible.com is free when you take advantage Audible.com’s current deal which will provide you with one free audiobook and 14 days of service.

To download The Town: A Novel or another title as a free audiobook, visit Audible.com.

Donnie Wahlberg - Wahlberg Pulling Double Duty With Blue Bloods And New Kids Commitments

2010-12-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

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Caption: Donnie Wahlberg (Picture) from the musical group New Kids On The Block 2010 American Music Awards - Arrivals held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, California ....

DONNIE WAHLBERG will be working overtime in the run-up to his summer (11) tour with reunited boyband NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, because he refuses to take a break from his acting gig on new crime series BLUE BLOODS.

The singer/actor, 41, stars as Detective Danny Reagan on the U.S. cop show and the programme, which premiered in September (10), has proved to be a critical success.

Wahlberg admits he's keen to focus more on his screen career as he grows older - so he will be working double duty as he juggles his TV responsibilities with rehearsals for his band's upcoming joint concerts with the Backstreet Boys.

He tells TV Guide magazine, "I made a strategic choice when I decided to do Blue Bloods to shift the balance to acting.

"(So) I'll wrap Blue Bloods at 8pm, then go to a studio to start preparing the (NKOTB) show till 3 or 4am. I want to do it all now, while I still can!"

The Association: Boston Celtics

2010-12-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

Wahlberg : Celtics pride - NBA.com

2010-12-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

Donnie Wahlberg on ENews 12.3.10

2010-12-08T17:11:00.001-08:00

Rachael Ray Show - On the Show - Blue Bloods' Donnie Wahlberg

2010-12-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

Donnie Wahlberg and Ernie Boch Jr Ranting about CakesByErin.com

2010-12-08T17:06:00.000-08:00

Rachael Ray Show - Backstage Pass Donnie Wahlberg

2010-12-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Yes Chocolate Chip cookies are!! I can still see him snagging them off the tables last year at the hard Rock

Joey & AJ at KIIS FM Jingle Ball 2010 where we got the scoop

2010-12-06T18:02:00.001-08:00

Joey ]\\ & AJ at KIIS FM Jingle Ball 2010 where we got the scoop

2010-12-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

Barney: Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg shine in 'Blue Bloods'

2010-12-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

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By Chuck Barney
Contra Costa Times

How do you explain this? In a television season woefully scarce of quality fare, one of the better new shows can be found Friday nights -- typically a TV junkyard.

I'm talking about "Blue Bloods," a CBS crime series that started off on the right foot by astutely casting Tom Selleck as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan. In this role, Selleck is much more rigid than the loose and laid-back Thomas Magnum guy we met back in the day. But he's still very likable and handsome. Also, he's still able to rock the mustache in a way that makes it seem cool.

Of course, crime dramas are nothing new for CBS, which I've long maintained should stand for Corpses, Body bags and Stiffs. But "Blue Bloods" brings something different to the party: It's a cop show that yearns to be a family drama ... or maybe vice-versa.

Selleck's Reagan, a widower, heads up not only the police department, but a boisterous brood that features three generations of cops. His old-school dad (Len Cariou) wore a badge and now his eldest son, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), does too.

Just recently, another son, Jamie (Will Estes) left Harvard Law School to also join the force. Callow Jamie, once considered the family's golden boy, seems somewhat out of place in this world, sort of in the way a young Michael Corleone did in his.

The best thing about "Blue Bloods," besides Selleck, is Wahlberg, who shifts between being empathetic and temperamental without

any crunching of gears. He's a hard-nosed homicide detective who doesn't mind bending the rules, which often puts him at odds with his sister Erin (Bridget Moynahan), an assistant D.A. with a liberal bent.

When they're not out fighting crime, the Reagans spend their time around the table for Sunday dinners, where the wine flows, along with the venom. All the philosophical differences and generation gaps among them provide plenty of fuel for spirited debates about on-the-job ethics.

With a few exceptions, the cases on "Blue Bloods" don't carry much of a wow factor, and the show lacks the kind of grittiness that might make it more powerful.

Even so, the solid acting performances and the family dynamics contained in "Blue Bloods" make for an absorbing hour of television. Keep this up and Selleck and company just might get to flee Friday nights for more appealing terrain.

OLV Featured Reader: Lisa’s dream to meet Donnie Wahlberg finally comes true after 22 years!

2010-12-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

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by Christine on December 2, 2010

Since the CBS series Blue Bloods started filming in New York City last summer, I have met so many great ladies who started following our site in hopes of getting a glimpse of one of show’s stars, Donnie Wahlberg (or DDub as he’s affectionately known), filming around the city.

This week, one of those lucky ladies, Lisa, was able to fulfill a dream 22 years in the making when she met Donnie on the Blue Bloods set in Queens.

Check out Lisa’s story below:

It was posted on OLV’s Twitter page that Blue Bloods was being taped in Queens on Steinway Street from 25 to 28th street. I told my husband, since he has relatives who live near there, to go and check it out after work. He went and saw them taping at a bar and was standing across the street to watch the taping near a white van. He asked them, “How long will you be shooting, since my wife has been a huge fan of Donnie Wahlberg for 22 years since she was 18, she is now 40″. The guy said until 10-11 p.m. and that if he wanted to get me he would make sure I met Donnie. So my husband came and got me and took me to the set.

I got there and the production trucks were leaving. I asked, “Are you all done for the night?”, and the guy said yes. So we drove down the street and I saw Donnie still in front of the bar where my hubby said they were taping. He was standing there and he is tall so I saw him right away. My husband let me out of the car right in front of him. This guy was like “$10.00 dollars for a picture” and I said I am not paying you since I waited 22 years to meet Donnie. Donnie started to laugh and he said, “Come here”. I gave him the tightest hug and I kissed him on the cheek really hard. He smelled so good, not sure if was cologne or aftershave!

Then I asked if I could take a picture and get his autograph. He said, “I have to leave soon but go ahead.” In the first picture he is looking down at me smiling. I never let go of him and held him tight. In the second picture we are both looking at the camera. He even took the camera form the girl I asked to take the pictures, since she did not know how to turn it on, and he did. Notice his phone, he had it in his hand and never let go of it, I think he was on Twitter the whole time! LOL I asked for an autograph and he said, “I have no time.” I showed him that I still have his concert doll and he said, “That’s so cool.”

I asked, “Can you follow me on Twitter if I give you my user name?” He said, “Follow me to the van, I have to go and you can give it to me.” I followed him and almost got hit by a car. I said to him, “I can’t die, I just met you.” He laughed and then took my hand and helped me to the sidewalk. I gave him the paper with my user name and he said, “That user name sounds familiar.” I told him, “I send you messages everyday but you never respond.” He said, “Sorry I have a lot of followers.” He was ready to close the door but he had the paper with my user name and let me kiss him again. OMG! Wow!

I got home and I had an email from Twitter and it says this: Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) is now following your tweets (@Lisabella1670) on Twitter. OMG! He is actually following me on twitter!

I was so nervous but he was so nice and at one point said, “Relax babe.” Damn, he is so nice and smelled so good.

Here are the pictures ….Dreams do come true! Wow, I waited 22 years for this!

Thanks so much to Lisa for sharing her story with us and props to Donnie for following her on Twitter, just as he promised! If you’ve had a great set experience, let us know about it at olv@onlocationvacations.com!

JEFF AND JORDAN old concert clip

2010-12-05T21:59:00.000-08:00

Donnie Wahlberg to narrate series about Celtics

2010-12-01T18:25:00.001-08:00

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EW YORK (AP) — Actor and Celtics fan Donnie Wahlberg will narrate a documentary-style series about the NBA team.

The Boston native will provide the voice-overs for the five episodes of "The Association: Boston Celtics." It premieres Dec. 3 on ESPN and airs monthly.

The former New Kids on the Block singer currently appears in the CBS series "Blue Bloods."

The first season of "The Association" last year followed Boston's rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.

411 Music: Ultimate Boyband Tour

2010-11-28T19:43:00.000-08:00

Footage of NKOTBSB at the AMAs 2010 Vid

2010-11-28T16:38:00.001-08:00

Nicole Dabeau.. ET.. Donnie

2010-11-28T16:34:00.000-08:00

Warriors in Pink Ford WHQ Illumination

2010-11-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Donnie Twitvids November '11

2010-11-28T16:22:00.000-08:00

Blue Bloods Photo Shoot with Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg and Bridget Moynahan!

2010-11-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

My Life Is the Road: Candy Pop 1988 – ’89 NKOTB

2010-11-28T09:45:00.000-08:00

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Dinky Dawson

In 1988, Mark Weiner, an attorney and friend I had known for years, called me about a new boy band that he thought I should check out.

“Dinky, you should take a look at Dick Scott’s new band. They’re rehearsing near Fenway Park. They’re going to be huge!” Mark was friends with Dick, former assistant to Motown’s legendary Barry Gordy, who ditched his retirement after he heard the group Maurice Starr and his brother, Michael Jonson, had put together in their Roxbury studio. So I made note of the band, figuring I would call John Messina to drop in on a rehearsal. And then I didn’t do anything for a few months until they were added to a bill at the Channel, where I was production manager and sound engineer. That band was New Kids on the Block.

Why does an old school roadie/soundman sign on to work with a teeny-bopper boy band? Well, I figured it was time for me to see what was happening on the new scene. Actually, my first introduction to NKOTB was via a memo from Warren Scott, the Channel’s main booking agent.

“Dinky,” the note read, “A new band’s opening for Miles Jay and Melissa Morgan on Wednesday, March 30, 1988, doing only three songs. No more than three songs; make sure they’re off the stage in time.”

As it turns out, that gig never happened for them due to technical problems. However, a few months later, on May 1st, NKOTB opened for headliners E.U. with Elroy Smith MC and Anastasia DJ. At the time, most of the Channel shows featured punk, alt-rock, metal, and reggae/world music bands. To me, this show was different from any other Channel show at that time, reminding me of the “book shows” I had worked with at the South Shore Music Circus. All the sound and lighting cues came from a playbook chock full of EQ, compression, and volume settings designed in the studio by their producer, Starr. Using studio recordings as a reference, the backbone of the early NKOTB performances was a one-inch, 16-track recording machine with the band playing to a click track as the Kids sang and made their extraordinary dance moves. As the Kids tired from their strenuous routines, the house engineer would cue in the machine tracks. This created a very exciting, visual production for a screaming, adoring audience that loved the consistent musical renditions of the songs every night.

So I signed on, and it wasn’t long before rehearsals began. Realizing that I needed help with the production and anticipating that the group would really hit the big time, I enlisted Timmy Miller, one of the Channel sound guys, to help me with audio production. It turned out to be a serendipitous move. Just as NKOTB broke out nationally, I had a serious car accident. So Timmy became the FOH engineer, quickly adjusting to the timing and required cues, as well as to the personal needs of the rapidly rising boy band.

The NKOTB Hangin’ Tough tour quickly transformed the local Boston band into a national, in-your-face, full-blown pop sensation. Shows moved from auditoriums to arenas and then stadiums. Everywhere you looked, there were young girls and their mothers looking for autographs, photo ops, and anything else that was NKOTB related. At their shows, concessions made more money than ticket sales. Once they became idols, girls would stalk them, hiding in hotel lobbies for hours until they showed up. Mothers would try to bribe security and road crews with everything from money to sex for a close glimpse of the boys. On the whole, security was great, getting pre-signed promo photos to give out to the adoring fans. Even the boys’ mothers were enlisted to help with publicity at shopping malls and meet-and-greets.

As they became international idols, two teenage girls from Japan flew over to follow them from venue to venue, hanging out outside hotels and stage doors. We saw them so frequently that security and road crews became protective, concerned about their safety. In Long Island, it became apparent that the girls were running of cash, trying to sleep in hotel lobbies or outside of gigs. When the Kids found out, they got them a hotel room, had them call their parents, and then got tickets back to Japan for both of them.

Despite all their fame, my daughter, who was in high school at the time, wasn’t too impressed. Meeting Donnie Wahlberg for the first time outside of Disneyland, she looked at him and noted the NY Yankees cap tilted on his head. “Nice hat,” she said sarcastically. “And you say you guys come from Boston?” Donnie smiled sheepishly. The next time she saw him, he was wearing a Celtics jersey, which he eagerly showed her from the stage.

During one leg of the stadium tour, the Kids bought motorized scooters to dash around the venues, often crashing into walls and rails. Somehow, one scooter was taken into a hotel, and after admonishing the culprits who were buzzing around the posh hotel’s halls, security flushed the fuel down a toilet. We learned a few hours later that a few floors down someone dropped a cigarette into a toilet. Ka-Boom!

When the Kids played Sullivan Stadium, the then-home of the New England Patriots, I was deluged with requests for tickets. Many came from South Boston’s Irish community, as the Channel was located on the edge of Southie. Soon, local cops from Dorchester, where some of the Kids lived, were also making requests. The NKOTB management was happy to provide them with tickets for 25 families, and at the gig, children and their chaperones had a great time as they screamed out their favorite songs to their favorite NKOTB.

To cap a successful tour, the Kids played Madison Square Garden on November 23, 1989, preceded by a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, hosted by Dick at the Parker Meridian Hotel, to thank everyone for an incredible year. Unfortunately, I was in a lot of pain—it felt like a kidney stone, but I had a show to mix. Shortly after dinner, as soon as I arrived at the Garden doubled over with pain, I looked for the nearest lavatory near the Knicks locker room. After what seemed to be a long time, I passed a large stone and immediately felt better. Relieved of the constant pain, I put the stone in a small bindle and went to see the band.

“Hey, Donnie,” I greeted the Kid. “I have some great shit in this bindle, but it needs some bad chopping.” Looking a little puzzled, Donnie watched me open the small bindle, disclosing the jagged crystal inside.

“Check it out,” I smiled. “This comes from a lot of years of rock ‘n’ roll!” Realizing it was a kidney stone, Donnie fell on the floor, laughing hysterically. “You okay, man?” he asked. We both had a great laugh before the show.

At the time, and even now, most critics overlook what the New Kids brought to the music industry. They had all the trimmings that come with pop stardom—screaming girls, constant fanzine coverage, ridiculous entourages. Nonetheless, their backbone was created by African Americans, who used a proven formula to bridge cultures through music and entertainment. Maurice Starr and Dick Scott brought the right kind of beats to the young pop band, mixing the ethnicity of Roxbury with Southie’s and Dorchester’s white culture. I tip my hat to those lads after all these year!

MEEI Fundraising Video

2010-11-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

MEEI Fundraising Video from MEEI on Vimeo.

A very special performance by New Kids On The Block and Joey McIntyre in support of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute.

Jordan & Jon @ Ubisoft's "Just Dance 2" At The American Music Awards Gifting Lounge

2010-11-23T20:45:00.000-08:00

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Donnie @ the Official AMA Backstage Boutique

2010-11-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

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Pop Sugar Tv Live from the Red Carpet

2010-11-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

HollyscoopTV Red Carpet w/ Nkotbsb

2010-11-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block American Music Awards 2010--LA LIVE

2010-11-23T20:24:00.001-08:00

NKOTB and BSB - AMA 2010 red carpet mashup ET

2010-11-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

NKOTB & BsB Talk Touring Together

2010-11-23T16:31:00.000-08:00

Access Hollywood 2010 AMAs Red Carpet: NKOTB & BSB On Touring Together

2010-11-23T16:25:00.000-08:00

Backstreet Boys And New Kids On The Block Close The AMAs

2010-11-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

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They might have been the only nine guys who could close out a show as hectic as the American Music Awards. In a show filled with pop newcomers like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys graced the stage to show they still had the right stuff.

Like any good boy-band performance, there were pyrotechnics and sweet dance moves. The pop supergroup started with a mash-up of the BSB hit "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" and the NKOTB classic "Hangin' Tough." Soon the guys slowed it down for Backstreet's "I Want It That Way" and then kicked it old school for the New Kids' "Step by Step."

All nine guys took a dance break before they segued into "The Right Stuff," complete with the New Kids' infamous shuffle dance from the video. The spotlight once again fell on a BSB tune before they capped it off with "Larger Than Life," complete with an "NKOTBSB" chant. Confetti fell from the sky as the guys closed out the show.

Earlier in the night, all nine guys hit the AMA red carpet together. In an interview earlier this month, they teased that there was a chance they might record a track together.

"It's tough getting these guys in the studio. These young cats," New Kid Joey McIntyre explained about his tourmates, the Backstreet Boys. "Well, it's honestly, it is tough to get everybody together. Yes, we have lots of great intentions.

AMAs: Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block knock our socks off

2010-11-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

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To quote Usher: Oh. My. God. The American Music Awards got a blast from boy band past tonight when the Backstreet Boys took the stage with New Kids on the Block, forming one powerful, parenthetical song title-loving group called NKOTBSB. (The two groups are slated to tour together next summer. Squee!) They sang some of their greatest hits during the well-choreographed performance: Backstreet’s “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back),” “I Want It That Way,” and “Larger Than Life,” and New Kids’ “Step By Step,” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff.)” The two groups clearly rehearsed more than any other artist who took the stage tonight, and the audience, in turn, loved it. Anyone old enough to be a child/teen/music lover of the 1990s could be seen mouthing along to most of the lyrics.

CNN NKOTB & BSB Touring Interview on Red Carpet

2010-11-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

Donnie & Jordan arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards

2010-11-23T10:44:00.000-08:00

2010 American Music Awards - Show NKOTBSB

2010-11-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

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American Music Awards 2010-ARRIVALS

2010-11-23T09:26:00.000-08:00

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New Kids on The Block and BSB Announce 18 Additional Tour Dates

2010-11-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

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Super-group NKOTBSB touring this summer. Also, 18 new tour dates are added.

Jessica Campbell

Teen’s favorite pop groups New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys first came together in a performance this June at Radio City Music Hall. The boys got such positive feedback from fans, that they decided to go on a co-headlining tour together.

After this Sunday night’s performance on the American Music Awards, the super-group also known as NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys) announced their full schedule of tour dates.

Not only do the bands have the original list of dates, but they have now added 18 new dates after fans have bombarded their sites.

NKOTBSB released a joint statement of their gratitude. "We can't thank our fans enough for their continued support. The love that everyone has shown to us and to this project is incredible. We can feel the excitement and we won't let the fans down. And with our new and elaborate stage design there won't be one bad seat in the house. We are truly blessed and are so appreciative to have you all along with us for the ride."

Tickets for the following dates are on sale now, and the rest will go on sale December 11.

6/2 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
6/3 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
6/4 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
6/5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
6/7 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
6/8 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
6/9 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
6/11 - Uniondale, NY @ Nassau Coliseum
6/12 - East Rutherford, NJ @ Izod Center
6/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Consol Energy Center
6/16 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace at Auburn Hills
6/17 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
6/18 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
6/21 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
6/22 - Atlanta, GA @ Philips Arena
6/24 - Lafayette, LA @ Cajondome
6/25 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
6/26 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
6/30 - Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center
7/1 - Los Angeles CA @ Staples Center
7/2 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion
7/3 - Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center
7/8 - Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
7/9 - Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena

Preview for Blue Bloods

2010-05-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

From the executive producers of “The Sopranos” comes a gripping multigenerational drama. For the Reagans, putting criminals behind bars is more than just a job—it’s the family business. This tight-knit clan of New York cops may clash over methods, internal politics and Sunday dinner, but they have one thing in common—they’ll stop at nothing to see justice served.

Maria’s Madcap Adventures: The Newest New Kid On The Block

2010-05-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

With just five hours to learn the lyrics and the moves before taking the stage, Access’ Maria Menounos hits the Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas with the New Kids On The Block to undertake her next adventure. What did the fans think of her performance?

Donnie Wahlberg And Bridget Moynahan On Set Of Bunker Hill

2010-05-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

Donnie Wahlberg And Bridget Moynahan On Set Of Bunker Hill Image & Bridget Moynahan Pictures

CHUM and BTA do it again!

2010-05-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

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Members of the hit Boy Band New Kids on the Block.
CHUM and BTA do it again!

4/30/2010

By Erica Lazare

The annual CHUM FM/Barbados Tourism Authority Breakfast In Barbados concert at Holder’s House recently, amply quenched the thirst of the patrons who were lucky enough to secure a ticket for the sold-out event.

The show was headlined by none other than a US multi-platinum boy band that warmed the hearts of teenaged girls around the world in the late 1980’s, early 1990’s, New Kids On The Block, along with supporting acts Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies (BNL) and Barbadian pop artist, Jaicko.

The open air venue, with 104.5 CHUM FM and Barbados Tourism Authority flags fluttering in the night’s breeze, provided a lovely intimate atmosphere for the show, but came second to the open bar that was heavily patronised well into the night.

Dressed in a red jumper, grey jeans and sunglasses, Capitol recording artist Jaicko opened the concert with his song “Two Piece”, then proceeded to instruct the audience to say his name. The teenager was duly obliged as the patrons responded to his every word. Next, he sang his reply track to Rihanna’s “Rude Boy”, “Rude Girl”, which was quite popular, evidenced by the hundreds of synchronised moving lips.

Jaicko’s voice was crisp during his performances, especially in his rendition of his new single “Fastforward” from his summer release album “Can I”. After interjecting his performances with a light banter with the crowd, he finished his set with his most popular song, “Oh Yeah”, backed by sprightly and stylish young dancers who showed off all the latest moves.

Coming onto the stage second, the Barenaked Ladies needed no introduction as it was clear that they were who the majority of the mostly Canadian crowd came out to see. Screams and loud cheers reverberated around the venue even before the four men played a single note.

Having been on the international music scene since they formed in 1988, it was obvious to see that the BNL were experienced figures on stage. They conversed expertly with their audience and improvised a song about Barbados with lead singer Ed Robertson stating that the island is a beautiful place and whoever lived here was a lucky person.

They began with “The Big bang Theory”, which they recorded for the hit television show of the same name. Its energy whet the appetite for what was to follow. Next was their 1996 hit, “The Old Apartment” followed by “Falling For the First Time”. The band moved onto “Four Seconds” from their new album “All In Good Time”, the popular “Sound of Your Voice” and then changed pace by downing their instruments to sing an a cappella song about Barbados.

Their biggest hit “One Week”, which spent time at No. 1 on the Billboard charts came next, much to the delight of the crowd. Grammy nominated song “Pinch Me”, then the popular “If I had a $1 000 000” preceded their free-styled finale, which focused on the nearby polo pitch, Bajan ladies and beaches. It was accompanied by a jig and beat-boxing and ended with Jim Creeggan jumping into Tyler Stewart’s hands.

With voices so silky smooth, it was as if the New Kids on the Block picked up where they left off after disbanding in 1994. The five were a picture of elegance in assorted white suits soaking in the atmosphere of screaming women, especially from the front.

They started with the well-known “Full Service” from back in the day before moving onto the 2008 track “Summertime”. Smooth moves accompanied the excellent harmonised voices of the group during the performance of “My Favourite Girl”, followed by the 1988 hit “The Right Stuff”.

Backed by a live band, they continued with “Dirty Dancing” and an especially good performance of “Tonight”. Solos were then sung by Joey McIntyre and Donnie Wahlberg, incorporating auto-tune and rap, respectively. The very successful “Step by Step” was next, followed by the penultimate song for the night, Queen’s original hit “We Will Rock You”. From the first beat of the song, the crowd was on its feet, clapping and singing along word for word. The guys then thanked the organisers for welcoming them to “such a beautiful island”.

How Do You Make A Hit Pop Song? We Ask The Experts

2010-04-28T21:42:00.001-07:00

NKOTB on ETalk 04-28-10

2010-04-28T21:38:00.000-07:00

Checking in-- TwitVid

2010-04-28T21:37:00.001-07:00

LOVE THIS!!

FT: In Fashion - Joey McIntyre Celebrity Style

2010-04-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

March 30, 2010 — The former New Kids On The Block teen heart throb shares his views on style past and present.

New photos on the guys

2010-04-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

New Kids on the Block in Barbados with CHUM FM

2010-04-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

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The vibe at the final morning show of CHUM-FM's Breakfast in Barbados 2010 with Roger, Darren and Marilyn spoke volumes about the line up for the day with super group New Kids on the Block.

With the Crane Resort and Residences The Village courtyard as the backdrop, the very anticipation of super group New Kids On The Block's appearance had lulled the crowd of prize winners in to a state of eager and quiet contemplation.

Last night's concert at Holder's House lived up to all it was expected to be and it was obvious that Roger, Darren and Marilyn were not only impressed with the venue, but enchanted as well, a sentiment that would later be echoed by New Kids On The Block member Joey McIntyre when he called the location a "special spot".

Not to be out done by the venue, every performance won rave reviews from the contest winners and radio hosts alike.

The morning show's popular contests kept the crowd at the Crane on their feet while they waited. Contestant Shannon in Toronto played "Beat the Bank", encouraged to keep going by the crowd, who felt a genuine disappointment for her when she hit the buzzer on the fourth vault.

Eric, also in Toronto, had better luck when contest winner Tony won the "Battle of the Sexes" and tickets to Carrie Underwood's upcoming concert on his behalf.

Hot off of a day out with the Barenaked Ladies yesterday, e-Talk Daily's Lainey Lui was on hand to recount her adventures, or misadventures, with the band. A day of snorkeling side tracked into an impromptu cliff diving experience she won't soon forget!

Front man Ed Robertson and bassist Jim Creeggan bravely dove in first, followed soon after by the very naturally "attired" drummer Tyler Stewart. Her personal account may very well be accompanied by a heavily pixilated worm's eye view photo as proof.

While the crowd of fans waited for the band, the CHUM-FM crew walked in to the fray handing out "exams" to any fan who wanted to lay claim to the title of "The Ultimate Block-Head".

The prize? The opportunity to ask any member of the New Kids the first question of the morning. Lisa Evans proved herself admirably, answering 8 of the 10 questions correctly.

Jennifer Salazar of Toronto and Tracey Richards of London, England however, were also real contenders. Decked off in specially made tops that screamed "SUPER FAN!!!" both had interesting stories about their paths to Barbados.

Jennifer, in her shirt adorned with pictures of herself as a child decked off in New Kids paraphernalia and the words "Good things come to those who wait!" emblazoned on the back, had called every hour, on the hour for the first week of the contest, but found that strategy was necessary to win the competition.

Giving up on her cell phone, she dusted off the speaker phone she used as a teenager and finally made it as a qualifier. Tracey had a plan from the get go.

Consulting the band's website, she decided that visiting her family in Barbados and seeing the New Kids on the Block in one trip was an opportunity she could not pass up and she arranged her own trip to the island.

The arrival of the band was announced by a squeal of excitement coming from the first of their fans to spot them as they walked in to the court yard.

Looking tiered but appreciative, the five original band members, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood, took their positions on the platform and much to the delight of Lisa, and two other lucky fans, answered questions about their current tour, what they have planned for the future and their feelings about being back on stage.

The crowd erupted when fan and contest winner, Nadia, thanked the group for throwing out a cloth that she'd caught during their performance, to which Donnie joked that when he threw his cloth to the crowd there was only a cluster of four or five guys there to catch it.

At the end of their interview, the band obliged their adoring fans with a photo opportunity that no one missed!

It can safely be said that CHUM-FM's 2010 edition of "Breakfast in Barbados" was an incredible experience for everyone lucky enough to be a part of it.

From start to finish, accommodation to activities, the hot lineup of Barbados's Jaicko, the Barenaked Ladies and the New Kids on the Block, all contest winners will agree that their week in Barbados has been nothing less than a once in a lifetime ride.

A few more photos from ‘Reagan’s Law’

2010-04-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

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(((( MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE LINKS LISTED BELOW, FOR AN AMAZING BLOG & A TON OF PICS OF DONNIE LIKE THESE BELOW ON THE SET!!!!))))

by Christine on April 27, 2010

Just when we thought we had published our last set of Reagan’s Law photos, we’ve received more awesome pictures from the NYC set that were taken a couple weeks ago.

Thanks to Lee for sending us the photos below of Flex Alexander and Donnie Wahlberg. You can read Lee’s full report and see all of her photos HERE & HERE

Donnie Wahlberg's first "Sacred Circle" in Toronto

2010-04-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Donnie Vlog 1&2 - Barbados April 2010

2010-04-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

Donnie Rise and Grind San Fran 4.25.10

2010-04-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

NKOTB ETalk Tease

2010-04-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

NKOTB - Etalk 04.27.10

2010-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Jordan Knight - Zoo Vegas 22.04.2010

2010-04-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

NKOTB on ET Canada ~ 04/23/10

2010-04-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

NKOTB - ET Canada 04.23.10

2010-04-27T19:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks Yikes!! =)

New Kids On The Block in Barbados - Hangin TOUGH!

2010-04-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

New Kids On The Block - Breakfast in Barbados 2010 (Part 1&2)

2010-04-27T19:27:00.001-07:00

CHUM FM Concert in Barbados

2010-04-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

SOURCE

View The Slideshow HERE

Soundcheck Barbados Twitvid

2010-04-27T18:13:00.001-07:00

Forget About Britney, We Want a New Kids on the Block Episode of 'Glee'

2010-04-27T18:05:00.000-07:00

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By Denise Warner Posted Apr 26th 2010

The freshmen hit 'Glee' just aired its Madonna episode to high praise. With the popularity of the show's songs on iTunes, it's no wonder other artists would want a piece of the musical pie.

For example, one Britney Spears. Her manager, Adam Leber, tweeted about wanting an all-Britney episode, hoping to make it a trending topic on the social media site. Then 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy told EW.com that he was considering it.

While we love Britney's music, there are others who could use a little 'Glee' muscle -- like New Kids on the Block.

We think the original boy bands' hits would be perfect for the series. (And so does member Joey McIntyre, who told PopEater, "I think our music would be a great fit for 'Glee' -- and selfishly speaking, I think I would be too. So I say to the NK Nation, 'Let's get this!!'")

If we were writers on 'Glee,' this is how it would play out.
The episode opens with Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) crooning 'Cover Girl' to Rachel (Lea Michele) -- in front of an insanely jealous Finn (Cory Montieth).

Low and behold, Finn busts out his own version of 'Step by Step,' vowing to win over the determined brunette's heart.

Meanwhile, glee club director Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) is still dealing with his arch-enemy, Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). But he's 'Hangin' Tough' despite her determination to destroy New Directions. (Just get on the floor and do the Schuester dance.)

Lest we forget, regionals is 'Tonight,' and the glee club is ready to kick some Vocal Adrenaline butt.

But, their opponents begin the competition with some 'Good Vibrations' of their own. Our favorite 'Glee'-ers worry -- if Adrenaline is focusing on the more successful Wahlberg, how will Donnie hold up?

But it's Schue to the rescue when Will reminds his team that they've got the 'Right Stuff.'

"The JIMMY MARSH Project" with special guests DONNIE WAHLBERG and ROSCOE UMALI

2010-04-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Date From April 25, 2010 6:00 PM
Until April 25, 2010 11:59 PM

Location VESSEL Nightclub/Lounge - San Francisco, CA.
85 Campton Place - Union Square
San Francisco, CA 94108

Price $25.00 - $75.00

Description DONNIE D PRODUCTIONS presents...
"The JIMMY MARSH Project"
with special guest performances by
DONNIE WAHLBERG and ROSCOE UMALI.

Sunday April 25th, 2010
VESSEL Nightclub/Lounge - San Francisco, CA.
Doors Open - 6pm
Meet & Greet/Photos with Jimmy Marsh - 7pm
Performance - 8pm

Ticket Packages:

Ticket Option #1. $25 General Admission

Ticket Option #2. $75 "SEAT SWAP" Charity Bundle
a. 1 General Admission Ticket
b. Photograph/Meet & Greet with Jimmy Marsh
c. Personally AUTOGRAPHED "Rise N Grind" T-Shirt by
JIMMY MARSH & DONNIE WAHLBERG
d. Charity donation to the "SEAT SWAP" non-profit org. for children (www.theseatswap.com)

* Charity Notification/Details - A portion of the procedes of the "SEAT SWAP" VIP Package will go directly to "SEAT SWAP"(www.theseatswap.com) which gives Professional Sporting Event tickets to children and their families who are emotionally, financially, or physically unable to afford tickets on their own.

See you on the 25th !

NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted.

Donnie Wahlberg on His Career And Recent Role on 'In Plain Sight'

2010-04-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

SOURCE

Wednesday, 21 April 2010 Wahlberg recently appeared in USA Network’s In Plain Sight and sat down to discuss this role and his other projects.

By Jamie Ruby

http://scifivision.com

Many people might first remember Donnie Wahlberg as a member of the music group New Kids on the Block from the late eighties and early nineties. The band has seen a revival and is currently on tour. Wahlberg, however, is much more than a singer, and has since gotten the acting bug and made his own mark in the entertainment industry. He has appeared in movies such as Ransom, The Sixth Sense, and three movies in the Saw series. He has been involved in television shows such as with his leading role in Boomtown. He also had a major role in the Emmy award winning mini-series Band of Brothers.

Wahlberg recently appeared in USA Network’s In Plain Sight and sat down to discuss this role and other projects he’s working on.

Question> How did you move into acting after starting in the music industry?

Donnie> Actually, in high school I was one of the cofounders of New Kids on the Block my freshman year in high school. But I also started studying theatre in high school my freshman year as well. So throughout high school, I was actually doing both. I would do a concert maybe at a night club or wherever we could get a gig as New Kids on the weekends. But during week days, I was doing plays and writing plays and starring in plays all the time.

When New Kids became really successful, I got a lot of offers to do parts in movies and TV shows, but I was really busy, so I pretty much turned everything down. But I always knew it was something that I would eventually put some energy into. It just so happened that when New Kids finished riding that wave, that first wave of success, the offers weren’t coming anymore. So I had to go out and hit the pavement like most actors and start from the ground up, which I think is one of the greatest things that happened to me. I think maybe taking movie roles and stuff when I was getting them offered to me because I was in a musical group, I think that could have been damaging to me.

I think having to go out and start, I don’t want to say as a has-been, but sort of in a band that wasn’t really popular anymore and wasn’t selling records anymore, I think it forced me to really dig in and do what most actors do, which is to hit the street and go to audition after audition after audition and keep trying to break through until someone gives me a shot. I think that Ron Howard was the first person …that gave me a shot. Once I got a taste, I just wanted to keep doing it and doing it and doing it. I fell in love with the craft and that’s how I did it.

Question> Can you talk about how you got the part? Is there an audition process for In Plain Sight?

Donnie> It wasn’t an audition. It was actually I came, I met with John McNamara a few times in the past. We both expressed a mutual want to work with each other. John ….for something before, but I just didn’t quite have the right energy for him. I had just come off tour and he called and asked for a meeting and he said, “I’ve always wanted to work with you. I’m going to be running the show In Plain Sight now and I want to build a character for you. I think this is a great opportunity for us to finally work together.” So he sort of told me what he was thinking for the character and shared some ideas with me and asked me if I had any ideas. And I presented him with a lot of thoughts and I think we both saw it in a very similar way. He went and wrote the character.

I think for a guy who’s not from Boston, a guy who’s not from that world, I didn’t know what he would come up with when it was finally on paper. But I really only had minimal note for him. I think he got the talk right and that’s the hardest part. He wrote a guy that sounded like he was a Boston guy and sounded like he was a real guy dealing with real stuff and that appealed to me. So that was really the process. Fortunately, I didn’t have to audition because I pretty rather stick nails in my eyes than audition for anything. It’s many people as I’m saying in front of them in my life and acted in front of them and performed in front of them, I still get pretty nervous about auditioning.

Question> What would be your ultimate dream role, if you could choose or make up a role?

Donnie> Wow. It’s kind of hard to answer. I’d like to think that I’ve played it a few times and that the next one is coming, the next dream role is coming along. I think in some ways, I’ve probably had that about four times. I think The Sixth Sense was a dream role because it was the ultimate challenge for me to transform physically and emotionally and to really—I didn’t set out to shock people or surprise people. I just set out to make that character real and to get myself as close to him as possible physically and emotionally. But I think for me that was a dream role because I should have never gotten that role. That role was written for a 14 year old skinny little teenager and at the time I got it, I was about 30 year old muscular very fit man and the director took his chance on me and gave me that shot.

Another dream role was in a little independent film that was at Sundance called Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. I played a very complicated ballroom dancer. Again, it’s a role that from where I come from and the upbringing that I had is just a role that I would have never envisioned myself being able to play. Being allowed to transform myself to that person and then got such a complicated character, it’s an amazing opportunity and it really is a dream role. It was a dream role for me. And then to do it with a cast that was in that in movie, it was Robert Carlyle and Marisa Tomei and Mary Steenburgen, it was just an amazing cast, that’s a dream role.

So I think every opportunity is a dream role. If the material is good and the challenge is there and quite frankly, if I leave work smiling, I guess to bring it full circle, again, I think doing In Plain Sight really—I was with a great cast. I was with a great writer, a great director, a great network and a great studio who all believe in what they’re doing and all really take great pride in their show and have fun. I left work everyday on that show smiling and feeling very lucky to have an opportunity to work on something so fun.

I think any time I can leave work at the end of the day smiling and probably even if it’s a stinker of a movie or whatever, then I’m pretty much in a dream role, because what more can I ask for than to be happy with what I’m doing? I’m really grateful to John McNamara and the team on In Plain Sight because I really do think that they helped spark the acting bug in me again. Hopefully, the work reflect that’s. I know my experience personally no matter what the result at the end of the day, I felt that way. I felt very, very blessed to be in New Mexico with that group of people doing what I love to do.

Question> It was really nice to see you in the role of a dad. How can you relate to your character on In Plain Sight and what element of yourself do you see in the character?

Donnie> Well, I think being a dad, that’s certainly something I was able to relate to immediately. I have a 17 year old boy and I’m starting to experience what that means, the different things that they get into, 17 year olds and teenagers in general and the pressure and sometimes the head scratching that comes along with it. It’s amazing. There’s so many clichés about getting older or are kids doing things that we did or having their own way of going about doing similar things to what we did and I’m experiencing it all right now from the flying to the styles to the music to everything. I thought everything that I liked when I was 17 was the coolest. But I guess liking a band like New Edition is like my mom loving the Four Tops to my 17 year old. It’s not so cool to them.

But I think that was really the thing that I zeroed in on the most was just being a parent and understanding the pressure and responsibility of taking care of and protecting the child. There’s a lot of ….and stuff on the show and different elements that I actually borrowed from a friend of mine who’s had similar life experience. I talked to him about it and brought those things to the table in terms of witness protection and stuff like that. But I think really the thing that was most important thing to me was the family aspect of it and the responsibility that a dad has, no matter where he is or what his circumstances are. I think my character on the show was just, it was just important for him to be a good day when he was out of the streets being a criminal as it was for him being a straight laced guy in this witness protection program. His son was the most important thing to him in both scenarios.

Question> Throughout your career, you’ve done a bit of everything, singing, dancing, performing live, movies, TV shows. Which of those have you enjoyed the most and why?

Donnie> It’s really hard to say. If you asked me six months ago, I would say probably doing concerts again. But if you asked me six months before that, I might have said song writing. If you asked me six months before that, I might have said acting. If you asked me today, I’m shooting something right now and working with an amazing team and just work In Plain Sight, which was a really, really great experience. I’m really enjoying acting again right now.

So I think I’m smart enough and honest enough to know that it’s really all of the above. I think one thing I do is I really get an incredible high off of the creative process. That extends with acting, beyond just being on screen or being in front of the camera. I love sitting down with a director and a writer and bringing different ideas to the table and really diving into a character, the behind the scenes, the preparation, the rehearsals, the wardrobe.

I love it all. I love being creative. I love being around creative people and that’s really it. It’s music or movies or acting. I love the rush of being creative. I really think I live for it. It kinds of fills my soul and so I’m very lucky. I remember my time in New Mexico, I just really started sort of shooting In Plain Sight, I really felt myself getting back into the groove. I was a little rusty at first, but after a day or two, just having that rapport with other actors and a director, it’s an amazing high that I get from doing it. I take great pride and I have a great sense of responsibility for it. I don’t know if I answered the question, but I tried.

Donnie watches the Knicks at Madison Square Garden

2010-04-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

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Donnie Wahlberg watches the New York Knicks play the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 12, 2010. The knicks defeated the Wizards 114-103. UPI/John Angelillo

Donnie Wahlberg bosses around Angie Harmon in TNT drama

2010-04-20T19:05:00.000-07:00

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by Michael Ausiello

Image Credit: PRN/PR PhotosDonnie Wahlberg has booked a two-episode arc on Rizzoli & Isles, TNT’s forthcoming drama series starring Law & Order’s Angie Harmon and NCIS‘ Sasha Alexander.

The ex-Boomtown thesp will play Sgt. Joey Grant, a childhood friend of Harmon’s Boston homicide detective who’s now working as her boss. “Their relationship is equal parts attraction and loathing,” says a TNT source.

Slated to premiere in July, Rizzoli & Isles centers on the friendship between crime-solving friends Jane Rizzoli (Harmon) and medical examiner Maura Isles (Alexander).

Sopranos vet Lorraine Bracco costars as Harmon’s mother.

Donnie On the set of 'Reagan's Law'

2010-04-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

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Jordan Knight Talks Touring, Books, Music, and a New Album

2010-04-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

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This lucky reporter got to interview my first crush Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block. Jordan talked about touring, and what he does to keep himself busy on the road.NKOTB’s Jordan Knight: It feels like the good old days and a fresh new day.

Jordan Knight Q&A
By ADRIANA ACOSTA
Published: Friday, March 6, 2009 10:47 AM CST
Jordan Knight, one of the front men from The New Kids on the Block, will be performing this Saturday, March 7, at Dodge Arena as part of the Borderfest celebration in Hidalgo.
Jordan proved to be a suave and well-spoken man, with a self-deprecating sense of humor and an unexpected thoughtfulness. He was honest and candid and it was heard across the interview. While usually I’m a pretty cool when it comes to interviewing someone, I found him as charming as I did 20 years ago when I was a big fan.
Question: How does it feel to be back performing as a group again?
Answer: It feels like it s the best of both worlds. It feels like the good old days and a fresh new day. It’s a lot of fun up on stage; we just get such a rush from the crowd. It just makes you feel validated like what you did in the past is really worth something, just makes you feel really good.
Question: How is life on the road? Is it as it was when you all first started 20 years ago?
Answer: I think life on the road is pretty much the same. I am married and have two kids, so it’s kind of hard to be away from them. They do visit me on the road. My son is in school, so it is hard to pull him out from his schedule. But we are soaking it all in a little more. We are not as frantic as we were before. We take it in and we don’t take it for granted.
Question: How do you keep yourself busy when you are on the road? Do you read, listen to music?
Answer: I do all that yeah, I like to read. Currently I am reading “The Reader” and then I watched the movie.
Question: Was the movie the same as the book?
Answer: I visualized it first as I read the book, then it was good to see the movie because it brought it to life. It was a great movie.
Question: What about music? Is there a particular artist you listen to?
Answer: Not really, I keep playing Ne-Yo and Kanye West. Does are the two that are caught on my playlist right now.
Question: What is your favorite song to perform while on stage?
Answer: All the songs are fun. Every song and every performance add something cool about it. I do like performing “Dirty Dancing,” “Baby I believe in you,” and “Give it to you,” those are very, very fun. I also love performing, “I’ll be loving you forever,” and “If you go away.” We have a new song we will perform at the beginning of the show this weekend.
Question: What has been the coolest thing a fan has told you during this tour?
Answer: We get a lot of compliments, but a lot of people say that our music has gotten them through the tough times. That they would lean on our music and us as entertainers when things were going bad then can kind of forget about things and listen to our music. That is why we really do it, to provide happiness to people and help people.
Question: What can fans expect to see this weekend when you perform?
Answer: We are going to do all of our old hits for sure. There will be a lot of songs that everyone grew up with “ that were New Kids fans” they are going to hear those songs. We are going to do all the choreography with new twists and its going to be action packed. We are going to get the crowd involved, we want to make sure people live there happy and we want to make sure everyone is loud, excited, dancing, having fun and maybe shed a few tears.
Question: After the tour ends, do you all plan to go back in the studio and record another album or will you go your separate ways?
Answer: We don’t know. We might to another album; we just may do another album. Like we have all said before, the door is always open to do anything together.

Anthony Anderson & Donnie Walhberg at the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Game

2010-04-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

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Actors Anthony Anderson and Donnie Wahlberg kicked it Tuesday night (Apr 6) at Madison Square Garden in New York City as the Knicks took on the Boston Celtics, Donnie’s home team. But unfortunately for Donnie, who is a native of Boston, his Celtics took an L with a final score of 104 (Knicks) to 101 (Celtics).

Interview with Donnie Wahlberg - 3/31/10

2010-04-01T20:33:00.000-07:00

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Written by Megan on March 31, 2010 – 10:43 am -

I felt like a 10 year girl all over again, when I was told that I was going to get to interview Donnie Wahlberg. He’s been a member of New Kids on the Block for years, and on top of that (as if you need anything else :D) he’s a talented actor. Some of his best work was on the series Boomtown and in the movie The Sixth Sense (a small but important role). I have to say that his guest appearance on In Plain Sight was fierce, and I loved it. In Plain Sight premieres it’s third season on March 31st at 10 pm on USA Network, and I urge you not to miss it. Now let’s get to the interview where Donnie discusses working on TV again, his charity work, and his general work ethics. I’ll let you know when it’s me asking the questions, and then I’ll include a few important ones from my fellow digital journalists.

Well, you didn’t have to wait long because yours truly got the first question! I was seriously nervous.

Megan- I’ve seen the episode and you were fantastic. What was it like working on a TV series again?

D. Wahlberg- It’s different as a guest as opposed to being a star of a series. A guest star is a whole different responsibility. It’s much different than being a regular. You come in and it’s a lot of unfamiliar faces and you want to try to fit in as best you can, but also you want to stay there without making waves. But at the same time you want to come in and be hopefully the best you can be and bring something new to the table. I’ve been a regular before and I know that it becomes not a grind. That series that I’ve been a regular in, I was very committed and very dedicated, but it was always fun when a new actor came along and brought something to the table.

All that said, I felt incredibly welcomed. I also knew that there was a really a new spirit going on on the show. That everybody was really looking to raise the bar for season three with John McNamara coming in. I felt like I was playing with a team that was really trying to great. So everyone was very encouraging and very welcoming of me.

[Note from me: Donnie appeared very pleased with his work and to be doing the interview. He was one of the most talkative and open stars I've interviewed so far.]

I was wondering if you found there was instant chemistry when you began working with the cast. I know sometimes it takes a little bit of time to develop, but did you find the rapport was instant?

D. Wahlberg- It was pretty instant. I think when we did a table read a few days before and I got to sit next to Mary McCormick and she was very gracious and stuff. But I felt, again, very safe. I’m not a big fan of table reads or sitting around a table and reading a script. I’d rather do it on set and do it for real. I generally hate table reads, in fact, but it was a great atmosphere and everybody really seemed excited I was there. The regulars on the show were just very welcoming. I think part of it is maybe is the New Mexico charm that everyone has down there. But at the same time, I think there’s a real great spirit on that show and it starts at the top with Mary and Fred and they’ve very, very gracious.

[Note from me: You can catch Jenny's interview with Mary McCormick and Fred Weller next week!]

I know you started out in the music industry, so how did you move into acting from there?

D. Wahlberg- Actually, in high school I was one of the cofounders of New Kids on the Block my freshman year in high school. But I also started studying theatre in high school my freshman year as well. So throughout high school, I was actually doing both. I would do a concert maybe at a night club or wherever we could get a gig as New Kids on the weekends. But during week days, I was doing plays and writing plays and starring in plays all the time.
When New Kids became really successful, I got a lot of offers to do parts in movies and TV shows, but I was really busy, so I pretty much turned everything down. But I always knew it was something that I would eventually put some energy into. It just so happened that when New Kids finished riding that wave, that first wave of success, the offers weren’t coming anymore. So I had to go out and hit the pavement like most actors and start from the ground up, which I think is one of the greatest things that happened to me. I think maybe taking movie roles and stuff when I was getting them offered to me because I was in a musical group, I think that could have been damaging to me.

I think having to go out and start, I don’t want to say as a has-been, but sort of in a band that wasn’t really popular anymore and wasn’t selling records anymore, I think it forced me to really dig in and do what most actors do, which is to hit the street and go to audition after audition after audition and keep trying to break through until someone gives me a shot. I think that Ron Howard was the first person …that gave me a shot. Once I got a taste, I just wanted to keep doing it and doing it and doing it. I fell in love with the craft and that’s how I did it.

Keeping with the theme of the show, which is witness protection, how do you think it would be to really give up your identity and become someone else in order to remain safe? What would you miss and what wouldn’t you miss?

D. Wahlberg- I’ve thought about it before, actually, just in time when fame and success gets a little challenging. There’s been moments when it was what would it be like. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many, many places. And there’s times when I’ve been in some really obscure towns working and I thought about what it would be like to set up shop here and just kind of disappear and just be like anyone else. I guess because I’ve been in the spotlight so often in my life, it’s sounded really appealing to me. But I think I’d probably eventually get pretty stir crazy. I’m sure I’d miss all the things that that I take for granted.

I think in my experience in life speaking to people or knowing people who’ve lived on the run or lived with a false identity, it’s really one of the hardest things to do. A lot of fugitives eventually who are living on the run usually turn themselves in because they can’t the pressure of living a false life and hiding anymore. It’s a lot of stress; it’s a lot of pressure. It’s a pretty big weight to carry around.

I don’t know if you meant specifically in a witness protection situation or just living in a different life of hiding out somewhere. But I think it would be fun for a while, but I think eventually I’d miss probably everything, simple things like going to the supermarket and saying hello to my neighbour and not wondering if they’re going to recognize me or not. That would be a lot of pressure, I think.

It was really nice to see you in the role of a dad. How can you relate to your character on In Plain Sight and what element of yourself do you see in the character?

D. Wahlberg- Well, I think being a dad, that’s certainly something I was able to relate to immediately. I have a 17 year old boy and I’m starting to experience what that means, the different things that they get into, 17 year olds and teenagers in general and the pressure and sometimes the head scratching that comes along with it. It’s amazing. There’s so many clichés about getting older or are kids doing things that we did or having their own way of going about doing similar things to what we did and I’m experiencing it all right now from the flying to the styles to the music to everything. I thought everything that I liked when I was 17 was the coolest. But I guess liking a band like New Edition is like my mom loving the Four Tops to my 17 year old. It’s not so cool to them.

But I think that was really the thing that I zeroed in on the most was just being a parent and understanding the pressure and responsibility of taking care of and protecting the child. There’s a lot of ….and stuff on the show and different elements that I actually borrowed from a friend of mine who’s had similar life experience. I talked to him about it and brought those things to the table in terms of witness protection and stuff like that. But I think really the thing that was most important thing to me was the family aspect of it and the responsibility that a dad has, no matter where he is or what his circumstances are. I think my character on the show was just, it was just important for him to be a good day when he was out of the streets being a criminal as it was for him being a straight laced guy in this witness protection program. His son was the most important thing to him in both scenarios.

Growing up in Boston with guys like Whitey Bolger in the city, how easy is it for you to relate to that world ….?

D. Wahlberg- I was never really around Whitey Bolger. He was a little bit before at least me and my brother, Mark’s, time. He was a little bit out of the way by the time we really started, when we were out in the streets. The thing is that Boston is such a small city that everybody knows everybody. So even if I never crossed paths with Whitey Bolger directly, I know a lot of people who did. I know a lot people who did their thing as well and basically do what they had to do to survive or made a choice to survive a certain way.

But there’s always something to draw on. There’s always someone that you could just pluck off the street, a friend, a cousin, an uncle or somebody who you could look at as a character study for a character like Jimmy. But the thing for me also is that whenever you play somebody who comes from your home town, it’s sort of responsibility to not goof it up. Nobody wants to be that guy that is representing somebody built from a character or characters from Boston. It may be the worst thing in the world to get it wrong and we take pride in people getting it right. So it adds a little pressure to it as well. It makes it easier in some aspects because I have a lot to draw on, but at the same time, it does put a great pressure because if I stink it up as a Boston guy, then I’m going to get a lot of flack when I come home.

We were wondering if you could tell us about the Send a Kid to Camp charity event that you held with your brothers earlier this week.

D. Wahlberg- That was actually an event that I had planned or wanted to do for a while. Mark and I do different events with the Mark Wahlberg Foundation. He does a couple different events a year. I tend to pick specific things that I want to do and I will do it in conjunction with my brother, Jim, who runs the Mark Wahlberg Foundation. As an example a couple of years ago, I did a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina and I put it together and was the host and the force behind it. But Mark lent his time and energy to it as well and we end up raising with the week of preparation, $750,000 for Hurricane Katrina.

I know there’s poker has become a very popular game. I know there are tons and tons of poker players in Massachusetts, so I have tons of relationships. But I just thought it would be a very successful way for us to raise money. What we were raising it for is to send inner city kids from the neighborhoods that we grew up in to go to summer camp and to be able to do something that we never could do. We didn’t go to summer camps. We hung out on the street corners and either got in trouble or not, depending on what the day was and what we got into.

So this is something that was really important to us was to give inner city kids something constructive to do and something that may steer them in a different direction than the options and opportunities that we had ourselves. We raised $300,000 incidentally. And we’re going to be sending, I think, 200 kids to camp this summer and next summer off of the success of that, so it was a pretty amazing night.

[Note from Me: I thought this was great, and I was happy to hear how they're giving back. It's always important to remember where you came from. Donnie was very humble, I admire that.]

Your character on In Plain Sight is a bad boy with a big heart and in New Kids, you were considered the bad boy. So is it more fun to play a shady character and why?

D. Wahlberg- I don’t know. I think I enjoy playing all types of difference characters. I think the challenge with this particular character was to do something different with the character that was somewhat similar to things I’ve done in the past. I played a lot of cops. He’s obviously not a cop, but it’s tricky because in playing this guy, I didn’t want to do things that I’d done before, mannerisms or certain behaviours or actions or even the way that I spoke.

But at the same time, I didn’t want to be too selfish because the character is written, the way he’s written for a reason. My insecurities or whatever, I didn’t want to bring those to the table and try and to overdo something in order to satisfy myself and say I made this character different than anything I’ve ever done and it’s very unique. I wanted to accomplish that, but at the same time, I couldn’t do it in a way that was selfish and not in the best interest of the show.

John McNamara is an amazing writer. He wanted me for a lot of specific reasons. Those sort of things that he saw in my past work, it’s a responsibility for me to bring those things to the table and then add something to that. So I’ve played ballroom dancers. I’ve play psychotics. I’ve played cops. I’ve play silly cops and serious cops. I’ve played so many different roles, but I just try to take each role based on the material. And if I like the material, then I’m attracted to it. If I’m attracted to it, then I’m going to give all my energy to it. And if I give all my energy to something, it usually if nothing else, then I know that I’ve been committed and gave all I could. And I usually feel very satisfied at the end when I’m in that predicament. If I don’t like the material, I just generally pass, no matter what it is. If it’s a studio movie or a big opportunity, if I can’t pile into something in the character, I usually don’t do it.

You have played so many diverse characters from obviously the psychotic that you said and one of my favorite characters is from Dreamcatcher, Duddits. Playing harder characters like that, was it just harder to get into those types of characters? Or do you think it’s harder to get into the character like a Jimmy versus going into something a little bit darker?

D. Wahlberg- Well, I think every character presents a difference challenge and a different opportunity. It’s just some characters require a different level of commitment, other than internalizing the character and making it my own.

The Sixth Sense, for example, I sort of underwent a physical transformation. And in committing to the physical transformation, that actually helped me emotionally get to where I needed to get. I suffered a lot in my preparation for that part. And so when it came time to shoot, I really was a lot closer to the character I was playing because I suffered. I wasn’t sitting in a cushy hotel rooms eating lobster every night, waiting for them to call action. I was really committed to a certain physical state. And as I was preparing alongside that, it took me to a tremendous emotional places that allowed me to really play the character a certain way on screen.

For Jimmy, I think it’s certainly not the same type of preparation process. But what I did similar is I engaged in things that would help transform me. I went into New Mexico early and I kind of laid low. I usually end up in a ….and I get on the Blackberry and start Twittering and meeting with fans and having dinner and stuff like that. I have no problem going out and about in towns that I go to and meeting people and engaging people.

When I went to New Mexico, I really wanted to lay low. I wanted to feel alone and not really attract a lot of attention. In fact, I wanted to do the opposite and I did that. I spent probably the first week just sort of hiding out and not really being specific to anyone about where I was. In doing that alongside of my preparation for the character, I think I did isolate myself and create a little bit of loneliness. I only had about a week to prepare for the show, so that’s really all I could do, but it helps. Every amount of preparation helps. Every little ounce of it helps and so I did as much as I could and being isolated down there in New Mexico wasn’t really the same as having been in the witness protection program for a long time, but I certainly got enough of a feel and an energy around me that I was able to bring that do work everyday.

I was wondering what other film or TV projects do you have going on these days?

D. Wahlberg- I just finished shooting a film called Zoo Keeper with Kevin James and the voices talents of Adam Sandler and Sylvester Stallone, Nick Nolte, Cher. That was great, great to shoot that film. It’s a comedy role for me. It’s a very big comedic studio film. It’s something that I haven’t gotten a chance to show in my repertoire. It makes me excited. And so to do a film like that was going to be seen by so many people is really, really exciting for me.

I’m currently shooting a pilot for CBS, just at least tentatively titled Reagan’s Law with Tom Selleck and myself…..Alexander. I’m really excited about that as well. I think that this opportunity in some ways is indirectly related to In Plain Sight. I think In Plain Sight, working on a television schedule again, working with a great writer like John McNamara and a great cast, it really invigorated me and reminded me how much I like working on television.

It was amazing to do a film like Zoo Keeper, but I really have always loved television, just for the work, the amount of hours I put in and the amount of energy it takes and the consistency of it. I love to work really hard. I love to stay close to the character I’m playing. A lot of times it becomes you work two days, you’re off for a week. You work three days, you’re off for a month. Dragging a character out over that much time and not working very often, it can be very challenging.

With television it’s sort like a nine to five. I’ve always loved going to work every day and staying close to a character. So I think In Plain Sight relit that fire for me and indirectly a lot of relationships that I have in the CBS pilot that I’m shooting are sort of somewhat forged from my time on In Plain Sight. It’s about three degrees of separation in a lot of instances. I think those degrees are connected. I think In Plain Sight actually directly led to me finding myself in shooting this pilot.

[Note from Me: We are excited for Reagan's Law and I really hope it's a success. It's be great to see Donnie on our TV sets again weekly.]

You spent an awful lot of time acting for TV. What do you watch? What do you like? What characters do you like to see every week?

D. Wahlberg- If I tell the truth right now, it’s probably going to make no sense. I’m kind of a big reality TV guy. I don’t know why. I like a lot of train wreck television or something. I like Bad Girls Club. I like Tool Academy. I like Jersey Shore, but I also like Dog Whisperer. I watch a lot of Food Network. I like Iron Chef and Chopped. I like the Dog Whisperer. But in terms of characters on television, I’m really big into the timeless characters. Colombo is one of my favorites. Rockford Files, Streets of San Francisco, M.A.S.H., I sort of love the a lot older series, a lot of series from the ‘70s. A show that’s sort of similar, I don’t think there are many shows nowadays that are similar to those kinds of shows, but the shows that are built around really fascinating characters. I think The Shield is one and The Sopranos is another one, shows that have a really, really an amazing central character and an amazing cast around it. The characters that aren’t necessarily like the movie star type or just that sort of typical Hollywood leading man. Those two examples, The Shield and The Sopranos have very, very different sort of guys, very regular guys in very amazing circumstances at the center of them. And those kinds of shows really appeal to me.

But I grew up watching classic movies with my dad and classic television with him as well. I tend to gravitate to that type of stuff. That has no connection to any of these reality shows that I mentioned. I think that those reality shows are just fun. They’re a way for me to turn off my brain a little bit. I work a lot , sometimes 22, 23 hours a day. Just being able to tune out and watch silliness like Tool Academy on VH1 is pretty funny at times.

[Note from Me: Nothing wrong with using TV to tune out, and reality TV does accomplish that. I wonder if he'll be watching the remake of The Rockford Files?? hmmm. Note from Jenny: He watches some of the same stuff I watch. How freakin cool is that? *grin*]

Coming from a big family, not just from your brother, Mark, but how has your family and your support system played into your career that really could have gone in so many different ways and not to the success that it has?

D. Wahlberg- It’s hard to say. I don’t know that I really had anybody looking over me saying, hey, make the right choice. I think, in fact, it was the opposite. I had a lot of brothers screwing up in front of me. It was up to me to look at them and say I could do that they’re doing or I could make a different choice. That’s what I did. I think my tolerance for danger wasn’t quite as great as some of my other brothers. I might take a ride in a stolen car once in a while, but I wasn’t going to get behind the wheel and hotwire the thing myself. I guess my threshold for pain and trouble and danger was just a little different.

I think I was really lucky also in the school that I went to. As I said earlier in I think in the first question, the first or second question about music or acting, I was very fortunate in that I went to a Boston public school. In my first year in that school, the city was experimenting with a new type of high school format. I was able to take theatre class for two periods a day. That was an amazing situation to be in, to be in a school like that where arts was really a prominent part of the curriculum.

I think I was able to find ways to channel a lot of my energy into positive things. I was in New Kids on the Block outside of school and in theatre inside of school. Being committed to doing a play, it’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of commitment. I didn’t want to get up and embarrass myself in front of the whole school. I wanted to be ready and I wanted to be the best that I could be and I had a commitment to that and to my fellow classmates in theatre.
I think it A, gave me an outlet for my energy and B, gave me something creative to do to take my mind off of the other bad opportunities that were there for me. Again, that’s why something like the camp event I did the other night with my brothers is really important because creating opportunities for kids to find other avenues for their energy is something that I benefited from. I certainly want to give that opportunity to other kids now.

Who are the actors that you like that you most appreciate in terms of presence, acting skills and have any of them influenced you?

D. Wahlberg- It’s funny. Your description of me is sort of how I like to think of myself. I think I agree with you a lot from you’re saying. I think jumping into a leading man situation when I wasn’t ready probably could have been disastrous. Doing it at that early age when I really hadn’t worked for it might have sent me on the wrong path because it took me a while to realize that I am character actor and that’s what I want to do. That’s what I want to be.

I look at actors like Gene Hackman and he does the kinds of roles that I aspire to. He’s the kind of actor I hope to be like one day. He’s very much a character actor, but he’s also capable of being a leading man at times as he did in The French Connection and being incredibly good at it. But like James Gandolfini is another example. And then there are actors like Michael Parks, who a lot of people don’t even know who he is, but every time I see a ….movie and he pops up in a totally unrecognizable role, I’m just amazed by him and I love to do those kinds of things myself.

I think had I jumped into acting just because the opportunity was there because I was very famous in the musical group, I’m not sure I might have taken the time to A, put in the work that was necessary to be the best actor I could be, but also B, to identify what I really wanted to do and the kind of roles I wanted to play. When The Sixth Sense came along, for example, that’s a role that I jumped all over it. My manager at the time told me to pass on it. It’s like it’s a day of work, what good is that going to do. It’s blah, blah, blah. I said this is the best script I ever read and this is a character that could be very memorable if I could commit myself to play it. I would have done that part for free.

To be able to have that sort of sense of what I wanted to do and what was important to me, it really came from hard work and I’m building a career and not just having one handed to me. So while it was the biggest struggle, I’m certainly glad that it went that way. I appreciate the kind words you said and I think that’s really it. Sometimes people will say do you want, do you ever compete with Mark for roles or stuff like that. We never do. He’s a movie star. He’s a leading man and I’ve always thought of myself as a character and I take great pride in that. It’s really all I could ever hope for is to be having a good reputation as a really solid character actor. That’s really a great place for me to be in my opinion.

So can you talk about how you got the part? Is there an audition process for In Plain Sight?

D. Wahlberg- It wasn’t an audition. It was actually I came, I met with John McNamara a few times in the past. We both expressed a mutual want to work with each other. John ….for something before, but I just didn’t quite have the right energy for him. I had just come off tour and he called and asked for a meeting and he said, “I’ve always wanted to work with you. I’m going to be running the show In Plain Sight now and I want to build a character for you. I think this is a great opportunity for us to finally work together.” So he sort of told me what he was thinking for the character and shared some ideas with me and asked me if I had any ideas. And I presented him with a lot of thoughts and I think we both saw it in a very similar way. He went and wrote the character.

I think for a guy who’s not from Boston, a guy who’s not from that world, I didn’t know what he would come up with when it was finally on paper. But I really only had minimal note for him. I think he got the talk right and that’s the hardest part. He wrote a guy that sounded like he was a Boston guy and sounded like he was a real guy dealing with real stuff and that appealed to me. So that was really the process. Fortunately, I didn’t have to audition because I pretty rather stick nails in my eyes than audition for anything. It’s many people as I’m saying in front of them in my life and acted in front of them and performed in front of them, I still get pretty nervous about auditioning.

Given the success that you and Mark had when you were young, what did you learn from each other now as men? It must be kind of unbelievable, just given the way you started.

D. Wahlberg- I think we both, coming from the background that we come from and the life that we had, I think we’re both very cautious. I think we both walk around with a fear of a self fulfilling prophecy that inevitably one day for two street kids coming from such a crazy family with so much chaos going on, eventually somebody is going to come and take this all away from us. I think that fear in both of us, the result is a great work ethic. I think it’s the only way that we feel safe is to continue to work hard. I think we both have identified that hard work is really the only way to be successful and it’s the only way to protect what we’ve worked so hard for is to continue to work hard.

I think the minute I sit back and think, yes, I am a great character actor and I can do this, that and the other is the minute some other character actor who’s working much harder than me is going to come in and take my opportunities away from me. I just think that fight or that fear, I think it’s in a lot of people who grow in really tough environments. We had….for food on the table with eight brothers and sisters.

I think in Hollywood, it’s even harder. With every role, I’m fighting against hundreds and hundreds and thousands of other actors who want the same thing. It’s amazing. On the one hand, … we can say, yes, I have a pretty good body of work and I’ve done a lot of things and I continue to get opportunities. But on the other hand, it’s amazingly fortunate because there are so many actors who are out there fighting for the same things.

I know the minute I let up and don’t work hard or I take anything for granted, there’s a good chance it is going to go away for me and desirably so. It’s just my responsibility to build on the foundation that I have and to build something solid there. And the only way I can do that is with hard work. I know that Mark, while we don’t really talk about it that much, I know he feels the same way.

So going back to you were saying about the kind of roles you take and that, what would be your ultimate dream role, if you could choose or make up a role?

D. Wahlberg- Wow. It’s kind of hard to answer. I’d like to think that I’ve played it a few times and that the next one is coming, the next dream role is coming along. I think in some ways, I’ve probably had that about four times. I think The Sixth Sense was a dream role because it was the ultimate challenge for me to transform physically and emotionally and to really—I didn’t set out to shock people or surprise people. I just set out to make that character real and to get myself as close to him as possible physically and emotionally. But I think for me that was a dream role because I should have never gotten that role. That role was written for a 14 year old skinny little teenager and at the time I got it, I was about 30 year old muscular very fit man and the director took his chance on me and gave me that shot.

Another dream role was in a little independent film that was at Sundance called Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. I played a very complicated ballroom dancer. Again, it’s a role that from where I come from and the upbringing that I had is just a role that I would have never envisioned myself being able to play. Being allowed to transform myself to that person and then got such a complicated character, it’s an amazing opportunity and it really is a dream role. It was a dream role for me. And then to do it with a cast that was in that in movie, it was Robert Carlyle and Marisa Tomei and Mary Steenburgen, it was just an amazing cast, that’s a dream role.

So I think every opportunity is a dream role. If the material is good and the challenge is there and quite frankly, if I leave work smiling, I guess to bring it full circle, again, I think doing In Plain Sight really—I was with a great cast. I was with a great writer, a great director, a great network and a great studio who all believe in what they’re doing and all really take great pride in their show and have fun. I left work everyday on that show smiling and feeling very lucky to have an opportunity to work on something so fun.

I think any time I can leave work at the end of the day smiling and probably even if it’s a stinker of a movie or whatever, then I’m pretty much in a dream role, because what more can I ask for than to be happy with what I’m doing? I’m really grateful to John McNamara and the team on In Plain Sight because I really do think that they helped spark the acting bug in me again. Hopefully, the work reflect that’s. I know my experience personally no matter what the result at the end of the day, I felt that way. I felt very, very blessed to be in New Mexico with that group of people doing what I love to do.

That’s it for the interview, he was very open and talkative which gives us all a nice picture into what Donnie is about. If you’ve never watched In Plain Sight, then you are missing something. I had honestly never seen the show before the season premiere was sent to me and I have to say I’m going to get the previous seasons on DVD because the show is really that good. Don’t miss the season premiere on March 31st at 10 pm on USA Network, it’s fabulous!

Donnie Walhberg Discusses In Plain Sight

2010-04-01T20:08:00.000-07:00

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New Kids on the Block Star Talks About Playing a Boston Dad

Mar 31, 2010 Amy Harrington

Donnie Walhberg who started in New Kids on the Block talks about doing a guest spot on In Plain Sight, landing the juicy part, and his chemistry with the regulars.

Donnie Wahlberg got his start in the boy band New Kids on the block, but smoothly transitioned into a very respectable acting career. In a recent conference call interview he talked about his upcoming guest spot on USA Networks' In Plain Sight, airing Wednesday, March 31 at 10:00 pm. He discussed how he got the part, the chemistry on the set, and living up to his Boston roots.

Donnie Walhberg Returns to TV

It's been almost two years since Walhberg was on TV (HBO's 2008 show Runaway) and seven years since he was on a critically acclaimed series (NBC's Boomtown). But Donnie makes a triumphant return to the small screen in a guest spot on In Plain Sight.

Donnie said doing a one-episode appearance is different than starring in a show. "A guest star is a whole different responsibility." He remarked, "You come in and it’s a lot of unfamiliar faces and you want to try to fit in as best you can, but also you want to stay there without making waves… I’ve been a regular before and… it was always fun when a new actor came along and brought something to the table."

Walhberg's Chemistry with the Cast

As for how he got along with the In Plain Sight cast, Donnie said, "I felt incredibly welcomed. I also knew that… everybody was really looking to raise the bar for Season 3 with John McNamara coming in. I felt like I was playing with a team that was trying to be great. So everyone was very encouraging and very welcoming."

Donnie Walhberg Hates to Audition

Wahlberg revealed that he hates auditioning and lucky for him he did not need to for this role. Instead he met with show runner John McNamara who built a part specifically for Wahlberg. He recounted that in a meeting, McNamara told him he wanted to create a character for Walhberg. They discussed the role and shared ideas before McNamara began writing.

Wahlberg revealed, "Fortunately, I didn’t have to audition because I'd rather stick nails in my eyes than audition for anything. As many people as I’m in front of in my life and acted in front of them and performed in front of them, I still get pretty nervous about auditioning."

Walhberg Relates to the Dad-side of Jimmy

The character that was written for Walhberg was Jimmy, a father from Boston who has to go into the witness protection program. When asked if he could relate at all to this character, he replied, "I think being a dad, that’s certainly something I was able to relate to immediately. I have a 17-year-old boy and I’m starting to experience what that means, the different things that they get into… and sometimes the head scratching that comes along with it."

Playing a Guy from Boston is a Big Responsibility

Donnie Walhberg and his brothers grew up in Boston, so Donnie felt a certain obligation to get the Boston character right. He noted, "Whenever you play somebody who comes from your hometown, it’s sort of a responsibility to not goof it up. Nobody wants to be that guy that is representing somebody built from a character from Boston. It may be the worst thing in the world to get it wrong and we take pride in people getting it right… If I stink it up as a Boston guy, then I’m going to get a lot of flack when I come home."

Donnie Walhberg on Playing the Bad Guy

As a New Kid, Donnie had a reputation of being a bad boy and in his acting career he has played his share of shady characters. But Wahlberg said he likes to play a wide variety of roles. "I enjoy playing all types of different characters… I’ve played ballroom dancers. I’ve play psychotics. I’ve played cops. I’ve play silly cops and serious cops. I’ve played so many different roles, but I just try to take each role based on the material."

He went on to say, "And if I like the material, then I’m attracted to it. If I’m attracted to it, then I’m going to give all my energy to it. And if I give all my energy to something… then I know that I’ve been committed and gave all I could. And I usually feel very satisfied at the end."

Because Donnie has played a lot of bad guys, he acknowledged, "I think the challenge with this particular character was to do something different with the character that was somewhat similar to things I’ve done in the past… I didn’t want to do things that I’d done before, mannerisms or certain behaviors or actions or even the way that I spoke."

Tune in to the Season 3 premiere of USA Network's In Plain Sight on Wednesday, March 31 at 10:00 pm to see Donnie Walhberg's return to TV.

In Plain Sight w/ Donnie

2010-04-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

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After rising to fame as a member of New Kids on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg has carved out a well established career as an actor. From his notable roles in The Sixth Sense and Dreamcatcher to the canceled-much-too-soon Boomtown and SAW IV, Donnie Wahlberg has proven himself to be a strong and reliable character actor away from the music industry.

In the March 31 episode of In Plain Sight, "Father Goes West", Donnie Wahlberg plays a Boston restaurant owner in the Witness Protection Program who's trying to lead a life without crime while attempting to keep his son and his new family from following in his past criminal footsteps.

Ahead of the season three return of In Plain Sight and "Father Goes West", we caught up with Donnie Wahlberg to find out how he was influenced by South Boston's notorious street life and how he and his acting brother Mark have grown over the years in Hollywood.

THE DEADBOLT: I loved the ski mask. That was pretty sweet.

DONNIE WAHLBERG: The ski mask? I couldn't keep it from blocking my eyes, but it worked out okay.

THE DEADBOLT: Growing up in Boston with guys like Whitey Bulger in the city, how easy is it for you to relate to that world?

WAHLBERG: I was never really around Whitey Bulger. He was a little bit before at least me and my brother, Mark's, time. He was a little bit out of the way by the time we really started, when we were out in the streets.

The thing is that Boston is such a small city that everybody knows everybody. So even if I never crossed paths with Whitey Bulger directly, I know a lot of people who did. I know a lot people who did their thing as well and basically do what they had to do to survive or made a choice to survive a certain way.

But there's always something to draw on. There's always someone that you could just pluck off the street, a friend, a cousin, an uncle or somebody who you could look at as a character study for a character like Jimmy. But the thing for me also is that whenever you play somebody who comes from your hometown, it's sort of a responsibility to not goof it up. Nobody wants to be that guy that is representing somebody built from a character or characters from Boston.

It may be the worst thing in the world to get it wrong and we take pride in people getting it right. So it adds a little pressure to it as well. It makes it easier in some aspects because I have a lot to draw on, but at the same time, it does put a great pressure because if I stink it up as a Boston guy, then I'm going to get a lot of flack when I come home.

THE DEADBOLT: Given the success that you and Mark had when you were young, what have you learned from each other now as men? It must be kind of unbelievable given the way you started.

WAHLBERG: I think we both, coming from the background that we come from and the life that we had, I think we're both very cautious. I think we both walk around with a fear of a self fulfilling prophecy that inevitably one day for two street kids coming from such a crazy family with so much chaos going on, eventually somebody is going to come and take this all away from us.

I think that fear is in both of us, the result is a great work ethic. I think it's the only way that we feel safe is to continue to work hard. I think we both have identified that hard work is really the only way to be successful and it's the only way to protect what we've worked so hard for is to continue to work hard.

I think the minute I sit back and think, yes, I am a great character actor and I can do this, that is the minute some other character actor who's working much harder than me is going to come in and take my opportunities away from me. I just think that fight, or that fear, I think it's in a lot of people who grow in really tough environments. We had to fight for food on the table with eight brothers and sisters.

I think in Hollywood, it's even harder. With every role, I'm fighting against hundreds and hundreds and thousands of other actors who want the same thing. It's amazing. On the one hand, we can say, yes, I have a pretty good body of work and I've done a lot of things and I continue to get opportunities, but on the other hand it's amazingly fortunate because there are so many actors who are out there fighting for the same things.

I know the minute I let up and don't work hard or I take anything for granted, there's a good chance it is going to go away for me, and desirably so. It's just my responsibility to build on the foundation that I have and to build something solid there. And the only way I can do that is with hard work. I know that Mark, while we don't really talk about it that much, I know he feels the same way.

-- Reg Seeton

Donnie Wahlberg Discusses In Plain Sight

2010-04-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

SOURCE

The actor talks about his guest-starring stint in the new season premiere.

Donnie Wahlberg will make a guest appearance on the season premiere episode of In Plain Sight, which airs on Wednesday, March 31st at 10 PM ET on the USA Network. Wahlberg recently held a conference call to discuss his role on the premiere and here's what he had to say.

What was it like working on a TV series again?

Donnie Wahlberg: It's different as a guest as opposed to being a star of a series. A guest star is a whole different responsibility. It's much different than being a regular. You come in and it's a lot of unfamiliar faces and you want to try to fit in as best you can, but also you want to stay there without making waves. But at the same time you want to come in and be hopefully the best you can be and bring something new to the table. I've been a regular before and I know that it becomes not a grind. That series that I've been a regular in, I was very committed and very dedicated, but it was always fun when a new actor came along and brought something to the table. All that said, I felt incredibly welcomed. I also knew that there was a really a new spirit going on on the show. That everybody was really looking to raise the bar for season three with John McNamara coming in. I felt like I was playing with a team that was really trying to great. So everyone was very encouraging and very welcoming of me.

I was wondering if you found there was instant chemistry when you began working with the cast. I know sometimes it takes a little bit of time to develop, but did you find the rapport was instant?

Donnie Wahlberg: It was pretty instant. I think when we did a table read a few days before and I got to sit next to Mary McCormack and she was very gracious and stuff. But I felt, again, very safe. I'm not a big fan of table reads or sitting around a table and reading a script. I'd rather do it on set and do it for real. I generally hate table reads, in fact, but it was a great atmosphere and everybody really seemed excited I was there. The regulars on the show were just very welcoming. I think part of it is maybe is the New Mexico charm that everyone has down there. But at the same time, I think there's a real great spirit on that show and it starts at the top with Mary and Fred and they've very, very gracious.

So keeping with the theme of the show, which is witness protection, how do you think it would be to really give up your identity and become someone else in order to remain safe? What would you miss and what wouldn't you miss?

Donnie Wahlberg: I've thought about it before, actually, just in time when fame and success gets a little challenging. There's been moments when it was what would it be like. I've been lucky enough to travel to many, many places. And there's times when I've been in some really obscure towns working and I thought about what it would be like to set up shop here and just kind of disappear and just be like anyone else. I guess because I've been in the spotlight so often in my life, it's sounded really appealing to me. But I think I'd probably eventually get pretty stir crazy. I'm sure I'd miss all the things that that I take for granted. I think in my experience in life speaking to people or knowing people who've lived on the run or lived with a false identity, it's really one of the hardest things to do. A lot of fugitives eventually who are living on the run usually turn themselves in because they can't the pressure of living a false life and hiding anymore. It's a lot of stress; it's a lot of pressure. It's a pretty big weight to carry around. I don't know if you meant specifically in a witness protection situation or just living in a different life of hiding out somewhere. But I think it would be fun for a while, but I think eventually I'd miss probably everything, simple things like going to the supermarket and saying hello to my neighbor and not wondering if they're going to recognize me or not. That would be a lot of pressure, I think.

It was really nice to see you in the role of a dad. How can you relate to your character on In Plain Sight and what element of yourself do you see in the character?

Donnie Wahlberg: Well, I think being a dad, that's certainly something I was able to relate to immediately. I have a 17 year old boy and I'm starting to experience what that means, the different things that they get into, 17 year olds and teenagers in general and the pressure and sometimes the head scratching that comes along with it. It's amazing. There's so many clichés about getting older or are kids doing things that we did or having their own way of going about doing similar things to what we did and I'm experiencing it all right now from the flying to the styles to the music to everything. I thought everything that I liked when I was 17 was the coolest. But I guess liking a band like New Edition is like my mom loving the Four Tops to my 17 year old. It's not so cool to them. But I think that was really the thing that I zeroed in on the most was just being a parent and understanding the pressure and responsibility of taking care of and protecting the child. There's a lot of ....and stuff on the show and different elements that I actually borrowed from a friend of mine who's had similar life experience. I talked to him about it and brought those things to the table in terms of witness protection and stuff like that. But I think really the thing that was most important thing to me was the family aspect of it and the responsibility that a dad has, no matter where he is or what his circumstances are. I think my character on the show was just, it was just important for him to be a good day when he was out of the streets being a criminal as it was for him being a straight laced guy in this witness protection program. His son was the most important thing to him in both scenarios.

We were wondering if you could tell us about the Send a Kid to Camp charity event that you held with your brothers earlier this week.

Donnie Wahlberg: That was actually an event that I had planned or wanted to do for a while. Mark and I do different events with the Mark Wahlberg Foundation. He does a couple different events a year. I tend to pick specific things that I want to do and I will do it in conjunction with my brother, Jim, who runs the Mark Wahlberg Foundation. As an example a couple of years ago, I did a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina and I put it together and was the host and the force behind it. But Mark lent his time and energy to it as well and we end up raising with the week of preparation, $750,000 for Hurricane Katrina. I know there's poker has become a very popular game. I know there are tons and tons of poker players in Massachusetts, so I have tons of relationships. But I just thought it would be a very successful way for us to raise money. What we were raising it for is to send inner city kids from the neighborhoods that we grew up in to go to summer camp and to be able to do something that we never could do. We didn't go to summer camps. We hung out on the street corners and either got in trouble or not, depending on what the day was and what we got into. So this is something that was really important to us was to give inner city kids something constructive to do and something that may steer them in a different direction than the options and opportunities that we had ourselves. We raised $300,000 incidentally. And we're going to be sending, I think, 200 kids to camp this summer and next summer off of the success of that, so it was a pretty amazing night.

Your character on In Plain Sight is a bad boy with a big heart and in New Kids, you were considered the bad boy. So is it more fun to play a shady character and why?

Donnie Wahlberg: I don't know. I think I enjoy playing all types of difference characters. I think the challenge with this particular character was to do something different with the character that was somewhat similar to things I've done in the past. I played a lot of cops. He's obviously not a cop, but it's tricky because in playing this guy, I didn't want to do things that I'd done before, mannerisms or certain behaviors or actions or even the way that I spoke. But at the same time, I didn't want to be too selfish because the character is written, the way he's written for a reason. My insecurities or whatever, I didn't want to bring those to the table and try and to overdo something in order to satisfy myself and say I made this character different than anything I've ever done and it's very unique. I wanted to accomplish that, but at the same time, I couldn't do it in a way that was selfish and not in the best interest of the show. John McNamara is an amazing writer. He wanted me for a lot of specific reasons. Those sort of things that he saw in my past work, it's a responsibility for me to bring those things to the table and then add something to that. So I've played ballroom dancers. I've play psychotics. I've played cops. I've play silly cops and serious cops. I've played so many different roles, but I just try to take each role based on the material. And if I like the material, then I'm attracted to it. If I'm attracted to it, then I'm going to give all my energy to it. And if I give all my energy to something, it usually if nothing else, then I know that I've been committed and gave all I could. And I usually feel very satisfied at the end when I'm in that predicament. If I don't like the material, I just generally pass, no matter what it is. If it's a studio movie or a big opportunity, if I can't pile into something in the character, I usually don't do it.

You touched on some of your charitable projects that you're working on. I was wondering what other film or TV projects do you have going on these days?

Donnie Wahlberg: I just finished shooting a film called The Zookeeper with PEHTSMLJdlKsLQ and the voices talents of Adam Sandler and Sylvester Stallone, Nick Nolte, Cher. That was great, great to shoot that film. It's a comedy role for me. It's a very big comedic studio film. It's something that I haven't gotten a chance to show in my repertoire. It makes me excited. And so to do a film like that was going to be seen by so many people is really, really exciting for me. I'm currently shooting a pilot for CBS, just at least tentatively titled Reagan's Law with Tom Selleck and myself.....Alexander. I'm really excited about that as well. I think that this opportunity in some ways is indirectly related to In Plain Sight. I think In Plain Sight, working on a television schedule again, working with a great writer like John McNamara and a great cast, it really invigorated me and reminded me how much I like working on television. It was amazing to do a film like The Zookeeper, but I really have always loved television, just for the work, the amount of hours I put in and the amount of energy it takes and the consistency of it. I love to work really hard. I love to stay close to the character I'm playing. A lot of times it becomes you work two days, you're off for a week. You work three days, you're off for a month. Dragging a character out over that much time and not working very often, it can be very challenging. With television it's sort like a nine to five. I've always loved going to work every day and staying close to a character. So I think In Plain Sight relit that fire for me and indirectly a lot of relationships that I have in the CBS pilot that I'm shooting are sort of somewhat forged from my time on In Plain Sight. It's about three degrees of separation in a lot of instances. I think those degrees are connected. I think In Plain Sight actually directly led to me finding myself in shooting this pilot.

Who are the actors that you like that you most appreciate in terms of presence, acting skills and have any of them influenced you?

Donnie Wahlberg: It's funny. Your description of me is sort of how I like to think of myself. I think I agree with you a lot from you're saying. I think jumping into a leading man situation when I wasn't ready probably could have been disastrous. Doing it at that early age when I really hadn't worked for it might have sent me on the wrong path because it took me a while to realize that I am character actor and that's what I want to do. That's what I want to be. I look at actors like Gene Hackman and he does the kinds of roles that I aspire to. He's the kind of actor I hope to be like one day. He's very much a character actor, but he's also capable of being a leading man at times as he did in The French Connection and being incredibly good at it. But like James Gandolfini is another example. And then there are actors like Michael Parks, who a lot of people don't even know who he is, but every time I see a ....movie and he pops up in a totally unrecognizable role, I'm just amazed by him and I love to do those kinds of things myself. I think had I jumped into acting just because the opportunity was there because I was very famous in the musical group, I'm not sure I might have taken the time to A, put in the work that was necessary to be the best actor I could be, but also B, to identify what I really wanted to do and the kind of roles I wanted to play. When The Sixth Sense came along, for example, that's a role that I jumped all over it. My manager at the time told me to pass on it. It's like it's a day of work, what good is that going to do. It's blah, blah, blah. I said this is the best script I ever read and this is a character that could be very memorable if I could commit myself to play it. I would have done that part for free. To be able to have that sort of sense of what I wanted to do and what was important to me, it really came from hard work and I'm building a career and not just having one handed to me. So while it was the biggest struggle, I'm certainly glad that it went that way. I appreciate the kind words you said and I think that's really it. Sometimes people will say do you want, do you ever compete with Mark for roles or stuff like that. We never do. He's a movie star. He's a leading man and I've always thought of myself as a character and I take great pride in that. It's really all I could ever hope for is to be having a good reputation as a really solid character actor. That's really a great place for me to be in my opinion.

So can you talk about how you got the part? Is there an audition process for In Plain Sight?

Donnie Wahlberg: It wasn't an audition. It was actually I came, I met with John McNamara a few times in the past. We both expressed a mutual want to work with each other. John ....for something before, but I just didn't quite have the right energy for him. I had just come off tour and he called and asked for a meeting and he said, "I've always wanted to work with you. I'm going to be running the show In Plain Sight now and I want to build a character for you. I think this is a great opportunity for us to finally work together." So he sort of told me what he was thinking for the character and shared some ideas with me and asked me if I had any ideas. And I presented him with a lot of thoughts and I think we both saw it in a very similar way. He went and wrote the character. I think for a guy who's not from Boston, a guy who's not from that world, I didn't know what he would come up with when it was finally on paper. But I really only had minimal note for him. I think he got the talk right and that's the hardest part. He wrote a guy that sounded like he was a Boston guy and sounded like he was a real guy dealing with real stuff and that appealed to me. So that was really the process. Fortunately, I didn't have to audition because I pretty rather stick nails in my eyes than audition for anything. It's many people as I'm saying in front of them in my life and acted in front of them and performed in front of them, I still get pretty nervous about auditioning.

So going back to you were saying about the kind of roles you take and that, what would be your ultimate dream role, if you could choose or make up a role?

Donnie Wahlberg: Wow. It's kind of hard to answer. I'd like to think that I've played it a few times and that the next one is coming, the next dream role is coming along. I think in some ways, I've probably had that about four times. I think The Sixth Sense was a dream role because it was the ultimate challenge for me to transform physically and emotionally and to really-I didn't set out to shock people or surprise people. I just set out to make that character real and to get myself as close to him as possible physically and emotionally. But I think for me that was a dream role because I should have never gotten that role. That role was written for a 14 year old skinny little teenager and at the time I got it, I was about 30 year old muscular very fit man and the director took his chance on me and gave me that shot. Another dream role was in a little independent film that was at Sundance called Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. I played a very complicated ballroom dancer. Again, it's a role that from where I come from and the upbringing that I had is just a role that I would have never envisioned myself being able to play. Being allowed to transform myself to that person and then got such a complicated character, it's an amazing opportunity and it really is a dream role. It was a dream role for me. And then to do it with a cast that was in that in movie, it was Robert Carlyle and Marisa Tomei and Mary Steenburgen, it was just an amazing cast, that's a dream role. So I think every opportunity is a dream role. If the material is good and the challenge is there and quite frankly, if I leave work smiling, I guess to bring it full circle, again, I think doing In Plain Sight really-I was with a great cast. I was with a great writer, a great director, a great network and a great studio who all believe in what they're doing and all really take great pride in their show and have fun. I left work everyday on that show smiling and feeling very lucky to have an opportunity to work on something so fun. I think any time I can leave work at the end of the day smiling and probably even if it's a stinker of a movie or whatever, then I'm pretty much in a dream role, because what more can I ask for than to be happy with what I'm doing? I'm really grateful to John McNamara and the team on In Plain Sight because I really do think that they helped spark the acting bug in me again. Hopefully, the work reflect that's. I know my experience personally no matter what the result at the end of the day, I felt that way. I felt very, very blessed to be in New Mexico with that group of people doing what I love to do.

You can watch guest star Donnie Wahlberg in the season premiere of In Plain Sight which airs on Wednesday, March 31 at 10 PM ET on the USA Network.

In Plain Sight Interview With Guest Star Donnie Wahlberg

2010-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

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Marc Eastman

In Plain Sight returns tonight, and as you probably know, we're picking up from the cliffhanger shooting. It's a great episode, though you can probably guess there is a bit more recuperating than absolutely necessary. It's easily up to the show's standards, and I think fans will find the resolution well worth the wait.

This season kicks off in dramatic fashion as Mary (McCormack) and Marshall (Weller) search for the person who nearly killed Mary in the season two cliffhanger. We will also flashback to when Mary first joined WITSEC after a break-in threatens the security of the first witness she and Marshall handled together, see the struggle of a former thief as he tries to give up crime for the sake of his teenage son, and experience a witness who has been in a coma for three years suddenly awake to find he is the only eyewitness who can put a prolific weapons trafficker behind bars.

You probably also know that Donnie Wahlberg guest stars, and he recently took part in a teleconference interview for the show. Check it out.

I've seen the episode and you were fantastic. What was it like working on a TV series again?

D. Wahlberg It's different as a guest as opposed to being a star of a series. A guest star is a whole different responsibility. It's much different than being a regular. You come in and it's a lot of unfamiliar faces and you want to try to fit in as best you can, but also you want to stay there without making waves. But at the same time you want to come in and be hopefully the best you can be and bring something new to the table. I've been a regular before and I know that it becomes not a grind. That series that I've been a regular in, I was very committed and very dedicated, but it was always fun when a new actor came along and brought something to the table.

All that said, I felt incredibly welcomed. I also knew that there was a really a new spirit going on on the show. That everybody was really looking to raise the bar for season three with John McNamara coming in. I felt like I was playing with a team that was really trying to great. So everyone was very encouraging and very welcoming of me.

I was wondering if you found there was instant chemistry when you began working with the cast. I know sometimes it takes a little bit of time to develop, but did you find the rapport was instant?

D. Wahlberg It was pretty instant. I think when we did a table read a few days before and I got to sit next to Mary McCormick and she was very gracious and stuff. But I felt, again, very safe. I'm not a big fan of table reads or sitting around a table and reading a script. I'd rather do it on set and do it for real. I generally hate table reads, in fact, but it was a great atmosphere and everybody really seemed excited I was there. The regulars on the show were just very welcoming. I think part of it is maybe is the New Mexico charm that everyone has down there. But at the same time, I think there's a real great spirit on that show and it starts at the top with Mary and Fred and they've very, very gracious.

I saw the episode and you were fantastic. It was really nice to see you in the role of a dad. How can you relate to your character on In Plain Sight and what element of yourself do you see in the character?

D. Wahlberg Well, I think being a dad, that's certainly something I was able to relate to immediately. I have a 17 year old boy and I'm starting to experience what that means, the different things that they get into, 17 year olds and teenagers in general and the pressure and sometimes the head scratching that comes along with it. It's amazing. There's so many clichés about getting older or are kids doing things that we did or having their own way of going about doing similar things to what we did and I'm experiencing it all right now from the flying to the styles to the music to everything. I thought everything that I liked when I was 17 was the coolest. But I guess liking a band like New Edition is like my mom loving the Four Tops to my 17 year old. It's not so cool to them.

But I think that was really the thing that I zeroed in on the most was just being a parent and understanding the pressure and responsibility of taking care of and protecting the child. There's a lot of ….and stuff on the show and different elements that I actually borrowed from a friend of mine who's had similar life experience. I talked to him about it and brought those things to the table in terms of witness protection and stuff like that. But I think really the thing that was most important thing to me was the family aspect of it and the responsibility that a dad has, no matter where he is or what his circumstances are. I think my character on the show was just, it was just important for him to be a good day when he was out of the streets being a criminal as it was for him being a straight laced guy in this witness protection program. His son was the most important thing to him in both scenarios.

Throughout your career you've done a bit of everything, singing, dancing, performing live, movies, TV shows. Which of those have you enjoyed the most and why?

D. Wahlberg It's really hard to say. If you asked me six months ago, I would say probably doing concerts again. But if you asked me six months before that, I might have said song writing. If you asked me six months before that, I might have said acting. If you asked me today, I'm shooting something right now and working with an amazing team and just work In Plain Sight, which was a really, really great experience. I'm really enjoying acting again right now.

So I think I'm smart enough and honest enough to know that it's really all of the above. I think one thing I do is I really get an incredible high off of the creative process. That extends with acting, beyond just being on screen or being in front of the camera. I love sitting down with a director and a writer and bringing different ideas to the table and really diving into a character, the behind the scenes, the preparation, the rehearsals, the wardrobe.

I love it all. I love being creative. I love being around creative people and that's really it. It's music or movies or acting. I love the rush of being creative. I really think I live for it. It kinds of fills my soul and so I'm very lucky. I remember my time in New Mexico, I just really started sort of shooting In Plain Sight, I really felt myself getting back into the groove. I was a little rusty at first, but after a day or two, just having that rapport with other actors and a director, it's an amazing high that I get from doing it. I take great pride and I have a great sense of responsibility for it. I don't know if I answered the question, but I tried.

Your character on In Plain Sight is a bad boy with a big heart and in New Kids, you were considered the bad boy. So is it more fun to play a shady character and why?

D. Wahlberg I don't know. I think I enjoy playing all types of difference characters. I think the challenge with this particular character was to do something different with the character that was somewhat similar to things I've done in the past. I played a lot of cops. He's obviously not a cop, but it's tricky because in playing this guy, I didn't want to do things that I'd done before, mannerisms or certain behaviors or actions or even the way that I spoke.

But at the same time, I didn't want to be too selfish because the character is written, the way he's written for a reason. My insecurities or whatever, I didn't want to bring those to the table and try and to overdo something in order to satisfy myself and say I made this character different than anything I've ever done and it's very unique. I wanted to accomplish that, but at the same time, I couldn't do it in a way that was selfish and not in the best interest of the show.

John McNamara is an amazing writer. He wanted me for a lot of specific reasons. Those sort of things that he saw in my past work, it's a responsibility for me to bring those things to the table and then add something to that. So I've played ballroom dancers. I've play psychotics. I've played cops. I've play silly cops and serious cops. I've played so many different roles, but I just try to take each role based on the material. And if I like the material, then I'm attracted to it. If I'm attracted to it, then I'm going to give all my energy to it. And if I give all my energy to something, it usually if nothing else, then I know that I've been committed and gave all I could. And I usually feel very satisfied at the end when I'm in that predicament. If I don't like the material, I just generally pass, no matter what it is. If it's a studio movie or a big opportunity, if I can't pile into something in the character, I usually don't do it.

You have played so many diverse characters from obviously the psychotic that you said and one of my favorite characters is from Dreamcatcher, Duddits. Playing harder characters like that, was it just harder to get into those types of characters? Or do you think it's harder to get into the character like a Jimmy versus going into something a little bit darker?

D. Wahlberg Well, I think every character presents a difference challenge and a different opportunity. It's just some characters require a different level of commitment, other than internalizing the character and making it my own.

The Sixth Sense, for example, I sort of underwent a physical transformation. And in committing to the physical transformation, that actually helped me emotionally get to where I needed to get. I suffered a lot in my preparation for that part. And so when it came time to shoot, I really was a lot closer to the character I was playing because I suffered. I wasn't sitting in a cushy hotel rooms eating lobster every night, waiting for them to call action. I was really committed to a certain physical state. And as I was preparing alongside that, it took me to a tremendous emotional places that allowed me to really play the character a certain way on screen.

For Jimmy, I think it's certainly not the same type of preparation process. But what I did similar is I engaged in things that would help transform me. I went into New Mexico early and I kind of laid low. I usually end up in a ….and I get on the Blackberry and start Twittering and meeting with fans and having dinner and stuff like that. I have no problem going out and about in towns that I go to and meeting people and engaging people.

When I went to New Mexico, I really wanted to lay low. I wanted to feel alone and not really attract a lot of attention. In fact, I wanted to do the opposite and I did that. I spent probably the first week just sort of hiding out and not really being specific to anyone about where I was. In doing that alongside of my preparation for the character, I think I did isolate myself and create a little bit of loneliness. I only had about a week to prepare for the show, so that's really all I could do, but it helps. Every amount of preparation helps. Every little ounce of it helps and so I did as much as I could and being isolated down there in New Mexico wasn't really the same as having been in the witness protection program for a long time, but I certainly got enough of a feel and an energy around me that I was able to bring that do work everyday.

What do you watch? What do you like? What characters do you like to see every week?

D. Wahlberg If I tell the truth right now, it's probably going to make no sense. I'm kind of a big reality TV guy. I don't know why. I like a lot of train wreck television or something. I like Bad Girls Club. I like Tool Academy. I like Jersey Shore, but I also like Dog Whisperer. I watch a lot of Food Network. I like Iron Chef and Chopped. I like the Dog Whisperer. But in terms of characters on television, I'm really big into the timeless characters. Colombo is one of my favorites. Rochford Files, Streets of San Francisco, M.A.S.H., I sort of love the a lot older series, a lot of series from the '70s. A show that's sort of similar, I don't think there are many shows nowadays that are similar to those kinds of shows, but the shows that are built around really fascinating characters. I think The Shield is one and The Sopranos is another one, shows that have a really, really an amazing central character and an amazing cast around it. The characters that aren't necessarily like the movie star type or just that sort of typical Hollywood leading man. Those two examples, The Shield and The Sopranos have very, very different sort of guys, very regular guys in very amazing circumstances at the center of them. And those kinds of shows really appeal to me.

But I grew up watching classic movies with my dad and classic television with him as well. I tend to gravitate to that type of stuff. That has no connection to any of these reality shows that I mentioned. I think that those reality shows are just fun. They're a way for me to turn off my brain a little bit. I work a lot as you know, Laura, sometimes 22, 23 hours a day. Just being able to tune out and watch silliness like Tool Academy on VH1 is pretty funny at times.

For you coming from a big family, not just from your brother, Mark, but how has your family and your support system played into your career that really could have gone in so many different ways and not to the success that it has?

D. Wahlberg It's hard to say. I don't know that I really had anybody looking over me saying, hey, make the right choice. I think, in fact, it was the opposite. I had a lot of brothers screwing up in front of me. It was up to me to look at them and say I could do that they're doing or I could make a different choice. That's what I did. I think my tolerance for danger wasn't quite as great as some of my other brothers. I might take a ride in a stolen car once in a while, but I wasn't going to get behind the wheel and hotwire the thing myself. I guess my threshold for pain and trouble and danger was just a little different.

I think I was really lucky also in the school that I went to. As I said earlier in I think in the first question, the first or second question about music or acting, I was very fortunate in that I went to a Boston public school. In my first year in that school, the city was experimenting with a new type of high school format. I was able to take theatre class for two periods a day. That was an amazing situation to be in, to be in a school like that where arts was really a prominent part of the curriculum.

I think I was able to find ways to channel a lot of my energy into positive things. I was in New Kids on the Block outside of school and in theatre inside of school. Being committed to doing a play, it's a lot of work. It's a lot of commitment. I didn't want to get up and embarrass myself in front of the whole school. I wanted to be ready and I wanted to be the best that I could be and I had a commitment to that and to my fellow classmates in theatre.

I think it A, gave me an outlet for my energy and B, gave me something creative to do to take my mind off of the other bad opportunities that were there for me. Again, that's why something like the camp event I did the other night with my brothers is really important because creating opportunities for kids to find other avenues for their energy is something that I benefited from. I certainly want to give that opportunity to other kids now.

So can you talk about how you got the part? Is there an audition process for In Plain Sight?

D. Wahlberg It wasn't an audition. It was actually I came, I met with John McNamara a few times in the past. We both expressed a mutual want to work with each other. John ….for something before, but I just didn't quite have the right energy for him. I had just come off tour and he called and asked for a meeting and he said, "I've always wanted to work with you. I'm going to be running the show In Plain Sight now and I want to build a character for you. I think this is a great opportunity for us to finally work together." So he sort of told me what he was thinking for the character and shared some ideas with me and asked me if I had any ideas. And I presented him with a lot of thoughts and I think we both saw it in a very similar way. He went and wrote the character.

I think for a guy who's not from Boston, a guy who's not from that world, I didn't know what he would come up with when it was finally on paper. But I really only had minimal note for him. I think he got the talk right and that's the hardest part. He wrote a guy that sounded like he was a Boston guy and sounded like he was a real guy dealing with real stuff and that appealed to me. So that was really the process. Fortunately, I didn't have to audition because I pretty rather stick nails in my eyes than audition for anything. It's many people as I'm saying in front of them in my life and acted in front of them and performed in front of them, I still get pretty nervous about auditioning.

Given the success that you and Mark had when you were young, what did you learn from each other now as men? It must be kind of unbelievable, just given the way you started.

D. Wahlberg I think we both, coming from the background that we come from and the life that we had, I think we're both very cautious. I think we both walk around with a fear of a self fulfilling prophecy that inevitably one day for two street kids coming from such a crazy family with so much chaos going on, eventually somebody is going to come and take this all away from us. I think that fear in both of us, the result is a great work ethic. I think it's the only way that we feel safe is to continue to work hard. I think we both have identified that hard work is really the only way to be successful and it's the only way to protect what we've worked so hard for is to continue to work hard.

I think the minute I sit back and think, yes, I am a great character actor and I can do this, that and the other is the minute some other character actor who's working much harder than me is going to come in and take my opportunities away from me. I just think that fight or that fear, I think it's in a lot of people who grow in really tough environments. We had….for food on the table with eight brothers and sisters.

I think in Hollywood, it's even harder. With every role, I'm fighting against hundreds and hundreds and thousands of other actors who want the same thing. It's amazing. On the one hand, … we can say, yes, I have a pretty good body of work and I've done a lot of things and I continue to get opportunities. But on the other hand, it's amazingly fortunate because there are so many actors who are out there fighting for the same things.

I know the minute I let up and don't work hard or I take anything for granted, there's a good chance it is going to go away for me and desirably so. It's just my responsibility to build on the foundation that I have and to build something solid there. And the only way I can do that is with hard work. I know that Mark, while we don't really talk about it that much, I know he feels the same way.

RU?

In Plain Sight - Donnie Wahlberg Transcript

2010-03-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

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Posted by DarkUFO at Tuesday, March 30, 2010

In Plain Sight - Donnie Wahlberg Transcript -

In Plain Sight Preview: Season 3 Premiere

2010-03-30T10:29:00.001-07:00

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By Kelly West:
This week, USA is bringing back their original drama series In Plain Sight. We have some clips from the season premiere, including one that features guest star Donnie Wahlberg!

The premise of IPS is fairly simple. The series follows Mary McCormack, a U.S. marshal who works in the witness protection program. Her job is to keep people safe, which can often be fairly tricky and highly dangerous. Like most of USA’s other original series, In Plain Sight is the kind of show you can start watching mid-series. I say this because I think it’s worth checking out. The show’s about 2 parts action/mystery/suspense, 1 part family/relationship-drama and 1 part humor. Great characters and great stand-alone episode stories.

In the season premiere, with the help of her partner Marshall, Mary sets out to figure out who shot her. The episode guest stars Donnie Wahlberg.

Below is USA’s description for the series.

In Plain Sight stars Mary McCormack as Mary Shannon, a U.S. Marshal working in the highly secretive witness protection program (WITSEC). Her job is to relocate Federal Witnesses, some of whom are career criminals, and some of whom are innocents who had the misfortune of witnessing a crime. But they all have one thing in common - someone wants them dead. Mary's job is to make sure this doesn't happen, while at the same time dealing with her own dysfunctional family.

In Plain Sight also stars Frederick Weller, Nichole Hiltz and Paul Ben-Victor, along with returning guest-stars Lesley Ann Warren, Cristian de la Fuente, and Joshua Malina. Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner Rita Moreno (Cane, The Guardian), four-time Emmy winner Allison Janney (The West Wing, Juno), Steven Weber (Wings, Studio 60), Tess Harper (No Country for Old Men, Breaking Bad), Josh Cooke (Committed, Four Kings) and Donnie Wahlberg (Boomtown, The Sixth Sense) have also been cast to guest star in season three in the USA Network hit original series.

Showrunner John McNamara (The Fugitive, Eyes) joins the show this year as writer/executive producer, further elevating the show’s narrative drive, production value and design. "In Plain Sight" comes from Universal Cable Production

Wahlberg Protection Program

2010-03-28T16:13:00.000-07:00

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Guest-starring on USA’s ‘In Plain Slight,’ ex-New Kid Donnie joins up

By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa

When the writers of USA Network’s “In Plain Sight” needed a Boston guy to throw into the Witness Protection Program, they needed to look no further than Donnie Wahlberg.

The Dorchester homey guest stars on Wednesday’s season premiere as a Hub truck hijacker who is hiding out in New Mexico with his teenage son and new family.

“There are certain times when fame and success have become challenging and hiding out has seemed really appealing to me,” said Wahlberg, who spent last week in Toronto filming the CBS cop show “Reagan’s Law” with Tom Brady [stats]’s baby mama No. 1, Bridget Moynahan.

“I’ve traveled to some real obscure towns and thought what it would be like to set up shop here and disappear. But I’d eventually go stir crazy and miss all that I take for granted.”

Like Twitter, we assume!

Usually, when Donnie’s in a new town, he sends out Tweets to meet his obsessively devoted New Kids fans - whom he calls “soldiers” - to get a feel for the locals.

But to get into character for his witness protection gig, Donnie said he flew to New Mexico - where the Mary McCormack-Frederick Weller drama films - a week early and “laid low.”

“Living life on the run and living with a false identity is a hard thing to do,” he said. “Fugitives sometimes turn themselves in because they can’t live with the pressure.”

As for playing a Boston underworld figure, that wasn’t too hard to master.

“There’s always someone to draw on, someone you pluck off the street - a friend, a cousin, an uncle,” said Wahlberg. “It’s the worst thing in the world to get it wrong because there’s that added pressure to get it right. If you stink it up as a Boston guy, I will get a lot of flack when I come home!”

BTW, Wahlberg’s Charlestown cop drama, “Bunker Hill,” which also starred Moynahan, “turned out great,” he said.

“It just sort of didn’t fit timing-wise for TNT,” said Donnie. “So it was rebuild it or try something else.” Hence, “Reagan’s Law.”

So now that Donnie’s spending lots of time on the tube, what programs does he TiVo?

“I’m a big reality TV guy,” he laughed. “I don’t know why I like trainwreck TV - ‘Bad Girls Club,’ ‘Tool Academy’ and ‘Jersey Shore.’ But I also like ‘The Dog Whisperer,’ ‘Iron Chef’ and ‘Chopped.’ ”

(Coincidentally, in his ‘In Plain Sight’ episode, his character owns a diner that is known for its popovers.)

“I tend to gravitate to reality TV to turn off my brain,” he told the Track. “I work a lot - you know I work 22 or 23 hours a day - and I need to be able to tune out with ‘Tool Academy.’ ”

Donnie said he was also a fan of “The Shield,” which starred Andover homey Michael Chiklis as a cop working on the edge, and “The Sopranos” cast because they weren’t “typical Hollywood leading men. They were regular guys.”

ClickGTA Presents: Joey McINTYRE @ C Lounge (3/12/2010)

2010-03-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

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Follow the link for bigger pics of Joey & World of Johnny as well

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