NKOTB, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men deliver whole 'package'

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y Allison Walker, Entertainment Reporter


ORLANDO -- 

"Why the heck are there so many women downtown?"

That's a question I heard from passers-by more than once Friday evening. Aside from a smattering of men accompanying their dolled-up lady, downtown Orlando went boy band crazy.

Well, "man band" is more like it.

New Kids on the Block returned to a jam-packed Amway Center on "The Package" tour, which is about one-third of the way through its run. Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees opened for them.

Although Shawn, Wanya, and Nathan were the first act, they could've near filled up the place on their own. Even 98 Degrees is geeking out to be on tour with their idols. (Watch full interview Monday).

Boyz II Men crooned for about 40 minutes. With harmonies like “On Bended Knee,” "I'll Make Love to You," and “End of the Road," we felt like we were back at school, dancing with our crush for the first time. The Boyz still put the "power" in ballad.

Performing a longer set next was 98 Degrees. And talk about swagger. Even with suspenders draped over their rear ends, the men could've played pat-a-cake without losing a smidge of sex appeal.

So imagine what happened when Nick, Drew, Justin and Jeff walked into the audience and escorted four unsuspecting women on stage. The men not only serenaded them with "You Are My Everything," but squeezed them tightly. And when they got down on one knee -- fuggedaboutit.

Another stand-out song was "I Do (Cherish You)." The buff boys -- having maintained their most admirable physique -- stripped down to thin white tank tops. The response was deafening. But unlike the screams generated during a Bieber concert, these weren't annoying.

That's probably because I joined in.

Before NKOTB came out, we stepped away to grab some grub and refreshments. The instant that Joey, Jordan, Danny, Donnie and John opened their mouths, I've never seen so many 30-somethings sprint and squeal simultaneously, making a beeline for the stairs.

Funny how things don't change 25 years later.

The New Kids performed for about 2 hours. Wearing white blazers, sparkly "Boston Strong" shirts, and - at times - a shirtless Donnie Wahlberg with a blinged out belt, the men created hysteria.

The gyrations during "The Right Stuff" were probably more, let's say, "pronounced" than they were a few decades ago. After all, we aren't kids anymore.

Luckily for fans, the New Kids utilized the center stage quite a bit, creating a greater sense of intimacy. They were elevated by individual risers at times, which seemed to enhance the emotion of the song. The stage also spun, allowing the audience to "have a moment" with their favorite New Kid.

The choreography seemed effortless. After all, if you're an original boy bander, those slow, dramatic arm movements and clenched fists against the heart should be second-nature.

The youngest member, Joey McIntyre, kept reminding the audience that "it's been 25 years!" One of his strongest songs as a higher-pitched kid was "Please Don't Go Girl." When he performed it Friday, Joey was lifted high above the crowd, dropping to his knees to hit the tough notes.

He nailed it.

Needless to say, the boys - ahem, men - could do no wrong.

NICK LACHEY JOINED BY 98 DEGREE BANDMATES AT BACHELOR PARTY #2

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Arasto

Following in his fiancee’s footsteps, Nick Lachey celebrated his second bachelor party at TAO Beach in Las Vegas today (July 2).

The bride-to-be was joined by his former 98 Degrees Drew Lachey and Jeff Timmons (and even a Vanessa Minnillo lookalike) as he popped a few bottles all in the name of his upcoming nuptials.

Meanwhile, Nick is comparing this trip down the aisle to his previous wedding toJessica Simpson.

“There’s nothing really that I would say, ‘Oh, never again.’ This is a fresh thing; it’s a new thing. It doesn’t rival or compare to anything I’ve done in the past, or will do in the future,” Nick told reporters of not associating his upcoming marriage to his first on Friday night, “It’s its own thing and I wanted to keep it that way.”

After exchanging vows on camera, Nick understands why some would see similarities to his upcoming I do’s, also slated to be filmed for television, but still wants everything to be unique.

“All the comparisons, I understand why they’re there, for obvious reasons, but a wedding is a very, very, very intimate and special thing, and I wanted it to be what she wanted it to be, and I’ve tried to work hard to make it that,” Nick said to reporters at Tao Nightclub while out with his buddies.

And while this is his second time down the aisle, Nick says this time it’s all about Vanessa.

“I’m careful not to say , ‘We’re not going to do this again,’ because that’s a one-sided statement. I’m divorced, but it’s important to me that this is [Vanessa’s] day, and it remains important to me that this is her day,” the pop crooner gushed.

As for what he has planned for the big day, set to be filmed for a “one-off special,” on TLC?

“It’s not going to be extravagant in the sense that, we’re talking about royal wedding, William and Kate extravagance. We wanted to create a life experience for ourselves, and for our friends and family,” Nick explained to reporters, “It’s going to be an intimate thing; it’s not going to be a big, blown-out, 400-pers

on ceremony in Central Park or anything like that. It’s for us, it’s for the people in our lives who are close to us and mean a lot to us. That’s the way we wanted it, and I’m happy we’re able to do it that way.”

Drew Lachey’s new ‘Deal’ at Bally’s

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Beginning on June 11, Drew Lachey will take over the reins from Joey Fatone as host for Let’s Make a Deal – Live, and serve the position until the last show on June 22.

“I’m a huge fan of Atlantic City, having enjoyed the area several times,” says Lachey. “Even though I’ll be hosting Let’s Make a Deal – Live, to be here at Bally’s in the summer time is probably going to seem less like actual work and more like a vacation.”

Lachey is best known for his pop group 98 Degrees, which he joined with his brother, Nick, in 1995. After four successful albums, the band decided to take a break. Since then Lachey has appeared on several TV shows, including As the World Turns, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and also in the musicals Hairspray, Rent, and Monty Python’s Spamalot on Broadway.

Lachey is the 2006 winner of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, beating out 10 other dance couples. He will host America Sings on GMC this summer.

Let’s Make A Deal – Live is at Bally’s Atlantic City is presented Saturday through Wednesday. Go here for the details.

Drew in Vegas

LoL the girl had him labeled as Nick!! Either way THE PRICE IS RIGHT!!

Drew Dines at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas

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Drew Lachey, of the band 98 Degrees and winner of the second season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” enjoyed an early dinner with his wife and their young children at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas last night (Photo credit: Sugar Factory).

The family enjoyed ahi and beef sliders, ham and cheese crepes and turkey burgers, followed by Sugar Factory’s signature Cookie Jar ice cream sundae and root beer float for dessert. After their meal, the happy family stopped into Sugar Factory’s retail store and filled up on licorice bites, Reese’s peanut butter cups and gummy worms before heading out to enjoy the rest of their evening.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie is an American take on a traditional French brasserie, serving delicious cuisine all day, and all night, along with an oversized retail store and signature Chocolate Lounge. Other Sugar Factory retail stores are located at The Mirage and Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.