Welcome back, good ol’ boys
They may be pushing 40, but the New Kids are returning to the block.
The boy band New Kids on the Block, which sold 70 million albums in the 1980s and early ‘90s, has reunited and plans to release a new album and go on tour.
“The fan response to this has been incredible,” says member Donnie Wahlberg.
Wahlberg said he was persuaded to get back together with his former bandmates – Joey McIntyre, brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight and Danny Wood – when they decided to record new music.
“I had no interest going out on a nostalgia tour and singing the same material,” says Wahlberg, 38, though he quicky adds: “We absolutely will do the old songs for sure.”
At the height of their popularity, New Kids sold out world tours, marketed millions of dollars in merchandise and spawned a Saturday morning cartoon.
The group disbanded in 1994. Wahlberg has acted on television and in movies, while Jordan Knight, McIntyre and Wood released solo albums. Jonathan Knight became a real estate developer.
New year, same old model
Supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport on Thursday for allegedly spitting at a police officer.
She previously pleaded guilty to assaults involving a maid and a personal assistant.
Yada-yada-yikes!
Jerry Seinfeld escaped without injury from a harrowing rollover wreck after the brakes on one of his vintage cars failed.
Seinfeld was driving alone Saturday evening when the brakes on his 1967 Fiat BTM stopped working, said East Hampton, N.Y., authorities.
Says Seinfield: “Because I know there are kids out there, I want to make sure they all know that driving without braking is not something I recommend, unless you have professional clown training or a comedy background, as I do.”
Temporarily idled
“American Idol” contestant David Cook was treated at a hospital for heart palpitations after his performance on Tuesday’s show.
Cook was back on Wednesday and advanced to the next round.
Woman’s best friend
Oprah Winfrey is dedicating her talk show today, which investigates abuses at puppy mills, to her cocker spaniel, Sophie, who died last month from kidney failure.
“I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it,” she says. “I am a changed woman after seeing this show.”
Funny bones
“Heroes” star Kristen Bell says she would have become a veterinarian if she hadn’t made it as an actor, adding that she would have been “the Patch Adams of the veterinary world.”
The birthday bunch
Author-poet Maya Angelou is 80. Actor Craig T. Nelson is 64. Actress Christine Lahti is 58. Writer-producer David E. Kelley is 52. Actor Hugo Weaving is 48. Comedian David Cross is 44. Actor Robert Downey Jr. is 43. Singer Jill Scott is 36. Magician David Blaine is 35. Actress Natasha Lyonne is 29.