As promised, check out high-quality videos of the New Kids’ performance on NBC’s Today earlier today. Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre, and brothers Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight sang and danced through a medley of their older hits, as well as the 1990 throwback “Tonight,” and they sang one new tune, a very mellow track called “Summertime.” The last is available for purchase on iTunes right now.

Up first, the old-school medley, followed by “Tonight” (preceded by a little chit chat with show hosts Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, who I bet were screaming somewhere offstage, too — Ha ha!) and the new single “Summertime” after the jump.

The extravaganza ends with yet another video of the group dishing with Lauer and Vieira about their forthcoming tour. There may be more footage later because MSNBC added videos as I was writing this post. I’ll check the site again later today for additional clips to publish.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The guys — Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, Danny Wood, and brothers Jonathan Knight and Jordan Knight — were in New York to make their first public appearance together in 14 years, and aside from Mother Nature’s refusal to play along, the reunion went off without a hitch.

Each member of the band looked pretty good given the passage of time, and as co-host Hoda Kotb noted at one point, even they seemed overwhelmed by the rapturous reaction of the crowd. If anyone thinks today was something, just wait until the group returns exactly six weeks from now, on May 16, to perform live with one another again for the first time in nearly 15 years.

Like many people, I assumed that would happen this morning. But, it didn’t. Instead, at precisely 9:39am EST (a little clock keeps time throughout the show in a corner of the screen), NKOTB participated in a brief interview with enthusiastic co-host Natalie Morales and then answered a couple of fan emails. The first asked if the group will continue to dance during their performances and the second wondered if they plan to remove “Kids” from their name since they’re not exactly young’uns anymore.

Take a look at the four-and-a-half minute clip of the Today show appearance after the jump. If you listen closely, you’ll also get a quick preview of NKOTB’s new track “Summertime,” which is on the forthcoming album it sounds like they group has already completed.

NOTE: If you require closed captions, you can enable that feature on the video player by clicking the CC symbol in the top right-hand corner.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

I’ve seen several of her comedy routines, I watched her groundbreaking TV show All-American Girl that was the first (and still is the only) U.S. TV series to feature an Asian-American family, and I’ve caught her in additional guest-star roles in both movies and on television.

Heck, Cho even wrote a best-selling book, namely the 2002 autobiography I’m the One That I Want, which was based on her one-woman comedy concert of the same name. And, that’s not to mention The Cho Show, her forthcoming new reality series on VH1. When does she find the time to relax?

If you share my appreciation for Cho’s unique brand of ethnic slash family slash social-commentary humor, then you, like me, will be thrilled when she arrives in Boston for her Saturday-night gig at Orpheum Theatre (1 Hamilton Place, Boston, 617-679-0810).

The name of her current concert tour is Beautiful because, as she noted during a talk-show interview with Ellen DeGeneres on March 20, it’s about how “we’re all really beautiful.” I agree … except for the hardcore criminals in jail and the sleazy politicians in office and whatnot.

Joining Cho on Saturday are her fellow talented stand-up comics Kelly and Liam Sullivan. Together, they plan to rock the crowd with a diverse show that incorporates music and video, in addition to good old-fashioned humor.

The entire experience starts at 7:30pm, with tickets presently priced at $28.50 and $48.50. I guess it’s also fairly clear that Cho’s act is well above R-rated. That means leave the kids and prudes at home or with a sitter. [More Information]

As a bonus, you can check out Cho’s previously mentioned interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after the jump. And, if you visit her personal website, you’ll find details about how to contribute to her charity auctions benefiting the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute, as well.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The popular actor has a lot going on these days besides his hit NBC series The Office, most notably entertainment-wise the upcoming feature film Leatherheads. It premieres in theaters nationwide next Friday, April 4.

Despite the odd title, the 1920s-era romantic comedy has a top-notch cast that includes Academy Award winners George Clooney and Renée Zellweger. Talk about a local boy making good! Krasinski is keeping some mighty fine company these days on both the small and big screens.

Since the actor is from around these parts, I’ve included clips of his most recent late-night talk show appearance after the jump. He comes across like a person who deserves every bit of the success he’s now enjoying, which should make fans even prouder of his considerable accomplishments.

Incidentally, Krasinski is also on the cover of the April 2008 edition of Boston Magazine, on newsstands now, if you just can’t get enough of him. Cute photo!

Post from: The Boston Traveler

In the Globe Magazine piece titled “No Pants? No Problem,” the writer makes a persuasive argument for more depantsing in the public sphere. Why relegate the daring disrobing act to just one day per year when you can repeatedly free yourself and amuse or infuriate clueless onlookers all at the same time?

After noting that rampant public pantslessness is not likely to become a serious threat anytime soon (too true), Pierce’s open letter to Adam Sablich, the local organizer of Boston’s inaugural No Pants 2K8 event, suggests that the no-pants concept be applied to other situations:

Let’s have a Pantsless Day at the State House. On second thought, OK, let’s not. But Logan Airport could go pantsless. Given what goes on at security these days, most people are halfway there already.

Well, it seemed funny to me when I read it this weekend.

Charlie Todd, the founder of the public-prank group Improv Everywhere that started the original No Pants! Subway Rides in New York City some seven years ago, appeared on NBC’s morning show Today this very day. Honestly — Todd looks like the last dude in the world you’d expect to drop his pants in public in front of strangers. Take a look at the Talk of the Town segment after the jump to see for yourself.

Post from: The Boston Traveler