Backstreet Boys

It is a combination that would have made seventh grade girls around the country swoon in 1994, and then again in 1998. The New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys, now known as a NKOTBSB, officially start their tour tonight in Washington, D.C., but they gave fans a preview with a performance Friday morning on 'Today' (weekdays, 7AM on NBC).

Starting with the cafeteria rallying cry of "oh oh oh oh oh" that kicks off 'The Right Stuff,' NKOTBSB performed a short medley that segued into the BSB classic 'Larger Than Life.' Nine now-fully grown boy band members singing, "Every time we're down, you can make it right, that makes you larger than life" gave the performance the feel of a mass therapy session/homecoming parade.

With their joint tour selling out across the nation, the supergroup NKOTBSB performed on the 'Dancing with the Stars' (Tue., 9PM ET on ABC) results show. The group was a perfect fit for the "Guilty Pleasures" theme of the week, comprised as it is of the members of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys.

They performed a medley of two of their respective classic hits, and then broke into a new single, 'Don't Turn Out the Lights.' It will be featured on their compilation 'NKOTBSB' album coming out May 24, 2011, along with another new single and greatest hits from both groups.

With both bands known as much for their dance moves as their music, it was no surprise that they shared the dance floor with the 'DWTS' troupe throughout their performances. It was certainly a fun and memorable performance.

There was a bit of a time-warp on tonight's '2010 AMAs' (Sun., 8PM ET on ABC). In fact, if you fell asleep in front of the TV, then suddenly woke up, you could have been forgiven for thinking that you were dreaming ... that you were back in the year 1996 -- or even 1986.

The Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block appeared on tonight's American Music Awards. Yes, the two boy bands are "back." And though the Backstreet Boys never really left us -- continuing their career to the present day -- New Kids on the Block famously tried to re-brand themselves as "NKOTB," then gave up and broke up the band in 1995.

Now, the two former teeny-bopper groups are touring together, using the semi-unwieldy name of "NKOTBSB." Tonight's AMAs represented their coming-out party of sorts. Though the "Boys" were popular in the mid-'90s, and the "Kids" were all the rage in the mid-'80s, it's been a long time since they've had mainstream success.

Being in the Final 12 means that you get to perform on the big stage, in front of the big crowd, with the big fancy lights. This is the AI equivalent of getting to sit at the adult table at Thanksgiving. No more of that kids' table crap. It's the big show with the bigger band and the souped-up sound system.

But there was no souped-up sound system in my apartment tonight.