Boybands Forever

[McQ1989]

Just finished it all. Louis is a cunt.

I'm a bit conflicted on Mikey's stance and I think he is as well to an extent. He says the good outweighed the bad, yet he's focusing on the bad as a reason to not meet the lads for a pint. It's a sad way to leave things after 19 years together. And yet, despite his soap boxing over 3 episodes, he didn't say no to a reunion show

 

[UnresolvedYin]

It's odd because I'm fairly certain Kerry's earning potential was much higher out of Atomic Kitten than in, and it's not like music or performing were her passions. She made money out of her personality and private life. Kerry wanted to be famous and that's what she got. Maybe she's a little envious of Jenny's stability and lack of notoriety.

Remember when she did Britain's Sexiest with Michael Greco in that ridiculous choker and corset combo?

 

[Redline]

East 17 have not aged well. Tough paper rounds

 

[NowIsGood]

They need to bring top of the pops back

BBC4 7pm on a Friday is my happy place- classic TOTP! They're currently in September 1998 and I can't tell you how many songs I've rediscovered!
There's a book called Freak like me about a guy called Malcolm who was obsessed with going to Totp and following pop acts back in the day. I would highly recommend to anyone into late 90s/00s ear of pop culture- I keep spotting him in the classic episodes!

 

[frillylilly]

Am I the only one who doesn’t think Ronan didn’t come across well? I really like Shane and Keith though and I hope Mikey is doing okay

I felt the same. I don't think he seems very genuine at all - very aware of how things sound. Also felt like he was making the sounds of crying without actually crying.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

This programme is a bit of me! It encompasses my secondary school/teen years so well. I loved Take That but then they split up and I was obsessed with Boyzone (think posters all over the bedroom plus other concert memorabilia, inc a lime green scarf randomly. I'm sure there were boxers too!), then I turned 14, got a boyfriend and suddenly it was Oasis/Dodgy/OCS. Such a wonderful but emotionally turbulent time.

That year of transition was honestly so pivotal it's never left me.

 

[Restless Native]

I’m glad Heidi is included in this. It annoys me how some Sugababes fans try to make out she wasn’t an important part

She was part of them at their peak.

Still love Freak Like Me

 

[Lucas2018]

Already on episode 2. Louis Walsh really is just poison!

 

[UnresolvedYin]

This video was legit obscene you can actually see their bum pubes

 

[Delia Smith]

Never Forget was way ahead of its time!

 

[Beth1980]

Louis either told them about Stephen or did absolutely nothing to stop the media reporting on it. I wonder how bad things really got/ affected them that Mikey couldn't even do a video call with the others let alone meet up with them, but obviously his mental health comes first.
Watching this and Boy bands Forever has brought back the love of their music but sadness on how they were treated by everyone, they got to do what they loved, the money and fame but at such a cost.

 

[LaBlonde]

shocking to me how old nkotb look compared to all the other bands though like those are MEN.

edit; nevermind i just saw tiny joey mcintyre

 

[Miss.Chanandler.Bong]

I felt like they tried to imply Mis Teeq finished and Alesha had success straightaway when that’s not the case. Doing Strictly saved her career

 

[Hales1510]

I’m early 40’s so was very excited to watch this! Biiiig boyband fan back in the day.. Take That and Boyzone were peak my era, so was a little disappointed to not even hear more about Boyzone even if they didn’t want to be interviewed. Surely they could’ve asked Louis more?

Anyways, I digress. I went straight from binging all 3 eps to watching the TT docu on YouTube (when Robbie came back). Also excellent.

But I remember having the vhs of when they went to Bury and met Mark’s iguana Nirvana and there was bts of tours and stuff. Does anyone remember what I’m on about? I can’t find it anywhere I’d love another nostalgia watch!!

Also, got tickets to Robbie for next Aug! Squeeeeeeeee!

I'm sure that was the everything changes VHS when they all went to their favourite places, Jason went to a curry house, Robbie to Port Vale, Gary in the studio, Mark went home and I think Howard walked his tortoise round the park! I used to watch it all the time. It was the one where Robbie did all the interviews with no trousers on

 

[chocolatepanda6]

Just watched it and loved it especially the first episode . Was always a Take That girl but had a sneaky collection of East 17 tapes some of their songs were Really good !
The old Smash Hits Poll Winners Parties from the 90s are on You Tube such good memories of childhood Sundays close to Christmas watching those .
So happy I was a 90s child we had the best music

 

[shramnilocc]

The anti-Spice Girls narrative and inaccuracies in the first episode was a bit much.

Chris Herbert claiming he wanted the girls to dress as themselves is simply untrue. Part of the reason they left him was because he wanted them to conform and dress the same, sing songs written by other people and gave them a shoddy contract. The group stalled on signing after their showcase was successful and they made contacts with people in the music industry.

They stole their demo tape and did a midnight flit. They also wrote the majority of their album and only then did Simon Fuller come on board. They were already a full package. Once Simon got involved, there was a competition between the record labels to sign them. London Records tried to woo them with a boat trip along the Thames but ultimately they signed with Virgin.

Funnily enough, a year later after the Spice Girls blew up, London Records signed All Saints. In their first press release with Music Week, Melanie Blatt said "we're more prettier than the Spice Girls and can sing better than them" - so it was clear from the beginning they were being marketed as the anti-Spice Girls.

The Spice Girls may have started off as a manufactured group but they certainly took things into their own hands and manage to flip the entire process on its head. Their story to success is quite remarkable so it was sad to see them being diminished to manufactured rubbish. It was ironic previous girl group members were being sneering of pop music and girl groups - something they must've been have been all too familiar with.

 

[Jackie Brown]

The old Smash Hits Poll Winners Parties from the 90s are on You Tube such good memories of childhood Sundays close to Christmas watching those .
So happy I was a 90s child we had the best music

I used to love the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (usually on after the Eastenders Omnibus)...it was the perfect prelude to Christmas on the horizon!

Lee from 911 looks amazing. Jimmy Constable still makes me flutter lol.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Oh I love this! I transitioned from boy bands to Britpop in 1996 and it was an incredible time

1996 for me too. Massive time. Sometimes I almost feel stuck there in some ways. It's hard to explain.

 

[Evesdropping]

I have watched the first two eps. Also came to the conclusion whilst Louis may not have directly sold the story outting Stephen he had a hand in it getting out.
The devastation of the lads and Stephen's sister over his hand being forced this many years on made me very emotional. As did the outpouring of love he received from the fans.

 

[Spidey2020]

I’m off sick so finished it.

I thought Shane and Keith came over well. Ronan has long time been an ick for me so I’m probably biased but he just doesn’t seem genuine. Even when he’s trying to be humble it just seems self serving.

The bits about Stephen were so sad but overall it probably could’ve been half as long.