In just a few months we’re going to go back in time, in a way. Between the release of Millennium 2.0 and the Into The Millennium Las Vegas Residency, it felt right to bring back this series and really dive back into the vibe that was the original Millennium era. I had a few thoughts, like the TRL specials, and I’d already done one for the For The Fans vhs tape. Still, it seemed pretty obvious what I needed to revisit. The Disney Concert! Lucky for me it’s still on YouTube so you can watch along with me. It’s also been about four years since I’ve done one of these posts and honestly? I’ve missed it. Hoping these will still entertain someone other than myself.
Though, hey Disney if you could add it to Disney+ that’d be great.
Let’s get going!
1. Remember when TV concerts were a thing? They were so much fun. Why aren’t these really a thing anymore? I know Taylor Swift did like a Netflix special but generally speaking most artists don’t do these now and that’s depressing. Like, man, Millennials were really spoiled when it came to content.
2. Some part of me wonders if in the alternate universe where BSB didn’t turn this down the first time it was offered to them in 1998, if NSYNC would’ve existed beyond their first album which flopped until this special.
3. I like the little flashes they give just watching them at the “Day in the life”
4. These specials still liked to sort of remind viewers who they were were. Feels weird.
5. I want the space outfits back for the residency.
6. Hey Nick bring back the floppy hair too for old times sake. You can even wear a wig if that’s easier.
7. I still sing “let me see you sway” sometimes. It’s not as in the brain as the “ba da da da” from the We’ve Got It Going On moment from the Homecoming concert, but it’s still in the brain.
8. I wonder if anyone who got to go to this is still a fan? I always think about that during these sort of specials.
9. Okay I never really noticed how they basically play ring around the rosie for a moment instead of doing the iconic dance break from the music video.
10. They dance harder now in their shows for this song in 2025 than they did in 1999. That’s actually really weird to think about.
11. I’m already on 11 and I haven’t even gotten through the first song. Good to know I haven’t lost my touch with these rambling wise.
12. Kevin, AJ…y’all are really close right there.
12. This is what fanfics were made of…ahem. Sorry.
13. How many hair styles has AJ had over the years, by the way?
14. They were such babies here haha.
15. Aww they’re all off to go do their thing.
16. Brian’s voice in his prime was something to behold, like seriously.
17. I always liked the darker hair on him too.
18. The “Awww shucks” from Nick is pretty adorable. He played hard into the Baby Backstreet role back then
19. Vocally speaking, Nick’s come such a long way. He sounded great then but now? His adult voice just puts his teen one to shame.
20. It makes me happy that AJ doesn’t perform with sunglasses on these days. We all know now why he did. And I mean, it’s just nice to see his eyes.
21. I laughed at Nick covering his eyes during the blind lyric of As Long As You Love Me, so cheesy.
22. This song could seriously be about a serial killer, I know I’ve said that before. One of my favorite BSB singles but the idea of not caring who you are, where you’re from, or what you did? That could be a serial killer Boys.
23. It is a crime I didn’t realize how gorgeous Kevin was in 1999.
24. Howie’s probably a master of hair products. Keeping those curls under control is impressive.
25. Back then I didn’t think they’d be doing the chair dance so many years later. I know they didn’t during DNA but they did during the original residency.
26. Bring the chair dance back this summer!
27. This is probably unpopular but I couldn’t mind dancers coming back too, they’re fun for transitions.
28. “We’re just like brothers” – And they still are today.
29. What the fuck is that lepoard thing on AJ’s head. Yes I know they’re talking about what it’s like to be a Backstreet Boy but I can’t get past that furry head wrap…thing.
31. Refocusing. Hearing them talk about their lives as Backstreet Boys is interesting, to see what changed and what didn’t.
32. WHO ALLOWED NICK OUT WITH THAT HAIR.
33. Like why did you braid the curtain hair. I forgot how bad it was!
33. Tell me Nick’s stylist got fired for this.
34. If you’re wondering, I absolutely needed four separate thoughts for Nick’s braided curtain hair.
35. Yes I hit pause just to stop and rant about this. But I’m okay. I’m okay now.
36. I always wondered how people had to have been like what the hell when two Backstreet Boys showed up to play basketball.
37. Brian, do you still play basketball?
38. Those braids are still awful as Nick leans into the camera.
39. “It’s a Backstreet Thang!” – I need this on a t-shirt
40. Their friendship back in the day was my favorite thing. This special hit right into my inner tween loving Frick and Frack soul.
41. Not Nick talking smack when the ambulance comes by. That might be the police coming to get you for that hair!
42. I know that over the years people grow, and change. These days Howie and Nick are fun to watch together. But Frick and Frack was my first…ship I guess you could say. Watching this reminds me of why.
44. Howie doesn’t get enough credit for his voice, especially back then, he sounds just as pretty.
44. Who decided tan was a good color for the suits?
45. They had so many iconic dances. The chair dance, and now with All I Have To Give, we have the hat dance. I want to see it this summer.
46. These interview bits to get the know the group. crack me up as they tell the fake story of how they came together.
47. Now they’ll tell the truth on how they auditioned for Lou Pearlman.
48. I forgot how they were feeding us this story though to make them seem more real. The only real part of this version of the story was how Kevin called Brian.
49. Kevin. Oh Kevin. Let’s go horse riding.
50. Save a horse ride a Backstreet Boy… ahem.
51. None of us appreciated Kevin enough back in the day. I said what I said.
52. I legit just did the math for how old Kevin was so I’d feel better about my thoughts. He was 28 then, so this is fine. Like I’d be a cougar but it’d be legal. So it’s fine.
53. Also I was 12 and a half when this aired so, of course I didn’t notice him back then. I thought he was too old. Ha.
54. Imagine you’re just going about your day and you see a Backstreet Boy riding horseback outside your office.
55. Like they’d blown up by then, shutting down Times Square on TRL. And he’s on a horse outside your office or house.
56. I still don’t like the bland tan suits.
57. Listen to Brian. Woo, chills.
58. I’ll never be sick of these harmonies.
59. This is one of those moments though where dancers are a bit much. We don’t need them during a sad ballad.
60. Kevin should’ve gotten more solos in the 90s.
61. The dancers are SO freaking distracting. Like I’m trying to watch a Boy and all I can see is an arm doing it’s interpretive thing in the back.
62. Some songs where they all get a solo feels forced but that was never the case for Show Me The Meaning.
63. Why was AJ the only one allowed to wear a cool shirt here.
64. What is that black thing Brian is wearing over his shirt too, by the way?
65. That’s not a vest. It’s just weird. Anyone know what that is?
66. Howie looks pretty good in red.
67. Oh AJ, shades are off but the goatee, yeah it’s for the best you got rid of it.
68. There’s some questionable fashion choices during this special. And you can’t even blame the nineties for them.
69. Oooh that ending to I’ll Never Break Your Heart, just swoon. They’re why I have high freaking standards.
70. Of course they had these two go shopping
71. AJ’s outfit actually looks pretty good.
72. I never appreciated Howie’s wit back then. He’s got a dry sense of humor sometimes that it sneaks by you.
73. But also, AJ is anything but dull.
74. Howie’s camcorder just made me feel ancient.
75. “I don’t know if I’d wear this stuff.” “That’s women’s.” Howie’s face about killed me.
76. Howie honestly has gotten so much better with age. He was cute then, but he’s hot now. Does that make sense? Like he found his look over the years.
77. “Sweeeeeeeeet”. Still makes me laugh.
78. AJ talking about how he tries to find things no one would ever wear has aged so freaking well it hurts in the most hilarious way because his style has only gotten wilder in the past 26 years. Most would have their styles mellow, but not AJ!
79. I would’ve bought those shoes too if they matched my outfit.
80. AJ shaking his no-ass. You have no ass AJ!
81. Howie’s mini rant about hotel sinks is so real. I want counter space.
82. I’d love to see Howie’s home videos from back in the day. He probably has so much crazy footage from their tours and travels.
83. I wonder if anyone ever found Howie’s finger writing in the dusty window.
84. See on upbeat songs I think dancers are a good way to hype up a crowd. I know people will read this and fully disagree though. But it gives the Boys a break too.
85. Still hating the khaki.
86. Why does Kevin have a matching black strap thing like Brian? Like what are those?! I still wanna know.
87. Nothing like your band mates reaffirming that yes, you’re sexual. That’s some positive reinforcement right there.
88. Backstreet ’99. Man, who knew we’d all still be here. I love that.
89. Wait this was the remix version! Probably because that was the version released in the US. I forgot the “as long as there be music we’ll be coming back again” wasn’t always the standard in live performances.
90. It was from this era on that we would never escape I Want It That Way.
91. I think it’s too cute Nick pauses to say a very quick “thank you!” for the rose.
92. No one knew then I think that this song would come to define their career. It’s so crazy especially since the song makes no sense!
93. Also it’s weird seeing them on stools since these days they dance during I Want It That Way, for at least part of it.
94. I totally just said “put your finger in the air.” Rose, you’re a couple decades early.
95. I miss Nick doing “don’t wanna hear you saaaaaaaaaay” but I get why he stopped. Even back then you could hear how hard it was for him to hit vocally. Better not to and save his voice. Listening to it now, I get it.
96. We want it that way too.
97. “I don’t bowl, I sing dog-gone it!” The censoring for Disney right here.
98. AJ’s gigantic grin when Nick turns to look at him before he bowls about kills me.
99. Howie’s cheesy little dance made me giggle.
100. Kevin talking about how hands on they were with Millennium makes me smile.
101. “I don’t ever see an end to the Backstreet Boys” – This aged perfectly.
102. Nick’s hair still makes me a sad panda. Yes I had to say this again.
103. Their talking about schooling. their families, I always think about Nick. Because his parents did so wrong by him.
104. I forgot this special ended with The Perfect Fan.
105. The blazers are all back on.
106. This song is one I actually always skip on Millennium but the harmonies on this were always good. I just forget about it.
107. I know the story is that Nick was sick the day they recorded this but it’s so weird seeing him be the only Backstreet Boy without a solo on this.
108. Will they sing this this summer? I know they said the full album but, still.
109. It is a very sweet song. The backing chorus is a good touch too.
110. Damn Brian, sing it!
111. This whole song for this special is just a moment in a sort of dramatic way haha. Very like, cinematic movie type vibes.
112. Watching this almost gave me a mid life crisis. How was this 26 years ago???
114. Let’s go back to 1999. Okay? Thanks!
115. Final thought – Disney, it would totally make up for past balls being dropped if you did a special where you aired the Millennium 2.0 residency on Disney+ and interjected between the songs little interviews and moments of them in Vegas a nod to this, I’m just saying. People would love it.
Let me know what DVD or TV special you guys want me watching and reacting to next! I’m always open to suggestions! I’d love to do this again!
The Dark Side 