On a new episode of the Pod Meets World podcast, Rider Strong shared a funny behind-the-scenes story from Boy Meets World involving NSYNC and The Monkees.
The story took place during season 6, on the set of the episode “Bee True,” which was directed by Micky Dolenz of The Monkees. Dolenz was involved with the show because one of the producers, Jeff Sherman, was his close friend. Dolenz directed two episodes, and later appeared on the show with fellow Monkees members Davy Jones and Peter Tork.
Strong remembered a moment at the craft services table with Justin Timberlake and possibly Lance Bass. Timberlake told him that NSYNC had been asked to star in a TV show, like a sitcom with the group acting. Timberlake wasn’t very excited about it, and both he and Strong joked that it sounded like a cheesy idea.
Right then, Micky Dolenz walked by, grabbed some nuts, and overheard them. He responded by saying, “Why not? Why not?” not realizing they were talking about an idea very similar to what The Monkees actually did in the ’60s.
Strong said he could see Timberlake suddenly realize who he was talking to and start awkwardly backtracking. Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle laughed as they imagined him quickly changing his tune, pretending he liked the idea after all.
Friedle summed it up by saying, “Only in Hollywood do you get to see Justin Timberlake backpedaling in front of Micky Dolenz at the craft services table.”