'NSYNC

'NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick took it all the way back to 2000 for his 47th birthday -- and then he took it even further by doing it in a tutu and a sash.

The ex-boy band member celebrated the big 4-7 Wednesday at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar in Nashville in what appeared to be a bachelorette-themed bash -- which was chock-full of no-shame ballerina birthday girl fashion, and 'NSYNC karaoke hits.

Chris was singing his iconic single, "Bye Bye Bye," all while decked out in a pink tutu and a red sash. He had at least a couple hardcore fans there ... the lady holding the beer in the "front row" seemed to be all about the trip down memory lane.

We finally solved the age-old mystery: is Larry King on Team Backstreet Boys or Team *NSYNC?? And the answer comes courtesy of Lance Bass (spoiler alert).

We got Larry and his wife, Shawn, Wednesday leaving Craig’s in WeHo, where the couple celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary, and Larry got fully starstruck when he spotted Lance in his Benz.

Larry rushed over to embrace Lance and catch up on old times.

Lance Bass might have lost a bidding war with HGTV over the 'Brady Bunch' house -- but he's still got a shot to be a part of the iconic property's future ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the situation tell us HGTV brass privately reached out to the 'NSYNC singer Tuesday after he publicly reacted to news the network was the mysterious "corporate buyer" that beat him out in what he initially called a shady deal.

We're told HGTV and Lance are scheduled to meet next week to discuss getting him involved in the network's future plans with the house -- namely, restoring it to its 1970s form on the inside for a new TV show. The crib's remained pretty much the same on the outside.

It's unclear what role Lance would play on the project, but we're told anything from producing to even hosting is possible ... and he's open for anything.

If everything works out, the stars will truly align for Lance. Sources close to the singer tell us his original plan -- had he won the bidding war -- was to gut the inside and recreate the TV set.

Lance Bass feels like he got royally screwed by a real estate agent who played him like a fiddle in order to spike a bidding war for one of the most famous houses in L.A. -- the 'Brady Bunch' house.

Lance tells TMZ, he's a super fan of the 70's sitcom. He says he's watched every episode 50 times, so when he heard the Studio City home was for sale, he said he had to have it. The former 'NSYNC boy bander flips houses on the side, and he wanted to make the inside look exactly like the show and then sell it.

The exterior of the house was used for the show, which ran from 1969 to 1974. The interiors were shot on the studio lot.

The house was for sale for $1.885 mil, but because of hot real estate market and the marquee value of the property, a bidding war erupted that sent the price WAY over asking.

Lance says the real estate agent told him the seller would look at all bids after the Thursday 3 PM deadline, and the highest bidder would win. Lance says he knew what he needed to beat 5 minutes before the deadline, and made an offer just shy of $3 million.

This is where Lance says things got hinky. He got a call from the agent, saying the property was his, and that gave way to a big celebration. But, 24 hours later, Lance says the realtor called to say there was an "unforeseen circumstance" and another buyer came in and made a higher offer.

Justin Timberlake is jumping on the Amazon Prime Day bandwagon and offering up a deal ... slashing the price of his SoHo penthouse Monday by nearly a quarter million.

Justin's now asking $6.75 million for the 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath crib. He put it on the market about 5 months ago for $7.995 mil, but dropped the price by a mil in the spring before knocking off an additional $245k this week.

JT purchased the ultra modern 2,600 sq. ft. place for $6.57 million back in 2010. Its neatest feature is probably the wraparound terrace, which is 853 square feet alone. The building also has a gym, garden and parking garage with a private entrance.

Who was one of the key people who helped get 'NSYNC off the ground??

IT'S GOTTA BE SHAQ!!

It's true ... according to Lance Bass who tells TMZ Sports the supergroup owes a lot of its early success to the NBA legend.

"I mean ... a lot of people don't know Shaquille had a big hand in starting our career," Lance said at the Montage Hotel in Bev Hills.

We only brought up Shaq because Google search is showing Shaq as the 5th member of the group -- replacing Joey Fatone.

It's obviously a glitch ... but Lance says Shaq's connection to the band is 100% real.

"We lived in Orlando and our first place that we recorded was his house ... so all of our first demos, our first songs were all from Shaq's house!"

It's true ... Shaq has a recording studio in his massive Orlando estate -- which is now on the market for $28 MILLION -- and Lance says O'Neal let the group record because he knew someone at the label.

One thing led to another ... and 'NSYNC became a global phenomenon.

Now, Lance says he'd love for Shaq to join the group in real life ... as soon as they get rid of that one member "we probably need to replace."

'NSYNC getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday looked a lot like Times Square outside 'TRL' circa 2000 -- hundreds of screaming fans trying to catch a glimpse.

Lance, Justin, Joey, Chris and JC reunited for the first time in nearly 2 years at the unveiling of their star. The last time they were all together was a couple of years ago at JC's 40th birthday bash. The timing was perfect, since Timberlake is in L.A. for his current tour.

Their fans are clearly as passionate as ever -- despite no new music from the guys since 2001 -- and packed both sides of the street for the ceremony ... which is NOT common for these events.

The 'NSYNC faithful didn't get a performance, but Ellen DeGeneres and former 'TRL' host Carson Daly pumped up the crowd with introductions.

The boy band basketball turf war just got REAL -- with Brian Littrell telling Joey Fatone that Backstreet will straight DOMINATE 'NSYNC on the hardwood.

And get this -- Brian says it'll only take 2 of the Boys to hoop up 'NSYNC's entire roster!

"They’ll lose, plain and simple," Littrell told TMZ Sports at LAX. "You can take myself and Nick against all 5 of those dudes and we’ll be cool."

Brian ain't playing -- telling us he's got a court at home to keep his game tight.

So, if Joey, JT and co. really want it like Fatone said, Littrell's down ... and says he wants 10 racks on it!!

"When we win, I’ll donate my $10,000 that I have on the game to charity. Joey can pick it."

Lance Bass and hubby Michael Turchin are in the super early baby planning stages ... so early, in fact, how they'll decide whose sperm to use to make the baby's a competition.

We got Lance and Michael at LAX Monday and our guy wanted to talk babies even though Lance was pretty hoarse. Didn't matter ... they still shared some deets on having a baby hopefully in 2018.

The couple's exploring the surrogacy route, but thing is ... it appears they haven't figured out whose sperm they'll use. Lance has the chops and Michael's easy on the eyes ... so how will they decide?!

The boy band era is over, but the smack talk remains -- because Joey Fatone is telling the world if his crew ever had to face the Backstreet Boys in hoops, they'd make them go "Bye Bye Bye."

We got Fatone out in Beverly Hills and showed him footage of his ex-bandmate Justin Timberlake draining half-court shots, and asked him if JT really has the goods on the court.

Fatone said yes, but things got really spicy when we asked whether or not the rest of 'NSYNC could ball. More specifically, if they could take out the Backstreet Boys in hoop-life warfare.

"There's no think so. You tell that to Nick Carter."

Challenge issued.

BTW, we found some footage of the two crews playing back in the day. It ain't exactly Lakers versus Celtics ...

'NSYNC was a no-go during Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl Halftime Show, but the guys will be getting back together soon, according to Lance Bass.

We got Lance leaving Craig's Monday night with husband Michael Turchin where he confirmed the boy band would reunite for their Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Rumors they'd be getting a star on the Walk of Fame surfaced last year, so it appears it's really happening ... no word yet if they'll perform.

Justin Timberlake's good looks are full-time!

Here's a 18-year-old version of the 'NSYNC standout rocking curly locks back in 1999 (left) and 19 years later ... the Super Bowl LII halftime hunk -- who just celebrated his 37th birthday -- doing a Press Conference in Minneapolis earlier this week (right).

Man of the Woods.

The question is ...

Joey Fatone is so dead serious Justin Timberlake is NOT reuniting 'NSYNC during the Super Bowl halftime show, he bet our photog $1,000!!!

And the best part ... the bet was made IN MINNESOTA ... just a few miles from the site of the big game!

JT and Joey have been denying it for months, but rumors are swirling and our photog is clearly convinced Justin's getting the band back together on Sunday.

So, when Joey called our guy out Thursday night -- our guy put his money where his mouth is.

Better hope Lance, Chris and JC hop on a flight quick ...

Justin Timberlake is saying one thing, but his fans' eyes around Minneapolis are saying there's evidence an 'NSYNC reunion could be going down during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Here's what we know: JT flatout told reporters at Thursday's news conference in Minneapolis, "No" ... his old group is NOT getting back together. However, multiple people claiming to be in Minneapolis say they've seen all the 'NSYNC members, minus Justin, in the downtown area.

Before ya get too excited, here's some more info: Lance Bass was posting pics of himself skiing Wednesday in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Joey Fatone was spotted late Wednesday night in Orlando signing autographs for some fans.

However, there's the miracle of air travel! Joey's publicist and manager tell us the singer IS now in Minnesota -- but they say he's just doing appearances at Super Bowl events. We know ... halftime would seem to fall under that umbrella.

On the other hand, Joey was in L.A. last week and told us, point-blank, the reunion ain't happening.

Believe him?

As for Lance -- his manager says he's back home in L.A. The only missing links are Chris Kirkpatrick and JC Chasez.

Justin Timberlake is taking a very personal jab at his former pals in 'NSYNC ... claiming he just cared more about the band's musical image than they did.

Justin says he left the group partially because it was just getting too big ... but also because of some serious creative differences. As he puts it, "I was growing out of it. I felt like I cared more about the music than some of the other people in the group."

In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter he didn't single out Joey, Lance, Chris or JC ... but it's clear he thinks at least one of them just wasn't doing his part.

Well, so much for a 20-year reunion tour.

If A.J. McLean and Joey Fatone can wave the boy band white flag and come together onstage ... then maybe there's hope for America too.

The awesome duet went down Saturday night during Joey's 40th birthday bash at Ora nightclub in Miami. The former pop rivals decided to serenade the crowd with the Backstreet Boys hit, "I Want It That Way."

You'd think they'd do an 'NSYNC tune ... it was Joey's night after all, but the crowd ate it up, anyway.