Why New Kids on the Block's latest tour is a bit s***

Jordan Knight from New Kids On The Block. Photo/Getty

New Kids on the Block have been criticised for asking journalists reviewing about a recent concert in Washington to mention the show's sponsor.

The sponsor? Toilet paper brand Cottonelle.

The free show was promoted by asking fans to attend "commando" - that's without underwear - and an accompanying video interview with the '90s boy band suggested they would be performing commando too.

In the video, the band says going commando is "very rock and roll". One of the band's singer's is draped in the sponsor's product.

But it was a press release that asked reviewers to mention the show's sponsor that really raised eyebrows.

"Attending press will be expected to cover the Cottonelle Go Commando sponsorship," a press release reported on by The Washingtonian said.

"The campaign has presence in the show, so the brand mention can be very organic ... Jordan, Joey, Donnie, Danny and Jon each have some very poignant thoughts on using the right toilet paper!"

Donnie Wahlberg, Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Danny Wood, and Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block. Photo/Getty

The press release was later updated to say writers weren't expected to mention the sponsors, and the language "was not accurate".

New Kids on the Block were one of the biggest boy bands in the '90s, thanks to hits like Step By Step and You Got It (The Right Stuff).

- nzherald.co.nz