It's a big year for boy bands at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Both the Wanted and One Direction are up for Moonmen, and the two nominees will be there when the big show kicks off on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

And while the U.K. groups are following in the footsteps of acts like the Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC, who also had their time to shine in the Video Music Awards glory, there's one boy band who isn't feeling the VMA glow. New Kids on the Block say it's about time they got to shine too.

"We want an astronaut," Joey McIntyre declared to MTV News, referring to the iconic Moonman trophy, when we caught up with the guys recently.

Joey's bandmate Donnie Wahlberg seemed to have quite the burn book of boy bands who had taken home something at the VMAs, and he wasn't afraid to name names. "Backstreet Boys get VMAs, the Wanted's nominated. 'NSYNC, I know won a whole bunch; they performed with Michael Jackson on the VMAs."

Wahlberg's plea for a last-minute nomination didn't end there, as he added, "Hey, MTV, just nominate us for something!"

Unfortunately, the guys are out of luck for 2012, since we're only three days away from the main event, which will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 p.m., with our pre-show at 7 p.m. and the "Jersey Shore" special "Gym, Tan, Look Back" at 6 p.m. But, maybe, they can set their feelings aside and just feel good that boy bands are getting plenty of love at the show?

[article id="1693056"]One Direction and the Wanted are both[/article] up for Best New Artist, thanks to their very different, beach-themed clips (The Wanted for their party-filled "Glad You Came" and 1D for their wholesome "What Makes You Beautiful"). One Direction even nabbed a nomination for Best Pop Video. The Wanted will be on hand to present, while 1D are set to take the stage for a performance.

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