Kenny Guido
Well-known member
MTV to fans: Is Rick Astley the 'Best Act Ever'?
DAVID SARNO | Los Angeles Times 9:02 AM EDT, October 2, 2008 MTV Europe has a surprise contender in this year's 2008 European Music Awards. Having opened up the category of "Best Act Ever" to write-in nominations, MTVE is the latest to fall victim to the now-aged "RickRoll" meme as fans selected Rick Astley to battle with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, U2 and Tokio Hotel for this highest of award show high honors.
Not only that, by allowing fans to vote on the winner, MTVE has left the door open to the same kind of trickery that restored Astley to the spotlight this year after 20 years of radio silence.
There could be nothing more "lulzy" than a netwide campaign to steal the all-time musical crown for Astley, a guy who unhesitatingly called the song that twice made him famous "naff."
At the same time, getting the reclusive Astley on international television to sing "Never Gonna Give You Up" one more time could be a major publicity coup for MTV. Viewers are used to MTV standbys like U2 and Britney, but a chance for Astley to RickRoll the world on live television would be a special treat indeed.
DAVID SARNO | Los Angeles Times 9:02 AM EDT, October 2, 2008 MTV Europe has a surprise contender in this year's 2008 European Music Awards. Having opened up the category of "Best Act Ever" to write-in nominations, MTVE is the latest to fall victim to the now-aged "RickRoll" meme as fans selected Rick Astley to battle with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Green Day, U2 and Tokio Hotel for this highest of award show high honors.
Not only that, by allowing fans to vote on the winner, MTVE has left the door open to the same kind of trickery that restored Astley to the spotlight this year after 20 years of radio silence.
There could be nothing more "lulzy" than a netwide campaign to steal the all-time musical crown for Astley, a guy who unhesitatingly called the song that twice made him famous "naff."
At the same time, getting the reclusive Astley on international television to sing "Never Gonna Give You Up" one more time could be a major publicity coup for MTV. Viewers are used to MTV standbys like U2 and Britney, but a chance for Astley to RickRoll the world on live television would be a special treat indeed.