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MTV to fans: Is Rick Astley the 'Best Act Ever'?
05:55 PM PT, Oct 1 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
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http://www.mtv.co.uk/chan...ley-debate

Does he deserve his MTV EMA nomination or has Rickrolling gone too far?
Rick Astley is up for Best Act Ever at the MTV Europe Music Awards this November and it’s certainly causing a lot of debate in offices around the country.

The great man’s nomination seems to be down to the internet phenomenon ’Rickrolling’- where people post his videos and seemingly vote for him to win prizes!

False links to youtube have tricked people into watching his classic 1987 hit Never Gonna Give you Up over 20 million times.

But whether Astley belongs in the same category as Madonna and Green Day has caused controversy.

And with voting for the awards up to the public the Rick-rolling craze looks likely to continue. Who knows if he’ll be taking home one of our prestigious prizes in Liverpool on November 6!

.....

Rick Rolled v2.0

I hope he wins.

Don't sleep on Rick. He is not the greatest act ever, but he was baad and another in long line of great blue eyed soul singers from England

TonyVanDam said:

I hope he wins too!! Rick is da man
ESPECIALLY compaired to the other acts that have been nominated.

VenusBlingBling said:

Oh my god. He really did sing on that kylie song. I nevr believed it but so now. lol. love all stock aitken and waterman stuff. they are my childhood.

carax said:

especially brother beyond

I love Rick Astley....good for him!!!!

I say all orgers unite and vote for Rick!

-Rick 2008-

ha

just lost even more respect for Awards shows

Rick rocks. Rick rolls.

I hope he wins too so people start seeing even more the farce and advertising machines that award shows are. Recently on a Vodafone awards show, Spice Girls live won over Led Zeppelin live... come off it!

The list really is pathetic. I guess I can accept that U2 is there, but Britney Spears and even worse, Tokio Hotel??! Best act EVER?? If you, themusicthatcounts, REALLY want people to wake up, then Tokio Hotel should win the award. It's obviously been kiddies working on getting those names on that list. Well, except when it comes to Rick Astley

I don't mind Rick being nominated, even if it's an overstatement. But I've always had a love for that blue-eyed man and I think he's terribly underrated! It's too bad he's only remembered for Never gonna give you up.
He's got some great stuff

Btw, the video with McCain getting Rick/Obama rolled is hilarious

I remember how shocked I was when I found out Rick Astley was white

scriptgirl said:

Yeah, I know what you're saying. He definitely doesn't look like he sounds. Part of the attraction in my case. His deep, sexy voice does things to me...

themusicthatcounts said:

Exactly. I might even cast a few votes for him myself.