Did you guys see this?! The characters from the cartoon Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends were signing the song “Best Friend” – the theme song from The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and then the record scratched and Rick Astley came out and sang “Never Gonna Give You Up”. At the end of the song one the the little characters yells out, “I Like Rick Rolling!” How weird and funny is that?! Kudos to Macy’s, Fosters AND most importantly Rick Astley for the most original and bizarre parade moment ever.
Formed in 1997, Schad began performing sketch comedy on Chicago’s north side. The troupe has since performed at countless venues around the world including The Goodman Theatre, The Second City, Steppenwolf, Lollapalooza, ImprovOlympic, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (LA), HERE (NYC) and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
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All content © 2010 by Schadenfreude.
I love that! The Rick Rolling phonomenon is fascinating, it seems like you could study everything you need to know about viralization from the first Rick Roll to this appearance. All Your Rick Astley Are Belong To Us.
I think it was great. I didn’t see it live, but it looks very funny. Yet hearing the announcer at the end takes some of the fun away. I’d rather have that be the funny, kinda hip surprise moment of the parade where those in the know get it, and everyone else who doesn’t know “what is…goin’ onnnnnn” gets to experience Rick Rolling or just scratches their head.
And I just checked with a co-worker, coincidentally named Rick, who was watching the parade as this happened. He hadn’t known about the phenomenon, and said he didn’t hear the announcer’s explanation at the end. He just saw this and went “What the heck is 80’s gay-bar singer Rick Astley doing on a children’s show float?”
So there ya go.
The funny thing is that the Macy’s Parade is pretty damn random — so I wouldn’t put it past them to book Rick Astley and think that is what America is dying to see! I agree Steve, that the announcer does take some of the covert fun out of it — but that is also what I find so incredibly fascinating — that is now something that can be referenced by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! It makes me want like Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends even more than I already do. That show is really great — super clever idea. And they obviously have a pretty funny writing staff.
Kate, that’s a great point about referencing I hadn’t even considered. I guess Rick Rolling really has arrived! I hope the trend continues at Obama’s inauguration, right when he’s sworn in.
Best sport ever. Wow.