An ode to Rick

It evoked fond memories of a simpler time — a time when we understood the rules, knew the game and were ready to play it.

We thought we were never going to say goodbye — but we were wrong.

The art of Rickrolling died Jan. 13. It was 17 months old.

This Internet phenomenon of luring unsuspecting indivuduals into clicking a link that played Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” breathed new life for the artist and pranksters, alike.

For a year and a half, new frontiers were pioneered to creative innovative Rickrolls. From fake movie trailers to leaving notes with a number that plays the recording of the song, friends and coworkers came up with new excuses to successfully get one another.

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. posted her YouTube clip, “Speaker Pelosi Presents Capitol Cat Cam,” it marked an end to an era of Internet pranking.

At the 37 second mark, the antics of her feisty feline friends slowly fades to the Astley’s music video — complete with an explanation of what Rickrolling is to the viewer.

While the Rickroll has experienced many brushed with death, it has fought off fading away to being just another story of Internet lore. But the “PelosiRoll” was the boulder that crushed the camel flat.

Not only was it like seeing your parents destroy a part of your youth by jamming out to your favorite music or playing online games, the explanation that was given ruined the effect of the prank.

It turned this annoying, albeit jovial gag into something completely lame. A fad that falls into the realm of pogs and the “Macarena.”

We must remember the good times. The first time we Rickrolled a friend. The tributes, such as the famous “BarackRoll.” And, of course, Astley rickrolling all of America at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Some things are timeless. But for the Rickroll, it’s time to run around and desert you.It evoked fond memories of a simpler time — a time when we understood the rules, knew the game and were ready to play it.

We thought we were never going to say goodbye — but we were wrong.

The art of Rickrolling died Jan. 13. It was 17 months old.

This Internet phenomenon of luring unsuspecting indivuduals into clicking a link that played Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” breathed new life for the artist and pranksters, alike.

For a year and a half, new frontiers were pioneered to creative innovative Rickrolls. From fake movie trailers to leaving notes with a number that plays the recording of the song, friends and coworkers came up with new excuses to successfully get one another.

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. posted her YouTube clip, “Speaker Pelosi Presents Capitol Cat Cam,” it marked an end to an era of Internet pranking.

At the 37 second mark, the antics of her feisty feline friends slowly fades to the Astley’s music video — complete with an explanation of what Rickrolling is to the viewer.

While the Rickroll has experienced many brushed with death, it has fought off fading away to being just another story of Internet lore. But the “PelosiRoll” was the boulder that crushed the camel flat.

Not only was it like seeing your parents destroy a part of your youth by jamming out to your favorite music or playing online games, the explanation that was given ruined the effect of the prank.

It turned this annoying, albeit jovial gag into something completely lame. A fad that falls into the realm of pogs and the “Macarena.”

We must remember the good times. The first time we Rickrolled a friend. The tributes, such as the famous “BarackRoll.” And, of course, Astley rickrolling all of America at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Some things are timeless. But for the Rickroll, it’s time to run around and desert you.