TV

Ylvis’ bizarre ‘Today Show’ experience

What do you do when you’re a Norwegian comic duo whose admittedly “stupid” song cracks the U.S. charts? You fly over and see what you can get from your brief moment of notoriety.
At least that’s what Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker, better known as Ylvis, did after the video for their song “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” went viral. Since the utterly bizarre music video was posted to YouTube at the beginning of September it’s racked up 124 million views and risen to number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
And it’s because of that Ylvis recently found themselves in the US, set to perform at Las Vegas’ iHeartRadio music festival and appearing on the Today show.
During their whirlwind trip, the duo took some time to give a very candid interview to Spin magazine about trying to figure out how to cash in on their new found fame, not wanting to make another song like “The Fox” and the support they’ve received from comedians back home.
“It’s such a stupid thing, the ‘Fox’ thing,” Bård said when asked about how they plan to capitalize on the smash single. “Even though people find it interesting, it’s still a stupid fox song, and when people start to get over this, it gets even worse, because it is so stupid.”

But the brothers’ honesty isn’t the the  most illuminating part of the profile. That would be a look at what it’s like to appear on the “Today Show”:

There’s a commotion behind us. Kathie Lee Gifford is coming.

“Where are my Norwegians?!” she shouts, standing sassily with her hands on her hips in the green-room doorway.

She stomps towards Ylvis. “I’ve been to Norway,” she says. “I went BASE jumping!”

“You can die doing that,” says Bard. He and Vegard offer handshakes.

“I’ll take a hug!” yells Kathie Lee. “I’ll take as much as I can get with my clothes off!” She winks at me as she says this.
And, just in case that wasn’t a warm enough American welcome for the Norwegian guests, Matt Lauer joking told them he’d have them arrested if he could.