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Ylvis (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈʏ̀lvɪs]) are a Norwegian comedy duo consisting of brothers Vegard and Bård Ylvisåker. They debuted as professional variety artists in 2000 and have appeared in several countries in variety shows, comedy concerts, television shows, radio shows and music videos. They hosted the Norwegian talk show I kveld med Ylvis (Tonight with Ylvis) (2011–2016). Their song and music video "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", written and filmed for the talk show, went viral on YouTube in September 2013. The video has over 1.1 billion views as of July 2024.[1] They released an album called Ylvis: Volume I, a compilation of ten older singles. In 2018, the brothers released a series titled Stories from Norway, in which they collected headlining stories from Norway and presented them as short musical documentaries to address satire, fun and comedy.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Early years and debut

[edit]

Vegard Urheim (b. 19 May 1979 in Trondheim) and Bård Urheim Ylvisåker (b. 21 March 1982 in Bergen) were born to parents (Hans Terje Ylvisåker and Helga Urheim) from the Sogn district of Western Norway, the older two of three brothers. The youngest brother is Bjarte Urheim. Their early childhood years were spent in Angola and Mozambique, where their father was an engineer during the civil wars there. After a few years in Africa, the family moved back to Bergen, where the brothers received a musical upbringing and were trained in classical instruments. Vegard played the viola and Bård the violin.[2] However, both quit during their youth, Vegard instead focusing on guitar, voice, piano, double bass and comedy, and Bård on guitar, voice, comedy and acrobatics such as aerial silk.

While attending high school at Fana gymnas, they were heavily involved in school and variety shows as well as the school choir. During a performance, they were spotted by impresario Peter Brandt, who orchestrated their debut as professional variety artists at Ole Bull Teater in Bergen in 2000. Their debut show was called "Ylvis en kabaret" ("Ylvis: A Cabaret")[3] and was followed in 2003 by "Ylvis en konsert" ("Ylvis: A Concert").

2006–2009

[edit]

In 2006, the brothers debuted as hosts on national broadcasting with the radio show O-fag (orienteringsfag, theoretical subject, named after a subject previously taught in Norwegian primary schools, a combination of science and social studies) on NRK Radio.

In January 2007, they appeared onstage at Ole Bull Theater with a new variety show, Ylvis III. They toured with the show for almost three years, the last show being played in Odda in western Norway in December 2009. The show was also recorded and published on DVD. Also in 2007, they debuted as hosts on national television with the show Norges herligste (Norway's Most Wonderful), a version of the Swedish show 100 höjdare (100 Highs). This was released on DVD as well as broadcast on Swedish TV.[citation needed]

In 2008, they released a second series of the radio show O-fag and also a new TV show based on their Ylvis møter veggen stage show on TVNorge, a game show concept inspired by the "Brain Wall", a feature in the Japanese game show Tonneruzu no Minasan no Okage deshita on Fuji TV.

This was followed up by another game show, Hvem kan slå Ylvis (Who can beat Ylvis?) in 2009, based on the German show Schlag den Raab (Beat Raab). Members of the public were invited to try to beat the brothers at various tasks, with a reward of up to one million Norwegian kroner.[citation needed]

2010–present

[edit]

In 2010, they hosted Nordens herligste (The Nordic’s Most Wonderful), a pan-Nordic version of the show. In 2011 they reprised their variety stage show with "Ylvis 4", premiering at the Ole Bull Theater with the entire run sold out before opening night.[citation needed] That year, the brothers also launched a comedy talkshow I kveld med Ylvis (Tonight with Ylvis) on TVNorge, with Calle Hellevang-Larsen from comedy trio Raske Menn as a sidekick.

Upon being renewed for a second season, the brothers created a production company, Concorde TV,[4] in order to retain rights and creative control of their work. The second series was broadcast in 2012, with David Batra replacing Hellevang-Larsen in the role of sidekick. In the Fall of 2013, Hellevang-Larsen returned for the third series of I kveld med Ylvis. Despite technical difficulties during the broadcast, the first episode took the top ratings spot.[5]

A number of comedy and parody music videos, either originally featured on I kveld med Ylvis or used to promote the show, have been released onto YouTube and other streaming media. "The Fox" and "Stonehenge" have also been released as singles. "The Fox", produced by StarGate and M4SONIC, which was released on 3 September 2013 to promote the upcoming third series of I kveld med Ylvis, went viral on YouTube and received 31 million views in its first two weeks.[6] It was the most watched video on YouTube worldwide in 2013,[7] and as of March 2023, the video has over 1.1 billion views.[1]

Ylvis received offers for interviews, concerts, and major label record contracts from several countries following the release of "The Fox".[citation needed] Their first performance abroad was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the United States, where they appeared on 20 September 2013.[8] They also made an appearance at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas the next day. On 9 October 2013, Jimmy Fallon brought them to his late night show to perform live.[9] On 11 October 2013, they performed on The Today Show outside the studios. On 15 November 2013 they performed on BBC Children in Need where they were joined on stage by Jedward, The Cheeky Girls and Bucks Fizz. On 22 November 2013 Ylvis attended Mnet Asian Music Awards for the first time, and received the International Favorite Artist award.[citation needed]

On 12 December 2013, they appeared on Live! with Kelly and Michael to promote their new children's book titled "What Does the Fox Say?" and later to perform. The book What Does the Fox Say? debuted as no. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[10]

On 15 October 2014, Ylvis released on iTunes a single titled "I Will Never Be A Star", which was recorded by their younger brother, Bjarte Ylvisåker. On 19 November 2015 Ylvis released their first album Ylvis: Volume I on iTunes, which is a collection of some of their popular YouTube hits. On 5 January 2016, Ylvis revealed the music video and song "a capella" on I kveld med YLVIS on TVNorge.[11] "a capella" parodies a cappella groups like Pentatonix.[12][13][14]

In 2015, Ylvis received a nomination at the Berlin Music Video Awards for Best Animation with their music video ''Ytterst på tissen” (On the Tip of the Willy)''. The video was made by Julian Nazario Vargas from Animaskin.[15]

On 1 November 2017, it was revealed that the brothers would start a new television show entitled Stories from Norway.[16] The show, which blends the documentary and mockumentary genres with musical numbers,[16] premiered on 19 February 2018 on TVNorge.[17]

In 2019, both brothers appeared on the first season of Kongen Befaler (Norway's version of Taskmaster), and the series overall winner was Vegard.[18]

In January 2022, after the participants for Melodi Grand Prix 2022 were revealed, Ylvis were one of the duos rumoured to be behind Subwoolfer, who won the contest and represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[19] On 6 October 2022, the brothers announced a new show entitled Ylvis i Sogn. In the ten-episode series, Bård has challenged himself, Vegard, and younger brother Bjarte to write eight songs in two weeks, with the eighth song being a modern remake of Stao no Pao.

Filmography

[edit]
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2007–08 Norges herligste Host 14 episodes
2008 Ylvis møter veggen 10 episodes
2009 Hvem kan slå Ylvis 8 episodes
2010 Nordens herligste 9 episodes
2011–2016 I kveld med YLVIS 71 episodes
2018 Stories from Norway Various 7 episodes
2019 Kongen Befaler Contestant 10 episodes
2020 Ylvis på Holmen med Calle og Magnus Host 10 episodes
2022 Ylvis i Sogn 10 episodes
2024 Ylvis mot Ylvis Contestant 10 episodes
Radio
Year Title Role Notes
2006 O-fag Host
2008

Stage

[edit]
Stage
Year Title Role Notes
2000–01 Ylvis en kabaret Various
2001 Ylvis Goes Philharmonic
2002 Ylvis Goes Philharmonic – episode II
2003–05 Ylvis en konsert
2007–09 Ylvis III Over 200 performances
2011–13 Ylvis 4
2014–15 The Expensive Jacket Tour 23 concerts in Norway and Sweden
2017 The Expensive Jacket Tour 1 concert in Slovakia (Pohoda festival)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
NOR
[20]
Ylvis: Volume I 24
Stories from Norway: Northug
  • Released: 13 March 2018
  • Label: Universal
  • Formats: Digital download
17

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
NOR
[20]
AUS
[21]
CAN
[22]
DEN
[23]
FIN
[24]
NZ
[25]
SWE
[26]
SWI
[27]
UK
[28]
US
[29]
2000 "Rumour Says"[30] Non-album singles
2004 "Kjempeform"[31]
2011 "Stonehenge"[32]
"La det på is"[33]
"Sammen finner vi frem"[34]
"Work It"[35]
2012 "Jeg heter Finn"[36]
"Someone Like Me"[37]
"Janym (Жаным)"[38]
"Jan Egeland"[39]
"Pressure"[40]
"Da vet du at det er jul"[41] Volume 1
2013 "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"[42] 1 9 19 9 2 4 3 45 17 6 Non-album single
"The Cabin"[43] Volume 1
"Massachusetts"[44]
2014 "Trucker's Hitch"[45] 10
"Mr. Toot"[46]
"I Will Never Be a Star"[47]
"Yoghurt"[48]
"Ytterst på tissen"[49]
"Intolerant"[50]
"Shabby Chic"[51]
2016 "A Capella"[52] Non-album singles
"Old Friends"[53]
"Engine for Gabriel"[54]
"Language of Love"[55]
(featuring Esther Roe)
2018 "Nå er det OL"[56]
2022 "Skaol Skadle"[57]
(featuring Kjartan Lauritzen)
"Firkantfar"[58]
"Lunken Mat"[59]
"Ferjao"[60]
"Helikopter"[61]
"Old McAdeere"[62]
"Nach"[63]
"Stao No Pao"[64]
2025 "Svenskejævel"
(featuring Tix, Staysman, Katastrofe and Alexander Rybak))
4
[65]
"—" denotes single that did not chart or was not released.

DVD releases

[edit]
  • Ylvis III
  • Norges herligste
  • Nordens herligste

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Project Recipient Result
2001 Komiprisen Best Ensemble Ylvis Nominated
2007 Komiprisen The Year's Funniest (Audience Award) Ylvis III Ylvis Nominated
2008 Gullruten People's prize Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker Nominated
2011 Komiprisen The Year's Numbers Ylvis 4 Ylvis Nominated
The Year's Funniest (Audience Award) Ylvis Nominated
2012 Gullruten[66] TV Name Of The Year Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker Nominated
Best Entertainment I Kveld Med Ylvis Ylvis Nominated
Best New Programme Ylvis Nominated
Best Male Presenter Bård Ylvisåker Nominated
Komiprisen Best Performance - TV/Film I Kveld Med Ylvis Ylvis Won
The Year's Funniest Ylvis Nominated
2013 Komiprisen Best male artist, TV/Film/Net Bård Ylvisåker Nominated
Mnet Asian Music Awards[67] International Favorite Artist Ylvis Won
2014 World Music Awards World's Best Song "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" Ylvis Nominated
World's Best Video Ylvis Nominated
World's Best Group Ylvis Nominated
Spellemannprisen[68] Hit Of The Year "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" Ylvis Won
Gullruten[69] TV Moment Of The Year "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" Ylvis Won
Best Event Live: Helkveld Med Ylvis Ylvis Nominated
Audience Award Ylvis Nominated
Komiprisen The Year's Male TV Comedian Bård Ylvisåker Nominated
Radio Disney Music Awards[70] Stuck In Our Heads – Catchiest New Song "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" Ylvis Won
MTV Millennial Awards[71] Viral Video Of The Year "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" Ylvis Won
2015 Berlin Video Music Awards[72][73][74] Best Animation "Ytterst På Tissen" Julian Nazario Vargas, Animaskin Nominated
Gullruten[75][76][77] Best Entertainment Program I kveld med Ylvis LIVE Ylvis Nominated
Best Male TV Host I kveld med Ylvis LIVE Bård Ylvisåker Nominated
Audience Award Vegard Ylvisåker, Bård Ylvisåker Nominated
TV Moment Of The Year[78] Ylvis and Charter-Svein - I kveld med Ylvis Live! Ylvis and Charter-Svein Nominated
Nordic Music Video Awards[79][80] Post Production "Ytterst På Tissen" Ylvis Nominated
Best Artist Performance "I Will Never Be A Star" Bjarte Ylvisåker and Ole Martin Hafsmo Won
Music Video Of The Year "Intolerant" Ylvis Nominated
GAFFA Audience Award "Intolerant" Harald Zwart (director) Won
2016 Komiprisen Humor Program Of The Year I Kveld Med Ylvis LIVE Ylvis Won
Male TV Comedian Of The Year I Kveld Med Ylvis LIVE Bård Ylvisåker, Vegard Ylvisåker Nominated
Humor Moment Of The Year I Kveld Med Ylvis LIVE Ylvis Nominated
The Year's Funniest I Kveld Med Ylvis LIVE Ylvis Nominated
2018 Gullruten Humor Program Of The Year Stories from Norway Ylvis Won
Best Innovation Stories from Norway Ylvis Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Ylvis is a Norwegian and music duo formed by brothers Vegard Ylvisåker (born May 19, 1979) and Bård Ylvisåker (born March 21, 1982), celebrated for their blend of satirical sketches, musical performances, and variety entertainment that has garnered both domestic acclaim in and international viral success. The brothers, who grew up in with periods spent in due to their family's involvement in humanitarian work, began performing together during their school years at Fana gymnasium, participating in choir and theater productions. They debuted professionally on October 19, 2000, at the Theatre in with their cabaret show Ylvis – en kabaret, marking the start of a career spanning live stage shows, radio appearances, and concerts across and internationally. In , Ylvis rose to prominence as hosts of the I kveld med Ylvis from 2011 to 2013, where they combined interviews, pranks, and original musical segments to build a dedicated following. Ylvis achieved global fame in 2013 with the release of their and music video "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)," originally created as a promotional gag for their TV show, which unexpectedly became a , amassing over 1.1 billion views as of October 2024, peaking at No. 6 on the , and inspiring parodies worldwide. The duo capitalized on this success by releasing their debut Volume 1 later that year, featuring earlier singles alongside the hit, and performing on high-profile U.S. programs like . Subsequent projects include the 2018 documentary musical series Stories from Norway, which humorously chronicled Norwegian through original songs, and the 2022 reality-style TV series Ylvis i , where they composed music in their hometown with their Bjarte. In 2024–2025, they hosted the competitive music series Ylvis mot Ylvis: Kampen om gullplaten and continued with live performances in . Their work continues to emphasize absurd, genre-parodying music and multimedia comedy, maintaining an active presence in Norwegian media and occasional international tours.

History

Formation and early career

Ylvis was formed by the brothers Bård Ylvisåker and Vegard Ylvisåker, who hail from , . Bård was born on March 21, 1982, while Vegard was born on May 19, 1979. The brothers spent parts of their childhood in alongside their family, which exposed them to diverse cultural influences early on. A third brother, Bjarte Ylvisåker (born 1988), later became involved in some of their productions, though he was not part of the core duo. From a young age, the brothers showed a strong interest in theater and music, participating actively in school activities during their time at Fana Gymnas in . There, they joined the school choir and theater group, honing their performance skills through variety shows and sketches. It was at Fana Gymnas that they met collaborator Jon Arild Stornes, and the trio formed a theater group called "The He-he Guys," staging performances at local festivals and building their initial stage presence. These early experiences laid the foundation for their blend of , and improvisation. The brothers made their professional debut as variety artists on , 2000, with the stage show Ylvis – en kabaret at the Ole Bull Theater in . The production featured a mix of comedic sketches, musical numbers, and satirical elements, marking their entry into the Norwegian entertainment scene. Following this, they relocated to , where they performed at the prestigious Chat Noir theater starting in February 2002, securing 30 shows that spring. Despite initial challenges with limited audiences and modest venues, they supplemented their stage work with small gigs and occasional acting roles in Norwegian theater productions, gradually establishing themselves before transitioning to television opportunities in the mid-2000s.

Rise to prominence

Ylvis entered the television landscape in 2007 with the premiere of their own show, Norges herligste ("Norway's Most Wonderful"), on TV Norge, marking their debut as hosts in a comedic competition format where contestants vied for a 500,000 prize through entertaining challenges. The program received positive reception for its humorous take on talent contests, leading to a successful Nordic adaptation, Nordens herligste, aired in 2008. Building on this momentum, the duo hosted Hvem kan slå Ylvis? ("Who Can Beat Ylvis?") starting in 2009 on TV Norge, a high-energy game show inspired by the German format Schlag den Raab, in which the brothers competed against everyday Norwegians in diverse physical and skill-based contests. The series, which blended competition with their witty banter, ran for three seasons through 2011 and helped solidify their presence in Norwegian media. They also made frequent guest appearances on prominent Norwegian talk shows during this era, further boosting their exposure. Throughout these projects, Ylvis honed their distinctive comedic approach, characterized by absurd scenarios, satirical musical parodies, and innovative sketches that often satirized and pop culture. This style, rooted in their earlier stage work, resonated with audiences and set them apart in the competitive entertainment scene. By , their rising fame translated to strong domestic support, evidenced by the sold-out run of their live production Ylvis 4 at Ole Bull Scene in , which drew over 30,000 tickets and later toured major cities like . These performances underscored their growing status as a household name in , paving the way for broader opportunities.

Viral success and international fame

The third season of the Norwegian talk show I kveld med Ylvis, which had premiered on TV Norge in 2011 and run for two prior seasons, returned in September 2013. To promote the new season, the Ylvisåker brothers created and released the satirical electronic dance song and "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" on on September 3, 2013, as a comedic teaser intended to drive viewership to the program. The video quickly became a global , amassing over 1.1 billion views on by late 2025 and ranking as the platform's top trending video of 2013. Its absurd lyrics questioning animal sounds, combined with the brothers' humorous and costumes, captured widespread attention and spawned countless parodies and memes. The track achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number six on the chart in the United States and topping iTunes charts in while reaching number two in the U.S. and entering the top 100 in at least 18 other countries worldwide. The song's explosion propelled Ylvis to international media prominence, with appearances including a live performance alongside host on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on September 20, 2013, where DeGeneres joined them onstage in a fox costume. They also performed on in October 2013, further amplifying their U.S. exposure. This surge led to the release of their debut Volume 1 in November 2014, featuring "The Fox" alongside other novelty tracks, and prompted a Scandinavian tour dubbed the "Expensive Jacket Tour," which included sold-out shows across and in 2014-2015. The international fame primarily resulted in U.S. television appearances rather than extensive touring. The phenomenon sparked a merchandise boom, including bestselling fox-themed costumes that saw increased sales during Halloween 2013 and a children's book adaptation that topped Billboard's Children's Best Sellers list.

Recent activities

Following the viral success of their earlier work, Ylvis continued their musical output with the release of the collaborative single "Language of Love" featuring Seal in 2016, which blended their comedic style with pop elements. In 2018, they produced the soundtrack album Stories from Norway: Northug, accompanying their television series of the same name, featuring satirical tracks like "Langrennsfar" that commented on Norwegian cultural events. Their creative momentum persisted into the 2020s, with the album Ylvis i Sogn released on October 13, 2022, incorporating folk-inspired songs such as "SKAOL SKADLE" developed during a family-oriented project in their hometown. More recently, Volume 4 arrived on October 31, 2024, compiling new comedic tracks, while the 2025 release Svenskejævel featured collaborations with Nordic artists TIX, Staysman, Katastrofe, and Alexander Rybak, highlighting their ongoing experimentation with humorous, genre-blending music. A deluxe edition of their debut compilation Volume 1 followed on February 21, 2025, updating classic hits for contemporary audiences. In television, Ylvis returned to Norwegian screens with the 2018 series Stories from Norway, a seven-episode investigative musical format where they dramatized current events through original songs and sketches, broadcast on TVNorge and later available internationally on discovery+. The duo made guest appearances on various Norwegian programs in the late 2010s, maintaining visibility without a full return to hosting. Their 2022 project Ylvis i Sogn marked a significant comeback, a reality-music series on VGTV in which brothers Bård, Vegard, and Bjarte Ylvisåker composed eight songs in two weeks amid their rural roots, emphasizing collaborative and improvisational creativity; the full season became accessible with English subtitles in 2023. Archived content from earlier shows like I kveld med Ylvis gained renewed international reach through streaming platforms, though no major U.S. network pickups occurred post-2016. Live performances sustained Ylvis's presence through the late , including the 2014-2015 Expensive Jacket Tour across with elaborate staging and musical numbers, followed by a 2017 appearance at the Pohoda Festival in and Norwegian dates in 2018 such as in Fauske and . They toured select European venues in 2017-2019, performing hits like "The Fox" alongside newer material at events including in October 2019 and Rockefeller Music Hall in in December 2019. The halted live activities from 2020 to 2021, but they resumed with Scandinavian concerts in 2022, culminating in festival appearances like Bergenfest in 2023. By 2025, Ylvis delivered shows incorporating elements from Stories from Norway, including a June performance at Festidalen featuring satirical songs such as "Mr Toot" and "," demonstrating their adaptation of viral-era humor to live formats. Beyond core music and TV, Ylvis diversified into family-involved projects, notably , which brought in their brother Bjarte for songwriting and performance, fostering a more intimate, heritage-focused output. Collaborations with Nordic talents, as seen in the 2025 track "Svenskejævel," expanded their network without shifting from comedic roots. As of November 2025, remains active, with no announcements of disbandment and scheduled dates into 2026, underscoring their sustained relevance in Norwegian entertainment.

Television work

I kveld med Ylvis

I kveld med Ylvis was a Norwegian that aired on from 2011 to 2013 over three seasons, hosted by brothers Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker alongside Calle Hellevang-Larsen. The program featured a mix of celebrity interviews, absurd comedy sketches, and original musical numbers, distinguishing it from conventional talk shows through its emphasis on high-production elements like custom-built sets and animated sequences. Produced initially by Funkerhauser Productions and later by Concorde TV, it broadcast live from venues such as Riksscenen in for the first three seasons. The show's innovative format integrated traditional late-night variety with Ylvis's signature style, often using music videos and skits to satirize everyday absurdities or pop culture. Segments typically included guest appearances by Norwegian and international figures, interspersed with the hosts' improvised humor and pre-produced videos that blended with . For instance, the 2012 musical segment "" humorously speculated on the purpose of the ancient monument through a rock anthem, showcasing the duo's ability to turn niche topics into entertaining spectacles. This hybrid approach allowed the show to appeal to both local audiences and online viewers, with episodes running approximately 60 minutes on Tuesday evenings. Season 1, premiering in 2011 with 13 episodes, emphasized experimental humor through pranks and interactions, helping establish the hosts' chemistry and the show's offbeat tone. Season 2 in 2012 shifted toward incorporating more original music, building on the success of comedic songs to enhance viewer engagement and production scale. The third season, airing in 2013, culminated in the promotion of the viral hit "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", a track created as an "anti-hit" to tease the new but which amassed millions of views worldwide shortly after its release. The series left a lasting legacy in Norwegian television, winning the Best TV/Film Show award at the 2012 Norwegian Comedy Awards for its fresh take on the genre. It received multiple nominations at the Gullruten Awards, including Best Entertainment Program in 2012 and Best Male Host in subsequent years, recognizing its contributions to and variety programming. The show's influence extended globally through its videos, which inspired similar satirical content and helped popularize absurd humor in . As of 2025, all episodes remain available for streaming on platforms in .

Other television projects

Ylvis began their television career with several projects on that highlighted their satirical and humorous style before launching their flagship . In 2007–2008, they hosted Norges herligste, a 14-episode series in which the brothers traveled across to spotlight the country's most charming people, places, and oddities, often with exaggerated commentary that parodied consumer culture and everyday absurdities. The program received a nomination for the Norwegian Comedy Award for its blend of travelogue and comedy. Following this, in 2009, Ylvis starred in Hvem kan slå Ylvis?, an eight-episode where ordinary contestants challenged the brothers in quirky physical and intellectual tasks for a 100,000 prize, emphasizing self-deprecating humor through the duo's frequent losses and comedic mishaps. The series won the Norwegian Comedy Award for Best Humour in 2009 and showcased their mockumentary-like approach to competition formats. Beyond their hosted series, Ylvis made notable guest appearances on 's Sommeråpent starting around 2010, performing sketches and interviews that amplified their variety act during the summer live show. Post-2013, after the viral success of "The Fox," they featured in brief international cameos on U.S. late-night programs such as and Conan, where they reprised musical parodies and discussed their comedic style. In the 2020s, Ylvis contributed to specials and mini-series, including the 2020 production Ylvis på holmen med Calle og , a short humor series depicting adventures with collaborators on a remote island, and holiday-themed sketches in annual broadcasts. Their 2022 series Ylvis i on followed the brothers and their sibling Bjarte creating original songs in their hometown over two weeks, incorporating satirical elements on rural life. They also guested on 's Nytt på nytt in February 2025, delivering comedic segments on current events.

Music career

Musical style and influences

Ylvis's musical style fuses satirical pop with electronic and parody elements, creating short, hook-driven songs that originated as comedic sketches for their television work rather than conventional album tracks. Their compositions often feature bright synth melodies, upbeat rhythms, and abrupt shifts in tone to underscore humorous lyrics, subverting genres like EDM and power ballads for comedic effect. This approach emphasizes absurdity over musical complexity, with tracks designed to be memorable and shareable through their unexpected twists. The duo draws heavily from the absurdism of , which shaped their blend of Norwegian satirical traditions and international pop parodies, including mimics of boy bands and . Growing up partly in due to their father's engineering work, the brothers developed a that informs their eclectic humor, though their primary musical inspirations stem from British comedy's style and global pop structures. Central themes in Ylvis's revolve around everyday banalities, animal behaviors, and quirky historical or cultural oddities, presented with earnest production to amplify the ridiculousness. Early works consisted of simple jingles for segments, but post-2013 viral success, their output shifted toward more refined, studio-polished pieces while retaining the core comedic intent. Ylvis handles writing, performing, and production internally, with the duo's musical videos serving as essential extensions of the , integrating visual absurdity and performance to complete the satirical narrative.

Discography

Ylvis's encompasses studio albums that blend , , and electronic , often tied to their television and live performances. Following the viral success of their single "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", Ylvis issued Volume 1 on November 19, 2014, through Urheim Records under exclusive license to Universal Music AS in . The album includes 10 tracks, such as "Intolerant", "Yoghurt", "Shabby Chic", "", "Mr. Toot", "I Will Never Be a Star", "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)", "", "", and "", combining eight new songs with select previous favorites. It achieved commercial performance, peaking at number 24 on the Norwegian albums chart and earning platinum certification from IFPI in 2014 for sales exceeding 20,000 units. Subsequent releases include the multimedia The Ylvis Book (2014), incorporating audio tracks from their repertoire. In 2018, Ylvis produced the Stories from Norway documentary musical series, resulting in multiple EPs such as Stories from Norway: Northug and others chronicling Norwegian through songs. This was followed by Ylvis i (2022), a tied to their series, Volume 4 (October 2024), and Svenskejævel (2025). No further major studio albums preceded these, though their tracks have amassed over 310 million plays on as of November 2025, highlighting their enduring digital footprint.

Notable singles and videos

Ylvis's music videos are renowned for their high-concept, low-budget absurdity, blending satirical lyrics with elaborate yet comically executed visuals to parody popular genres and cultural phenomena. One of their most iconic releases, "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)," premiered on September 3, 2013, as a segment for their Norwegian television show I kveld med Ylvis. Written by brothers Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker along with producers StarGate and M4SONIC, the song humorously invents nonsensical animal sounds like "ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!" to question what a fox might say, featuring fox costumes and surreal forest scenes in the video. It exploded virally, amassing over 1.18 billion YouTube views as of November 2025, establishing Ylvis's international breakthrough through its catchy EDM parody. Prior to this, "" (2011) marked an early success, originating as a sketch for the same program and exploring the prehistoric monument's mysteries with rock-anthem bombast and animated historical reenactments in its video. The track gained traction through its absurd questioning of ancient enigmas like "What's the meaning of ?" In 2014, "" satirized instructional content by focusing on the frustration of tying the namesake , with the video depicting failed attempts amid trucker-themed and props to highlight everyday mechanical absurdities. Released on September 16, the single parodied genres while nodding to Ylvis's ongoing low-fi production style. The duo continued their parody tradition with "a capella" in 2016, a send-up of vocal harmony groups like , where bullied characters wield harmonious "boodelooap" sounds as a weapon in a narrative-driven video featuring Norwegian singers Myrna Braza and Numa D terat. Debuting on I kveld med Ylvis on January 5, it critiqued the performative earnestness of culture through escalating absurdity. More recently, in the and , Ylvis revived their musical output with tracks from the Stories from Norway series, such as "Langrennsfar" released in 2018, which adapts Norwegian and headlines into whimsical, narrative songs with animated and live-action videos maintaining their signature satirical edge. This project, highlighted on their official site as part of their ongoing work, extends their post-2016 creativity beyond viral hits into storytelling parodies.

Other media

Film and stage appearances

Ylvis began their career in stage performance as a comedy duo, debuting with revue-style variety shows in Norway during the early 2000s. Their initial production, a cabaret-style revue titled Ylvis - En Kabaret, premiered in 2000 and established them as professional variety artists, blending music, sketches, and comedy. Subsequent shows, such as Ylvis Goes Philharmonic in 2001 and Ylvis – en konsert in 2003, were performed at theaters in Bergen and Oslo, often incorporating orchestral elements and satirical humor. These early stage works were staged for multiple years and toured across Norway, showcasing the brothers' signature mix of absurdity and musical parody. The duo's stage career expanded with Ylvis III in 2007, a self-described dream performance that toured extensively and was later recorded for wider release. This production highlighted their evolution as performers, featuring elaborate sets and interactive elements that drew large audiences in major Norwegian cities. Ylvis continued to develop stage adaptations of their comedic sketches, blending live theater with musical numbers inspired by their television material, though they maintained a focus on original formats rather than scripted plays. While Ylvis has primarily worked in stage, television, and music, they have had limited involvement in feature films. In the international arena, Ylvis undertook variety tours following their 2013 viral success, primarily in with performances in through TV appearances and select events. A notable example includes their 2014 "Expensive Jacket Tour" stops in and other Scandinavian venues, which emphasized high-energy stage antics and audience interaction. More recently, they revived their live format with performances at festivals and theaters, including shows in on June 17, 2023, and on June 16, 2023, where they delivered updated sets featuring fan-favorite sketches and songs. These revivals underscored their enduring appeal in live settings. From 2023 to 2025, Ylvis presented musical storytelling segments during live events that explored Norwegian history and culture through comedy. This included theater revivals in and , culminating in holiday-themed productions like Julegøy med Ylvis scheduled for December 13, 2025, at Forum Scene in . These performances filled gaps in their post-television output, emphasizing intimate stage interaction over large-scale concerts.

DVD and digital releases

Ylvis has released a limited number of DVD compilations featuring their early stage and television work. The DVD for their stage show Ylvis III was released on December 3, 2008, by Norway, capturing their surreal musical comedy performances. Similarly, the television series Norges Herligste, which Ylvis hosted in 2007, was issued on DVD in on October 15, 2008, highlighting comedic segments on unusual Norwegian hobbies and lifestyles. A follow-up series, Nordens Herligste, co-hosted by the duo in 2010, also received a DVD release, expanding the format to Scandinavian content. In the digital realm, Ylvis maintains an official YouTube channel that serves as a primary distribution platform for their music videos, sketches, and show clips, amassing over 1.4 billion total views as of 2025. The channel, launched in 2008, had approximately 96,000 subscribers as of November 2025, with growth driven by viral hits like "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)," which alone exceeds 1 billion views. Their television content, including I kveld med Ylvis and Stories from Norway, is available for streaming on discovery+ in Norway, with episodes from 2011 to 2018 accessible via the platform. Other media products include the 2014 children's book What Does the Fox Say?, illustrated by Svein Nyhus and published by Simon & Schuster, which adapts their viral song into a picture book format and sold over 250,000 copies in initial North American printings. Recent digital releases feature sketch collections from the 2022 series Ylvis i Sogn, where the brothers created songs in their hometown; full episodes and clips are distributed on discovery+ and YouTube with English subtitles. Commercially, Ylvis's early DVDs achieved notable success in , reflecting their strong local fanbase before the shift to digital streaming post-2020. This transition has emphasized online platforms, aligning with broader industry trends toward accessible, on-demand content.

Awards and nominations

Ylvis have received several awards and nominations for their music, television work, and viral content. The following table lists notable ones:
YearAwardCategoryRecipient/Nominated workResultRef.
2013Årets hit (Hit of the Year)"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Won
2013Mnet Asian Music AwardsInternational Favorite ArtistYlvisWon
2014GullrutenBest TV Moment"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Won
2014Viral Video"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Won
2014KomiprisenYear's Male ComedianBård and Vegard YlvisåkerWon
2014Stuck In Our Heads – Catchiest New Song"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Won
2014World Music AwardsWorld's Best Song"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Won
2015Nordic Music Video AwardsBest Concept"Intolerant"Won
2015 Music Video AwardsBest "Ytterst på tissen"Nominated
2016GullrutenBest Host – MaleBård and Vegard Ylvisåker (for I kveld med Ylvis)Nominated
2018GullrutenBest Humor ProgramStories from NorwayWon
2018GullrutenBest InnovationStories from NorwayNominated
As of November 2025, no additional major awards have been reported.

References

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