Beethoven: Meet the Band - Saturday Night Live

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Ludwig van Beethoven takes a minute to thank the musicians who make his masterpieces possible. Aired 12/17/11
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[@toughtittypdiddy4634]

I like how most people are commenting about how they are holding and pretending to play the instruments incorrectly, but no one is talking about Beethoven introducing them with a microphone

[@dpr821]

Yeah, that's perfectly ok, apparently! Everyone likes to point out the incorrectness of the instrument playing, but it's totally ok to have Beethoven walking around with a microphone, hearing perfectly normal, speaking English, making modern-day jokes and references, etc.!

[@0921AV]

Not to mention the background music

[@mangenkiou]

Yeah,and no one praises Sally for actually playing the triangle...bunch of buttheads...

[@jonp72]

@@0921AV The background music is a vamp on Archie Bell & the Drells, "Tighten Up," which won't be composed for another 200+ years.

[@0921AV]

@@jonp72 👍. I loved the whole thing

[@masqerader]

"I am famously deaf" Then points out someone is playing Mozart

[@alethanowitzky65]

Beethoven could tell by looking....

[@zergmare7]

I love that moment

[@michaelcovel3793]

Yeah, YEAH he did!😀😀😀😀😀 Man!!@# shut the FUCK! UP!!

[@Bottlecap0]

He felt the vibrations of the mozart

[@WinstonKillDeath]

Yeah, I’m not sure this is real footage of Beethoven. How did he know it was Mozart? Must be some deepfaked footage.

[@SuperJNG18]

Not surprised John Mulaney co-wrote this one. "God, I am good at classical music" is a very Mulaney line.

[@gllyflower]

And "famously deaf" sounds like him too.

[@SuperJNG18]

@@gllyflower Poor John. Hope he’s doing well. And frankly, delighted as I am to see him working with Seth again, I’d be even happier to see him work with Jimmy and spice his material up a bit.

[@gllyflower]

@@SuperJNG18 Yeah another crappy thing to happen in this crappy year. I wish him well too!

[@nonyab5640]

How can you tell who wrote the sketches? It’s not in the description...

[@mocztenora]

I guess back in the day it was just called music. 😜

[@ad2168]

i’m a bassoon player. gotta be honest, i’m more concerned about how they had the budget to find a bassoon than the fact that it was played wrong

[@dudedude64]

Was there even a reed on that bassoon?

[@porkyfry]

haha! I noticed that too. Even cheap crappy bassoons are like, $10000?

[@morpheus6749]

@@porkyfry Nope. $1,200 on Amazon. Decent one, too.

[@trentmoore4216]

probably just a prop

[@stephanlarsen8169]

I love. Jimmy enjoyed the skit very much

[@foolishsamurai]

It's really killing me that there is a funky guitar playing casually while mr Beets introduces his entire orchestra 😂

[@mortenwintherolsson3237]

... with a microphone..

[@alexgosling5550]

Yeah and an electric organ too haha

[@TheBandYule]

Keenan as BB King quietly saying “thrill is gone” killed me

[@SuperJNG18]

That was a great touch.

[@MikeMeehan]

it could be the worst SNL sketch ever and a BB King reference will save it for me

[@timlynch5710]

Keenan as the token black guy plays the token black guy. This might be American, but it doesn't make it funny.

[@the3idiots14]

@@timlynch5710 Huh? Keenan is playing BB King in Beethoven’s orchestra which the two famously did not live in the same century or play the same style of music. That’s why it’s funny.

[@Research0digo]

@@MikeMeehan AMEN! Long live the king, Riley B King, who was raised by a white couple and his first (paying) job was as a blues DJ!

[@simonwoods7112]

I'm obsessed with their individual riffs on the Ode to Joy

[@HeavenestStCyr]

same, most were interesting in their own way

[@broncotrolly]

I like comedy and interesting things that create laughter inside my mouth

[@greigclement9081]

"His key is B flat and his wife B ugly...." oh snap !! LOL

[@wholeshebang1]

It’s not funny, it’s sexist.

[@stanleyhudson9928]

French horn is key of F tho

[@lucacecca5535]

@@wholeshebang1 shut up ahahahaha

[@wholeshebang1]

@@lucacecca5535 - Why are you so angry?

[@lucacecca5535]

@@wholeshebang1 coz it is not sexist at all, it's just funny

[@bondocgeronpauly.7594]

"That's mozart you son of a b***h" That kills me. 😂

[@mda1151]

Bill Hader was playing the flute in a VERY interesting way

[@parastararts]

M DA like Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull

[@ariaats2705]

Very iNtErStInG

[@imanemuru6786]

Agreeeeeeed.

[@nikacankar7124]

I agree, how can he make a sound???????????

[@joilisch]

That distracted me through the whole thing hahahah (and not just because he's handsome, bc yes) he's like playing bass on it, while blowing down into it??? Like look at his fingers, he's playing it like he would a bass, all rhythm xD

[@micawber7162]

"He's from Graz, and he loves to smoke it" That's one for us Austrians

[@oshino_meme]

Both things apply to me

[@gloriaval1944]

yay more Austrians!!

[@bernardpolicarpio651]

Good thing no one's from Fucking

[@Eastbridge2100]

Do they have good grass in Graz?

[@jegelsker975]

@@Eastbridge2100 nothing but

[@mikedanger2593]

"That's Mozart you son of a bitch!"

[@hughmcaloon6506]

I love how esoteric this sketch is, and how committed everyone was to it.

[@porkyfry]

Definitely written for people like me... and even I did not find it that funny. The "that's Mozart" line definitely made me lol, though.

[@alumpyhorse]

YES

[@commentcopbadge6665]

I love the word "esoteric".

[@jasoncirone4717]

as a music theory major 100 perecent approve

[@slyasleep]

@@commentcopbadge6665 even if it‘s out of place

[@csweet207]

How did I miss this gem for nearly a decade? I couldn't put it down.

[@alumpyhorse]

Asking myself the same thing. Fire, this

[@Jaguatiricaa]

I'm here for triangle Sally

[@werewindwolf]

I'm here for the horse. **snicker**

[@arunkumar-mb3tp]

welcome to the club..... ;-)

[@adventuretimegamer2253]

I'm here for the guy who raped my horse

[@beazek]

most epic character!! xD

[@gamerorp1684]

999th like

[@chriskurtz6707]

5:39 “thrill is gone”🤣 love that

[@lolitabridges1974]

I forgot how great this is and everybody in it. Fallon did a great job introducing everyone. He's in his element.

[@zuziaxd3476]

XD

[@IRex-wm9pd]

Its like he was in full Tonight Show mode already.

[@matthewwerenczak222]

Yeah because his laughing adds to the sketch for once, lol.

[@granthurlburt4062]

One of my favourite Fallon performances.

[@emmapolczyk1968]

"This next guy plays flute, both regular and skin - 'who said that!' Not me" 😂😂

[@TCt83067695]

i dont get it

[@tomaszskowronski1406]

its a penis joke

[@amsyarmalek7]

LOL I cracked myself out when Triangle Sally been introduced. Really didn't expect the character will be in this skit as well~ xD

[@laguvids]

LOL ... I watched this again and again just to see Triangle Sally and Bill Hader's character... what was his name again? :D

[@adamkane4217]

At 2:15 when he says "Oooooh da joy" is so good

[@beuxjmusic]

Almost thought this was an old clip, the amount of classic faces here! Also loving the cameo appearance by Triangle Sally, rather unexpected callback that cracked me up.

[@kaskar]

Beethoven introducing the band… so simple but yet genius. It takes some special genes to come up with that

[@anakinskywalker70]

genius is a strong word. To me this is just a bad snl sketch

[@kaskar]

@@anakinskywalker70 There seem to be something wrong with your account. You have no videos of skits funnier than this one posted?

[@anakinskywalker70]

@@kaskar stupid ass comment bro

[@METAL-ADDICT]

IDGAF what anyone says....THIS....was the ULTIMATE cast. Every single cast member was extremely talented and fit the show perfectly.

[@samstring6827]

This is one of my favourite SNL skit

[@avalon1108]

Just rewatched this to get my day started 😂😂

[@shakeandjake_1]

“Tighten Up” playing in the background is what makes this a Top 10 skit for me

[@tfpp1]

As a professionally trained classical musician (who knows that's "Tighten Up" playing in the background and loves that song), I've never laughed so hard!

[@DCGARR]

Recs to Archie Bell and the Drells!

[@gregb8565]

Yeah I’m with ya - how can you not love a band from Houston Texas

[@williamstanziano614]

Yeah I just put that together like "hmmm that guitar sounds familiar, wow that bass sounds really familiar... WAIT A SECOND"

[@bethwalker7428]

You're a professionally "train" "classical" musician?

[@azi_vasey9106]

Kristen dancing cracks me up every time !!

[@tylercox8915]

I love how everyone embellishes the melody and then the violist just plays the melody straight 😂

[@giacomozeitgeist7178]

Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis are such pros, they crack me up everytime :D

[@lolitabridges1974]

Their expressions were priceless and matched their characters perfectly.

[@thedarkness97]

That's great, but it needs more cowbell...

[@stahppls2293]

I'VE GOT A FEVER!!!

[@modemmack]

Danielle Balanga Oh no. That's a death sentence.

[@stahppls2293]

Iva AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS MORE COWBELL!

[@Adinator96WG]

I read it in the voice of christopher walken. :D

[@youkyouk7471]

Yeah ! Will Ferrell rocks ! Love from France !

[@zackowensby5676]

Gotta be one of the funniest all around SNL sketches I've ever seen

[@sarahsmith2583]

WTF IS A CELLO DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST VIOLINS????

[@assmane999]

MUSIC GEEK TEST!!!!

[@kylewhitehead1684]

The thing you should be asking is why is there only one of every instrument except for the violins? That's a horribly unbalanced orchestra. I'm beginning to think this guy's an impostor.

[@Celine-yv1bk]

Why is the first violin player in the middle? The most important first violin player should be in the front row way to the right :P and everyone doesn't make sense :P

[@s3dchr]

NEEEEEEEEEEEERDS!!!

[@Supertasticisaword]

No double bass ... :((

[@oscarsalazar5876]

Jimmy was always at his funniest with Horatio.

[@irenephillips1523]

Horatio looking good on this

[@LakeFX]

@@irenephillips1523 not anymore

[@MHLegacy]

(3:44) I love how after he insults the tuba player (cameo played by Fallon's good friend Horatio Sanz), he plays Mozart to burn him back. It seems like Fallon didn't know that would happen because after Fallon calls him on it, Sanz excitedly points like "you caught it!" Awesome, deep burn.

[@Daniel_Delayne]

All in the screenplay 🙄

[@mario0318]

You know it's not really Horatio playing the instrument. If it's not recorded it's one of the shows music band players off-screen. Thought the same thing but it was really just good acting on their part.

[@leporellothegoldfinch]

"Gawd, I am good at classical music" Hahaha, OMG 😆

[@photopoojaproduction]

Do you know what tune are they playing ?? Its so melodious.

[@PL1810]

I’m going through the comments answering this question, I have no idea why... Anyway “Tighten Up” from 1968 by Archie Bell and the Drells . A favorite of oldies soul and R and B radio stations which is where I heard it first . It really puts you in a good mood and makes you want to dance, I use it to get housework done sometimes.

[@joshlouie]

Imagine Beethoven and his orchestra in the 70's. 😁👍

[@MrCamp]

This whole thing is greatness.

[@amberts180]

Jimmy was a stunner. He's still good-looking.

[@davidmsirois]

this skit is so good... criminally underrated

[@colonelbuendias]

This comment section proves that knowing how to play a classical music instrument and having a sense of humor are mutually exclusive.

[@stahppls2293]

Ikr? I like twoset but thwy were insufferable about this

[@oliverk.8312]

exactly

[@BobbyLCollins]

Strongly disagree. You can still think this is hilarious while at the same time pointing out that tubas and saxophones didn't exist in 1824.

[@colonelbuendias]

@@BobbyLCollins You really are proving my point. Don't you understand? No one gives a shit. Shove your historically accurate fact and your mouthpiece down the tube, nerdy assface nobody wants to talk to at a party.

[@BobbyLCollins]

@@colonelbuendias You clearly give a shit, otherwise you wouldn't have replied, eh? Your reaction is wildly disproportionate to my comment. Consider psychiatric treatment.

[@zyblote8254]

Why would anyone dislike this sketch? It's so upbeat

[@zyblote8254]

Ah now I get it

[@huss1205]

here for the "Mozart" part...

[@mahusdekach252]

Triangle Sally just made my day....plus he's from grass and he likes to smoke it...that line killed me

[@junkboxxxxxx]

Graz, Austria

[@AlinaTimmer]

favorite SNL sketch of all time! I just love this!

[@katherined800]

Jimmy looks great with curls!

[@neub4321]

Super premise turned into a great, memorable skit.

[@joepalooka2145]

This gets my vote for one of the best written and best performed skits that Saturday Night Live has ever done. Brilliant! Jimmy Fallon was perfect.

[@rachelrachel9152]

I agree i only saw it for the first time this year but it's so good, packed with little moments, and the music is so good it puts you in a good mood

[@TiqueO6]

@@rachelrachel9152 If you’re talking about the music for this sketch it was “the tighten up” (combined with LVB's Ode to Joy) maybe by originally Archie Bell and the Drells?

[@gllyflower]

It's giving me Mulaney vibes, I wonder if it was written by him?

[@BillPelican]

I wasn't a big fan of Fallon before this, but I am after watching this. He aced it.

[@lissota4349]

That’s rigth

[@Reywalker786]

I like how the reference of the real Hitler being interested in music before his famous career went straight over most heads...

[@nightsitter]

This just makes me giggle. This is amazing

[@Soaptoaster]

Hugely underrated skit, love that it ran long and so it should have. How did I never see this one? Brava

[@drstrange629]

Fred’s anguished face😆😆

[@late8641]

Twoset should react to this 😂

[@JeyPiano]

This should be a top comment!

[@lisamarie8034]

YAAAAAAAAAASSSSS !!

[@clemensberninger8152]

Same thoughts

[@vollelektrolysierer5773]

During basson and oboe I (wrongfully) thought they had at least some professionals, but then... That will be the rosatiest roast yet to come

[@misikibharadwaz4857]

I was literally going to comment the same thing!!

[@paddawan_]

"Nein, which is a shame cause I think the title is a 10" and the Graz-Gras jokes, didn't expect that. Like it. Being Austrian I expected only Hitler jokes ^^

[@africanfartingfrog]

You got both this time

[@RPanz]

Fred Armisen @2:33 has been etched into my mind forever.

[@chowturtlezpabus]

Where the people not practising 40 hours a day

[@miyam9001]

Some non-twoset fan: "Last time I heard there were only 24 hours in a day!"

[@emmarodden7178]

How have I never seen this?! and a surprise triangle Sally cameo?? I’m actually crying

[@dpadams16]

One of the best skits to ever come out of SNL

[@TeoGrehan]

Rolf "The Hitman" Hitler LOL

[@NunoMigueI]

Let's hope he never has kids! Ha!

[@bernardpolicarpio651]

He did. Mr. HIEDLER MARRIED MS. SCHICKGRUBLER

[@josedavidalvarado22]

came here for triangle sally, wasn't disappointed.

[@stephandarnutzer5622]

"Let's all say goodbye to Franz Liemsch!" killed me🤣

[@bridgettejones4865]

She's a goddess.

[@doggiliciousgurl864]

TRIANGLE SALLY 😂😂😂

[@emilyzahora3330]

I saw Bill Hader and laughed for about 2 minutes straight. There’s something about his expression and that wig.

[@plinskijoshua]

"That's Mozart you son of bitch." Horatio Sanz laughs

[@prestonscott73]

Proof that Kenan has been there since the Baroque Period.

[@robdale88]

Probably the greatest SNL sketch ever ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@lauras3612]

Beethoven doing stand up with guest appearances by Triangle Sally and BB King. Love it!

[@atsomp]

The icing of our strudel! Rest in peace!

[@ENigma-um8zw]

I saw BB King in concert LIVE a handful of years before he passed away, with my dad in MN, and at the end people left but he came back out and I was up near stage and I got a guitar pick and I shook his hand with both hands and thanked him for all he’s done for blues and rock and guitar based music and I swear I leveled up like 10 points immediately that night, I still play my guitar every day and have for people perhaps have for some of you, but I hope to return to seeing and playing and enjoying live music when this pandemic is over and we can all enjoy communal shared activities like a live show! Peace and Love and Blessings to all of you

[@rahulkagdiyal8180]

Tuba is the musical answer to the fart...deep insight😂😂😂😂

[@vin44lopez]

Just love it when the beats start before few of the instruments complete. It's so pleasing to hear..don't know how many times I have seen this video.

[@jayspencer8893]

This was shockingly funny, Jimmy in that wig, the retro music - the facial expressions. So stupid it was actually funny.

[@JoseFaiqTorres]

Bill smirking in the background is funnier than the skit :D

[@laguvids]

LOL yup love him

[@randybailin4902]

Bobby Moynihan clearly has full command of that french horn.

[@luckystarpiano]

His cheeky smile after... so hilarious 😂😂

[@zorakj]

The energy and facial expressions were so good I barely mind all the inaccuracies.

[@gwen440]

I have never seen someone play a triangle with that much passion and sass hahahah and it was one note hahahh love it

[@rachelrachel9152]

she does that character in the worst of soul train video too, and i think at least one other time although i cant remember when

[@leob4403]

​@@rachelrachel9152she does it in the new jack thanksgiving sketch when jason segel hosts

[@aoifet]

2:04 That viola doesn't even have a chin rest

[@leporellothegoldfinch]

Ironically, that would historically accurate! The chin rest had only been invented in 1820, so it wouldn't yet have been in widespread use at the time the 9th symphony was premiered.

[@lingling8047]

Ikr

[@paper2222]

Leporello the Goldfinch - Birdtaming Tips & Tricks are you saying that people before 1820 had really strong chins?

[@danielbonaparte8420]

I never liked using a chin rest when playing the violin .. took away from feeling the vibrations on your shoulder

[@tajr.2650]

This is such a great sketch. Totes forgot about it. 😂

[@divainloveforever]

SIMPLY E X C E L L E N T!!!!!❤❤

[@lieslludik3336]

One of the best SNL skits ever...🤣

[@pppp-zp2vo]

who came here after twoset's new video?😀

[@shehannanayakkara4162]

Me, dunno why I decided to torture myself for 6 minutes lmao

[@gildaenguyen2740]

me

[@derekchan2737]

me. should've practiced instead of watching this mentally tormenting video

[@elmondmarianhalfmann7945]

Me

[@kleinwolkje203]

Me. Hi!

[@lissota4349]

The best sketch ever 😆

[@mlewandowska85]

I watch it more times than I can count

[@ewa2401]

It really disturbs me how Bill Hader imitates playing the flute, especially as he's in the shot all the time. Right hand a liitle higher and I'd be at peace again.

[@tsubakitarra37]

It really irritate me.. like a lot XD

[@linchen008]

That makes it even better!

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

It's a comedy show, so the people who made this sketch doesn't care if you're at peace or not

[@joilisch]

I played it for like 8 weeks when I was 9 (18 years ago) and I almost cried hahahha. He's not only holding it like a disaster, but the way he just rhythmically presses the same two keys makes me think he was like "ok I've no idea how this thing works, but I can however play bass, so I'll wing it.. can't be that different rite?"

[@declansb641]

did you see that embouchure too :\

[@THEcucufate]

damn this was like perfect. I've never seen a better natural looking unscripted skit. Were there cue cards or did he memorizes for a month cuz man that was just very organic

[@dennisbagwell667]

I've never seen that skit. Hilarious

[@joseluisalc]

Triangle Sally is one of the best characters in the history of SNL.

[@gamingsociety3684]

yes verdad

[@FrameDrumAndFlute]

Bill Hader is holding the flute like he's afraid he'll drop it.

[@missloveminded]

the music is lowkey catchy tho

[@davidquintanilla3267]

It’s Tighten up by Archie bell and the drells

[@robertc2447]

Not one of their best liked sketches but i rly like it for some reason, super chill :D

[@KduBorges1]

I think Jimmy is better acting than impersonating someone else.

[@VanisleGirl1961]

How have I never seen this?!! It's epic.

[@Idolikethis]

such a classic!!!!!!! I fell in love with Triangle sally and then Kristen wiig

[@lochgoinfanclub]

I want that backing track

[@babysuri6294]

+lochgoinfanclub If u find out what its called tell me please!

[@TCt83067695]

we all do

[@ichingtsai8136]

Tighten up By Archie Bell and The Drells

[@L.D.9]

at 3:35 you can tell that bill hader is holding the laughter.

[@dvdjazz1]

Who's here for the 200th anniversary of this momentous occasion

[@jg5670]

Here! Happy Anniversary to Ode to Joy!

[@skymorawe3734]

That hitler joke was underrated.

[@proggerjohn]

It was the best joke in the sketch!

[@leosmithonbass]

nobody really understood how yiddish that clarinet riff sounded. oy...

[@luckystarpiano]

Especially because of his klezmer style playing ☺️

[@letsuploadfunthings]

4:53 that's gotta be time-machined zombie Triangle Sally 😁

[@Gueli]

Keenan as BB King was hilarious

[@shenitahampton7301]

Thrill is gone 🎵🎶

[@form3138]

The writing in this 🙌

[@jamzam9807]

I like how the bassoon doesn’t even have a reed 😂