Ylvis on 'Today': 'What Does the Fox Say?' Duo Reveal Joke Gone Wrong

On Friday's "Today" show, Norwegian pop duo Ylvis, a YouTube sensation with the bouncy "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" revealed they never imagined the single would become so popular.

Brothers Bard Ylvisaker, 31, and Vegard Ylvisaker, 34, told “Today” they were aiming for an “anti-hit” instead of the success they've seen with 100 million YouTube views and appearances on high-profile shows such as “Today” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

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But their joke "backfired" and the track, produced by Stargate — a duo that created hits for artists such as Rihanna and Wiz Khalifa — took off after it was posted in September.

“From a comedian’s perspective, it would be much more fun if we misused their talents,” Bard told the New York Times. “We go make that song, we come back to our talk show and we say, ‘Sorry, guys.’ ”

Instead they are under a global spotlight and have performed on a bill with such artists as Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus.

The brothers, who wear furry costumes when performing the hit song, are known funnymen in their country where they host their own comedy talk show.

But all of the attention requires them to travel, leaving behind their wives and children and television show. “We tried to push all our work on our colleagues,” Bard said.

So, pray tell, exactly what is the fox saying?

“It turns out the fox is very individual,” Vergard told "Today." “We cover the whole spectrum.”



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