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Music Video 2008 2 min

The Muppets: Ode to Joy

MusicComedyFamily

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Synopsis

Six versions of Beaker take on Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" across a split screen, armed with a violin, timbales, and a metronome — and with the only vocal register the Muppets' most put-upon assistant has ever managed: "Meemeee." Order holds for roughly as long as you'd expect.

Context & Trivia

This Muppets music video, starring Beaker, was released in 2008 and quickly gained online popularity. In it, six Beakers perform the number: one on violin, one on timpani, one keeping time with the metronome, and three vocalists, all replacing the lyrics with extended "Meemeee"-ing. Beaker's rendition of "Ode to Joy" has become a viral classic, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Muppets and the character's physical comedy. The video was nominated in the Music category of the 2009 Webby Awards, as well as for the 'People's Voice' award, ultimately winning the Webby Award.

Puppeteers

Steve Whitmire

Voices

Steve Whitmire

Puppet companies

The Muppets Studio

Direction

Matthew W. Davis, Christopher Alender

Cast

Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz

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