Saturday Night Live Transcripts
Season 1: Episode 6
Beetoven I
Beethoven…John Belushi
Beethoven’s Wife…Gilda Radner
Frieda…Laraine Newman
[Open on a close-up of Ludwig von Beethoven’s hands as he plays somber music on the piano. Dissolve to shot of Beethoven sitting at the piano. The camera zooms out to show his wife arranging the flowers in the vase on the piano. Beethoven pauses and uses a quill to write on the music sheet in front of him. Frieda enters with a tray of food]
Frieda: I brought your husband’s dinner, Mrs. Beethoven.
Beethoven’s Wife: Oh, Frieda, I’m so worried about him. He’s been working so hard. He hasn’t eaten for days. Look, he hasn’t even touched his breakfast. [Beethoven resumes playing] Ludwig, you must eat. [She taps Beethoven on the cheek]
Beethoven: [Stops playing and turns to wife] Good morning! Nice to see you! [Resumes playing]
Beethoven’s Wife and Frieda: [Putting their hands to their cheeks] Ugh! [Both exit. SFX: Door closing]
[After the door closes, Beethoven pauses for a second, then begins playing much brighter notes. He listens to his playing for a moment, then nods his head to indicate he likes what he hears. He suddenly begins playing “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Old Oak Tree.”]
[Applause and fade]
Submitted by: John Ravetti
Air Date:
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