Jim Barber Yuks it up with Yakov!

Hamner Barber Variety Show co-star, Jim Barber and his wife Diane Barber, will appear as guests on the new Yakov Smirnoff TV Talk Show which was recently taped at the comedians theater in Branson.

The Barber's were invited to be part of the show to discuss their unique relationship and to provide insight into the needs of men and women in relationships.

Here is the official press release regarding the show...

New Yakov Smirnoff TV Talk Show


"Law & Order" Pre-empted for "Love & Laughter"
Yakov Smirnoff's New TV Talk Show to Air on KY-3


Branson, MO (Thursday, November 13, 2008)

Yakov Smirnoff announced today that his new TV Talk Show pilot will air on KY-3 TV on Saturday, November 22 at 9:00 pm.

Yakov's guests for this episode are ventriloquist & comedian Jim Barber and his wife Diane; author Willard Harley who wrote the book "His Needs, Her Needs;" and an amazing couple, Ray & Irma Ziff, who have been married for over 75 years.

"My new TV talk show is a cross between Dr. Phil and Ellen, where it's a lot of entertainment and a little bit of information, so you can learn and laugh your Yak-Off," says Yakov. "My guests were great fun and an inspiration to us all. Tune in on the 22nd and you'll find out why Law & Order got pre-empted for Love & Laughter!"


Yakov says, "I had the idea to create a television show nearly 10 years ago. Since then it has really evolved into a new type of talk show--one that's focusing on the important role that laughter plays in healthy relationships."

Along with his own special brand of comedy, this pilot episode features Yakov discussing Jim Barber's unique relationship with his puppets as well as his wife. Yakov also delves into relationships during a segment called, "Yakking with Yakov on a Yacht." During the show audience members interact with best-selling Christian author Dr. Willard Harley. His book "His Needs, Her Needs" provided plenty of animated discussion followed by a hilarious and heart-warming interview with the Ziffs, who recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary and were featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Yakov earned his Master's Degree in Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is an adjunct professor at Missouri State and Drury
Universities. The television show has evolved from some of the concepts introduced to his students as well as seminars he has conducted around the world for the past five years.

Yakov asks viewers to visit LoveAndLaughter.com to provide comments on the TV show and to become a part of his Love and Laughter community.


In addition to airing on November 22 at 9:00 pm, the pilot of The Yakov Smirnoff Show will air again on KY-3 on Sunday, November 23 at 1:00 pm.

Yakov arrived in the United States in 1977 with less than $100. In the years that followed, he has found success as a comedian and has come to embrace his new country with contagious optimism. He moved to Branson in 1993, and along with his successful Branson show at his own theater, has continued to amass accomplishments including books, CD's, movies, TV appearances, a successful Broadway show As Long As We Both Shall Laugh, and is currently working on a humorous self-help book. Yakov is a featured writer for AARP magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine with a distribution of 39 million. Yakov gives readers advice (and a few laughs) in his column titled, "Happily Ever Laughter."


*Law & Order fans alert…The Yakov Smirnoff Show is only running this Saturday, visit www.KY3.com to see their program schedule.


Contact
Amy Hietter, marketing@yakov.com, 417-336-3838 ext 276
Cindy Merry, tomerrys@interlinc.net, 417-739-4925

Wings of Christmas Takes Flight November 1st.

The fifth season of the Hamner Barber holiday production, The Wings of Christmas, opens on November 1, 2008 in Branson, Missouri. This will be the biggest version of the show yet with new, original illusions, great comedy and a special tribute to our beloved American Veterans. Make plans now, to visit Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson!

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Visit: WingsOfChristmas.com

Branson Meets Broadway in Hutchinson, Kansas ??

The Flag Theatre is proud to present Jim Barber. Live on stage for one night only January 3o, 2009 at 7:30pm. Audiences everywhere are singing the praises of Jim Barber, a versatile ventriloquist who is turning heads with his unforgettable show. Direct from the Hamner Barber Theater in Branson, Missouri don't miss this hilarious evening of fun.

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Join The Hamner Barber Newsletter!

It's NEW and IMPROVED! Get on board and sign up for our new edition of the Hamner Barber Newsletter. It's FREE and FUN! Be the first to know about all the news at the theater and who the latest guests on Jim and Dave's Branson Webcast Show will be. From time to time, we'll send out special offers and discounts that are ONLY AVAILABLE TO LIST MEMBERS!

Do it NOW! Click HERE to sign up!

Please watch this documentary!

This week I received a DVD in the mail titled "Obsession - Radical Islam's War Against The West." The documentary made me aware of things that I hadn't realized about Islam as a religion and the importance for Americans and Peace-Loving people around the world to be informed about the growing danger of Radical hatred.

As a comedian, I try to view the world as a fun and safe place to live, but as a husband and father, this film pulled my blinders off and forced me to look at the unbelievable events that are unfolding on our planet. Watch this film!

Obsession is a must see documentary about Radical Islam’s war against the west. Using images from Arab TV, rarely seen in the West, Obsession reveals an ‘insider's view' of the hatred the Radicals are teaching, their incitement of global jihad, and their goal of world domination.

With the help of experts, including first-hand accounts from a former PLO terrorist, a Nazi youth commander, and the daughter of a martyred guerilla leader, the film shows, clearly, that the threat is real.

A peaceful religion is being hijacked by a dangerous foe, who seeks to destroy the shared values we stand for. The world should be very concerned.

View The Trailer

Getting His Fill of the Future

I couldn't resist posting this ad from the October 13, 2008 issue of People Magazine. It wasn't the "Barber Foods" brand that I first noticed, rather my old pal Craig Anton as the Refrigerator Comatose guy looking for comfort food.

Craig and I used to tour the college circuit as comedians, and performed together on a few occasions. We both were working with the Kramer Agency out of Grand Rapids, Michigan at the time. Since then, Craig has gone on to great success in many television commercials, films and tv sitcoms, including a leading role in Disney's huge hit series, "Phil of the Future."

I identify with the ad as I usually "assume the refrigerator position" when I return home from the theater each night. Great job Craig and thank you Barber Foods... wish I was related so I could get a family discount on your stuffed chicken breasts!

Visit: Craig Anton's Comedy Academy, BarberFoods.com, RefrigeratorComa.com

Western Swing Music... Gotta Love It!

I fell in love with western swing music back in the 80's when I bought an album by The Red Willow Band which featured my friend Kenny Putnam who played fiddle for many years with Roy Clark and on TV's "Hee Haw" show.

Many years later I had the pleasure of being the opening act for one of the most famous western swing groups in the country, Asleep At The Wheel. We worked a two-week run at Asquaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino in Sparks, Nevada.

In 2007, Dave Hamner and I were thrilled to announce that Ricky Boen and Texas Mud had agreed to be our morning show at the Hamner Barber Theater. They perform at 10am, Monday thru Friday and are quickly becoming the hottest morning show in Branson. They are my favorite of all the Western Swing Groups I've had a chance to work with over the years, and I know you'll love them too. You'll also enjoy the hilarious comedy of Branson's only female comedian, Miss Ida Clare! Here is their latest promotional video.

Meet our fantastic morning show, Ricky Boen & Texas Mud.
Western Swing Music, Done Right!



Visit: TexasMud.com

Juice Will Flow! 10th Annual Fall Festival and Grape Stomp.

Hollister, Missouri's historic Downing Street has welcomed thousands of visitors for years for a grape-stomping good time! This year’s festival is going to be fun-filled and action-packed and features entertainment by SIX, Red Kneckers and The American Kids with comedian Jim Barber once again acting as MC for the juiciest stomp yet. Read more...

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Brian and Katie's Evolution of Wedding Dance

This was sent to me by a friend, and it really made me laugh and recollect on my own wedding to Diane 23 years ago. If we had thought of it, I think we would have had a dance something like this...

"Island Fire" Flares as Samoan Parliament Member is Arrested

The honorable Hans Joachim Keil, a member of the Parliament of Samoa who was instrumental in bringing the popular "Island Fire" Polynesian Show to Branson, Missouri has been arrested on immigration charges. The show shares the history, culture, and traditions of Polynesia and Samoa and has been a positive link between the US and Samoan countries.

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Help TripAdvisor Decide How to Donate $1 Million

TripAdvisor.com is donating $1 million to five great causes and letting the public decide how the money gets split up. What a cool idea!

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Hamner Barber - Student Travel Choice

AdventureStudentTravel.com is a great website for information on Student Travel opportunities around the world. Branson, Missouri is one of the top student travel destinations and the Hamner Barber Variety Show is quickly becoming one of the favorite things to do during their visit.

Watch the video below to hear more about their recommended things to do in Branson, and watch for a cameo appearance by our own Jim Barber when the video host Serenity mentions "comedians that will make you laugh so hard, you'll forget what you paid 'em."

Powerful Message to Mr. Obama...

Longtime Branson mayor Lou Schaefer dies at 80

Lou Schaefer, a longtime Branson mayor credited with bringing unprecedented growth to the city, died Tuesday. Schaefer held the record for most consecutive terms as Branson mayor. His six, two-year terms spanned from 1995 to 2007. From 2004-2007, Branson saw its single largest period of growth, with new construction totaling about $583 million.

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Hamner and Barber On The World Wide Web

There are several places you can find out more information on everything happening at the Hamner Barber Theater. Please visit the sites listed below.

Hamner Barber Theater
The Official Website of the Hamner Barber Theater. Order show tickets online and select your seats from a variety of suggested locations in the theater. Purchase Hamner Barber DVD's and other magical products from the gift shop. Preview several video clips from the show and read more about the cast members. There is also a history of the Hamner Barber Theater that describes all the performers who have had their own shows in the theater through the years.

The Wings of Christmas
A new site now in development to promote this wonderful holiday production featuring the best of the Hamner Barber Variety Show in the first half, and lots of Christmas spirit in the second. Playing November and December during Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson.

BransonWebcast.com
Dave Hamner and Jim Barber host this weekly interview show featuring local celebrities and interesting personalities from the Branson area. Be sure to subscribe to the email list to be automatically informed of each new guest.

GospelSunday.com
The official website for Dave Hamner's Branson Gospel Sunday Service. New Sermons are posted online each week. Services are held each Sunday at 10:00am at the Hamner Barber Theater and features guest singers with inspirational music. The service is free to the public and inter-denominational.

JimBarber.com
The official website for comedian, ventriloquist Jim Barber. The biography pages offer some interesting information about Jim that you may not have known. His annual performance schedule is listed as well.

Jim Barber's Blog
Jim posts interesting articles and information related to Branson and the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

Jim Barber & Seville
This site includes many articles and video clips related to Jim Barber's unique act, The Barber and Seville.

YouTube - BransonMagic
Includes several videos related to the Hamner Barber Variety Show.

YouTube - BarberMedia
Includes several video produced by Jim Barber.

YouTube - BransonWebcast
Includes video interviews from BransonWebcast.com

Indian-theme amphitheater proposed in Mitchell, South Dakota

A plan to create a 3,000-seat amphitheater and American Indian cultural center in the heart of South Dakota has been unveiled to the Mitchell City Council. The venue would offer a Branson style entertainment complex that would promote tourism and Indian culture by hosting numerous summer events say visionaries Paul LaRoche and Gordon Thomsen...

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New Wizard of Oz Film has Branson, Missouri Connection

On film, stage and print, the Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is without a doubt, the most beloved children’s classic of all time. Roger S. Baum, continues the legacy started by his great-grandfather over 100 years ago by authoring more than 10 new Oz adventures. Alpine Pictures is producing an animated film from one of Roger's books, Dorothy of Oz.

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Jumpin' Catfish! Arkansas Teenager kisses Carp at 40 MPH.

Here's a fishing tale that packs a wallop so strong it broke the jaw of a southeastern Arkansas teen and covered him in fish blood and guts.

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Branson’s Review Magazine Celebrates 20 Years

Branson’s Review Magazine has been in publication for 20 years, bringing the good news of Branson to subscribers all over the world through it’s Magazine and periodic Bulletin. It’s a great magazine that focuses heavily on design and quality content with very little advertising. Subscribe online at: www.BransonsReview.com

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Incredible Barack Obama impersonator... Pete Peterkin!

Meet an incredible entertainer that I've had the pleasure of performing with in Los Angeles. Pete Peterkin makes his TV DEBUT as BARACK OBAMA on LA's highly rated KTLA (CW)morning show. Also features Sam Rubin Eric Spillman & Gayle Anderson. For more info on Pete and the Many Characters Of Pete Peterkin go petepeterkin.com

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Students Play among the Stars in Branson

Here's a great article about the many performance and music workshop opportunities for student groups and their families who travel to Branson. The Hamner Barber Theater has hosted many student choir, band and dance groups who perform before the main show and often times have a private meet and greet session with the Stars of the Hamner Barber Variety Show afterwords. Our morning show Ricky Boen & Texas Mud offers the same activity to groups looking for a way to showcase their performance skills. It's a great way to experience a professional theatre environment, while having fun at the same time.

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Branson Christian News Delivers Hamner Barber

In 2007, Branson Christian News named the Hamner Barber Show as their pick for “Best Variety Show in Branson.” In 2008 and 2009 they are driving their opinion home by featuring a clever promotional ad on the side of their new delivery van.

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Best Place to Say I Do? Branson, Missouri!

If you are planning on getting married, you definitely need to consider Branson as an ideal wedding and honeymoon location all in one spot. With mild weather year-round, Branson Missouri is a great place for holding the event and reception that follows. When attending a show before or after the wedding, be sure to leave a note at the box office when purchasing your tickets letting the stars know you are Newlyweds and they just may make your evening even more memorable. Follow the link for more Branson wedding ideas...

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The Art of Magic, Reza Style.

Meet an outstanding young illusionist whose career is quickly levitating to the top of his field… Magic Reza. He experienced early career opportunities performing in Branson, and is now touring the country with his own magical production show. His fresh, cutting-edge approach to magic has proven very popular...

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Giant Butterflies Invade Branson, Missouri

It's all for a great cause. Pick your favorite butterfly and support Branson's Christian Action Ministries...

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Fly to Branson on a Solar Powered Plane?

Don't expect to book this years trip to Branson on a solar-powered airplane, but this is an exciting step towards that possibility. The new Branson International Airport opens in the Spring of 2009 and I think it would be very cool to see this 100% green, lean flying machine make a landing for the grand opening.

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5th Annual Branson Critic Awards

Branson Critic Online Magazine, The Fan’s Site, is currently accepting votes for the 5th Annual Branson Critic Awards.Award winners are determined solely by the number of qualified votes from fans and entitle the winners to include their award(s) in future promotional material.The Hamner Barber Variety Show has won a Branson Critic Award in the past, and we sure wouldn't mind having the pleasure again! (hint hint). Read more about it, and cast your votes today...

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Take in magic, music, comedy and critters | Hamner Barber

From the Springfield News Leader - Named the Best Variety Show in Branson in 2007, the Hamner-Barber Variety show features award-winning illusionists Dave and Denise Hamner (pictured) and International Ventriloquist of the Year Jim Barber. The Hamner-Barber Variety Show plays at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday at the Hamner-Barber Theatre. Visit: www.HamnerBarber.com

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It's A Gas... Heat Map of US Fuel Prices

Check out this cool, color coded map that monitors the "temperature" of rising fuel costs across the country. Southwest Missouri ranks among the lowest gas prices in the Nation as of this posting. I guess Branson, Missouri really is one of the most economical places to visit for vacation by car or motorcoach.

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Cheech and Chong: Still Smokin'

I remember the first time I heard Cheech & Chong. I was in Junior High and it was in my friend Brad Blumenthal's house in Rapid City, SD. We closed the door so his mom wouldn't hear us laughing so hard. Cheech & Chong, the iconic stoner comedy team who began their career on the stand-up circuit nearly 40 years ago. Breaking up in 1985 citing creative differences, they've waged a contentious feud ever since. But Cheech Marin, 62, and Tommy Chong, 70, have reconciled and are about to embark on their first comedy tour in more than 25 years. Everything goes round in "smoke" circles...

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Branson Gives BIG to Midwest Storm Victims

Branson Gives BIG, is an event to raise money for families who were recently devastated by tornados and floods in the Midwest. Produced by the management, staff and entertainers of the Branson Star Theatre, proceeds from the event will go directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

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Free Branson Toolbar - Get Celebrity Interviews, News & More

Download the free, BransonWebcast.com Toolbar and turn your browser on to the latest happenings in the Live Entertainment Capital of the World... Branson, Missouri. Includes the fantastic Branson.com Toolbar for even more interactivity.

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The Coolest Cats in Branson - The Original Comets

A true pioneer in the world of Rock and Roll, Marshall Lytle is an original member of the world famous Bill Haley and the Comets and esteemed member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. The Comets recorded their #1 smash hit song “Rock Around The Clock” in 1954 and forever changed popular music around the world.

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