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