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!

read more | digg story

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.

read more | digg story

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