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

“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.

The fun begins on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 11:00am with a parking lot party at the Branson Star Theatre. Activities include free outside entertainment, “Dollar Dogs,” vendors, inflatables, games and prizes.

At 3:00pm, the Branson Gives BIG Benefit Show will be held inside the theatre with an all-star cast featuring many of Branson’s top entertainers such as The Lennon Sisters, Jim Stafford, Gail Lennon, Jim Barber & Dave Hamner, The Hughes Brothers, Doug Gabriel, Delena Ditto, David Lomoscola, The Branson Divas, Red-Kneckers, and cast members of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.”

Tickets for the benefit show are $20.oo and can be purchased at the Branson Star Theatre box office at 417-334-7131 or online at ticketmaster.com.

Angela Walker, one of the event organizers commented, “Let’s face it; the people who have been affected by these floods in the Midwest are our neighbors and our customers. I have lived in Branson for over 20 years and have not seen such devastation as I have seen in the last few weeks. As a community, Branson is always willing to help in a crisis, and our neighbors need us now. I challenge everyone in Branson to show your neighbors what all of us here already know, BRANSON GIVES BIG!”

Additional information on the event can be found here.

Related Websites: Branson Star Theatre, American Red Cross

Branson entertainers, Dave Hamner and Jim Barber will be among the panel of judges for the 2008 American Kids National Finals at the Baldknobber’s Theater in Branson, July 14 – 18.  Young entertainers from across the Midwest will compete for thousands of dollars in cash in prizes and the hopes of winning the title of Performer of the Year.

Founded 26 years ago by Dr. Dale Smith, the not-for-profit American Kids, Inc. has given thousands of talented kids from across the country performance opportunities that not only help them develop as performers, but as well rounded individuals.  Several alumni kids have gone on to forge successful careers in Branson, New York, and Nashville including Blake Shelton, Kristin Chenowith and Bryan White.

Other notable judges on the panel for the 2008 National Finals include Tyree McLyn, casting producer for “America’s Got Talent;” Jason Pritchett, 2007 “America’s Got Talent” finalist; Barbara Fairchild, Grammy nominated singer and performer; Jason Yeager, 2008 American Idol finalist; Casey Ellison and Cole Currier from the Pierce Arrow Show; Opera sensation, Merideth Mizell; Gary Paxton, Grammy winner song writer, and Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles George Harrison and developer of the Liverpool Legends.

On Tuesday, July 15th some of the national finalists will be showcased in a pre-show at the Hamner Barber Theater at approximately 7:10pm, with additional showcases at various other theaters throughout the week.

Related Websites: AmericanKids.com