Listen "Yakov Smirnoff"
Episode Synopsis
Who knew Russians had such a great sense of humor?
Well, few Americans thought so, until the 1980s, when the young Russian-born Yakov Smirnoff burst onto the scene.
When he arrived here in 1977 from Ukraine, Smirnoff actually spoke no English.
But quickly he was able to turn his foreigner’s naivete into a very successful comedy act.
In 1987, with Smirnoff's popularity nearing its peak -- and just before a visit to the U.S. by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- Smirnoff went on a book tour to promote a hilarious book he call America on Six Rubles A Day.
Well, few Americans thought so, until the 1980s, when the young Russian-born Yakov Smirnoff burst onto the scene.
When he arrived here in 1977 from Ukraine, Smirnoff actually spoke no English.
But quickly he was able to turn his foreigner’s naivete into a very successful comedy act.
In 1987, with Smirnoff's popularity nearing its peak -- and just before a visit to the U.S. by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- Smirnoff went on a book tour to promote a hilarious book he call America on Six Rubles A Day.
More episodes of the podcast Now I've Heard Everything
The Legacy of Comedy Pioneer Sid Caesar
09/01/2026
Memoirs Of Two Hollywood Legends
27/11/2025
How Peter Jennings Changed Network TV News
17/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.