Fans remember the Russian-born funnyman’s Cold War comedy from the ‘80s – he even starred in his own, short-lived sitcom, What a Country! Yakov Smirnoff went on to become the king of entertainment in Branson and even a psychology professor at Missouri State University and Drury University. And he’s still a regular in the comedy club circuit; listen to Smirnoff on an excellent 2013 episode of Marc Maron’s WTF podcast in which he breaks down the art of Russian joke-telling and his early stand-up days in L.A. in the ‘70s. In this touring one-man show, Smirnoff looks at the effects of laughter on relationships – a perfect Valentine’s Eve idea.

Fri., Feb. 13, 8-9 p.m., 2015
(Expired: 02/13/15)

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.