Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Branson funnyman Yakov Smirnoff hopes that some time spent in University of Missouri classrooms will provide fodder for an upcoming TV sitcom.
The Columbia Daily Tribune (bit.ly/1pYoUL3 ) reports that Smirnoff is scheduled to visit Columbia and observe classes focused on relationships as research for a new series under development.
The Russian-born comic says "Happily Ever Laughter" is being produced by the company behind such TV hits as "The Cosby Show," ''That '70s Show" and "Roseanne." Smirnoff portrays a Midwestern comedian who is also a college professor and marriage counselor.
Smirnoff's official biography says he has taught part-time at Missouri State University and Drury University in Springfield. He also has a master's degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
___
Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
