Mikhail Zadornov

Writing

Biography

Soviet and Russian satirist, playwright, humorist, actor, also known as the author of hypotheses in the field of the etymology of Russian words and the history of Slavs, which are sharply criticized by the scientific community. Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize (1975). Member of the Writers' Union of Russia. Author of over ten books; Zadornov's works include lyric and satirical stories, humoresques, essays, travel notes and plays. Son of the writer Nikolay Zadornov (1909-1992). According to a VTsIOM poll published on April 1, 2019, Mikhail Zadornov ranked first among the beloved comedians of Russians.

Known For

6.7

KVN is a Russian humour TV show and competition where teams compete by giving funny answers to questions and showing prepared sketches. The programme was first aired by the First Soviet Channel on November 8, 1961. Eleven years later, in 1972, when few programmes were being broadcast live, Soviet censors found the students' impromptu jokes offensive and anti-Soviet and banned KVN. The show was revived fourteen years later during the Perestroika era in 1986, with Alexander Maslyakov as its host. It is one of the longest-running TV programmes on Russian Television. It also has its own holiday on November 8, the birthday of the game, which KVN players celebrate every year since it was announced and widely celebrated for the first time in 2001.