The finale of the long-running stand-up staple Comedy Club is scheduled to air on September 20 at 21:00. This departure marks the end of an era for a program that has punctuated many evenings with quick wit, bold humor, and a revolving door of guest stars. Over the years the show has become a staple of late-night entertainment for audiences across North America, including Canada and the United States, with clips and performances lending it a global reach online. The closing episode is framed as a culmination of countless hours of backstage improvisation, fearless personalities, and the distinctive energy that defined the series from its early days and kept fans coming back season after season.
Garik Kharlamov delivered the news in a direct, unmistakable voice, stating that Comedy Club is closing and that the final episode would inaugurate the last act of the series. The moment was presented as a clear turning point for the ensemble and the viewers who have followed their work through the years. “Comedy Club is closed”, he declared, signaling a definitive end to a chapter that had become a touchstone for many comics and fans alike. The final run would begin with this farewell, setting the stage for a night of reflection, humor, and tribute to the show’s enduring legacy.
The guest lineup for the finale reads like a cross-section of the club’s broad influence. Olga Malashchenko, Bella Malu, and Karina Meikhanadzhyan from Women’s Stand-Up are joined by Azamat Musagaliev, Denis Dorokhov, and Yana Koshkina from Once Upon a Time in Russia. TV host Dmitry Dibrov and actress Natalya Gavriil are also on the roster, alongside former club resident Bochkareva and producer Gordeev. Arthur Janibekyan, the general producer of Comedy Club, will be on hand as well. This diverse slate showcases the show’s role as a launchpad for comedic talent across formats, from stand-up to sketch and television appearances, and underlines its status as a cultural touchstone for multiple generations of viewers.
Varvara Shcherbakova, who launched her later career after graduation and later appeared in the series Improvisation, offered a lighthearted nod to endings. “After graduation, I starred in the series Improvisation, which was closed. So excuse me for coming here today”, she quipped, acknowledging the carousel-like nature of show business and the way familiar faces circle back for one last appearance when a long-running project ends. Her remark captures the mixture of nostalgia and humor that often accompanies farewells in the entertainment world.
The finale will also feature Yulia Menshova conducting a farewell interview with the club residents on stage. This on-stage conversation is designed to capture the history of Comedy Club, the friendships formed in its orbit, and the impact the program has had on performers and audiences alike. Moments of reflection such as these are a cherished tradition in longstanding series, allowing fans to linger on the journey and the personalities who defined the show over the years.
Across twenty television seasons, Comedy Club has delivered more than eight hundred original broadcasts, earned two TEFI awards, and performed in thousands of live shows in cities around the world. Those numbers underscore the program’s resilience, wide appeal, and the lasting imprint it has left on the comedy landscape. The end of the series marks a notable transition in the entertainment scene, even as its influence will likely continue to be felt in future projects and new generations of performers who cut their teeth on its stages.
A note from the broader media landscape hints at how the industry continues to evolve, as figures such as Vladimir Pozner had reportedly declined a return to Channel One. This context highlights the shifting opportunities and choices faced by leading personalities in television, framing Comedy Club’s closing as a milestone within a dynamic ecosystem that keeps reinventing how humor is produced and consumed.