Garik Kharlamov, known for his sharp wit and lively stage presence, opened up on the program Meanwhile about the challenges he faces with the 24-hour clock. The comedian explained that his struggle stems from years spent in the United States, where the 12-hour time format is the norm. After adapting to that system, he finds it difficult to switch back. He joked that the confusion goes both ways, noting that phrases like 5:30 am can be hard to parse for someone trained abroad in a different convention. His friends in comedy, Azamat Musagaliev and Denis Dorokhov, teased him, suggesting the whole thing is simply a matter of not committing to the new time format.
Kharlamov has long talked about the habits that travel and living abroad can imprint on a person. He recalled spending a portion of his youth in the United States, where his father lived, and described how that period shaped his sense of time. He began his formal studies at the Harendt Theater School at age fourteen, a formative chapter that would set the course for his later work in television and live performance. During that time his mentor was Billy Zane, the American actor whose presence left a lasting impression on the young artist. At eighteen, Kharlamov returned to Russia, carrying with him experiences that would later flavor his humor and stage persona.
In a separate moment of backstage chatter, comedian Ilya Sobolev claimed that he once lost a substantial amount of money because Kharlamov did not attend a crew shoot for a series to which the humorist had been invited. Kharlamov has said little about the incident since, leaving room for interpretation and memory to fill the gaps. Observers note that such stories shine a light on the camaraderie and occasional miscommunications that thread through the entertainment world. The discussion around time zones, travel, and professional commitments underscores how global careers can complicate everyday routines while also enriching a comedian’s repertoire and storytelling voice. Overall, Kharlamov’s reflections reveal a performer who navigates travel, language, and culture with a candid, sometimes humorous, perspective, inviting audiences to consider how time itself shapes creativity and daily life.