Maslyakov Alexander Vasilievich years of imprisonment. Biography

Biography

In the photo, KVN TV presenter Alexander Maslyakov

Childhood and youth

A television

KVN

Starting his career back in his student years, Maslyakov was incredibly popular among Soviet youth. In addition to his main activities, he reported. On duty, he attended various international festivals in Sofia, Berlin, Pyongyang and other cities. For several years he was the host of the international festival in Sochi.

In addition to the famous program, Maslyakov was active on television. He led such projects as “Song of the Year”, “Alexander - Show”. And in the nineties, he led a massive informal movement, which involved not only Russian students, but also residents of the CIS countries. Under the leadership of Alexander, tournaments were created, most of which today have international status.

In 1974, precisely during the period when KVN was closed, Alexander Maslyakov was arrested for illegal currency transactions. The time limit was short. And just a few months after the arrest, the presenter was released. However, there is no exact confirmation that there was such a period in the biography of the TV star. This version is contradicted by the fact that in the Soviet Union it was almost impossible for a person with a criminal past to appear on television again.

The reason for the closure of the program in 1971 is still completely unknown. In the seventies, rumors circulated throughout the country that the arrest of the presenter was the reason for this sad event. However, according to Maslyakov’s memoirs, the show was banned due to the fact that censorship workers suspected a parody of Karl Marx in the external image of some of the program participants. Alexander Maslyakov hardly looked like the German philosopher in appearance. Team members, on the contrary, could appear on stage from time to time in the form of mustachioed bearded men, if the plot required it. One way or another, there is no exact information about the reasons for the closure of KVN.

Personal life

Alexander Vasilievich Maslyakov. Born on November 24, 1941 in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg). Soviet and Russian TV presenter, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (1994), long-time presenter of KVN.

Alexander Maslyakov: biography

Maslyakov Alexander Vasilievich was born in the capital of the Urals in 1941. Father Vasily Maslyakov served as a military pilot, fought during the Great Patriotic War, and after that was on the General Staff of the Air Force. Sasha’s mother Zinaida Alekseevna was involved in raising Sasha. Interestingly, four generations of the Maslyakovs were called Vasily, and only Zinaida Alekseevna decided to break this family tradition by naming her son Alexander.

After graduating from school, the young man entered the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers (MIIT), which he successfully graduated in 1966. In childhood and adolescence, the future star of Russian television did not even think about becoming famous.

After graduating from university, Maslyakov initially worked in his specialty, but later decided to retrain as a journalist. From 1969 to 1976, Maslyakov worked as a senior editor in the Main Editorial Office of Programs for Youth, and after that as a special correspondent. Since 1981, Alexander Vasilievich worked as a commentator in the Experiment television studio.

Maslyakov came to television quite by accident, as a fourth-year student. As Alexander Vasilyevich recalls, the captain of the institute’s KVN team asked him to become one of the five hosts of a humorous program that was to be filmed by the winning team of the previous game. By chance, it turned out to be the MIIT team.

The origins of KVN

The humorous TV show “The Cheerful and Resourceful Club” appeared in 1961. Its prototype was Sergei Muratov’s program “Evening of Fun Questions” in 1957, which, in turn, was copied from the Czech analogue “Guess, Guess, Fortune Teller”. At the evening, questions were answered not by the teams, but by TV viewers. The creation of the program was carried out by the first television youth editorial office in the USSR, known as the “Festival edition of the Central Television”. On the third episode of the TV show, due to an unfortunate mistake by the host, the program and the entire editorial office had to be closed.

Four years later, the creators of the “Evening of Fun Questions” released a new humorous program called “KVN”. The decoding of this name was twofold: in addition to the traditional meaning of “The Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful”, the name hinted at the brand of TV - KVN-49, which was produced in those years.

The first host of the game was Albert Axelrod. Three years later he was replaced by Alexander Maslyakov. In his youth, Maslyakov was a co-host, and the Soviet announcer Svetlana Zhiltsova hosted the program with him. Subsequently, Alexander Vasilyevich became the sole presenter, which he remains to this day.

For the first seven years, KVN was broadcast exclusively live. But later, since the teams’ jokes sometimes touched on Soviet ideology and reality, the releases began to be recorded, having previously cut out from them all the points that were objectionable to the party leadership. The then head of Central Television, Sergei Lapin, did not like the club for its unpredictability and courage, and at some point the State Security Committee began to closely engage in censorship of the program. The KGB directives were sometimes simply absurd: for example, participants in the program were forbidden to wear beards, since this was a mockery of Karl Marx. And at the end of 1971, KVN was closed completely.

The creative biography of Alexander Maslyakov at one time gave rise to many assumptions. Thus, the most common rumor is that around the same time as the closure of KVN in 1971, Maslyakov was in prison for currency fraud for several months. The TV presenter himself refuses to comment on this fact, claiming that with a criminal record he would never be allowed on Soviet television again.

Return of KVN

The break after the closure of KVN lasted for 15 years. But at the beginning of Perestroika, in 1986, on the initiative of the captain of the MISI team of the 60s, Andrei Menshikov, KVN again appeared on the screens. Alexander Maslyakov remained the presenter.

In just a few episodes, the program has gained the same wide popularity as in the sixties. A whole movement of games arose, humorous competitions were held in schools, institutes and children's health camps. The geography of the “Merry and Resourceful Club” expanded noticeably: KVN began to be played in Western Europe and America, in 1992 the first international game between the CIS countries and Israel was held in Moscow, and two years later a world championship was organized in Israel, in which teams from the CIS, Israel, Germany and even the USA.

In 1990, Alexander Maslyakov founded the creative association “Alexander Maslyakov and Company” (abbreviated as « AMiK"). This company is the official organizer of KVN games, as well as a number of related programs (First League, Outside the Game, Voicing KiViN, Sense of Humor, etc.). Alexander Vasilyevich is the presenter and director of many programs produced by the AMiK company.

In 2013, the only son of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. became the general director of TTO AMiK LLC, replacing Naum Iosifovich Barulya, who previously served as director of the KVN television program, in this position.

Unlike the Soviet years, when KVN went against party policy, today the program is broadcast on Channel One and does not allow attacks on the current government. Moreover, in 2012, the KVN presenter was part of the “People's Headquarters” of presidential candidate Vladimir Putin. Putin himself, it must be said, does not remain in debt and has already visited the anniversary games of the Merry and Resourceful Club several times in the status of prime minister and president. The last time this happened was in the fall of 2016, when the club celebrated another anniversary in the Kremlin Palace - 55 years of the game. In the summer of the same year, the AMiK company submitted documents to the Federal Service for Intellectual Property with a request to register the trademark “Alexander Maslyakov”.

At the end of 2016, not only KVN celebrated its anniversary. Its permanent presenter turned 75 years old. In this regard, several heads of the Caucasian republics that are part of the Russian Federation awarded Maslyakov honorary titles. Thus, Alexander Maslyakov became the People's Artist of Chechnya and received the Order of Merit for the Republic of Dagestan. The presenter also received a medal “For Strengthening the Military Commonwealth” from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

A television

The confidence with which the young man held himself in the frame, his competent speech, innate tact and excellent sense of humor made Maslyakov an indispensable presenter. In addition to KVN, Alexander Maslyakov hosted various programs over the years. Among them were the talent show “Hello, we are looking for talents”, and sports and entertainment competitions “Come on, girls!” and “Come on, guys!”, and the famous talk show “12th Floor”, and, of course, various humorous television programs: “Alexander Show”, “Jolly Guys” and “Sense of Humor”.

By the way, several times Alexander Maslyakov appeared in very unusual programs for himself. So, in 1976, he held the second edition of the intellectual game “What? Where? When?”, the author and creator of which is Vladimir Voroshilov (at one time Maslyakov replaced him on the program “Come on, guys!” after the death of one of the participants). And in 1988, the famous TV presenter hosted the April Fool’s edition of Posner’s “Vzglyad” program.

Maslyakov also acted as the host of Sochi song festivals, in the late seventies he hosted the “Song of the Year” program, and also reported from international festivals of youth and students, which were held in Havana, Berlin, Sofia, Moscow and Pyongyang.

Recipient of many Orders of Merit received in Russia, Ukraine and the Chechen Republic, Honored Artist of Russia Alexander Maslyakov in 2002 received the prestigious domestic television award “TEFI” in the special nomination “For personal contribution to the development of domestic television.”

Maslyakov is a unique presenter who has worked on television for half a century and continues to do so to this day. In addition to KVN, which Maslyakov Sr. has been hosting for so many years, he is a permanent member of the jury of the “Minute of Fame” show, where he has established himself as a tough and demanding judge.

Criminal record of Alexander Maslyakov

One of the secrets of Maslyakov’s biography is his prison past. Thus, according to one source, in 1974 he was convicted of illegal currency transactions and ended up in the YN 83/2 colony in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region. But he somehow managed to get out of prison quite quickly. It was also repeatedly mentioned in the media that during the investigation he was in the Tula pre-trial detention center. Finally, older people remember a feuilleton in one of the central Soviet newspapers dedicated to Maslyakov, which was called “Sasha Doesn’t Laugh Anymore.” It is appropriate to recall the statements of the famous Russian singer Mikhail Krug, who repeatedly made harsh comments about Alexander Maslyakov, and also mentioned his prison past. Alexander Vasilyevich himself invariably assures that he was not in prison...

Personal life

The personal life of Alexander Maslyakov is closely connected with the “Merry and Resourceful Club”. The wife of the famous TV presenter was Svetlana Maslyakova (nee Smirnova), who in 1966 got a job as an assistant director of KVN. Five years later, Maslyakov and Smirnova got married, Svetlana is still the director of the TV show.

In 1980, the Maslyakov family had a son, Alexander, who continued the family tradition. Having graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Alexander Maslyakov Jr. is the host of the programs “Planet KVN”, “Outside the Game” and “KVN Premier League”, and since 2013 he has been the general director of his father’s company “AMiK”.

Alexander Alexandrovich, or, as the Premier League players affectionately call him, San Sanych, is married to Angelina Marmeladova. The daughter-in-law of Maslyakov Sr. is a journalist and writer who has published a number of novels. In 2006, the couple had a daughter, Taisiya.

Maslyakov’s granddaughter, it seems, will follow in her grandfather’s footsteps. Already at the age of 9, she tried herself as the host of the charity concert “Adults and Children,” which took place in May 2015 at the Rossiya concert hall. In a concert dedicated to Children's Day, she performed in the Fidgets ensemble. It is known that the girl, when she was still 5 years old, said that she wanted to lead KVN, like her grandfather and father.

Filmography of Alexander Maslyakov:

• 1964 - Blue Light. 25 years of Soviet television (film-play) - presenter
• 1970 - The comic adventures of Tarapunka and Shtepsel - KVN host 1975 - Ar-hi-medy! - entertainer
• 1982 - I don’t want to be an adult - TV presenter
• 1984 - Obstacle Course - correspondent
• 1985 - How to become happy - competition host
• 1986 - Love me as I love you - host of the program “Come on, girls!” 2009 - Voices of fish - Maslyakov
• 2010 - Leonid Yakubovich. Without a butterfly (documentary)

An asteroid discovered by the Crimean Observatory is named after the permanent presenter of KVN. Alexander Vasilyevich does not drink alcohol at all. Once Maslyakov hosted the “Vzglyad” program.

Maslyakov resigned from his position as director of the Planet KVN center

This was reported in the press service of the international KVN union, whose president is the TV presenter.

The dismissal of TV presenter Alexander Maslyakov from the post of director of Planet KVN was somewhat delayed due to bureaucratic issues, the International KVN Union said. They claim that Maslyakov did not know about the checks by the prosecutor's office. According to the press service, the TV presenter at that moment was no longer the director of the center. The arguments of the organization Transparency International, which accused Maslyakov and his family of illegally gaining control over the building of the former Havana cinema, were not confirmed, the KVN union said. Meanwhile, earlier in an interview with Ekho Moskvy, Transparency International representative Artem Efimov said that the TV presenter and his family transferred the Planet KVN center under the control of TTO AMiK, the founders of which are Maslyakov and his wife. They also own the KVN trademark.

According to Transparency International, a building worth more than a billion rubles was under the control of a private company, without taking into account the cost of the land on which it stands. The Planet KVN center was donated to the union of the same name by President Vladimir Putin in 2011 and until recently was owned by the city of Moscow.

In May of this year, the Moscow prosecutor's office reported that the transfer of the Planet KVN center from city property to private hands had been agreed upon with the authorities.

Video

Sources

http://stuki-druki.com/authors/Maslyakov-Alexandr.php

It is always interesting to read biographies of famous people, especially those who happened to be born into simple, poor families, but through work and perseverance paved their way to fame and recognition. Those whose talent simply could not go unnoticed. When you read such life stories, your soul rejoices. One such example is the fate of a talented director, and part-time wife of a nationally famous host of a humorous TV show of all times, and simply a pleasant woman. Her name is Svetlana Maslyakova, the wife of Alexander Maslyakov, who, in fact, will be discussed in today’s material. By the way, the agenda will include not only a biography of a talented woman, but also a story about her life achievements.

Unfortunately, it is worth recognizing the fact that the modern generation has heard about Alexander Maslyakov’s wife, Svetlana Maslyakova, precisely in the context of information about her famous husband. Meanwhile, she herself is a self-sufficient, gifted and incredibly talented person. Few people know that Maslyakova did a lot for the development of cinema and journalism. But before you tell the reader about a woman’s achievements in these areas, you must first tell about her childhood and personal development.

Childish character

Svetlana Anatolyevna happened to be born in difficult times. This event took place in 1947, when our country was just beginning to recover from a bloody war that claimed lives and almost completely destroyed its infrastructure. To be fair, it should be said that it was during that period that Svetlana Anatolyevna’s character was tempered. She was always attentive to the people around her and knew how to set goals and achieve them. Thanks to such qualities, the future wife of Alexander Maslyakov, Svetlana Maslyakova, earned the respect and trust of many people.

Also, the woman herself and many people around her note that in childhood there were never hysterics or tears due to the lack of gifts. Svetlana never asked her parents for anything, realizing what a difficult time she lived in. This is also an important point that perfectly characterizes a person.

Study and early career

The future wife of Alexander Maslyakov, Svetlana, whose biography we are trying to remember today, graduated from secondary Moscow school No. 519. She developed a passion for the humanities, including literature, quite early. After school, Svetlana continued her studies at the All-Union Correspondence Law Institute.

But the truly key moment in her life, which marked the beginning of her career, was the placement of a young girl as an assistant director in the youth editorial office of Central Television in a project that was then gaining momentum called “The Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful.” Soon after, Alexander Maslyakov’s wife, Svetlana Maslyakova, took courses that prepared her for more responsible work. So, in 1972 she became a director.

Due to the fact that from that very time the girl could not be seen on screens, and the main activity of the aspiring director took place behind the scenes, many did not even know that such responsible work rested on fragile female shoulders. In general, television gave the presenter of Channel One and his chosen one a lot: it was here that Alexander Maslyakov met his wife Svetlana.

Favorite work

This is what folk wisdom says. And this is absolutely fair. Svetlana Maslyakova has been combining several roles for many years, successfully coping with them. For example, thanks to the efforts of this amazing woman, KVN was revived in 1986, although there were attempts to close the television project.

Maslyakova’s other role, so to speak, is motherhood. Her famous son Alexander Maslyakov Jr. is very proud that with his classical education he managed to continue the family business and join the world of television and the humorous environment. Svetlana Maslyakova, the wife of Alexander Maslyakov, who did not resist her son’s wishes, supported him and helped him in many ways.

Although initially Alexander Maslyakov Jr.’s plans included a strong desire to become a diplomat. Svetlana Anatolyevna is very delicate not only in communicating with her son, but also in conversations with other people. This fact is noted by many people familiar with the director. But at the same time, Svetlana knows how to defend her position (especially in terms of creativity). Again, doing this delicately so as not to offend people.

Agreeableness

With all her determination and fortitude, Svetlana never contradicted her husband. She supported all his creative ideas. And this reveals one of the character traits of a talented woman, endowed with worldly wisdom. In her youth, Svetlana Maslyakova (wife of Alexander Maslyakov) was able to help her husband not to become disillusioned with the profession and insisted that he under no circumstances give up the idea of ​​continuing to work on the KVN project. As you can see, she is a truly strong woman who was not only able to build her own career, but also helped her husband and son to do so. This adds respect in people's eyes. At the same time, Svetlana is always modest in interviews, does not praise herself and her projects, believing that a truly talented person does not need this.

Having spent more than 50 years on television, and therefore in full view of the whole country, the Maslyakov family has acquired a sufficient number of interesting facts about themselves and their lives. Let's list some of them:

1. As soon as the audience saw Alexander and Svetlana on the screens, they immediately thought that in front of them was a married couple. It turns out that even before the start of their relationship, the television couple was already married.
2. It is noteworthy that at one time Svetlana’s husband was in a creative tandem with Svetlana Zhiltsova, with whom he co-hosted the “Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful” program. Of course, inquisitive viewers thought not only about the creative union of young people, but even attributed an affair to them. However, the girl quickly disappeared from TV screens, leaving Maslyakov in splendid isolation. By the way, he has been the permanent host of the humorous television show of all times for more than 50 years.

Benefit society

All her life, Svetlana Maslyakova, the wife of Alexander Maslyakov, whose stellar life is in everyone’s sight and ear, has been trying to develop her projects without stopping at the results achieved. She is not at all embarrassed and has never been upset by the fact that she lives in the shadow of her beloved and recognizable husband. In her own words, it doesn’t matter at all how to benefit society: openly or from a secret shelter. The main thing is that someone really needs it.

This man has been on the TV screens of the USSR and modern Russia for more than half a century. He is the absolute and indisputable authority of the most unique planet called KVN, a real factory of stars of future television celebrities.

Humor is a serious job that not everyone can handle. How did Alexander Vasilyevich Maslyakov survive this apocalypse?

Biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr.

According to established family tradition, all men from the Maslyakov family bore the same name - Vasily. That was the name of the father of the future TV star, like all the Maslyakov fathers many generations before. However, the mother, Zi-na-i-da Alek-se-ev-na Mas-la-ko-va, unexpectedly named the boy Alexander, born on November 24, 1941. Father, Vasily Vasilievich Maslyakov, being a rather reserved and serious person, did not interfere in this process. Alexander means Alexander. So, along with the birth of little Sasha, a new tradition appeared in the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. - calling boys Alexandra.

The boy was born in the first months of the war in the city of Yekaterinburg, on the way to evacuation. The time was harsh, which left its mark on Sasha’s character, endowing this boy with a charming sunny smile with the strength and inflexibility that later made him a personality famous throughout the country.

His father served in aviation as a pilot and went through the entire Great Patriotic War, after which he continued to serve at the Air Force General Staff.

Mom was a housewife and devoted all her love, warmth and care to her family and raising her beloved son, who grew up very active, capable and artistic.

Education

The first diploma in the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. was received quite late, in 1966, after graduating from the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers, when he was already 25 years old.

Our hero did not connect his fate with the profession of an engineer. Alexander was attracted by a completely different life - bright, loud, filled with creativity. And just two years later, Maslyakov Sr. became a graduate of the Higher Courses for Television Workers. Thus began the career of, without a doubt, a great showman.

"Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful"

Alexander made his debut on television while still a student at the Moscow Institute of Transport Engineers, where, along with most of his peers, he actively supported his team of the “Merry and Resourceful Club”.

“The Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful,” or KVN for short, appeared in 1961. The new initiative was quickly taken up by actively developing youth striving for self-expression. The popularity of KVN grew by leaps and bounds, and these steps spread almost throughout the vast country.

This youth program intervened in the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. in 1964, when, by the will of fate, he became one of its presenters.

As Alexander Vasilyevich himself claims, this event happened by pure chance. One fine day, his classmate invited Maslyakov to become a member of the KVN team from the institute. Alexander agreed, but did not have time to play in KVN, because at the same time the editors of central television were looking for a suitable candidate for the role of host of this program. Maslyakov was active, cheerful and charismatic from birth. And his smile is still his calling card today. So the editors' choice settled on Alexander.

Who would have thought that this place would be fixed in the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. for more than half a century.

At that wonderful time, Alexander hosted KVN in tandem with experienced TV presenter Svetlana Zhiltsova, from whom he learned a lot of knowledge and secrets of stagecraft.

Until 1970, the program was broadcast live. As usual, times were difficult in the country. The jokes heard in the program increasingly ran counter to party policy, as a result of which KVN began to be shown in recordings after strict censorship, including from the State Security Committee. Ultimately, the program was finally taken off the air in 1972.

Career

After completing his studies at the Higher Courses for Television Workers, Alexander got a job at the main editorial office of programs for youth, and after a short time took up the post of senior editor there. A few years later, Maslyakov Sr. was able to achieve the position of special correspondent, and since 1980 he devoted himself entirely to the profession of a commentator in the Experiment television studio.

Few people know, but the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. is also marked by the fact that the first presenter of the then new program “What? Where? When?” in 1975, none other than Alexander Maslyakov became. However, its format was subsequently changed, and the presenter was replaced by a voice-over.

Despite the fact that KVN was closed, its presenters Alexander Maslyakov and Svetlana Zhiltsova remained extremely popular and in demand. Thus, the fame of this duo includes the famous programs of that time: “Come on, girls!”, “Come on, guys!”, “Hello! We are looking for talent! and others.

Also, for a long time, Maslyakov Sr. was the permanent presenter of various international song festivals for youth and students, and hosted various music and entertainment programs on central television.

And again - KVN!

After 14 years, in 1986, on the initiative of the Ostankino youth editors, it was decided to revive KVN. As a symbol of the continuity of the traditions of the “Merry and Resourceful Club”, Alexander Maslyakov and Svetlana Zhiltsova were again invited as hosts. However, due to life and business circumstances, Svetlana refused this offer. So Alexander Vasilyevich began to host this program alone.

When KVN returned to the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr., he was able to create a real empire out of this television project, one might say, a comedy broadcast industry.

From a permanent presenter, manager and director, Maslyakov Sr. turned into the president of the International KVN Union, after which in 1990 he created the television creative association Alexander Maslyakov and Company (TVO AMiK), which, in fact, produced the program KVN in the future.

Many stars of modern television have passed through the school of Maslyakov and the “Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful”, becoming real professionals and the most popular and sought-after television stars.

“Today, more than half of entertainment television is created by guys who played in KVN, by authors who wrote jokes for KVN. But every person has the right to do what he considers necessary, possible: stop at amateur performances or feel like an actor. You need to weigh your strengths and understand , can you. If yes, then go..."

Personal life

In the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr., his wife and children occupy a special place. It is them and his favorite work that he calls his main happiness and success. For him, his wife and son are not just family, but also his closest friends.

Alexander Vasilyevich, as expected, met his future wife, Svetlana Anatolyevna, during the filming of KVN. He immediately liked the girl, and he began to show all sorts of signs of attention. It was impossible to resist the charisma of young Maslyakov.

In 1971 they got married. In 1980, a son was born into the Maslyakov family, who was also named Alexander in honor of his father. Maslyakov Jr., having studied at MGIMO, joined his father’s business, becoming his closest assistant and general director of the AMiK company.

Alexander Maslyakov Jr. is married to Angelina Marmeladova, a famous writer and journalist. In 2006, Maslyakov Sr. gave birth to his granddaughter Taisiya, who can be seen in the photo.

The biographies of the wife and children of Alexander Maslyakov Sr. are little known to the public. Photos are also quite rare. However, they are all filled with smiles and some special warmth, light and happiness.

Of course, Alexander Vasilyevich is far from young, but constant communication with young people, careful attention to his own health, proper nutrition and moderation allow him to still remain in good shape, remain cheerful and energetic.

“I’m lucky: for more than forty years of my career, all the programs have been connected with young people. Therefore, purely psychologically, I cannot allow myself to shrink, cover myself with a blanket and lie down somewhere in the corner of the stage. I have no right to do this...”

Beloved wife

The biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr.’s wife, Svetlana, began in 1947 in post-war Moscow.

The very active girl was always the ringleader and the inventor of various pranks, which was later reflected in her high organizational abilities. After graduating from Moscow secondary school No. 519, Svetlana entered the All-Union Correspondence Institute of Law, where she had to combine her studies with work as an assistant director of KVN in the Youth Editorial Office of Central Television. Having received her diploma, the future wife of Maslyakov Sr. successfully completed training in directing at the Higher Courses for Creative Television Workers.

In addition to romantic and family relationships, Alexander Vasilyevich and his wife Svetlana were able to carry through their entire lives serving their common cause - the “Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful.” Maslyakov Sr. hosted this TV show, and his Svetlana was its director.

There was always a lot in common between them. Both he and she are cheerful, resourceful and bright people, enthusiastic, responsible people who bring any task they start to completion.

Until the 1990s, Svetlana held the post of director of the Main Propaganda Editorial Office of Central Television, from where she later left for her husband’s company, the AMiK association.

In the Maslyakovs' house, filled with an atmosphere of harmless humor and practical jokes, you can always meet famous artists, stars and other prominent personalities.

Alexander Vasilyevich’s wife became for him not only a loved one, but also his closest friend, assistant and like-minded person.

Instead of an afterword

Two years ago, the youth television program “The Cheerful and Resourceful Club” celebrated its 55th anniversary, which was more than mature in age.

Over the years, the activities of Alexander Vasilyevich Maslyakov have been repeatedly awarded with many awards. He is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation and a member of the Academy of Russian Television, as well as a laureate of such awards as Ovation and Tefi.

In the biography of Alexander Maslyakov Sr., family is inextricably linked with his creative activity. Only she can help cope with his self-created KVN empire.

You can talk for a long time about the numerous rumors and speculations that accompany the life of this person. But the fact remains that he was able to do something that no one else could do. He gave us KVN, even if he didn’t invent it.

Happiness is living 77 years the way I lived them. I cannot give universal recommendations. But old man Munchausen was partly right when he said: “Smile more often, gentlemen!..”

This is an amazing person. And we have the only one - our famous, beloved by several generations and the most smiling TV presenter - Alexander Vasilyevich Maslyakov Sr.

The beginning of life and meeting with KVN

He was lucky to be a student during the Khrushchev Thaw. At that time, KVN, the only youth entertainment program, was incredibly popular. By the way, the well-known abbreviation KVN was born in the communal apartment of one of the founders of the idea, Mikhail Muratov. His neighbor was Vladimir Vysotsky, who was interested in the “kitchen battles” of creative guys. It was he who suggested calling the program the Club of the Cheerful and Resourceful.

Maslyakov was a fanatical fan of his native MITI team. In 1964, KVN host Albert Axelrod was forced to leave, but recommended that the director appoint the smiling and charming Sasha Maslyakov in his place. Together with Svetlana Zhiltsova, they hosted the program until its closure in 1971. Alexander’s position then had an interesting name: he was called “commentator on the youth program.” Maslyakov received his specialized education at the Higher Courses for Television Workers a little later, in 1968.

After the closure of KVN, Maslyakov disappeared from the screens. This gave rise to constant rumors that he was given a sentence either for a criminal or for a political crime. In fact, Alexander Vasilyevich was then looking for something to do after 10 years of active creativity.

In KVN, he was no longer only the presenter, but also the editor of the issues and the “punching force”, because the obstacles of the artistic councils had to be overcome sometimes with superhuman efforts.

“I was constantly a “tester””

Alexander Maslyakov in the program “Come on, girls!”

In the early 70s, a new program for the Ostankino youth editors called “Come on, girls!” appeared on television. In parallel with it, the “Virage” project was organized in the format of a competition or relay race between men’s teams. The program “Hello, we are looking for talents” was the prototype of the modern “Star Factory”. Entertainment programs that Soviet television did not indulge the audience with were overwhelmingly popular due to their originality. The whole country knew Maslyakov by sight, so every new program with his participation was simply “doomed” to success. For example, the organizer of “What? Where? When?" Vladimir Voroshilov invited Maslyakova to conduct the first broadcast. He was also the host of the first episode of the scandalous “Vzglyad”. It was only later that new generations came - from Vlad Listyev to Sergei Bodrov. Later, in 1989, together with Leonid Yakubovich, Alexander Maslyakov even hosted the first Miss USSR beauty contest.

Revival of KVN

Broadcasting is the visible part of the process, while the rest of Maslyakov’s work remains behind the scenes. In the late 80s, Alexander created the creative association “Amik”, which began to engage not only in holding KVN games, but also in the festival movement. It must be said that there is not a single television project in the post-Soviet space that would give a “start in life” to so many famous personalities and popular shows.

Alexander Maslyakov visiting Ivan Urgant

Members of the KVN jury at various times were Leonid Parfenov, Konstantin Ernst, Mikhail Efremov, Igor Vernik, Sergei Garmash, Gennady Khazanov and about a hundred other famous names. In 2016, the President of Russia