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Show Howie told me that he tapes mostof his shows “no more than 24 hours ahead of theirairing.” l askedif this schedule lets him play off the latest news. don't do standup comedy on this show. | do write all my show different trom stand-up? “Jay [Leno] told me that when youplayhalls with thousands of people, you know what gets laughs,” said Howie. “But on TV, you don't know. Atter the show, | think this bit was the high point, and then someone '$, no,it was somethingelse. I love the civilian pieces with nonshowbiz folks}. They're unscripted, and anything can homework for the next day,” Howie said. “Reviewing the movie, reading the book. But HOWIE MANDEL NDY WARHOL said that eventual- ly everyone would e 15 minutes of fame. Now everyone has a TVtalk show: the novelist Jackie Collins, Personal: Born Nov, 29. 1955, in Toronto, Ontario. Married to Terry Mandel since 1980. Two daughters: Donny and Marie Osmondand Roseanne, amongothers—all eitherontheair or about to debut (with stormsignals already fly ing for a few of them). But if traditionis at all important, Howie Mandel may be here to stay. Thestudio in Burbank,Calif Includes St. Elsewhere, 1982-88; Good Grief, 1990-91; Bobby's World, 1990-97; The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, 1992-93; Howie where he tapes his nationally Mandel's Sunny Skies, 1995-96; syndicated Howie Mandel Show The Howie is the very one where Johnny Carson taped The Tonight Show Mandel Show, 1998. for so many years. Howie was Carson’s gueston a score of occasionsand is acutely awareof tradition. “My desk is where Johnny stood to do his monologue,” Howie told me. But it’s not Carson's desk? “No, but I met the guy whobought that desk. He also has Carnac’s hat children every andthe boatfromGilligan's Isaightis the best land. They shouldall be in the part. For 15 years, | did 200 Smithsonian, but he has a sort dates a year of museum out here.” and was gone The boyish-looking Mandel every Friday and Saturday. has been married for nearly 20 For the first time, I've given years, and his television pei up everything sona—family man and squeakyfrenzied and clean—reflectsit. He has been frenetic. This is my only job a showbiz professional since now.” 1979, when, on vacation in @ Man, 1987; Little Monsters, ‘These days, Mandel seems L.A., he performed on amateur night at The ComedyStore on Every time you flip adare.After a producersaw the act andhired himfor a spot on the remote, there's a a comedy game show, Howie opened with Jay Lenopresenting Howie with a bouquet and a red left his thriving retail carpet business in Toronto. Talk-show gigs followed, then a stint as heart-shaped box ofchocolates. How were the chocolates? “Half-eaten,” Howiesaid, dead- new TV talk show. Maybe half will flop. to be getting a better reception. I caught his first show, which theopeningact for Diana Ross pan. Lenois a pal and had Howie and finally a regularrole as Dr. Will The HowieMandel onhis showlater that week. Wayne Fiscuson St. Elsewhere. Lasked Howieif he wasa cult And whatdid he do open- Show be one of thase hero back homein Canada or ing for Ms. Ross? “I did standif they considered him a desertup toa virtually silent room,” he said. PHOTO BY BLAKE LITTLE STYLIST. DANIEL CAUDILL: HAIR & MAKEUP, MONET MANSANO: CLOTHING, AMERICAN RAG; GLASSES, HOLLYWOODTOYS left standing? er. “In Canada, I'ma cult hero to myfamily,” he replied. IK PAGE 30 - OCTOBER4, 1998 - PARADE MAGAZINE |