By Jennifer Russo

You may know him for his latex glove routine, his role in the movie Little Monsters,  his cartoon series “Bobby’s World,” as a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” as a host on “Deal or No Deal,” or his role as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the 80s drama “St. Elsewhere.”  However you may have heard his name, you’ve heard it, because he’s been on the comedy circuit for around 30 years.  Many comedians who work for a while either become redundant or change so dramatically to appeal to new audiences that they lose their original charm, but Howie Mandel has remained an iconic figure…and none of it was expected.

“I don’t make plans,” Howie tells me.  “I’m not blazing a trail here.  Blame it on ADD, but I welcome distractions and I don’t think of the consequences before jumping into different things.  I just let them pull me in a direction and see what happens.”  He adds, “Planning will get you nothing, doing will get you everything.”

One of these unplanned things was his recently published book, “Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me,” which gives a humorous twist on his very serious OCD.  He said he didn’t set out to write a book about the topic, but the man he was working with convinced him that it was interesting and intriguing and people would want to read it.  Though he was embarrassed about it initially, he’s received positive feedback from people who’ve really enjoyed reading it; that feedback  has in turn made him feel really good about writing it.

About “Bobby’s World,” I asked him how it feels to have a show that after 9 years still plays in syndication in countries all over the world.  He says almost every episode is a reenactment of things his kids have done.  If not, it’s either happened to him or someone else he knows.  It’s all authentic, which is probably what has made it so endearing for all this time.

Though he’s career has been so diverse, Howie says stand-up comedy is closest to his heart.  He’s never more comfortable than when he’s on stage, and though he has after so many years established some signature comedy, he prefers the unexpected.  “I like that I can be improvisational and I like my shows interactive.  Any excuse to go off the mark, like something that happens in the audience or in the city I’m performing in, is welcome.  It’s those little differences in routines that make each night new and special for me.”

Be a part of the unexpected and see Howie when he comes to visit in Worcester at the Hanover Theatre on December 5th.

For information or to purchase tickets, check out
www.howiemandel.com/tour.html or www.thehanovertheatre.org, or call 877-571-7469.

Pictured: Howie Mandel