by Gene Shalit's Afro
March 15, 2006
Actor/comedian Howie Mandel, who currently hosts the semi-popular NBC game show, Deal or No Deal, has openly admitted that he is one of the many members of the germophobe community. In other words, he is afraid of drinking out of your water glass, uses those paper toilet seat covers in public stalls, and will never, and I mean NEVER rub his eyes.
"It is the reason why he gives people what is called in suburban communities as 'the rock' to contestants on the show," explains Deal or No Deal intern Sage Bundy. "Howie doesn't want to shake hands as that will pass off a great deal of germs, but apparently hitting knuckles with them does not."
When Mandel openly admitted that he was a germophobe, many of his biggest fans were very confused, particularly Frank Lockwell, a member of the National Bobby's World Fan Club. "How could it be possible that the man who brought us Bobby's World, a show where Uncle Ted consistently gave Bobby noogies could also be an open germophobe? It does not add up. No wonder he shaved his head. He doesn't want to receive noogies anymore. He turned his back on the noogie, and thus, turned his back on Bobby and his fans," laments Lockwell.
Bundy also explains that much of the structure of Deal or No Deal bases itself off of Mandel's germophobia. "Howie is still scared even after giving people 'the rock.' So, that's why the show has roughly 49 commercial breaks, so that Howie can leave the contestant and audience on the edge of their seats while he runs to the bathroom to wash his hands."
Yet, while Mandel may be losing nostalgic fans of Bobby's World because of his presumed loss of love for noogies, the host also must face his demons on the set of Deal or No Deal. "The reason that the Banker has a skybox on the set is because he is not on good terms with Howie. During the several post-production voiceover sessions that Howie would do, the Banker would sneak in and, how shall I say, defecate on Howie's seat. Well, Howie wasn't pleased with this, which explains why the Banker is separated from Howie, and their 'conversations' are always to the point and then over with. A dollar amount and then done, you know what I mean? No chit-chat."
While many speculate that Mandel shaved his head primarily for reasons of germophobia, a recent comment in Walter Scott's "Personality Parade" in PARADE Magazine proves otherwise as Mandel admits that his wife found him "sexy for the first time in ten years" after he went sans hair. Apparently, the curly afro just wasn't turning her on, which is very bizarre.
In the end, if it comes to germs, and Howie had to make the decision of "Deal or No Deal?" it would go something like this:
Howie looks at the big board listing dollar amounts. CUT TO: His family members in eager anticipation. CUT TO: The opening of a box. CUT TO: The revelation of no germs. CUT TO: Howie in jubilation. CUT TO: Howie's family in jubilation. CUT TO: The offer from the banker. CUT TO: The question of Deal or No Deal? CUT TO: Fifteen more cuts as the family and Howie debate over whether to take the deal or not. CUT TO: Howie thinking. CUT TO: Howie yelling "NO DEAL!" CUT TO: Obviously paid studio audience going bananas. CUT TO: The game never ending.
Yes, indeed, if any germs should be spread, they should go directly to the person responsible for editing Deal or No Deal.