This weekend will probably be the last time Howie Mandel does a standup gig for quite a while. Mandel, a 20-year comedy veteran, joins daytime talk-land next June – God help Rosie O’Donnell. Before he hits the tube, you can catch him at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Ind., on Saturday (call 219-769-6600 or 312-559-1212).
Q. Why do a talk show?
A. Everybody else has, so why not me? I filled in for Regis (Philbin) about 10 or 15 times last year. And throughout that time, people would say, “You should do that.”
Q. Really?
A. For the last 15 years I’ve spent 200 days on the road, and I have a family (in Los Angeles). Here was an opportunity to stay in one place, and touch everything that I’ve been pursuing in my career, all in one venue.
Q. Will you explore insighful subjects like “My Mother sacrificed My Boyfriend’s Virginity”?
A. I’m definitely going to do a talk-variety format, as opposed to the issue format. What makes each show unique is who sits behind the desk or in the chair. So I guess what makes my show different is that it’s Howie, and no other show (has) Howie.
Q. Are you going to miss doing live comedy shows?
A. That is a thrill that I will miss . . . but there’s a different kind of energy you get from cameras rolling and doing (television).
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