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Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me
A frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir that reveals the Deal or No Deal host’s ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD–and how it has shaped his life and career.
Howie Mandel is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment–respected by his peers and beloved by audiences as the host of the enormously popular prime-time game show Deal or No Deal. With a career that spans t...more
Howie Mandel is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment–respected by his peers and beloved by audiences as the host of the enormously popular prime-time game show Deal or No Deal. With a career that spans t...more
Hardcover, 220 pages
Published
November 24th 2009
by Bantam
(first published November 11th 2009)
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Aug 05, 2010
Liberty
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone who wants a lol reading experience!
OMG! This is laugh out loud funny! but at the same time you're thinking, "What the hell was he thinking?"
I have always loved Howie Mandel for as long as I've known who he was. I think he is sexy as all get out one of the funniest people I have ever seen.
The book focuses on his rise to stardom, told to us through stories of his childhood, teen and adult years. I was amazed at some of the stuff he went through, appalled at some of the things he put people through, and laughing out loud when it a...more
I have always loved Howie Mandel for as long as I've known who he was. I think he is sexy as all get out one of the funniest people I have ever seen.
The book focuses on his rise to stardom, told to us through stories of his childhood, teen and adult years. I was amazed at some of the stuff he went through, appalled at some of the things he put people through, and laughing out loud when it a...more
SUMMARY: A frank, funny, no-holds-barred memoir that reveals the Deal or No Deal host’s ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD–and how it has shaped his life and career. Howie Mandel is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment–respected by his peers and beloved by audiences as the host of the enormously popular prime-time game show Deal or No Deal. With a career that spans three decades and many different show-business platforms–he’s a renowned stand-up comedian who continues to perform m...more
Here’s the deal: as literature it’s substandard, as auto-wreck rubbernecking, it’s fascinating. If you remember Mandel’s act from the early 80s, his bizarre, discomforting, freak show may have very well made you ask: “what’s wrong with this guy?” His relatively brief autobiography, with ghost-writing help, convincingly answers the question with stark and largely unattractive personal revelations. Mandel cops to a raging germ-phobia, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, an inability to conce...more
Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me by Howie Mandel
★ ★ ★ ★
I've been a fan of Howie Mandel for quite sometime. His humor has always made me laugh and I've enjoyed him in everything I've seen him in thus far. So I was excited to read his memoir and was not disappointed. Besides delving into his long comedic career (spanning well over 30 years now) he delves into his personal life and his life-long struggle with OCD, ADHD, along with other mental illnesses. He leaves no rock unturned in this quick-to-...more
★ ★ ★ ★
I've been a fan of Howie Mandel for quite sometime. His humor has always made me laugh and I've enjoyed him in everything I've seen him in thus far. So I was excited to read his memoir and was not disappointed. Besides delving into his long comedic career (spanning well over 30 years now) he delves into his personal life and his life-long struggle with OCD, ADHD, along with other mental illnesses. He leaves no rock unturned in this quick-to-...more
Howie reveals how his psycho frantic real-life has influenced his relationships, his life and his career.
As I recall his career to date, I once thought him a successor to Jerry Lewis. Now I see him more as talented comedian who has more or less abandoned his comedy roots in favour of calmed down, talk show/game show host.
I guess that happens to all the innovators: Steve Martin as "Father of the Bride"; Martin Short as celibrity judge on a talent show. I suppose the transition is inevitable as th...more
As I recall his career to date, I once thought him a successor to Jerry Lewis. Now I see him more as talented comedian who has more or less abandoned his comedy roots in favour of calmed down, talk show/game show host.
I guess that happens to all the innovators: Steve Martin as "Father of the Bride"; Martin Short as celibrity judge on a talent show. I suppose the transition is inevitable as th...more
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I really enjoyed reading this biography on Howie Mandel. I like getting to look into their lives as "real" people, from their own perspective. This book was a quick read and there were a couple times when I laughed out loud. Mostly what I took from this book is how blessed I am to have the life that I do. It is not glamorous, I don't have much money, etc... but after reading stories of how celebrities got to where they are, I much prefer my calm, normal, predictable life. I have a great job work...more
I bought Howie's book right after seeing him in Oneonta, NY in October 2010. He made no secret about the fact that being in Oneonta was not the thrill of his life. He told us at his performance that he was walking through downtown Oneonta, and someone said to him "Howie, so you're in town, huh?" He had no idea how to respond to that. I don't blame him. Anyway, if I ever see him again, I will be sure not to get too close or try to shake his hand. The second part of the title to his book is ...Don...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Well, I wasn't sure what I was going to be getting into when I started this book. First off, I did this on audio book. It is read by Howie Mandel himself and I definitely think this is the way to read this. He does his voices and sound effects through out and it makes it all the more enjoyable. A flavor you definitely wouldn't get with the printed word.
He is articulate and painfully candid in his writing. Being a witness to all of his issues; OCD, ADHD, a Hypochondriac, being color blind and a...more
He is articulate and painfully candid in his writing. Being a witness to all of his issues; OCD, ADHD, a Hypochondriac, being color blind and a...more
This was hilarious. I'm a bit too young to remember Howie on St. Elsewhere, and only have a foggy memory of Bobby's World, I mostly know him from Deal or No Deal. But regardless of knowing little about him prior to the TV show, this book held my attention from the first page, to the last. Yes, he did some pretty mean things that looking back at he admits were unkind and went too far, but he mentions something very important when he is talking about these pranks. He says all laughter comes from s...more
I know it's not a prerequisite to have to, even in some small way, connect to the author and find similarities in your personalities. However, I still do that when reading an autobiography, and if I can find a connection then I tend to enjoy the book a lot more.
This wasn't remotely the case with Howie Mandel. While I love humor, I don't revel in people's misfortune and purposely irritate, annoy, and humiliate others for sake of a laugh. Several things should have clued him in that he was being...more
This wasn't remotely the case with Howie Mandel. While I love humor, I don't revel in people's misfortune and purposely irritate, annoy, and humiliate others for sake of a laugh. Several things should have clued him in that he was being...more
I HIGHLY recommend this book. Even if you're not a frequent reader of autobiographical works or non-fiction, there's very little chance that you won't enjoy this book. Howie is brutally honest, modest and neurotic, a wonderful person and a complete jerk-off...all at the same time. Only one thing stays consistent throughout this book: humor. I can't count the number of times I laughed aloud at the absurdity of life and the way Howie tells a story. His pranks were laughable even when they were har...more
The title of this book, the design, photos and back cover are very misleading. It is marketed around Howie's OCD, but the book had very, very little on this subject. I can recall about 4 or 5 extremely brief paragraphs about his OCD struggles. About 98% of the book chronicled his rise to fame as well as many cruel & immature pranks he pulled on people. I was not impressed with this book at all. The writing-level was very basic, and his perspective not very insightful. I did not learn anythin...more
I usually enjoy reading biographies from celebrities who allow people to see them as "human" and identify with their struggles. I just couldn't connect, and really kept trying. it was a very quick read and there are some undeniably funny parts. Yet I was left with the feeling that here is a guy who truly doesn't care much about other peoples feelings and uses his illness to excuse it. I understand that OCD and Adult ADHD is a moment to moment struggle for many people. I wish he had dug deeper in...more
I've been a big fan of Howie's comedic style for a while now, and although young, I have seen some of his recorded shows and his new hosting characters in shows as well. I loved this book. OCD is not an easy thing to go through, but in a way, I felt like this was a cry for attention, just like his "uncontrollable jokes". Mentioning a story or two, and how it started wouldn't hurt, but to end every other paragraph with almost saying feel bad for me, come on guys, please feel bad for me, didn't wo...more
Wow... this guy has a weird sense of humor. I honestly can't believe his wife stayed with him so long. He gets a kick out of practical jokes. Most of these jokes are hilarious as long as you are not at the other end of them. He once pretended that he was the cashier at a costume store ( the real owner hoping to get on TV with Howie's home video's) and a woman came in wanting a chicken costume. He told her to go in the back and take her pants off. Of course she was a little shocked and after a ba...more
I have to admit that I laughed out loud several times (particularly at the story about his son and gym class). It was never lost on me that he is an author with adult ADHD.
Howie has personal difficulties (OCD, ACHD) and deals with them as best he can while having an incredible career. He describes his childhood and the reader get an understanding for OCD as it appears his mother and maternal grandmother also suffered. Several very funny stories, and some stories which show the maniac and badly thought out practical jokes he plays on his nearest friends. I leave this book understanding his afflictions a little better, and glad that I don't have them. (e.g., when he...more
I cannot believe the pranks he pulls on others, some of them are downright mean. To him they are humorous. Even when he thinks he's gone too far he goes even further. He is so juvenile. I find his struggle with OCD interesting as I have issues myself. He is admirable regarding his marriage-he's been with his wife for 38 years and speaks about his love and respect for her. One of my favorite acts of his is the little boy "Bobby." One of his pranks involved being a carpet salesman and asking peopl...more
Definitely not boring. Funny, the laugh out loud kind in true Howie style. But I had no idea how severe his disorders were until I read this book. It is amazing that he has such a successful career despite it all. I was always a fan, but now I have also come to admire his spirit and strength and also his wife's. Wow! that woman must love him very much to put up with him for this long :) Howie tells all in this book, a brutally honest account of his life and career. I don't normally read autobiog...more
I was never bored reading the book, so I guess that's a plus. Also, it's always exciting to hear some inside dirt on famous people. But as a whole, I was pretty underwhelmed by this book. I appreciate and respect Mr. Mandel for being honest about his ADHD, OCD etc. but most of the book isn't about his struggles. Time after time he recounts in often uncomfortable detail that "pranks" that he has pulled on both strangers and those closest to him. Maybe I don't have a well developed sense of humor,...more
In Howie Mandel’s book, Here’s the Deal, Don’t Touch Me, he puts his comedian spin on the ups and downs of living with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). We are taken through childhood right up to the present day. It had me laughing out loud throughout. He is forever playing a prank on someone and you will have to read the book to find out about the one that went too far. His wife has given him an ultimatum - NO pranks within a five mile radi...more
First, I love reading autobiographies from celebrities - when I see them at the library, like this one, I snatch 'em up and inhale them.
I was interested in reading about Howie Mandel's experiences with OCD, but this book only touches on it briefly, it's mostly a history of his career. It was hilarious - loved reading about his experiences with his kids and the practical jokes he's played. If he came to town, I would definitely see his show.
Easy book to read, funny, and now I need to get back to...more
I was interested in reading about Howie Mandel's experiences with OCD, but this book only touches on it briefly, it's mostly a history of his career. It was hilarious - loved reading about his experiences with his kids and the practical jokes he's played. If he came to town, I would definitely see his show.
Easy book to read, funny, and now I need to get back to...more
I read this over the course of a four hour flight and I was so glad to have the time to read it all in one sitting. I think it's very important when celebrities acknowledge that they have health issues like this - especially with things like mental illness, which still hold such a stigma. It allows others who are suffering to know that they are not alone and that a diagnosis does not mean that they can't live a very successful life. Even if you're not interested in Mandel's career, I think you s...more
I am not a fan of Howie Mandel's comedy, so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to his memoir on audio. Though I am not particularly intersted in him or his career, I found myself enjoying his stories of growing up OCD, his prankster antics, and his relationship with his wife. He was very engaging and honest in the book, and his personality really came through in the audio book. If you are looking for somethig to pass the time while driving or working out, I recommend "Her...more
Hubby and I listened to this book on the way to and from vacation. It was a good car listen, although it made my hubby laugh so hard that was worried about his driving abilities being compromised. hubby loved the book and while I enjoyed it a lot some of the stories he told were a little offputting to me. Still I love biographical books because they give me an insight into the celebrities' lives and usually end up with me liking the celebrity much more than before. This book didn't disappoint in...more
I liked this book.
It's always nice to read about the real life/background of high profile people. I never knew much about Howard Mandel, but learned about his interesting but complicated life. Success came easy to him, and he achieved a lot in his life. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, but I am somewhat turned off by all the extreme pranks he plays on people. As he mentions in his book, he feels embarrassed about some of the "real" bad pranks he played on his friends, but on the other han...more
It's always nice to read about the real life/background of high profile people. I never knew much about Howard Mandel, but learned about his interesting but complicated life. Success came easy to him, and he achieved a lot in his life. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, but I am somewhat turned off by all the extreme pranks he plays on people. As he mentions in his book, he feels embarrassed about some of the "real" bad pranks he played on his friends, but on the other han...more
I do not quite know why I own this book, although Howie being a fellow germophobe might be the answer. I wanted a quick read and this certainly fit that bill. There were some humorous parts, more serious parts than I expected and the OCD/germ issues which I could totally relate to. I've never been a big fan of "6 year old humor" (Howie claims this is the state he is stuck in), so I do not find many of the things he does all that entertaining. I must say, the chapter where he causes his friend to...more
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This book is just confusing. Just plain confusing.
Is it about Howie's OCD? No, not really. It starts off with a little bit about it. He attributes his germaphobia to his upbringing and talks just a bit about his other problems with OCD. I could actually identify with a lot about what he was saying. I "check" things a lot. I don't think I have OCD, but I can identify with his helpless need to go back and make sure the door is locked over and over while realizing that it's silly. I do the same thi...more
Is it about Howie's OCD? No, not really. It starts off with a little bit about it. He attributes his germaphobia to his upbringing and talks just a bit about his other problems with OCD. I could actually identify with a lot about what he was saying. I "check" things a lot. I don't think I have OCD, but I can identify with his helpless need to go back and make sure the door is locked over and over while realizing that it's silly. I do the same thi...more
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Howard Michael "Howie" Mandel (born November 29, 1955) is a Canadian stand-up comedian, television host, and actor. He is well known as host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Before his career as a game show host, Mandel was best known for his role on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere. He is also well-known for being the creato...more
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Mar 19, 2012 06:32pm