by Howie Mandel
First published 2009
Howie Mandel pulls back the curtain on his life beyond the Deal or No Deal podium. The comedian and television host chronicles his lifelong struggles with OCD and ADHD, conditions that have shaped both his personal relationships and his entertainment career. Mandel traces his journey from teenage carpet salesman to stand-up comic, sharing stories from opening for Diana Ross, starring in St. Elsewhere for six years, creating Bobby's World, and hosting his own talk show. He details his numerous phobias and compulsions, explaining how he channels his mental health challenges into comedic material. The memoir reveals how his germophobia and attention disorders have affected his roles as son, husband, and father of three children. Mandel writes candidly about using humor as a coping mechanism, noting that making himself laugh distracts him from the torturous thoughts in his head. This honest account combines entertainment industry anecdotes with intimate revelations about living with mental health conditions.
Genres: mental-health, autobiography, non-fiction, comedy
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: overcoming-adversity, personal-journey
220 pages · Hardcover · Bantam
Content warnings: mental-illness