Episode
My Most Important Monologue (Part 1 or 3) and Entertainment Icon Howie Mandel
- Published
- Jan 20, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3840
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Summary
In this energetic and wide-ranging episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt , Jonah sits down with comedy and television icon Howie Mandel ( America’s Got Talent, Deal or No Deal, Gremlins, St. Elsewhere ) for a conversation that moves effortlessly between laughter and reflection. From his early days as a stand-up comic to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in television, Howie reflects on a career that has spanned more than four decades, and the values that have grounded him throughout it. With trademark honesty and humor, Howie opens up about his Jewish upbringing, family life, and how Jewish values have shaped his worldview both onstage and off. The conversation also takes a more serious turn as Howie speaks candidly about the resurgence of antisemitism, the aftermath of October 7th, and what it has felt like to navigate Jewish identity in an increasingly hostile global climate. Thoughtful, funny, and unexpectedly moving, this episode offers a rare glimpse into how one of comedy’s most familiar figures navigates faith, fear, and responsibility to show up when it matters most. Topics Discussed Include: Howie’s Jewish upbringing in Toronto How comedy became a creative outlet and coping mechanism for anxiety and OCD The influence of Howie’s father on his Jewish values and identity Howie’s early years doing stand-up Howie’s opinion on tzedakah Why Israel struggles with public perception Jewish identity and visibility in a time of rising antisemitism Howie speaks out about injustice and intolerance Pro-Palestinian vs. Anti-Israel movements: understanding the difference Howie on NBC, Hollywood, and Jewish representation Jews being targets for their appearance outside of NY and LA Howie’s goal, “I just wanna do the right thing.” Thank you t…