Howie Mandel with Bob Saget (left) and Gilbert Godfried (right).Photo: getty (3)
Howie Mandelis as busy as ever, hosting a new Netflix competition series,Bullsh*t The Game Show, in addition to his gig as a judge onAmerica’s Got Talentand working on his podcast,Howie Mandel Does Stuff.
But the prolific comedian is also reflecting on an exceedingly difficult few months as he’s weathered the losses of three close friends: comediansBob Saget,Louie AndersonandGilbert Gottfried.
“I never dreamed there would be a moment where I could list people who are just gone,” says Mandel, 66, in this week’s issue of PEOPLE. “I remember being in a room with every one of those people and there was such a sense of invincibility.”
“Now, the silence is deafening,” he adds. “There aren’t words to describe the losses.”
Saget and Anderson both died in January (Saget, 65,from head traumaand Anderson, 68,from cancer) while Gottfried, 67, died in April after aprolonged illness.
“I absolutely loved Gilbert,” recalls Mandel. “He was the sweetest. This just compounds the feeling of fragility. This can all end tomorrow so it’s so important to absorb each moment and each second with the people you love and care about.”
Howie Mandel.Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock
“Ever sinceDeal or No Deal, there is a nonstop flow of game show offers that come my way,” he says. “At this point in my life, I’m looking to show up for a crazy, fun gratifying experience. AndBullsh*tchecked every box.”
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In the game show, contestants try to guess whether their fellow players are correctly answering trivia questions or making up answers in the moment.
“Bullshtis the lifeblood of our world, whether we’re trying to discern it from a salesperson, a partner or a child,” says Mandel. “I hate trivia. I absolutely do. But I love bullsht!”
Bullsh*t The Game Showpremieres on April 27 on Netflix.
source: people.com
