web watch 2007 - germs or no germs?
Unless you've been living in a van down by the river, you no doubt have heard that Howie Mandel is the hottest TV personality since Canadian-born game-show hosts for $200: who is Alex Trebek?
 |
 |
Howie's seemingly-overnight success has left a lot of folks puzzled about his past – and what's the deal with him not shaking anybody's hands?
Few recall Howie's days as a successful carpet store chain owner in his native Toronto. Some might remember his beginnings as a stand-up comic after arriving in L.A. in 1979.
After releasing his comedy recording Fits Like A Glove in 1986, he landed a six-year stint as Dr. Wayne Fiscus on TV's St. Elsewhere. He also oversaw (as creator, producer and vocal talent) Bobby's World during its eight-year run. On the big screen, he was the voice of Gizmo in Gremlins.
Howie's career had pancaked at the beginning of the current millennium when he took the spokesman role in a series of commercials for the nearly 200-restaurant Canadian Boston Pizza chain that had its beginnings on Edmonton, Alberta's 118th Avenue in 1964.
Howie could be seen plunking himself down beside bewildered restaurant patrons claiming "At Boston Pizza we're just friends" as he droolingly-eyed the fresh extra-large-with-anchovies on their tables.
In 2005, Howie took his wife's advice and bet his future on a slice of NBC's successful Dutch-based risk-aversion show Deal or No Deal.
Which brings the story around to Howie's own aversion: germs.
Seems Howie suffers from mysophobia, described as a pathological fear of germs. The condition is usually marked by obssessive-compulsive handwashing.
And the wearing of latex gloves. In Howie's case, that included his head (as can be witnessed by the now-prophetic album cover).
He remedied his fear of foul and infested follicles by shaving himself bald. But what a guy like Howie really needs is a personal cleaning service.
Also based in Edmonton, the nogerms folks warn that the average desk surface has over 400 times more germs than a toilet seat.
And if that isn't enough to make you stand up, look behind and take notice, the average telephone has over 25,127 germs per square inch – enough to make you want to chance a call to nogerms for an immediate free consultation.
But if letting other people clean your personal stuff gives you the willies, gather up your willpower and head on over to the folks at How to Clean Anything.com
There you'll find more than 1300 free tips on how to clean anything and everything from reptiles and fish to transmission fluid spills and tear-stained satin pillows.
You'll soon sleep easy knowing the bedbugs won't bite.
But if they do, the people at How to Clean Anything.com will help you to prepare your own in-home Grime Stoppers program.