Howie Mandel's a nice, funny guy — and yes, the story is apparently true of how he became a comedian. One night, he was taken to the Comedy Store strictly as an audience member. It was "open mike night," where anyone who thinks they have an act can sign up and get a few minutes to perform. Howie didn't have an act — or didn't think he had an act — but sign-ups were light that night, so when all the scheduled wanna-bes were done, he got up there, almost on a dare, and ad-libbed what turned out to be the funniest set of the evening. It started him on the road to performing and he's never looked back, turning into an amazing success. Why, he even has his own website! (P.S. When you go there, the opening screen will give you your choice of English or Italian. Pick the English, then go back to that screen and select Italian. Well, it made me laugh.)