THE NATIONAL POST: “Neurodivergent people interview celebrities in new show”

CBC’s The Assembly features Howie Mandel, Jann Arden, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and more

Read the full Article published by The National Post here

On the new CBC interview series The Assembly, somebody has just brought up Howie Mandel’s obsessive compulsive disorder and asked about his body-shaving habits (wink, wink). There are nervous giggles and gasps in the audience, and Mandel is taking a moment to figure out how to answer.

Someone who works on the show comes to the rescue, telling Mandel that he doesn’t have to respond. But will he anyway? Or is it one line too far?

To be fair, on The Assembly there are three rules: no questions are off the table, no subjects are out of bounds, and all might happen. I won’t spoil what happens next, but the exchange is one of many moments that makes the show such an entertaining watch.

Canada’s six episodes debuted Nov. 6 on CBC and CBC Gem, and they feature stars such as singer Jann Arden, comedian Russell Peters, and actor Allan Hawco. In Mandel’s episode, he starts by opening up about his own mental health conditions.

“This is, in my history in show business, the most honest, beautiful, original, authentic conversation I’ve ever had on camera,” he says. “I learned that humanity, all humanity, is beautiful and wonderful and joyful.” - Howie Mandel