Daniela LaFaveLOS ANGELES — America’s Got Talent’s Howie Mandel joined creator and entrepreneur Camilla Araujo for a kinetic, joke-packed Episode 5 of Clock It, trading stories about career milestones, hygiene quirks, tech ventures, and Araujo’s fast-growing business empire.
“I’m excited to be here. I’m a fan,” Mandel said at the top of the show, before pivoting into a running bit about handshakes.
“I don’t like touching… your hand is filthy. In many cultures people bow. Not that I want to be bowed to—I just don’t want to be touched.”
Araujo, who has built a sizable online audience and subscription business, spoke candidly about her finances.
“I’m doing amazing,” she said. “I’m at probably $2.5 million a month right now… My goal is 10 mil off one platform.” Mandel responded, “It’s amazing… you are doing amazing.”
The conversation ricocheted from MrBeast collaborations to footwear.
Mandel, a Skechers ambassador, surprised Araujo’s partner with neon slip-ins on set.
“I’ll get you Skechers,” Mandel said. “You’re 10-and-a-half? I’m going to get you shoes right now.” Araujo laughed, “I want an ad sponsorship from Skechers now,” adding later, “Those are sick.”
Araujo detailed her investment strategy alongside partner Owen.
“We currently have 11 Section 8 rentals, one Airbnb and one primary home,” she said. Mandel praised the discipline: “I’m very proud of you. At 22 I didn’t have anything. You’re off to a good start.”
Courtesy of Camilla Araujo
Mandel opened up about long-running OCD and the lengths he once took to avoid germs.
Howie Mandel reflected on his early acting career, telling Camilla Araujo that his breakout role on St. Elsewhere placed him alongside a then-unknown Denzel Washington.
“That was his first show. Me and him starred together,” Mandel said, showing photos from the set. “I could sell out 10,000-seat arenas one week, and then I’d go shoot with Denzel the next.”
Mandel credited the NBC drama with shaping his career. “I did that for six years and then started doing movies, but television was always where I felt most at home,” he said. Araujo, impressed, admitted she knew Washington but not Mandel’s acting background, joking, “I thought you’d always been bald.” Mandel replied with a grin, “No, that’s me with hair — and Denzel right beside me.”
Courtesy of Camilla Araujo
Later in the episode, Mandel pivoted to his fascination with unscripted television and the way audiences gravitate to larger-than-life personalities. He name-checked Jerry Springer as part of the conversation, framing Springer’s talk show empire as an example of how far reality-based entertainment could go.
“People love drama, whether it’s Springer bringing guests on to fight or me hosting Deal or No Deal with suitcases,” Mandel said. “It’s all about the tension and payoff.”
The comedian noted the contrast between his career path and Springer’s. “I did games, competition, comedy,” Mandel said. “Springer leaned into conflict. But both shows had the same thing — people couldn’t look away.”
“I was probably the first person to publicly carry surgical scrub in the ’90s. I used it day and night—and I killed all the good bacteria,” he said. “I know it’s not good, but I can’t [shake hands].”
The pair also covered family and purpose. “I can’t wait to have kids,” Araujo said. “For me, that’s going to be the most healing and purposeful thing I could do.” Mandel agreed: “There’s nothing that can change you more than becoming a parent… you go from focusing on yourself to focusing on someone else, and that’s healthy.”
Mandel traced his career from HBO’s Young Comedians Special—“It was me, Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Lewis and Harry Anderson”—to Saint Elsewhere with Denzel Washington. “That aired and the next week I could sell out 10,000-seat arenas,” he said. On game shows: “Deal or No Deal was the biggest game at the time. I was the first comic to host a game; after that came Jeff Foxworthy and Steve Harvey.”
On today’s media landscape, Mandel said, “I love social media more than TV. Digital is the best—anybody with a point of view can make millions from their room.” Araujo acknowledged she “romanticizes old Hollywood,” but agreed: “You’re the boss of you, and that’s better.”
The episode’s most unexpected moment arrived when Mandel defended his pool workout.
“I tie cables to my ankles and paddle in place for an hour,” he said, showing video on his phone.
Araujo, in tears laughing, called it “the funniest thing I’ve ever seen,” prompting Mandel to deadpan, “You don’t become all this from doing nothing.”
Mandel also previewed a technology venture. “I’m involved in a hologram company—you can be live, in real time, with no latency and broadcast in any language,” he said, inviting Araujo to guest virtually: “You’ll be on my podcast—live as a hologram.”
Mandel closed on respect and resilience. “Humanity needs to be respected—every religion, race, whoever people love,” he said. Araujo replied, “Thank you. I’m very passionate about that.”
“Thank you so much for watching,” Araujo told viewers as the episode wrapped. Mandel added with a grin, “The biggest laugh I got was my exercise routine.”