Comedian Howie Mandel prefers the occupational classification of “comic” over any of his varied work history, ranging from television dramatic actor on “St. Elsewhere” and Saturday morning animated voiceover talent on “Bobby’s World” to game show host on “Deal or No Deal” and celebrity judge on “America’s Got Talent.”

“I still get to do at least 100 stand-up comedy dates around the country every year, even with my other television work,” Mandel said.

“AGT starts the season in September and then I always do the Canada version too. But my true love is and always has been doing my comedy.”

Mandel, 69, joins his comedy pal Arsenio Hall, who turns 69 on Feb. 12, at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue on Sunday, Feb. 2 with doors open at 6 p.m. for a double bill headliner night of comedy.

Mandel ranks among the first entertainers I ever interviewed as a new reporter, back in 1992 when he was headlining his comedy show at The Radisson Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. He’s always been a great interview throughout the decades.

“I love to do these comedy dates on the road with Arsenio,” said Mandel, speaking by phone from his home in Los Angeles on Monday.

“I come out and do my part of the show and he does his part of the show and then we both share the stage together and it’s fun for us and for the audience.”

In addition to his comedy tour dates, Mandel’s other passion is the captured conversations and interviews of his podcast “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” which he co-hosts alongside his daughter, Jackelyn Schultz.

His judging panel duties on NBC’s flagship series “America’s Got Talent” have spanned more than 15 seasons, seated beside fellow star judges including Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howard Stern.

Mandel and Hall also share a special connection to the late comedy icon Joan Rivers.

“My first time getting booked on ‘The Tonight Show’ was because of Joan Rivers,” Mandel said.

“I hadn’t had any luck getting booked by the Carson producers. Joan came and saw me at a comedy club and then booked me when she was guest hosting one night for Johnny. After that, Johnny started booking me too.”

Mandel never forgot Rivers’ kindness, and when she left NBC and “The Tonight Show,” he was one of her friends who agreed to be her guest on her new FOX network rival chatfest “The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers.” (Rivers had always said stars were pressured not to appear on her new show, with worries that if they did, they would not be booked again on “The Tonight Show.”)

Rivers’ show didn’t last in the ratings war and after seven months, she was fired from FOX and her show was eventually given to Arsenio Hall. For her final show, which aired May 15, 1987, her guests included Mandel, Pee-Wee Herman, Chris Rock and punk rocker Wendy O. Williams from the Plasmatics.

Hall became a household name with the success of his Emmy Award-winning late-night talk show “The Arsenio Hall Show” which matched in ratings with Carson’s successor Jay Leno taking over “The Tonight Show” hosting duties. Versatile actor, comedian and producer Hall first became involved in the arts at “The Cleveland Playhouse,” and continued to hone his craft through his Kent State University years.

It was in 1979 when Hall moved from Ohio to Chicago where he tried his hand at stand-up comedy and was discovered by jazz singer Nancy Wilson. Within a decade, he found himself signed to a film and television deal with Paramount Pictures, which led to the opportunity to co-write and co-star in the hit comedy film “Coming to America.”

“Arsenio and I are the same, in that we love to be working because we love what we do,” Mandel said.

“When my agent or manager calls me with an offer, I’ve learned throughout the past 40 years to never say the word ‘no.’ The letters n and o are also the first two letters in the word ‘nothing.’ And when you say no, then nothing can happen from an opportunity.”

Tickets for Howie Mandel and Arsenio Hall are $35. This show is all reserved seating and for ages 21 and up. Visit https://casino.hardrock.com/northern-indiana or call 219-228-2383. Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is located at 5400 West 29th Ave. in Gary.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.