JOEL THE JOKESTER

THE FUNNYMAN OPENS UP ABOUT HIS FAVORITE PART OF HOSTING THE HIGHSTAKES GAME SHOW CARD SHARKS

Funnyman Joel McHale opens up to In Touch about his marriage, his surprising encounter with Tyra Banks and why Julia Roberts is a fan

Joel McHale says it takes a lot to get him excited these days. “I have a little burned-out hole for a heart,” jokes the actor and comedian. But hosting Card Sharks on ABC — and presenting winners with cold, hard cash — is doing the trick. “They changed the rules this year, so we’re giving away more money,” he adds. “It got so bad, ABC was like, ‘What’s going on?’ and that made me happy.” Here, the 48-year-old, who hosted the LA Zoo’s virtual Beastly Ball over the summer, talks to In Touch about life at home with his wife of 24 years, Sarah Williams, and their two sons Edward, 15, and Isaac, 12, the buzz about a full-length Community movie and having Julia Roberts as a fan.

Tell us about Card Sharks Season 2.

JM: I hope it will bring some fun

“Getting to know people before they win a huge amount of money is strangely thrilling,” he says of hosting a game show.

into people’s homes. It’s a very simple but perfect game, and we gave away a ton of money, which was incredible and made me emotional.

Community is a cult hit. What’s the latest on a movie?

JM: The cast is on board; it just has to do with schedules and timing. Playing Jeff Winger was a privilege and so much fun, and I’d do it in a heartbeat.

You hosted The Soup on E! from 2004 to 2015. Did any celebs turn against you over jokes you made?

JM: Tyra Banks wasn’t happy with us, but then I met her a couple years later and she could not have been nicer! And an E! reporter once told me, “Julia Roberts said she would never come on, but she wants you to know she really likes the show.”

What do you like to do with the family when you’re not working?

JM: I’ve been playing baseball with one of my sons, and I swim with my other one. And we play a lot of video games. Fortnite and Call of Duty are a big part of our lives.

What’s your secret to a long-lasting marriage?

JM: I got very lucky in that I married the best person on the planet, so there’s that, and she tolerates me every day, thank God. But I would say you have to choose your partner every day. Once you start doing that over and over, it’s amazing.

Between acting, hosting and stand-up, what’s your favorite gig?

JM: Acting was my first love, but it’s hard to say. I’m an extreme extrovert, so I want it all! ◼