The Engagement
On a trip to Paris in July 2017, Phil took Mandel to one of his favorite spots... La Grande Jatte, an island in the middle of the city. It was the inspiration for Georges Seurat's famous painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, which is also the inspiration for Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park With George." So, of course, Phil proposed on a Sunday afternoon. In the park. On the Island of La Grande Jatte.
OUR
Story
The First Date
Mandel and Phil met on March 28, 2013, after talking on OKCupid for about a week. They went to Republic of Pie in North Hollywood and talked about careers, families, and of course game shows. Before the first date even happened, they had already planned their second date. Phil asked, "Is this bad that we haven't even gone out once yet?" And Mandel said, "I think it will go just fine."
Everything in Between
APRIL 3, 2013 - Phindel goes on a dinner date in Beverly Hills and just feet away from their table was Monty Hall and his family. Quite a “big deal!"
MAY 19, 2013 - While having a date night to watch “Celebrity Apprentice,” Phindel records themselves trying out Penn Jillette and Trace Adkins’ ice cream flavors in a precursor to “Phood With Phindel.”
MAY 26, 2013 - While en route to Mandel's band playing at Burbstock, Phindel bumps into a friend and for the first time, Mandel introduces Phil as his “boyfriend.”
JULY 12, 2013 - Phindel takes their first of many trips together as they go on a road trip to Santa Barbara.
JULY 23, 2013 - Phil attends his first “Center Squares” night & shows off his amazing charades skills playing “Body Language,” winning big for his team!
NOVEMBER 2, 2013 - Phindel attends their first class together at Slimmons. Richard comments before this picture was taken, "it's like standing between two chopsticks!"
OCTOBER 5, 2013 - Phindel goes on their first Gay Days together at Disneyland. It ends with Mandel getting a terrible case of pinkeye.
DECEMBER 7, 2013 - Phindel spends their first holiday party together at Mandel’s old house on Blix Street. In addition to meeting many more of Mandel’s friends, Phil gets a taste of the party-hosting madness in the years to follow.
JANUARY 26, 2014 - Phindel does their first duet together at a Disney-themed piano night: “What Can You Lose?,” a song from “Dick Tracy,” written by one of Phil’s all-time favorites, Stephen Sondheim.
FEBRUARY 14, 2014 - Phindel spends their first Valentine’s together: a wonderful dinner atop the San Fernando hills at Burbank's Castaway Restaurant.
MARCH 27, 2014 - For their first anniversary, Phil takes Mandel on his very first cruise - a Carnival Imagination excursion to Ensenada. The trip is filled with games, karaoke, and 90s and TV theme trivia contests that Phindel dominates driving many a competitor away.
JUNE 8, 2014 - Phindel attends LA Pride (Phil’s first). Mandel was decked out in his “Xanadu” T-shirt and while grabbing brunch at Hugo’s, they bump into Cheyenne Jackson!
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 - Phindel does their first full-on escape room with John, Jason, and Louis as they try to get out of the PanIQ Room’s Bunker!
JANUARY 31, 2015 - It’s a gathering of the families as Phil and Mandel’s moms arrive for the big Phindel Manor housewarming. Over 300 attend this event featuring a special game of Supermarket Sweep hosted by the show's own David Ruprecht!
MAY 24, 2015 - Tropical time as Phil joins Mandel in Hawaii during the taping of Paradise Run's first season. Mandel’s day off with Phil has them walking through the rainforest and lava tubes and savoring dinner by the Kona beach.
DECEMBER 5, 2015 - It's the first of the Phindel Holiday Parties - the Blix tradition gets a Phindel touch with a blend of food, fun, games, & singing by the piano!
DECEMBER 3, 2014 - Phindel gets the keys to the house that Mandel purchased and thus begins Phindel Manor!
MARCH 28, 2015 - Phindel celebrates their 2nd anniversary at Big Bear. The adventurous weekend includes a treacherous drive to the city in the dark and Mandel attempting to ski for the very first time.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 - Phindel takes their first trip together to their home state of Florida. Worlds collide as friends from their childhoods finally get to meet.
JANUARY 22, 2016 - The first official edition of Phood With Phindel is released. The phood...SPAM Snacks. It features the first of many gagging Phil faces to come!
JANUARY 29, 2016 - Phindel takes their first trip together with Phriends -a Vegas weekend for Mandel’s birthday. Hooters and White Castle get some visits while Phindel gets to meet Olivia Newton-John and her doggie!
MARCH 24, 2016 - Phindel heads to San Francisco for their third anniversary. Cable car rides and pictures by the Painted Ladies -"Everywhere you look" it was food and fun!
JULY 1, 2016 - After an aborted attempt due to winds the previous Christmas, Phindel finally makes it to Catalina. The trip had them driving a golf cart through the hills alongside this group who were all Mario Kart-ed up!
NOVEMBER 19, 2016 - Phindel say goodbye to Slimmons as they attend its final class. Sadly, Richard Simmons wasn't there, but left a heartfelt goodbye message. Tempting as it was, no exercise mats or weights were taken back to the Manor.
NOVEMBER 5, 2016 - It’s “The North of North Hollywood Squares” as celebrities from the various versions converge at Phindel Manor to play the classic game. Shadoe Stevens even lends his rich vocals to introduce our distinguished panel!
MARCH 11, 2017- Mandel takes Phil to his first Kids’ Choice Awards at the Galen Center in USC. Here, Phil learns the importance of ear plugs!
APRIL 30, 2017 - Mandel nervously meets James O’Halloran from “The Price is Right” at the Daytime Emmys. Phil can’t believe how Mandel clams up. Make sure you ask Phil to do his amazing recreation of this momentous event.
