Artie Lange is Losing It
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:46amArtie walks off the Stern show after physically lashing out at his assistant. I was telling the geekboy earlier that I’m increasingly uncomfortable listening to Howard Stern lately, as Artie Lange gets more and more depressed, unhealthy and angry. It’s not funny and it’s not fun. Blarg.
Joey Jo-Jo on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:30 am
i was thinking yesterday when he was sleeping that there was no way he’s going to be able to keep up the pace of an early-morning show much longer, and now this.
Not that I want to see anyone self-destruct, but I think Artie leaving the show would be better for all parties. I know he’s got his fans, but I think Artie has been a blight on the show ever since Jackie left.
freakgirl on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:39 am
I’ve always been a huge Artie fan (no pun intended) — his Iron Sheik is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in my life — but the past year or so has been just awful, like watching a slow-motion suicide.
GeekBoy on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:30 am
I’m with Freakgirl. I actually think Artie’s been a huge asset to the show in the post-Jackie era. But something has definitely changed for the worst in the past year or so. Half the time he’s funny, and half the time he’s just annoying. He’s become a big fat caricature of himself. The sad thing is, I think the show is probably the only thing that keeps him remotely stable. So if he leaves, I worry that it’s just a matter of time before we see the headline that he’s died of a drug overdose.
freakgirl on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:45 am
I think he has some misguided idea that his fans find all of this hilarious and he’s been doing it for effect, but now it’s out of control. I think he’s clinically depressed and wants to make sure that when he dies, he leaves a Belushi-like legacy.
Joey Jo-Jo on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I finally heard the fracas, and wow, that was intense. It sounded similar to when Elaine Boosler’s boyfriend attacked Gary.
A lot of people seem to be arguing that it is a late April Fool’s joke, especially since it’s happening on the last day before vacation, but it sounded pretty real to me. i think there would be much more description of what was happening if it was staged, but there was just chaos.
If it was fake, though, Robin definitely wasn’t in on it.
GeekBoy on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 2:01 pm
What’s interesting is that normally the morning show gets replayed throughout the day. But today, they’re replaying yesterday’s show instead. Which I’m guessing is deliberate. Probably Howard’s decision.
Jason on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Holy shit! I’m a freeloading downloader so I’ll hear it tomorrow. But Artie has definitely been on such a path of self destruction really starting with his heroin revelation, and if it was anyone else on the show there would have been an intervention months ago. But because his self destruction is part of his comedy, Howard just keeps enabling him. The Artie vs Sal and Richard episode a few months back was uncomfortable, and the more recent High Pitch Mike fight was downright disturbing, but this sounds even worse and it could possibly get Artie kicked off the show. And if that happens, who knows how far down the guy will go. This is really sad. I think Artie needs to take a few months off, move in with George and Brad and get himself some help. I just hope he doesn’t go and OD in Amsterdam.
GeekBoy on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Technically, he already resigned, and Howard accepted, on air. So at this point, it’s not so much a matter of Artie getting kicked off the show as him asking to come back (if he does) and Howard deciding whether to let him.
freakgirl on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 2:39 pm
When they were talking on the wrapup show (although Howard wasn’t involved), they came to consensus that Artie hasn’t formally resigned and that a lot of stuff was said in anger.
If it is a late April Fool’s joke, which, come on, it’s April 10th already, Jason Reitman wasn’t in on it either. Dude was freaked OUT.
Although Benji was being totally melodramatic about the whole thing.
Jason on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I just tried getting on to SFN and it’s completely down. I bet they’re server just got slammed.
Greater Czarina on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Today was seriously horrifying. There’s no way I buy it was a joke. Artie needs to be committed and really, he shouldn’t be allowed back on the show until he’s proven to be in treatment.