Despite Howard Stern's repeated insistence that Artie Lange has not quit the Howard Stern Show, the King of All Media stated Monday that he felt inspired to compile a retrospective of his favorite Artie Lange moments from the past nine years to remind his audience just how great the beleaguered comic really is.
Howard Stern announced Tuesday that Sirius XM executive Mel Karmazin suggested that the Artie Lange special air on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 18th. The question that no one is answering, however, is just why we're doing a retrospective on Artie Lange if he's not going anywhere? Aren't retrospectives usually reserved for the dead or those about to retire with their gold-plated watch?
Artie Lange fans have been starved of even the tiniest morsel of information on his whereabouts or condition since Saturday's TMZ report that the comedian had been hospitalized and that no further comment would be made. At this point, no one has even been able to get a family member or friend to publicly state whether or not Artie Lange is even alive.
Though Howard Stern refused to make any comment on the state of Artie Lange's physical or mental health, Artie Lange's recent, unexplained hospitalization drove Howard Stern to bare his teeth in the face of those criticizing Lange's chronic mental health and substance abuse problems.
Artie Lange joined the Howard Stern Show in 2001, replacing Howard Stern's longtime ultra-hacky sidekick Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling. Artie Lange impressed some Howard Stern Show fans with his quick, dirty wit and blue collar vibe. Those who didn't hop on board probably didn't make the jump to Sirius satellite radio either, so the Howard Stern Show audience that's left is pretty freakin' Artie Lange-fan heavy.
Artie Lange's 2007 on-air announcement that he was addicted to heroin spurned one of the greatest Howard Stern Show story arcs in history.
Artie Lange fans are hoping that by the time Howard Stern's Artie Lange tribute airs, they'll know whether or not their comic hero's "fi-yaaaaa!" has gone out.
For the latest updates on Artie Lange and an absurd amount of other Howard Stern Show related news, follow the Howard Stern Examiner on Twitter, Facebook and at www.ronnielovesmambo.com
Comments
"ultra-hacky" is used to describe Jackie Martling? He's a wonderful guy, do you know him? Great friend of mine and I'd hardly say he's ultra-hacky.
Hi Liz... You do a great job blogging the Stern show. However after reading several of your posts, I can't help but realize how often you repeat names. After saying Artie's full name once in the article, there is no reason to continuously repeat his full name over and over again. Even AP articles use only a last name or first name after the first time.
Same when you say Howard Stern Show... You can just say Stern show, etc.
Just constructive criticism though, and as I said you do a great job. :)
She's keywording. The more time you repeat keywords like "artie lange" the easier it is for people to find your article on artie lange. you're right though. she's good.
I can't believe that we still don't know what is going on with Artie. Artie Lange has better protection than Obama! I really hope he is okay and I hope an update leaks out soon.
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