I'm a long time fan and I love the show...or at least I think I still do. When Artie was crazed and falling asleep all the time I was all for firing him. Especially after his Teddy attack. I was very surprised that he was allowed to return to the show. He was on subutex, falling asleep all the time, dirty and unkempt, etc. and he wasn't contributing anything to the show. A total mess of a human. Since his return he seems to have changed but not all for the better. I don't know what his deal is but lately he won't SHUT UP even for a minute. He goes on and on and on and on about himself and there's no shutting him up. . I think he may now be on meth or something ;-) He just won't stop talking and Howard can't seem to find a way to make him stop. I'm listening right now and he is once again hijacking the show and making it all about him. He thinks he's a nice, generous guy but he really isn't either of those. He is the first to give money to someone but he then holds it against them. He says he loves Dana but then all he talks about on the show is F$%#ing hookers. He says he isn't a homophobe but he continues to make really bad "fag" jokes. He says he isn't a racist, but he is the first to laugh at Sal's racist jokes. I think he's just a mean asshole and I really wish he would just go away.