Artie Lange eased the cliffhanger a little bit by annoucing at his gig last night at Union High School that he will be on the show Monday. Since I don't think he'd come in to announce a suspension or a permanent separation from the show, I can only think that he's been given another chance. It's hard to believe after the events that have gone down, but I suppose it's possible. Still...no suspension? No rehab? It just sounds unlikely. Could Artie just have been pacifying the crowd?
If Artie is back on Monday to stay, I really have mixed feelings about it. I was pretty sad when I thought Artie was finished with the Howard Stern Show, but Artie will never change his destructive behavior as long as he's coddled and given second chances. I'd hoped he'd get some help as the result of all of this. Surely, he'll at least see a psychiatrist finally, but will he take it seriously and stick it out? I doubt it.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
FacebookNewest Posts
- Rosie O'Donnell Heads Back to the Air
- Scarlett Johansson pens essay marking 15th anniversary of Rwanda's genocide
- Artie is still on heroin
- JD Harmeyer is a moron
- Rest in Peace Blue Irls
- Robin is beautiful
- Artie is a bigger asshole now than he was before the Teddy attack
- Stern's Comics Bombed in Iraq
- Dust off the "Jackie Chair"
- Richard Christy Interview
comments
87
I was just posting this when I saw it on the corner of the page...lol
A miserable Artie is better than no Artie at all. I'm glad he's not leaving.
Anyone of us would have lost our jobs, but we're forgetting a couple key components...
1. We're not entertainers who are expected to be funny, reveal personal/private secrets and create drama. Sad but true...all the gossping we're doing just proves Artie is adding to the show...look at the suspense. I'd bet Monday's show is the most listened to show Howard's had on Sirius.
2. In our workplace, we wouldn't have someone deliberately instigating/antogonizing an argument with a co-worker. Artie didn't attack anyone in the hall, he got upset and took his place behind the mic. It wasn't until Howard turned it into a bit that Arite hit the wall.
3. Sirius is getting FREE publicity out of this whole thing. This is worth millions of dollars in advertising that they are getting for less than a penny because Artie acted like a baby gorilla.
4. Can anyone honestly say Artie isn't one of the best things to happen to the HSS? Seriously, love him or hate him...everyone LOVES to love or hate him. Everyone else on the show is rich and tired, Artie brings life to the show, even if it is sometimes drama. It's better than listening to Howard talk about his model fiance, his dog, Robin's charities or Ralph insulting everything that exists on planet Earth outside of his apartment.
46
Dude, at this point, I don't even know. I really couldn't accept that they were going to let him stay. But now, I give up trying to rationalize the whole thing and pretend like I know anything. I can't stand the wait, but I guess they win no matter what happens. You're 100% right, there will be A LOT of people on the edge of their chairs to hear that show, including me. God himself could not keep me from listening. So if it didn't start out as a bit, it seems like it may well turn out to be one of the most successful bits ever.
All I can say is IF Artie stays on the show, great. But that fucker better work his ass off from now on. No more sleeping. Make the effort to write a fuckin bit bro, don't be so fucking lazy.
NUMASIA IS jg
Numasia - you are right. If by some miracle he is going to keep his job, he better work really, really hard, because I feel pretty resentful at this point
46
Yeah, part of me resents a lot of this too. In the big picture of things, I know this is all just a show for entertainment. I get that. But I've been listening a long time. Not as long as others of course, because I'm only 28 and I couldn't get the show where I grew up, but I am a very dedicated listener who went out and bought Sirius specifically to listen to the Stern show. I like Artie, he's made me laugh a million times, and I identify with him in a lot of ways. But I was getting annoyed with him way before this shit went down. I felt he was lazy and I couldn't figure out how he was getting away with doing almost nothing for the show, beyond sitting there and eating and reacting to things that other people put a lot of work in to. When he started falling asleep, that really pissed me off. Then it just seemed like when this thing with Teddy went down, that someone was going to be responsible and say this was not acceptable, and that it might be best for everyone if he moves on and gets his shit together because as great as the show is, it's also killing him.
We'll see what happens. At this point, I have no fucking idea. I'm going to keep listening no matter what, so hopefully whatever the outcome is, it ends up being good for everyone, especially Artie. I just think if he continues to be a lazy lump of shit, it will be a detriment to the show, because we could have someone there who actually makes an effort.
It would also help if Howard would stop being such a pushover for Artie and expect him to act like a professional. Anybody else would have been out the door. Don't let him take that for granted.
NUMASIA IS jg
87
I still say Artie being a lazy bum is still a better alternative than another comedian who works his ass off.
I really don't like the comedians they have on...Gilbert, Fitzsimmons, Levy, etc. I like Corolla...but, I'm probably in the minority.
I didn't want to see Jackie leave, either...and now I'm glad he did because I think Artie is so much better.
But, I do think they have to make a really good change if they're going to boot Artie, because the show just isn't as good as it was years ago and they're going to need someone who can really carry Howard and Robin. They've really lost their edge, imo.
46
I dunno...if you think the show has gone downhill and lost it's edge, maybe it's because of Artie? I'm not saying I think that's true, I'm just saying the show has potential to be even better if the guy sitting in that chair was writing and contributing in a way that Artie does not...he def doesn't carry Howard and Robin as it is. That's kind of hard to do if you're asleep....but hey, I'm all for him staying if he would just try a little harder, and if he's off, I'll miss the fat fuck.
NUMASIA IS jg
87
I agree with you...but, the SHOW isn't typical corporate. Artie gets paid to entertain, not 'work'.
If it was a regular job, he'd have been fired AGES ago. But, the HSS isn't regular work. Even Artie falling asleep is instigated by Howard. Artie didn't 'ask' to lay down, Howard practically begged him and had the bed brought in...lol...he created a bit out of it.
Then, in typical Howard fashion, he starts complaining that Artie has to get it together...lmao...yeah, no shit he does, but don't offer for the guy to take a fucking nap in the studio, then. There's offices and green rooms with couches and all that where Artie could have gone...Howard did it in studio cuz he wanted to create a bit out of it.
I think what happened is serious...but not nearly as serious as we all probably view it. They know damn well the buzz they're creating over all this and they're drooling with anticipation at it bumping up subscriptions. It will...
They're probably going to milk this until the cow runs dry.
46
You're right. I guess because of how I was starting to feel about Artie, I assumed the day of reckoning had come. But now after a week of this, I don't think I even care either way anymore. Whatever the outcome, it's clear it's all formed into some brilliant plan to build it up and keep it alive and suspenseful. I have to give them some credit for that. I'm still pissed they refused to replay it, because I viewed that as Howard censoring what I could hear. And what a fantastic coincidence it happened right before they took their 10th vacation this year. I still think Artie could be out, but I clearly don't know shit. I can finally accept that...now I just want to hear the show again...
NUMASIA IS jg
5
prs_friend makes great comments. I am still (more than) annoyed that Howard just kept poking and poking at The Bull, apparently with his standard intent to stoke the fires, including not letting Teddy leave when he wanted to. For several weeks prior he'd been almost whining at Artie about the 'f' word, etc., trying to mother him into changing his ways, even bringing Dr. Ablow in on the Artie/Mike conflict. If not for Artie's immense respect and admiration for Howard the tirade could have come much sooner, and might have included Howard himself as a target. In recent weeks Artie had become more and more prone to dig in his heels, as people began to tell him how to behave. For a regular person that would be incredibly annoying...for a comic it must've been bordering on intolerable.
I don't think Howard coddles Artie, I think he (1) likes the contribution Artie and his craziness brings to the show, and (2) tries to manipulate him to whatever end serves him at the moment. Note that the blowup occurred at the moment Howard tried to tell Artie how to handle his relationship, business and personal, with Teddy. That's not coddling. Howard is a true master at manipulation (which is part of what makes him so fascinating to listen to - I just hated the outcome of this).
I have a sense that Artie won't be simply coming back as though nothing happened...maybe he'll be in for a good-bye, temporary or permanent. The problem is the repeated violent outbursts, and the inability to guarantee it won't happen again. Maybe he'll have to go to some sort of rehab, maybe he'll be on the show part time, maybe via the ISDN line, who knows?, but I'm glad he's alive and will at least be back on Monday! I really love him on the show, and hope he stays even if it's part time.
This is terrible news. A man who gets away with anti-gay and homophobic remarks is given ANOTHER chance. A precedent is set now for the rest of the staff.
46
Well....in fairness to Artie, that precedent was set long before he came along, don't you think?
NUMASIA IS jg
350
No one on the show apart from High Pitch Mike and George seems to take much offense in Artie's gay remarks. I don't think his wishing AIDS on anyone and calling Teddy a faggot was ever an issue in whether he was given another chance. I'm not saying it's right. I just don't think Howard really cares about it.
I wouldn't be too concerned about Artie setting an anti-gay precedent on the show. If other people on the show really wanted to express themselves that way, they would have regardless of anything Artie says. Remember it's Manhattan, and however hard Howard tries to act like the everyman, he's created quite an evolved, metro-sexual environment where, I'd imagine, most people wouldn't say anything blatantly homophobic.
Very intelligent report. Thanks.
Very intelligent report. Thanks.
AMEN
9
I just heard this a bit ago on Howard 100 News. I'm also having mixed feelings. I love Artie and am actually really glad he will be on. But we don't know what agreement he might have had to make with Howard this week while they have been on vacation.
Howard could have made some stipulations for letting him back on the show. Like going to anger management or maybe seeing a psychiatrist (maybe not Dr. Ablow). I'm at least hoping Howard made some stipulations. I can't imagine he wouldn't have since he said what he did last Thursday. He was very ready to say goodbye to Artie forever when he couldn't promise he wouldn't try to get physical with someone else during an argument.
I will also be sitting on the edge of my chair Monday morning listening very closely!
49
YAY
21
Artie didn't say in what capacity he will be on the show Monday. He could be calling in, it could be on the ISDN line or he could just be coming in to say goodbye. No matter which way it happens, I will be front and center to hear the outcome.
A few things I hope don't happen:
1) Howard coddles Artie once again and has a two dozen bagels and a case of Hawaiian Punch waiting for him.
2) The whole crew comes in and berates Artie for an hour and a half about how out of control he's been and rehash the anti-gay, heroin, food issues that they've flogged like a dead horse.
3) They all act as if nothing happens and Artie tells us another "I got so high on heroin and woke up with a dead hooker in Amsterdam" stories.
Wait a minute. I think I would prefer the third scenario!