Howard Stern Sidekick Artie Lange Stages Comeback After Suicide Attempt

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 27th 2010 05:10PM

Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange became a fan favorite after years of publicly battling his demons on the air. But he has been absent from Stern's satellite radio show for all of 2010 after his failed suicide attempt during the holidays last year. Fans call in each week on the show to try and find out updates on the comic, but Stern and his crew have had very little to say beyond brief updates about quick conversations they've had with him here and there.

Now comes news that will make Lange's fans breathe a sigh of relief. The comic appears to be getting ready to get back to work, at least in nightclubs.

E! reports that Lange made an appearance at a New York City comedy club over the weekend, marking the first time he's been onstage this year.

"Yes Artie performed two 20- to 25-minute sets Friday and Saturday, and he was as funny as ever," said a spokesman for the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village.

A fan from the audience talked to E! and said "he seemed fine. He was speaking with these other comedians and he was joking around. Everyone was very very happy to see him and it was a very nice occasion."

Fellow comic Craig Gass, a Stern regular, posted a picture of Lange on his Facebook fan page. Lange (below left) appeared shaven and skinnier than he did for most of 2009 as he battled his demons.

Stern was very vocal about how details of Lange's struggles were made public in January. "I would love to know who the scumbag is who releases that to the press, because this is a private matter," Stern said on air. "I don't know what to say. I work with Artie, I love Artie. Everyone has their demons, including myself, but he's wrestling with some serious stuff ... When I heard the news it was too much to bear."

Lange's mother had discovered Lange she entered his Hoboken apartment in January and found him with multiple "hesitation wounds" and three deep plunges. A source close to Lange's management team confirmed that Howard Stern's sidekick stabbed himself. Surgeons managed to save him.

After seeing extensive coverage of Lange's condition, Stern commented, "I thought we were out of the woods with that and it wouldn't come out. I was surprised and glad that Artie's situation had been kept quiet ... I'm angry about it, I'm sad about it. I don't know what to think. I'm all over the place emotionally."

Lange has had a history of substance abuse issues, including when he checked himself into a rehab clinic in late 2008. In 2009, Lange was busted for DUI (prescription sleeping pills) after crashing his car into Toms River in July.

Stern has never attempted to fill the seat vacated by Lange. He is currently weighing what to do when his Sirius/XM contract expires at the end of 2010.

The return of Artie comes on a day where Stern fans are certainly concerned about another show regular: comic Greg Giraldo, who is in critical condition after overdosing on pills.

Tags: artie lange, howard stern

Comments

(47)

Monday 27 September

By Mike

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Not the least bit funny. He was just Stern's errand boy.

By Tom

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You obviously dont listen if you did you would know how funny Artie is,was and will hopefully continue to be

By Get over it

I agree. He was never funny to me only depressing. Nothing funny about drugs & booze 24/7.

By Mickey

I'm sorry, who is this again?

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Tuesday 28 September

By kanyuxialeoo

He is as funny as Cancer just like Stern.You dont attempt suicide,it was for attention so PLEASE do it right next time and I am sure help is available for you if you want to succeed with suicide.Do the world a favor and take Stern with you.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsingl es.c 'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

By TJK

STAFF WRITERS,TRY DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH FOR A CHANGE,HE DID NOT CRASH HIS CAR INTO TOMS RIVER,THAT IS THE TOWN WHERE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. NICE WORK.......

By youniqingjie

Oh I see you're a couple of idiot's. Bird's of a feather flock together. Kanyuxialeoo and flash I hope to God you don't have any kid's or plan to have any. The world doesn't need any more people that are out of touch.oh great article ,My boyfriend and i both think so ...He is almost 11year older than me .i met him via kissmilita ry.c 'oma nice place for s'ee'king Army, Navy, Mari'nes, Air Force, Police Force and their admires.just love it

Wednesday 16 February

By judejaded

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why couldn't be debbie schlussel, another of howards vile sidekicks who tried to off herself?

By Nico Toscani

Love Artie in Dirty Work. Hope he can stay out of trouble this time.

By sawslow1

I love Artie glad to hear that he is working his way back to what he loves to do, well other than drinking and gambling,

By chicobombico

Too bad he did not finish the job and take white trash Howard the pervert with him

By Barbara

You are a sicko. You should go!

By danny

artie had it made but had to take drugs all the time,never could grow up

By cass

Bring it back Artie Your Funny as Hell, now lets go!

By wolf

Artie if at First you Fail Try Try Again.

By Ayneko1

Artie, may you find strength in courage and courage in strength and simply live with life being forgiving to living giving forgiveness to life and smile with the stars in your heart not looking back, forward is the only way to conqueer the demons of strife .blessigs.

By Rick .S

I am so amazed that artie was able to keep this mess out of the limelight as well as they did . Hope he has the strenth to stay clean and enjoy life.

By Richie Boy

Dean Wormer to Flounder in "Animal House":
"Living drunk, fat and stupid is no way to go through life!"
I will be sober 26 years on Thanksgiving day and I put in a good word with the fates that be for every Artie on the planet each and every day.
I'm just one of the lucky ones.

By tuffpaw

Keep strong, Artie; one day at at time. I believe in you, and there is nobody out there with as quick a wit and as bull's eye sense of humor as you. Stay strong and take care of Artie; he's one in a million.

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