Brad Barket/ Getty Images
You won’t find a more complicated relationship than the one Artie Lange has with Howard Stern.
After being forced out as Howard Stern’s sidekick in 2009 due to a drug addiction that led to Lange falling asleep live on air, the comedian has oscillated between praising Stern as his “biggest influence ever” and claiming the two “hate each other’s guts.”
The two have been absent from each other’s lives for years, with Stern claiming that while the break wasn’t a “clean” one, it was necessary after years of failed attempts to get Artie to help himself.
Lange, who is now eight months sober and looking like a certified sex canoe, recently spoke about burying the hatchet with his mentor and idol.
In an episode of the “AftershockXL” YouTube show out Wednesday but leaked to Page Six, the 51-year-old comedian says that after reading some of Stern’s recent interviews, it “sounds like Howard has some guilt about firing me or whatever.”
‘There should be no guilt on Howard’s part. Howard did nothing wrong. All Howard did was try to help me. I love him so much. It’s a shame that anyone in my life would feel any guilt. I f–ked up.”
Lange also claims that he feels “terrible” about the position he put Stern in and vows to call him “one of these days.”
These are huge strides for a man who wrote a book last year calling Stern’s new show “boring” and “safe” and “just bad.” He’s also consistently pointed out to Howard’s friendship with stars like Ellen Degeneres, who he previously ragged on for her pre-show dance routine and even called her a “c*nt,” as a prime example of his politically correct evolution.
Whenever these two radio legends decide to make amends, it needs to be on radio. Give the people what they want.
[h/t Page Six]