After his 2008 memoir Too Fat to Fish became a New York Times bestseller, the division of Random House who published Artie Lange’s book promptly gave him a deal to write another. Seemed like good business. But then Lange’s depression took a turn for the worse at the beginning of the year when he — luckily — unsuccessfully tried to kill himself. It goes without saying, Lange’s second writing effort will have to wait.

However, the folks at SaveBabyGorilla, a longtime Lange support blog, just brought it to our attention that Artie, though no doubt before January, had been putting pen to paper (hardcore fans know he doesn’t know how to work a computer). Turns out the comedian wrote the forward for radio personality Sid Rosenberg’s new book You’re Wrong and You’re Ugly: The Highs and Lows of a Radio Bad Boy.

Anyway, here’s what Artie had to say at the start of Rosenberg’s book, which is out in stores now.

I always thought Sid was hilarious. I lost contact with him over time, and then I was on The Howard Stern Show and I heard Sid Rosenberg was on Imus. I said, “That’s the Sid that I did that show with.” Of course Stern and the Imus show were at odds with one another – and I’m in Howard’s army forever. But even Howard’s producer Gary Dell’Abate says Sid’s a good guy, because they knew each other. I told him, “I love Sid. He’s funny as hell.”

He sort of did what I did but on Imus. He had his issues with drugs just like me. We just had a lot in common. So I contacted Sid again, we started talking, and we became good friends. He wanted to come on with Stern after he got fired from Imus, and Howard was a little reluctant. Gary and I both worked on Howard. I told him, “Howard, this guy is a funny guy, a huge fan of yours, I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s got amazing stories about Imus and drugs.” Howard loves honesty, Gary and I were both instrumental in getting Sid on, and when he came on he was fantastic. Howard loved him. He even used him for a few things on Howard TV.

We’re all for edgy comedy, pushing the boundaries and offending the masses—but we’re of the philosophy that there’s got to be some semblance of art to doing those things. (See: Bill Hicks, George Carlin, Richard Pryor).

So, with that in mind, we ask what the hell were the editors of the Boston Phoenix thinking, in the wake of comedian Artie Lange’s suicide attempt, putting him on your list of 100 Unsexiest Men of the Year — aside: it’s April. Not the best time for a year-end list – and nicknaming him, “Stabbie the Poke Man” and saying things like “When Howard Stern fans told him to trim the fat, they didn’t mean to carve it out of hid abdomen with a knife.”?

Were they thinking, ‘Hey, maybe some sites will pick this up and we’ll get some media attention. The media getting media attention is all the rage these days. Well, congrats, you’ve done it. We’re sure we won’t be the only ones calling you out for this.

By the way, readers, if, for some reason, you don’t get the Phoenix’s references in their Artie blurb, the comedian tried to kill himself at the beginning of the year by stabbing himself nine times with a kitchen knife.

We get it. Artie is a public figure and as such, is subject to be equally praised and shit upon by the media. And no doubt, Artie’s said some horrible shit over the years about other famous people.

But when a guy who’s clinically depressed – severely – and has had a long, painful battle with addictions and tries to off himself, you leave it alone. We’re not saying you need to feel sorry for Artie or that you shouldn’t feel the opposite of sorry toward him. But keep it to yourself. Famous or not— Artie’s a person with serious problems. And he’s trying to take care of them.

And now, folks at the Phoenix: try to take care of yours.

In light of comedian Artie Lange’s recent suicide attempt and current recovery, a site dedicated to supporting the ailing star has launched.

WeLoveYouArtie.ning.com is a simple site where fans can create a profile, invite others and upload their own video or written well wishes. The creator of the site wishes to remain anonymous but had this to say to Punchline Magazine:

Artie Lange has a beautiful soul and his comedy has put smiles on millions of faces for years. We want him to know that while we can’t understand the inner turmoil he is enduring, we love him so much and we’re all here to offer our unconditional love and support to him in his recovery. If Artie could learn to love himself just a small fraction of how much we love him, we believe he’ll be around for generations to come.

In addition to offering Lange support, the site has also charged itself with promoting the idea of saving 10,000 lives, one-third of the suicides per year. “Artie is one of ballsiest performers of all time. Taking his cue, our goal is not only to help our dear friend but, to wipe out US suicides by 1/3rd in 2010. We also hope to help those in our own community who are fighting self-destruction,” the site creator says. “One of the greatest gifts you can offer someone is revealing to them their true gifts and talents. Another is revealing to someone all the reasons why they should love themselves as much as you do.”

For more info, check out the Artie support site here.

After a long silence from Artie Lange’s family since his suicide attempt, the troubled comedian’s sister, who’s known to take close care of her brother spoke out. In response to an outpouring of support from Artie fan blog SaveBabyGorilla.com, who, last week, collected donations for a care package for Artie, said the following.

Thank you so much for your prayers, love and support for Artie. We so appreciate your generosity of heart. It is so nice to see that his genuine, sweet soul has touched so many of you. Please continue to keep Art in your prayers in hopes that he will find the peace, health and happiness that he needs and deserves. Thank you for Loving Artie!! He is the Best Guy I know.

Big hug to all,
Stacey

If you’re a fan of Artie, or would just like to leave your supportive comments here, go for it.

Howard Stern Show veteran Artie Lange has been making headlines recently for incredibly bad news. But that doesn’t mean Artie’s out of the game. Far from it. On Jan. 19 his comedy special (released on CD late last year), Jack and Coke will be released on DVD and Blu-ray; Comedy Central will also air it — bleeps and all — on Jan. 23.

But you, friendly Punchline Magazine readers, can win yourself a copy right here. This is what you have to do: Email us at punchlinemagazine@gmail.com with the subject ARTIE and explain why you deserve to win this prize. Photos will be accepted as well. The best three entries, as judged by us, will win the DVD. Please, for the love of comedy, leave your full name and your full address so we can send you the DVD, should you win. Also, you have to be OK with us printing your name and town on this section of the site.

To get you in the mood, check out some clips from Jack and Coke below.

Artie Lange: Fattest coke head in rehab from Punchline Magazine on Vimeo.

Artie Lange: Life lessons about hookers from Punchline Magazine on Vimeo.

Artie Lange: Afghanistan from Punchline Magazine on Vimeo.

If you’re not lucky enough to win a copy from us, get thee to Amazon to buy the DVD or Blu-ray. Bonus features include comedians Pete Dominick and Joe Matarese, backstage antics, heckler footage and more.

Upon hearing the news this morning that Howard Stern’s longtime show staffer comedian Artie Lange was hospitalized last weekend as a result of an attempted suicide, friends began to rally behind him.

The blog savebabygorilla.com, which was launched years ago in an effort to help the troubled comedian and always maintains great respect for the comedian when reporting on him, is taking up donations to send Artie flowers and a gift basket; the site creator Matt Crouch has also put a moratorium on any negative comments.

In addition, close friend, frequent Artie opener and co-worker at Sirius XM, Pete Dominick, the host of Stand Up with Pete Dominick on the POTUS channel had this to say to Punchline Magazine:

“Artie Lange is just like the rest of us. He is the consummate comedian. He has the quickest wit I have ever known. Busting balls with him is the best. He is relentless. Like the rest of us he loves to quote other comedians’ bits….’you ever hear Attell’s bit about______?’ He pays his openers more than any other comedian I have heard of. He loves his fans. Working with Artie over the past three years has been one of the great highlights of my career. I consider him a brother and I know he will recover from this.”

According to the New York Post, a suicide attempt was the reason Artie Lange was rushed to the hospital over the weekend. When the news broke on Jan. 2, that Artie had been admitted to a New Jersey hospital, details were scarce. The Post this morning, however, cited “a source close to Lange’s management team, ” saying that he “landed in the hospital after stabbing himself nine times in an apparent suicide attempt”

We were told weeks ago that Artie was available for an interview to promote his new album Jack and Coke; when we followed up, we were told on Dec. 18 simply that Artie was not available for an interview. Lange also recently canceled tour dates in Atlantic City, Connecticut and Ohio. In a Dec. 3 interview with New Jersey’s Star Ledger Artie explained the cancellations: “I felt I really needed time to relax, and I might decide just to go away from Christmas to Jan. 2, with my girl, and try to get my head straight, or just relax.”

Though Howard Stern has been relatively vague about Artie Lange’s whereabouts since he’s gone AWOL a few weeks ago from The Howard Stern Show and especially since last weekend, when it was announced the troubled comic was rushed to a New Jersey hospital, he said something a bit strange this morning on the Sirius XM show.

Savebabygorilla.com, the online authority on all things Artie reported that Stern admitted, “I’m not sure Artie hasn’t left the show. We don’t know where he is.”

During the show, Stern also mentioned that he was going to start working on a “best of” Artie show, which would be an odd move if Artie hadn’t already left. Though, who knows how serious Stern was. We reported on Jan. 4 that Artie may not return as a full-time regular staffer on the show. That’s starting to look more like a possibility.

Even before the Jan. 2 announcement that Artie Lange had been hospitalized for an undisclosed reason, rumors had been circulating about how the veteran comedian would not return to the Howard Stern Show, from which he’s been absent for the last few weeks. And now, one source says that a Sirius executive has said Artie Lange will not be returning to the show in his current role. “The exec told me Artie will no longer be on Howard as a full time regular,” the source tells us, adding that this conversation happened on Dec. 23.

Artie Lange has been rushed to a hospital in New Jersey, where he lives, for undisclosed reasons, TMZ reports. A rep tells the website: “I can confirm that Artie is in the hospital. Artie has chosen to keep all information on this matter between him and his doctor. There will be no further comment.” When reached for comment, a rep told Punchline Magazine the same thing.

The veteran comedian and Howard Stern Show star has gone through a very public drug and alcohol battle over the better part of the decade. He had recently lost weight and seemed to be doing better. However, questions were raised weeks ago when he once again took leave of the popular Sirius XM show.

We can say this. We were told weeks ago that Artie was available for an interview to promote his new album Jack and Coke; when we followed up, we were told on Dec. 18 simply that Artie was not available for an interview. Lange also recently canceled tour dates in Atlantic City, Connecticut and Ohio. In a Dec. 3 interview with New Jersey’s Star Ledger Artie explained the cancellations: “I felt I really needed time to relax, and I might decide just to go away from Christmas to Jan. 2, with my girl, and try to get my head straight, or just relax.”

The best-selling author is in the process of writing his second book, tentatively titled College is For Losers, which should be released this fall by Random House.