Artie Lange says his final day on the Howard Stern Show in December 2009 was "horrifying"--at least, the parts that he can remember.
Lange spoke about his unintended Stern Show finale performance during on Monday's 'Nick and Artie' broadcast:
It was horrifying. Clearly, I had some well-publicized problems that hit their peak that day, and I dont remember much about it. Like, Robins Newsapparently I was there for that and I dont even remember much about it. And they didnt know what to do. They wanted to send me home, but I wouldnt go home. Im mad that I didnt go home because they wanted me to and I really didnt want to upset them any more, because I love those guys. The problem was, in my head, I love the fact that I stayed. Like, I was on the show ten years. If on my last day I didnt make it through the show I would have been mad about that.
Lange was placed on mandatory medical leave by Sirius XM management following the December 9, 2009 Howard Stern Show broadcast after years of struggling with heroin addiction and mental illness. Howard Stern recently referred Lange's final broadcast as "terrible".
In an audio clip from Lange's final day, Howard Stern spoke about the comedian's grave condition:
"Poor Artie's not going to survive another contract. It's time for him to get the f**k out of here. I can't sign again. This son of a b**ch looks like he's half dead today...I'm worried about you...I'm thinking of leaving just so you'll live...This is killing you."
Lange was booked to attend inpatient drug rehabilitation over the holidays, but dropped out of the program quickly. Three weeks later he attempted suicide by stabbing himself nine times with a 13-inch kitchen knife.
Lange stated recently that he has been in talks to appear on the Howard Stern Show in late 2012 to promote his book about his years with the King of All Media.