1 00:00:05,052 --> 00:00:06,487 - I dunno if you know anything about me, 2 00:00:06,511 --> 00:00:08,323 I've led a terrible life. 3 00:00:08,347 --> 00:00:11,784 - [Narrator] Artie Lange has a rare, comedic gift. 4 00:00:11,808 --> 00:00:12,535 - It's within him. 5 00:00:12,559 --> 00:00:13,454 It's his X factor. 6 00:00:13,478 --> 00:00:14,537 It's who he is. 7 00:00:14,561 --> 00:00:15,247 - That's Artie? - Hey, there's Artie. 8 00:00:15,271 --> 00:00:17,040 - Hey, Artie. Hey, man. 9 00:00:17,064 --> 00:00:18,208 What'd you get fired for? 10 00:00:18,232 --> 00:00:20,251 - Artie has such loyal fans. 11 00:00:20,275 --> 00:00:22,670 I can't tweet about the show without 10,000 people, 12 00:00:22,694 --> 00:00:25,131 10,000 being like, "Where's Artie? 13 00:00:25,155 --> 00:00:26,132 "More Artie." 14 00:00:26,156 --> 00:00:27,300 - Here's one. This ruins your day. 15 00:00:27,324 --> 00:00:28,676 Three, snaps your neck. 16 00:00:28,700 --> 00:00:29,637 One, ruined day. 17 00:00:29,661 --> 00:00:30,638 Three, snapped neck. 18 00:00:30,662 --> 00:00:32,430 - [Narrator] His raw talent matched 19 00:00:32,454 --> 00:00:34,933 only by his wild exploits. 20 00:00:34,957 --> 00:00:37,769 - The critic in my hometown paper said this about me. 21 00:00:37,793 --> 00:00:40,939 "Artie Lange has all the charm of a date rapist." 22 00:00:40,963 --> 00:00:43,900 I'm the only guy who ever got fat on cocaine. 23 00:00:43,924 --> 00:00:46,069 Some people think jail is not a deterrent. 24 00:00:46,093 --> 00:00:46,946 Oh, my God, I've been there. 25 00:00:46,970 --> 00:00:48,696 It's a massive deterrent. 26 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:50,907 - [Narrator] And the comedic act to match. 27 00:00:50,931 --> 00:00:54,661 - I play a scumbag on TV and I'm a scumbag in real life. 28 00:00:54,685 --> 00:00:58,957 - As a comedian, you fantasize and idealize 29 00:00:58,981 --> 00:01:02,669 the notion, if I'm messed up, I'm a little better. 30 00:01:02,693 --> 00:01:06,172 - I think he was enabled by the Hollywood system. 31 00:01:06,196 --> 00:01:08,049 - I wouldn't wish Hollywood on my worst enemy. 32 00:01:08,073 --> 00:01:10,802 - [Narrator] But what happens when one comic's trauma- 33 00:01:10,826 --> 00:01:12,345 - I'm dealing with a lot of guilt, 34 00:01:12,369 --> 00:01:13,471 a lot of guilt. - Right. 35 00:01:13,495 --> 00:01:16,015 - [Narrator] Is mined for comedy gold. 36 00:01:16,039 --> 00:01:19,143 - For the first time ever see Artie uncensored and raw 37 00:01:19,167 --> 00:01:21,145 as drunk as any human has ever been 38 00:01:21,169 --> 00:01:22,438 in the history of drinking. 39 00:01:22,462 --> 00:01:24,941 - His regular drug dealer said, 40 00:01:24,965 --> 00:01:26,109 "Why don't you do heroin, 41 00:01:26,133 --> 00:01:27,652 it's actually better for your liver?" 42 00:01:27,676 --> 00:01:31,489 - When I'm blacked out it's the happiest time of my life. 43 00:01:31,513 --> 00:01:34,284 - I think he's a cat and he has nine lives. 44 00:01:34,308 --> 00:01:37,287 And hopefully he's not close to number nine. 45 00:01:37,311 --> 00:01:39,414 - If you get it close, you can hear the breathing. 46 00:01:39,438 --> 00:01:40,665 Not too close. (Artie breathing) 47 00:01:40,689 --> 00:01:41,749 There it is. 48 00:01:41,773 --> 00:01:44,335 - He just put Artie in rehab. 49 00:01:44,359 --> 00:01:45,378 - You deserve a better life. 50 00:01:45,402 --> 00:01:46,421 You deserve a sober life. 51 00:01:46,445 --> 00:01:47,613 - Artie! No! - Go, go! 52 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:52,302 Now! Close the door! (dramatic music) 53 00:01:52,326 --> 00:01:55,888 Jesus Christ, you people are crazy. 54 00:01:55,912 --> 00:01:57,890 - [Artie] Give me my (beeps) money! 55 00:01:57,914 --> 00:01:59,207 - Broke my heart, man, 56 00:02:00,584 --> 00:02:02,395 broke my (beeps) heart. 57 00:02:02,419 --> 00:02:03,396 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, 58 00:02:03,420 --> 00:02:05,356 you are about to be entertained. 59 00:02:05,380 --> 00:02:07,275 - [Woman] Getting a laugh is the greatest attention. 60 00:02:07,299 --> 00:02:08,443 - [Man] They want more of it, they want more of it. 61 00:02:08,467 --> 00:02:09,485 - [Woman] She was getting death threats. 62 00:02:09,509 --> 00:02:10,862 - [Woman] It (beeps) with your head. 63 00:02:10,886 --> 00:02:11,613 - He's out of his stuff. - That's what took her down. 64 00:02:11,637 --> 00:02:13,406 - This is a crazy story. 65 00:02:13,430 --> 00:02:17,201 (dramatic music) 66 00:02:17,225 --> 00:02:18,870 - Everybody, my next guest is a comedian and an actor. 67 00:02:18,894 --> 00:02:20,788 {\an8}- He's one of the funniest guys there is. 68 00:02:20,812 --> 00:02:24,250 {\an8}He eats devil dogs for breakfast and cigarettes for lunch. 69 00:02:24,274 --> 00:02:25,044 - Artie Lange. 70 00:02:25,068 --> 00:02:26,068 Artie, come on out. 71 00:02:28,070 --> 00:02:29,297 - Before I worked with Artie, 72 00:02:29,321 --> 00:02:31,215 I felt much better about myself as a performer, 73 00:02:31,239 --> 00:02:32,383 {\an8}'cause I didn't know you could make 74 00:02:32,407 --> 00:02:34,302 {\an8}the crew spontaneously applaud, 75 00:02:34,326 --> 00:02:36,638 {\an8}but then I was like, "Oh, I could be better." 76 00:02:36,662 --> 00:02:38,473 {\an8}Now the amazing Artie Lange! 77 00:02:38,497 --> 00:02:42,810 {\an8}My friend, Artie Lange! (audience cheering) 78 00:02:42,834 --> 00:02:44,145 - [Mike] He can act. 79 00:02:44,169 --> 00:02:45,772 {\an8}- Why didn't he punch you too? 80 00:02:45,796 --> 00:02:47,357 - [Mike] He can do stand-up. 81 00:02:47,381 --> 00:02:50,193 - Let's get a little (beeps) offensive. 82 00:02:50,217 --> 00:02:51,736 {\an8}- There's something about his voice 83 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:54,238 {\an8}that you recognize in yourself. 84 00:02:54,262 --> 00:02:56,532 - Life's all about time and man, 85 00:02:56,556 --> 00:02:58,451 it's all about time and I've had shitty time 86 00:02:58,475 --> 00:02:59,911 in my entire (beeps) life. 87 00:02:59,935 --> 00:03:00,995 {\an8}- My name is Bobby Lee. 88 00:03:01,019 --> 00:03:04,123 {\an8}I'm a comedian slash actor. 89 00:03:04,147 --> 00:03:06,292 {\an8}I'm 5'4". 90 00:03:06,316 --> 00:03:07,502 I'm fat. 91 00:03:07,526 --> 00:03:09,712 Artie, you know, has that vibe 92 00:03:09,736 --> 00:03:12,882 where it's like he connects to blue collar workers. 93 00:03:12,906 --> 00:03:15,218 He just has that look and that energy. 94 00:03:15,242 --> 00:03:16,969 - When did comedians get good-looking? 95 00:03:16,993 --> 00:03:18,846 This (beeps) group is awful. 96 00:03:18,870 --> 00:03:21,182 - I guess he is an everyday kind of man. 97 00:03:21,206 --> 00:03:22,433 - I'm gonna do something nuts. 98 00:03:22,457 --> 00:03:24,560 I may punch something on live television. 99 00:03:24,584 --> 00:03:27,397 - If an everyday common man like to go wild. 100 00:03:27,421 --> 00:03:30,316 (Artie laughing) 101 00:03:30,340 --> 00:03:34,237 {\an8}- His voice is an instrument that he uses. 102 00:03:34,261 --> 00:03:36,489 - I have done a shitload of drugs in my life. 103 00:03:36,513 --> 00:03:38,825 I really have. Yeah. 104 00:03:38,849 --> 00:03:40,410 - You know, Artie's Italian 105 00:03:40,434 --> 00:03:42,537 and that's a part of his comedic persona. 106 00:03:42,561 --> 00:03:46,207 - I come from a very loud Italian family in New Jersey. 107 00:03:46,231 --> 00:03:47,500 Surprise. (laughs) 108 00:03:47,524 --> 00:03:50,211 - My first impression of Artie was pretty much 109 00:03:50,235 --> 00:03:51,462 that he's hilarious. 110 00:03:51,486 --> 00:03:53,423 {\an8}I'm Anthony Bozza and I am the co-author 111 00:03:53,447 --> 00:03:55,449 {\an8}of all three of Artie Lange's books. 112 00:03:56,575 --> 00:03:59,429 I met him at Del Frisco's. The steak place. 113 00:03:59,453 --> 00:04:02,140 I'd actually been in a fender bender in a cab. 114 00:04:02,164 --> 00:04:05,143 And I had really bad black eyes. 115 00:04:05,167 --> 00:04:07,019 I showed up wearing sunglasses 116 00:04:07,043 --> 00:04:08,646 and kept them on for most of the lunch. 117 00:04:08,670 --> 00:04:10,440 And he told me later that he thought 118 00:04:10,464 --> 00:04:11,691 I was like probably on drugs 119 00:04:11,715 --> 00:04:13,484 and that this was like really gonna work out. 120 00:04:13,508 --> 00:04:14,527 - Now let me ask you something. 121 00:04:14,551 --> 00:04:16,320 You do look, you look trim. 122 00:04:16,344 --> 00:04:17,864 You look like you're taking care of yourself. 123 00:04:17,888 --> 00:04:20,825 - It's, it's- - Coke. (laughs) 124 00:04:20,849 --> 00:04:24,537 I went to rehab for cocaine and a black guy said to me, 125 00:04:24,561 --> 00:04:26,456 "What do you sprinkle it on cheeseburgers?" 126 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:28,291 (all laughing) 127 00:04:28,315 --> 00:04:29,834 - [Narrator] Before Artie earned his reputation 128 00:04:29,858 --> 00:04:31,335 as a wild celebrity comedian, 129 00:04:31,359 --> 00:04:35,882 {\an8}he was a wise cracking kid growing up in 1980s New Jersey. 130 00:04:35,906 --> 00:04:38,759 {\an8}- We're back here at the Caprio Daycare Center 131 00:04:38,783 --> 00:04:40,494 where children are playing, 132 00:04:41,369 --> 00:04:43,139 birds are singing, 133 00:04:43,163 --> 00:04:45,207 squirrels are climbing and jump. 134 00:04:46,041 --> 00:04:48,478 - Artie was always the class-clown type. 135 00:04:48,502 --> 00:04:51,129 I think he always wanted to do comedy. 136 00:04:53,340 --> 00:04:54,400 - [Narrator] By the time he was a teen, 137 00:04:54,424 --> 00:04:55,985 Artie was soaking up what he could 138 00:04:56,009 --> 00:04:58,446 about boundary-pushing comedians, 139 00:04:58,470 --> 00:05:00,472 dreaming of becoming one of them. 140 00:05:01,765 --> 00:05:04,535 - Some of the comics that Artie idolized are legends. 141 00:05:04,559 --> 00:05:08,331 Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, John Belushi. 142 00:05:08,355 --> 00:05:09,540 And of course Howard Stern. 143 00:05:09,564 --> 00:05:11,566 He was a huge fan of Howard Stern. 144 00:05:14,236 --> 00:05:15,379 - [Narrator] But Artie's first 145 00:05:15,403 --> 00:05:18,156 and greatest comedic hero was his father. 146 00:05:19,491 --> 00:05:21,135 - Artie's father was a real character. 147 00:05:21,159 --> 00:05:23,721 He was kind of a tough guy around the neighborhood, 148 00:05:23,745 --> 00:05:26,390 you know, not afraid to fight and stuff like that. 149 00:05:26,414 --> 00:05:28,017 He also was like a prankster 150 00:05:28,041 --> 00:05:30,728 and you know, his endless stories about 151 00:05:30,752 --> 00:05:32,897 hilarious things that he did. 152 00:05:32,921 --> 00:05:34,065 - My father was like Superman to me. 153 00:05:34,089 --> 00:05:37,902 You know, my father was an old-fashioned 154 00:05:37,926 --> 00:05:40,112 You know, he installed antennas for a living, 155 00:05:40,136 --> 00:05:40,948 didn't have a lot of money. 156 00:05:40,972 --> 00:05:42,782 {\an8}- Artie idolized his father. 157 00:05:42,806 --> 00:05:45,576 {\an8}I mean, there was absolute idolatry. 158 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:46,953 - I feel a tap on my shoulder, 159 00:05:46,977 --> 00:05:48,454 and this is classic my old man. 160 00:05:48,478 --> 00:05:49,372 I turn around to my father. 161 00:05:49,396 --> 00:05:50,249 He goes, "We won!" 162 00:05:50,273 --> 00:05:51,457 And he puts me on his shoulders. 163 00:05:51,481 --> 00:05:53,543 - Tells the story of running out on the field 164 00:05:53,567 --> 00:05:55,044 at Yankee Stadium. 165 00:05:55,068 --> 00:05:56,504 - Before the last out, he goes to me, whispers like this, 166 00:05:56,528 --> 00:05:58,589 "Listen, when they make the last out, 167 00:05:58,613 --> 00:06:00,716 "I'm not gonna be able to run on the field." 168 00:06:00,740 --> 00:06:01,510 I'm like, "Okay." 169 00:06:01,534 --> 00:06:02,927 He goes, "But you can." 170 00:06:02,951 --> 00:06:04,470 And I'm like, "All right." 171 00:06:04,494 --> 00:06:06,514 "As soon as they make the last out, 172 00:06:06,538 --> 00:06:08,015 "I'm gonna throw you on the field." 173 00:06:08,039 --> 00:06:09,559 (audience laughing) 174 00:06:09,583 --> 00:06:10,560 - Throw you. 175 00:06:10,584 --> 00:06:11,602 - [Announcer] Fly ball, anything. 176 00:06:11,626 --> 00:06:12,437 That's all they need. 177 00:06:12,461 --> 00:06:13,563 Let's do it. 178 00:06:13,587 --> 00:06:15,189 That's gonna do it. - Torres gets it! 179 00:06:15,213 --> 00:06:17,608 - With that, my father puts his hand 180 00:06:17,632 --> 00:06:18,485 on the bottom of my back, 181 00:06:18,509 --> 00:06:20,611 like he's shooting a free throw. 182 00:06:20,635 --> 00:06:22,755 - [Announcer] The Yankees win their 21st World Series! 183 00:06:23,597 --> 00:06:25,616 - Whispers in my ear, "I'll meet you at shortstop," 184 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:26,784 and he throws me on the field. 185 00:06:26,808 --> 00:06:29,519 (all laughing) 186 00:06:31,354 --> 00:06:32,873 - [Narrator] Artie learned early on 187 00:06:32,897 --> 00:06:35,877 that he shared his father's knack for making people laugh, 188 00:06:35,901 --> 00:06:39,213 fueling his dreams of becoming a professional comedian. 189 00:06:39,237 --> 00:06:44,135 Until one day, those dreams were suddenly put on hold. 190 00:06:44,159 --> 00:06:45,511 - I think Artie idolizes his dad, 191 00:06:45,535 --> 00:06:48,204 because his father was taken from him far too early. 192 00:06:49,539 --> 00:06:51,666 He installed television antennas. 193 00:06:54,544 --> 00:06:57,004 And that day his father went up on a roof. 194 00:06:57,797 --> 00:07:00,300 It was a high risk set up. 195 00:07:01,343 --> 00:07:02,570 Put a ladder up there. 196 00:07:02,594 --> 00:07:04,447 He probably should have had someone securing it. 197 00:07:04,471 --> 00:07:08,326 And that's when he fell and became a quadriplegic. 198 00:07:08,350 --> 00:07:11,329 (somber music) 199 00:07:11,353 --> 00:07:13,456 - [Narrator] Artie's father now required home care 200 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:14,606 around the clock. 201 00:07:16,399 --> 00:07:19,503 {\an8}- He had a very powerful and strong, loving relationship 202 00:07:19,527 --> 00:07:20,922 {\an8}with his father. 203 00:07:20,946 --> 00:07:24,133 {\an8}And when tragedy struck, it floored him. 204 00:07:24,157 --> 00:07:26,534 - And it was a huge turning point in his life. 205 00:07:29,037 --> 00:07:31,557 Once his father became a quadriplegic, 206 00:07:31,581 --> 00:07:33,351 there's a lot more pressure on Artie 207 00:07:33,375 --> 00:07:34,894 to be the man of the house. 208 00:07:34,918 --> 00:07:36,312 And his dad raised him that way. 209 00:07:36,336 --> 00:07:38,773 So he felt that pressure. 210 00:07:38,797 --> 00:07:41,651 - Artie went to work for his family for real. 211 00:07:41,675 --> 00:07:44,552 Artie took a lot on his shoulders as a young man. 212 00:07:45,553 --> 00:07:48,032 - While we can all look at that and admire it. 213 00:07:48,056 --> 00:07:49,200 It's not good for a child. 214 00:07:49,224 --> 00:07:50,409 It's really, it's just not good. 215 00:07:50,433 --> 00:07:51,869 They need to have a childhood 216 00:07:51,893 --> 00:07:55,831 and to enter adulthood in a normal way on their terms. 217 00:07:55,855 --> 00:07:57,750 - [Narrator] On top of helping to pay the bills, 218 00:07:57,774 --> 00:08:00,276 Artie assisted with caregiving where he could. 219 00:08:01,319 --> 00:08:04,507 - His dad was completely understandably, very depressed. 220 00:08:04,531 --> 00:08:06,008 This is a very active man. 221 00:08:06,032 --> 00:08:08,386 You know, a physical man who did, his work was physical. 222 00:08:08,410 --> 00:08:11,847 - Think how chronically traumatic that is to a child 223 00:08:11,871 --> 00:08:13,540 that idolizes his father. 224 00:08:15,750 --> 00:08:16,645 - [Narrator] To cope with the stress, 225 00:08:16,669 --> 00:08:19,105 Artie was partying more. 226 00:08:19,129 --> 00:08:22,757 - He was obviously always looking for ways to escape, 227 00:08:23,591 --> 00:08:25,111 whether it was gambling, 228 00:08:25,135 --> 00:08:27,929 you know, smoking pot and drinking, doing coke. 229 00:08:30,015 --> 00:08:31,617 - [Narrator] Four years after the accident 230 00:08:31,641 --> 00:08:32,702 Artie's father died, 231 00:08:32,726 --> 00:08:34,686 leaving his family devastated. 232 00:08:36,146 --> 00:08:38,457 - Even though obviously they knew it was coming. 233 00:08:38,481 --> 00:08:39,792 It was very hard on Artie. 234 00:08:39,816 --> 00:08:42,336 - It really took a toll on him 235 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:45,089 emotionally and psychologically and spiritually. 236 00:08:45,113 --> 00:08:46,632 - You know, I think the death of his father 237 00:08:46,656 --> 00:08:49,343 was perhaps a wake-up call for Artie 238 00:08:49,367 --> 00:08:51,429 that life is short. 239 00:08:51,453 --> 00:08:52,972 And then if he has this comedy dream, 240 00:08:52,996 --> 00:08:55,015 now's the time to try to make that happen. 241 00:08:55,039 --> 00:08:56,934 So he went to his mom and basically said, 242 00:08:56,958 --> 00:08:58,019 "Gimme a couple years, 243 00:08:58,043 --> 00:08:59,687 "let's see if this is actually real." 244 00:08:59,711 --> 00:09:01,022 Then he just went for it. 245 00:09:01,046 --> 00:09:02,773 I think he'd always wanted to be like those comics 246 00:09:02,797 --> 00:09:04,275 that he loved. 247 00:09:04,299 --> 00:09:07,194 {\an8}- [Announcer] And now your host is Penis and Kathie Lee. 248 00:09:07,218 --> 00:09:10,221 {\an8}(audience cheering) 249 00:09:11,222 --> 00:09:13,033 {\an8}- Hi, and welcome to the show. 250 00:09:13,057 --> 00:09:15,786 In case you were wondering, I am Penis. 251 00:09:15,810 --> 00:09:17,371 (audience laughing) 252 00:09:17,395 --> 00:09:20,082 - Thinking you're funny out in the suburbs with your friends 253 00:09:20,106 --> 00:09:21,625 is one thing. 254 00:09:21,649 --> 00:09:24,920 Finding out you're funny on stage in a Manhattan nightclub 255 00:09:24,944 --> 00:09:26,213 is very different 256 00:09:26,237 --> 00:09:28,924 and that eventually started to happen for him. 257 00:09:28,948 --> 00:09:30,885 - [Narrator] Meanwhile, music producer, Quincy Jones 258 00:09:30,909 --> 00:09:33,203 was spearheading a bold new sketch show. 259 00:09:34,287 --> 00:09:35,848 Artie lands a coveted spot 260 00:09:35,872 --> 00:09:39,167 on TV's late night newcomer, "Mad TV." 261 00:09:40,627 --> 00:09:42,521 {\an8}- Hey, wanna be on a TV show? 262 00:09:42,545 --> 00:09:44,440 {\an8}- Sure, I got nothing better to do. 263 00:09:44,464 --> 00:09:47,818 (upbeat music) (tires screeching) 264 00:09:47,842 --> 00:09:49,195 - [Man] Oh, dear God! 265 00:09:49,219 --> 00:09:51,280 - [Narrator] Cast on the first season of "Mad TV," 266 00:09:51,304 --> 00:09:52,698 Artie leaves the east coast 267 00:09:52,722 --> 00:09:54,992 to live out his dreams in Hollywood. 268 00:09:55,016 --> 00:09:56,118 - Coming out to Los Angeles, 269 00:09:56,142 --> 00:09:58,120 even though he wasn't crazy about LA, 270 00:09:58,144 --> 00:10:00,289 comedy was the rowboat that kept him afloat. 271 00:10:00,313 --> 00:10:02,500 {\an8}- And then you're trying to accomplish your dream, 272 00:10:02,524 --> 00:10:05,878 {\an8}but you gotta navigate through all the bullshit. 273 00:10:05,902 --> 00:10:09,489 There's a lot of you gotta do to endure it in this business. 274 00:10:10,406 --> 00:10:11,842 - He's a New Jersey guy. 275 00:10:11,866 --> 00:10:15,179 There he was out in LA where things are very different, 276 00:10:15,203 --> 00:10:17,181 sunny, more vapid. 277 00:10:17,205 --> 00:10:19,892 And you know, more of an emphasis on looks. 278 00:10:19,916 --> 00:10:21,143 - Here are the facts. 279 00:10:21,167 --> 00:10:24,522 I have no job, no car, no money, no girlfriend. 280 00:10:24,546 --> 00:10:26,524 I'm not particularly good-looking- 281 00:10:26,548 --> 00:10:28,234 - [Narrator] Though Artie doesn't fit the LA mold, 282 00:10:28,258 --> 00:10:31,136 his self-deprecating style helps him find his niche. 283 00:10:32,303 --> 00:10:33,739 - Artie Lange got a lot of love 284 00:10:33,763 --> 00:10:35,074 'cause he was also doing stand-up. 285 00:10:35,098 --> 00:10:37,159 So he was very popular and he was the affable guy. 286 00:10:37,183 --> 00:10:41,288 So it was easy to get drugs and it was easy to get drink. 287 00:10:41,312 --> 00:10:43,999 (dramatic music) 288 00:10:44,023 --> 00:10:45,709 - You know, being in the comedy club environment, 289 00:10:45,733 --> 00:10:48,796 it definitely has all the sex, drugs and rock and roll 290 00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:50,154 that you could possibly want. 291 00:10:52,156 --> 00:10:54,885 - [Narrator] But with more success comes more temptation. 292 00:10:54,909 --> 00:10:57,263 - [Anthony] He didn't look at his behavior as addictive. 293 00:10:57,287 --> 00:10:59,163 I think he was just hard partying. 294 00:11:00,874 --> 00:11:02,226 - "Hey, Artie, get a drink. 295 00:11:02,250 --> 00:11:04,294 "Oh, come on, let's do some coke in the back." 296 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:09,608 - He's got more money that he's ever seen in his life. 297 00:11:09,632 --> 00:11:12,486 So this is now a playground 298 00:11:12,510 --> 00:11:14,846 for anybody with addiction problems. 299 00:11:15,889 --> 00:11:18,284 - Sketch shows are really hard. 300 00:11:18,308 --> 00:11:21,203 And if you're in the middle of it running off 301 00:11:21,227 --> 00:11:25,398 and doing coke, you can't do that. 302 00:11:27,108 --> 00:11:29,545 - Artie is a consummate professional, 303 00:11:29,569 --> 00:11:31,255 but when the camera was off, 304 00:11:31,279 --> 00:11:32,965 he could be his own worst enemy. 305 00:11:32,989 --> 00:11:35,700 (dramatic music) 306 00:11:41,664 --> 00:11:42,058 (upbeat music) 307 00:11:42,082 --> 00:11:43,875 ♪ Mad ♪ 308 00:11:45,877 --> 00:11:47,771 - [Narrator] When Artie Lange gets his first big break 309 00:11:47,795 --> 00:11:50,673 on "Mad TV," he finds instant chemistry. 310 00:11:51,758 --> 00:11:56,363 {\an8}- The moment I met Artie Lange it was instantaneous love. 311 00:11:56,387 --> 00:11:58,365 {\an8}It was instantaneous connection. 312 00:11:58,389 --> 00:11:59,867 - What the hell is this? 313 00:11:59,891 --> 00:12:01,744 - It's urine. (audience laughing) 314 00:12:01,768 --> 00:12:03,162 - He was open. He was accessible. 315 00:12:03,186 --> 00:12:05,855 And I knew that he was special. 316 00:12:06,856 --> 00:12:08,959 - We met, we became friends. 317 00:12:08,983 --> 00:12:10,544 We could spend a lot of time hanging out together. 318 00:12:10,568 --> 00:12:12,421 {\an8}A motley crew. 319 00:12:12,445 --> 00:12:14,340 {\an8}We had such long work hours together 320 00:12:14,364 --> 00:12:16,282 {\an8}so we were really a tribe. 321 00:12:17,617 --> 00:12:19,762 We were "Saturday Night Lives," 322 00:12:19,786 --> 00:12:22,473 redheaded cousin, post stepchild. 323 00:12:22,497 --> 00:12:25,935 - [Announcer] Remember when "Saturday Night Live" was funny. 324 00:12:25,959 --> 00:12:26,728 (crickets chirping) 325 00:12:26,752 --> 00:12:27,853 Neither do we. 326 00:12:27,877 --> 00:12:29,521 Introducing "Mad TV," 327 00:12:29,545 --> 00:12:31,982 the late night comedy with something extra. 328 00:12:32,006 --> 00:12:33,817 - We were second class citizens 329 00:12:33,841 --> 00:12:35,110 in the world of sketch comedy. 330 00:12:35,134 --> 00:12:37,613 - We really want you guys to have a good time. 331 00:12:37,637 --> 00:12:39,865 - That's why we're handing out free beer 332 00:12:39,889 --> 00:12:41,325 to everyone in the audience. 333 00:12:41,349 --> 00:12:43,327 {\an8}- Within the cast of "Mad TV" Artie brought 334 00:12:43,351 --> 00:12:46,997 {\an8}physicality, just absolutely ludicrous humor 335 00:12:47,021 --> 00:12:50,876 and the ability to just throw himself into anything. 336 00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:53,087 - Here, here, here, here then here. 337 00:12:53,111 --> 00:12:54,505 Here's one, this ruins your day. 338 00:12:54,529 --> 00:12:55,965 Three, snaps your neck. 339 00:12:55,989 --> 00:12:56,883 One, ruined day, 340 00:12:56,907 --> 00:12:58,008 three, snapped neck. 341 00:12:58,032 --> 00:13:00,094 One, three, one, three, two, no worry. 342 00:13:00,118 --> 00:13:01,762 Snapped neck, ruins day. 343 00:13:01,786 --> 00:13:02,888 Out here, here. 344 00:13:02,912 --> 00:13:04,056 Great! 345 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:07,184 - He was the John Belushi of delving deep 346 00:13:07,208 --> 00:13:10,980 and creating these funny characters 347 00:13:11,004 --> 00:13:13,857 and his commitment to it was a joy to watch. 348 00:13:13,881 --> 00:13:16,110 {\an8}- Hey, sexy, what time you gettin' off work tonight? 349 00:13:16,134 --> 00:13:18,153 {\an8}- Not a million years DeWarhead. 350 00:13:18,177 --> 00:13:19,321 {\an8}- Whoa! - Whoa! 351 00:13:19,345 --> 00:13:20,531 - More more importantly, 352 00:13:20,555 --> 00:13:22,908 {\an8}pride is on the line here at Gladiator Arena. 353 00:13:22,932 --> 00:13:24,868 - That's it, you're going back in the closet! 354 00:13:24,892 --> 00:13:25,911 - Closet! Closet! 355 00:13:25,935 --> 00:13:27,079 - I mean trunk. Damn you! 356 00:13:27,103 --> 00:13:28,789 (dummy screaming) 357 00:13:28,813 --> 00:13:33,085 {\an8}- Working in a sketch comedy show is like entering bootcamp, 358 00:13:33,109 --> 00:13:34,253 {\an8}hell bootcamp. 359 00:13:34,277 --> 00:13:37,214 - In terms of shooting 150 pages a week, 360 00:13:37,238 --> 00:13:38,966 we worked our asses off man. 361 00:13:38,990 --> 00:13:41,135 - No Americans ever been hacked to pieces in space 362 00:13:41,159 --> 00:13:43,220 by a hockey mask wearing homicidal maniac 363 00:13:43,244 --> 00:13:45,556 and it sure as hell isn't gonna happen on my watch. 364 00:13:45,580 --> 00:13:48,475 - I had 12 years of sobriety when I got on "Mad TV" 365 00:13:48,499 --> 00:13:50,978 and the first week I was at that show, 366 00:13:51,002 --> 00:13:53,022 I relapsed 'cause it was so stressful. 367 00:13:53,046 --> 00:13:54,898 - Are we gonna talk or are we gonna rock. 368 00:13:54,922 --> 00:13:57,651 {\an8}- [Narrator] For Artie, given his vices, 369 00:13:57,675 --> 00:14:00,219 {\an8}working on "Mad TV" is a ticking time bomb. 370 00:14:01,346 --> 00:14:03,949 - Artie would go on a bender and be up for a couple of days. 371 00:14:03,973 --> 00:14:05,576 You know, your nerves get frazzled. 372 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:08,996 - And there was like stories where he was in a pig outfit. 373 00:14:09,020 --> 00:14:12,416 - The infamous "Babewatch" pig story. 374 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,127 (audience laughing) 375 00:14:15,151 --> 00:14:18,297 - It was a parody between "Baywatch" and "Babe." 376 00:14:18,321 --> 00:14:22,116 - Hey, Toots, wanna roll around in your own filth? 377 00:14:22,950 --> 00:14:23,887 - [Narrator] The sketch is centered around 378 00:14:23,911 --> 00:14:26,013 Artie's physical appearance. 379 00:14:26,037 --> 00:14:28,849 - [Narrator] The biggest pig on the beach. 380 00:14:28,873 --> 00:14:30,124 He was Babe. 381 00:14:33,169 --> 00:14:36,065 - And see, I was not a fan of "Babewatch." 382 00:14:36,089 --> 00:14:40,486 It's particularly pointed on body shaming. 383 00:14:40,510 --> 00:14:43,197 - It was him, Carry, that pig of a man over there. 384 00:14:43,221 --> 00:14:44,239 - What a pig. 385 00:14:44,263 --> 00:14:47,451 - It's like a human pig. - Yeah, pig. 386 00:14:47,475 --> 00:14:49,620 - What's the satire? Fat people. 387 00:14:49,644 --> 00:14:51,080 - Pig, pig, pig! - Oink! 388 00:14:51,104 --> 00:14:52,831 - He's literally a pig. 389 00:14:52,855 --> 00:14:55,084 Like you are the funny, ugly thing 390 00:14:55,108 --> 00:14:57,443 that everyone's pointing at and looking at. 391 00:15:00,196 --> 00:15:01,965 You know, he talks about looking over 392 00:15:01,989 --> 00:15:04,927 and seeing himself trying to eat food with a pig face on, 393 00:15:04,951 --> 00:15:07,179 you know, while really high on drugs 394 00:15:07,203 --> 00:15:09,223 after being up for a couple of days. 395 00:15:09,247 --> 00:15:13,227 That sounds like psychologically scarring to say the least. 396 00:15:13,251 --> 00:15:16,939 - For Artie, it was the opportunity to simmer 397 00:15:16,963 --> 00:15:20,984 looking in the mirror and seeing himself as a pig 398 00:15:21,008 --> 00:15:23,821 with all of that, including the expectation 399 00:15:23,845 --> 00:15:25,280 to be the funny fat guy, 400 00:15:25,304 --> 00:15:27,074 which is what he saw himself as at times, 401 00:15:27,098 --> 00:15:28,391 the funny fat guy. 402 00:15:29,976 --> 00:15:32,103 It's a lot and it can be a burden. 403 00:15:33,020 --> 00:15:35,541 - Well, I think the combination of him being up all night, 404 00:15:35,565 --> 00:15:37,000 early morning shoot, 405 00:15:37,024 --> 00:15:39,044 and then going right in and doing a bunch of cocaine, 406 00:15:39,068 --> 00:15:41,338 it all was really weighing on him 407 00:15:41,362 --> 00:15:44,240 and got him to this, you know, pretty frantic place. 408 00:15:45,658 --> 00:15:48,762 - We break for lunch and the bender continues. 409 00:15:48,786 --> 00:15:50,139 - Artie went to go find drugs. 410 00:15:50,163 --> 00:15:53,642 He felt that it was a necessary coping mechanism. 411 00:15:53,666 --> 00:15:56,210 And so he's like, "I don't give a (beeps). 412 00:15:58,212 --> 00:15:59,606 - So Artie got back to set, 413 00:15:59,630 --> 00:16:02,401 went to his trailer and just did more and more coke. 414 00:16:02,425 --> 00:16:05,779 And he said, every time he'd look over in the mirror, 415 00:16:05,803 --> 00:16:07,489 he would literally say like, 416 00:16:07,513 --> 00:16:11,118 "I'm a pig doing coke." (laughs) 417 00:16:11,142 --> 00:16:12,244 But the skits hilarious. 418 00:16:12,268 --> 00:16:14,621 I mean, he pulled off the performance. 419 00:16:14,645 --> 00:16:16,832 - More Babe, anyone? 420 00:16:16,856 --> 00:16:18,625 Mm. (audience laughing) 421 00:16:18,649 --> 00:16:20,335 - Woo, this will do, Kimmy. 422 00:16:20,359 --> 00:16:21,461 This will do. 423 00:16:21,485 --> 00:16:23,046 - I'll tell you this about Artie Lange. 424 00:16:23,070 --> 00:16:24,590 No matter what he did, 425 00:16:24,614 --> 00:16:26,133 no matter what he put in his body, 426 00:16:26,157 --> 00:16:28,302 no matter what kind of binge he went on, 427 00:16:28,326 --> 00:16:30,220 when he was on that set, 428 00:16:30,244 --> 00:16:32,139 when the cameras were rolling, 429 00:16:32,163 --> 00:16:33,640 you would never know the difference. 430 00:16:33,664 --> 00:16:35,893 That's beautiful on one end 431 00:16:35,917 --> 00:16:37,543 and very frightening on the other. 432 00:16:39,086 --> 00:16:40,314 - [Narrator] The "Babewatch" sketch 433 00:16:40,338 --> 00:16:42,608 is the last shoot before a hiatus 434 00:16:42,632 --> 00:16:45,051 and Artie commits to getting clean over the break. 435 00:16:46,469 --> 00:16:49,931 He returns to set struggling with withdrawal symptoms. 436 00:16:51,057 --> 00:16:53,118 When Artie fails to show up one morning, 437 00:16:53,142 --> 00:16:55,269 his coworkers worry something isn't right. 438 00:16:57,396 --> 00:17:01,567 - He was definitely a live wire and had his ups and downs. 439 00:17:02,652 --> 00:17:04,505 So it makes sense that somebody 440 00:17:04,529 --> 00:17:06,298 would basically do a wellness check. 441 00:17:06,322 --> 00:17:08,199 You know, it had gotten to that point. 442 00:17:09,617 --> 00:17:10,761 - Me and David Herman, 443 00:17:10,785 --> 00:17:14,956 we went over to Artie's and he had OD'ed. 444 00:17:17,124 --> 00:17:19,603 I don't have any information about what it is. 445 00:17:19,627 --> 00:17:21,063 I just know Artie's passed out, 446 00:17:21,087 --> 00:17:22,922 the hospital down the road. 447 00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:24,858 We got him in the car. 448 00:17:24,882 --> 00:17:26,109 We got him to St. John's Hospital. 449 00:17:26,133 --> 00:17:28,344 They pumped his stomach and saved his life. 450 00:17:29,345 --> 00:17:32,741 - [Narrator] When Artie wakes up, a clearer picture emerges. 451 00:17:32,765 --> 00:17:35,827 Over the weekend, Artie had gone on a cocaine spree, 452 00:17:35,851 --> 00:17:38,038 topping things off with a mix of prescription 453 00:17:38,062 --> 00:17:39,438 and over-the-counter pills. 454 00:17:40,606 --> 00:17:45,611 - And obviously the things he took were not by accident. 455 00:17:47,196 --> 00:17:48,298 - [Artie] But what I did was, 456 00:17:48,322 --> 00:17:50,467 I had these Restoril sleeping tablets, 457 00:17:50,491 --> 00:17:52,553 30 milligrams, they were pretty strong 458 00:17:52,577 --> 00:17:55,764 and I took about 25 of them. 459 00:17:55,788 --> 00:17:58,267 Then I took about, I had a whole bottle of Excedrin PM. 460 00:17:58,291 --> 00:17:59,726 I took the whole bottle, whatever the 461 00:17:59,750 --> 00:18:01,019 fuck was in the bottles 462 00:18:01,043 --> 00:18:02,688 And I had a half a bottle of Jack Daniels left 463 00:18:02,712 --> 00:18:04,213 and I just swigged it. 464 00:18:06,257 --> 00:18:08,360 - [Narrator] Artie also left a note. 465 00:18:08,384 --> 00:18:10,487 - [Artie] I remember the note verbatim 466 00:18:10,511 --> 00:18:13,198 because it wasn't that long. 467 00:18:13,222 --> 00:18:15,308 The note was to my mother and sister, 468 00:18:16,267 --> 00:18:20,205 and it said, "Ma and Stac, I'm sorry about this, 469 00:18:20,229 --> 00:18:23,083 "but I can't deal with life for some reason. 470 00:18:23,107 --> 00:18:26,211 - Right? - "None of this is your fault. 471 00:18:26,235 --> 00:18:29,047 "Do me a favor and keep on living. 472 00:18:29,071 --> 00:18:31,741 "Maybe I'll see you again someday," and I sign my name. 473 00:18:33,534 --> 00:18:37,973 - People often think about suicide as depression. 474 00:18:37,997 --> 00:18:40,642 That is not the only circumstance for suicide. 475 00:18:40,666 --> 00:18:43,228 {\an8}Addicts and alcoholics will kill themselves 476 00:18:43,252 --> 00:18:44,813 {\an8}out of desperation to stop their disease. 477 00:18:44,837 --> 00:18:47,190 {\an8}They're literally killing the addict in themselves. 478 00:18:47,214 --> 00:18:48,734 - Getting the help, 479 00:18:48,758 --> 00:18:51,302 asking for help was a little challenging to come by for him. 480 00:18:52,178 --> 00:18:56,700 And that was painful because he never got to that point 481 00:18:56,724 --> 00:18:59,119 in our relationship while he was here to say, 482 00:18:59,143 --> 00:19:00,287 "I need your help." 483 00:19:00,311 --> 00:19:03,272 (dramatic music) 484 00:19:05,691 --> 00:19:08,402 (somber music) 485 00:19:10,446 --> 00:19:12,049 - [Narrator] Artie returns from rehab 486 00:19:12,073 --> 00:19:14,301 after his suicide attempt. 487 00:19:14,325 --> 00:19:15,761 - Who's down here making noise 488 00:19:15,785 --> 00:19:17,929 {\an8}interrupting my stories on the TV? 489 00:19:17,953 --> 00:19:19,097 {\an8}I love my stories. 490 00:19:19,121 --> 00:19:20,849 {\an8}They're my only view into the good world. 491 00:19:20,873 --> 00:19:22,351 {\an8}They're so classy. 492 00:19:22,375 --> 00:19:24,561 - [Narrator] Sober, Artie blossoms. 493 00:19:24,585 --> 00:19:26,897 Co-creating many of "Mad TV's" favorite, 494 00:19:26,921 --> 00:19:29,858 sometimes controversial characters and sketches. 495 00:19:29,882 --> 00:19:31,401 - As far as the skit, 496 00:19:31,425 --> 00:19:32,486 "My White Mama," 497 00:19:32,510 --> 00:19:34,196 {\an8}could any white comedian do that today? 498 00:19:34,220 --> 00:19:38,367 {\an8}I'd be hard pressed to find out who that is. 499 00:19:38,391 --> 00:19:40,077 {\an8}- By the time season two started, he was clean, 500 00:19:40,101 --> 00:19:41,578 {\an8}ready to get back to work. 501 00:19:41,602 --> 00:19:44,373 {\an8}- I just couldn't see my man going back to the same place 502 00:19:44,397 --> 00:19:46,041 {\an8}where all that had happened. 503 00:19:46,065 --> 00:19:48,210 So he was coming back for season two. 504 00:19:48,234 --> 00:19:50,128 I just wanted him to feel like it was a fresh start 505 00:19:50,152 --> 00:19:51,296 'cause it was. 506 00:19:51,320 --> 00:19:52,672 And why would you go back there? 507 00:19:52,696 --> 00:19:53,633 Just come live with me. 508 00:19:53,657 --> 00:19:54,758 You know, mean I live by myself. 509 00:19:54,782 --> 00:19:57,302 So that's how he came to live with me. 510 00:19:57,326 --> 00:19:59,429 - It looked like everything was going okay. 511 00:19:59,453 --> 00:20:01,473 {\an8}- In five short years you put men on Mars 512 00:20:01,497 --> 00:20:03,308 {\an8}and acquired three new states. 513 00:20:03,332 --> 00:20:04,309 {\an8}- Three new states. 514 00:20:04,333 --> 00:20:06,186 {\an8}- Cuba, Saskatchewan and Germany. 515 00:20:06,210 --> 00:20:07,479 {\an8}(audience laughing) 516 00:20:07,503 --> 00:20:09,231 {\an8}- Artie's at work on time. 517 00:20:09,255 --> 00:20:11,733 {\an8}Artie's one of the funniest guys in the room. 518 00:20:11,757 --> 00:20:13,735 You know, Artie's not the guy walking in 519 00:20:13,759 --> 00:20:15,278 a half hour late disruptive. 520 00:20:15,302 --> 00:20:16,155 You know what I mean? 521 00:20:16,179 --> 00:20:17,364 Artie's not some Neanderthal. 522 00:20:17,388 --> 00:20:18,157 You know what I mean? 523 00:20:18,181 --> 00:20:19,574 {\an8}Artie's super smart. 524 00:20:19,598 --> 00:20:24,413 {\an8}- I find him to be just extremely intrinsically funny. 525 00:20:24,437 --> 00:20:25,373 I really like the guy a lot. 526 00:20:25,397 --> 00:20:26,415 He's got a good heart. 527 00:20:26,439 --> 00:20:27,690 He's wild, like I am though. 528 00:20:29,817 --> 00:20:31,503 - Artie seems to spiral 529 00:20:31,527 --> 00:20:34,923 around the anniversary of his father's accident. 530 00:20:34,947 --> 00:20:37,050 Certainly on season one of "Mad TV." 531 00:20:37,074 --> 00:20:40,595 And then in season two, it was exactly the same time again, 532 00:20:40,619 --> 00:20:41,619 when that happened. 533 00:20:42,663 --> 00:20:45,350 It was painful because I didn't know what was going on 534 00:20:45,374 --> 00:20:46,935 when it first started happening. 535 00:20:46,959 --> 00:20:49,604 But I used to just watch my boys suffer. 536 00:20:49,628 --> 00:20:51,565 - [Narrator] Artie does his best to hide 537 00:20:51,589 --> 00:20:52,965 that he's using again. 538 00:20:53,799 --> 00:20:55,360 - Didn't do such a great job 539 00:20:55,384 --> 00:20:57,988 because towards the end of shooting, 540 00:20:58,012 --> 00:21:00,866 the plan was to have an intervention with him. 541 00:21:00,890 --> 00:21:05,120 {\an8}- He was in a blocking rehearsal and every time they cut, 542 00:21:05,144 --> 00:21:06,788 {\an8}he couldn't be still. 543 00:21:06,812 --> 00:21:09,124 And I think he had been speed balling. 544 00:21:09,148 --> 00:21:11,793 He had been up for 24 hours, if not longer 545 00:21:11,817 --> 00:21:13,861 and he couldn't come down from that high. 546 00:21:14,945 --> 00:21:17,716 His agitation became overwhelming 547 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:18,842 to the point where they said, 548 00:21:18,866 --> 00:21:21,261 "We have to shut this down right now." 549 00:21:21,285 --> 00:21:24,497 They said they would call his mother and he lost his shit. 550 00:21:25,664 --> 00:21:28,167 He started knocking things over on the set. 551 00:21:29,084 --> 00:21:32,522 - Took a swing at his manager, he punched him in the face. 552 00:21:32,546 --> 00:21:34,649 And then basically just started running. 553 00:21:34,673 --> 00:21:36,860 - And Artie went into the grocery store. 554 00:21:36,884 --> 00:21:39,446 He was knocking things off the shelf. 555 00:21:39,470 --> 00:21:42,240 Anger in his eye and he couldn't come down, 556 00:21:42,264 --> 00:21:44,326 he just couldn't come down at that time. 557 00:21:44,350 --> 00:21:46,119 Then finally, the store had no choice 558 00:21:46,143 --> 00:21:47,353 but to call the police. 559 00:21:48,437 --> 00:21:50,874 - [Anthony] And it ends with Artie taking a swing 560 00:21:50,898 --> 00:21:52,483 at an LAPD officer. 561 00:21:54,485 --> 00:21:56,338 - True to Artie, during the arrest, 562 00:21:56,362 --> 00:22:01,325 the black officer has him and Artie says, "It's okay. 563 00:22:03,118 --> 00:22:06,681 "You can beat me up. (laughs) 564 00:22:06,705 --> 00:22:09,750 "I'm not black." (laughs) 565 00:22:11,460 --> 00:22:14,189 And they take my dude away. 566 00:22:14,213 --> 00:22:17,508 - And that's how that intervention went. 567 00:22:19,885 --> 00:22:23,222 - But my personal take is, sometimes we wanna be caught. 568 00:22:24,598 --> 00:22:27,369 All of that drug-induced energy comes up 569 00:22:27,393 --> 00:22:28,578 and it has to come out. 570 00:22:28,602 --> 00:22:29,788 And as it came out, 571 00:22:29,812 --> 00:22:31,581 it had to be contained by someone else 572 00:22:31,605 --> 00:22:33,792 since he couldn't contain himself. 573 00:22:33,816 --> 00:22:38,821 And after Artie got into therapy and rehab, 574 00:22:40,906 --> 00:22:42,092 he wanted to come back 575 00:22:42,116 --> 00:22:45,053 and the Fox executives wanted him back. 576 00:22:45,077 --> 00:22:47,639 - But I guess that might be a testament to how good he was. 577 00:22:47,663 --> 00:22:51,101 And they saw his value with the show. 578 00:22:51,125 --> 00:22:54,104 They see in the long run, if he can get himself straight 579 00:22:54,128 --> 00:22:57,649 and do what he does best, he's profitable. 580 00:22:57,673 --> 00:22:59,568 - We knew he wasn't ready. 581 00:22:59,592 --> 00:23:00,902 We got together in a circle and said, 582 00:23:00,926 --> 00:23:02,696 "If you bring him back, we're all walking 583 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:05,282 "cause this is about his life." 584 00:23:05,306 --> 00:23:06,700 Artie Lange didn't come back. 585 00:23:06,724 --> 00:23:07,724 We got our way. 586 00:23:10,644 --> 00:23:12,163 - And he was gone from the show 587 00:23:12,187 --> 00:23:14,315 and that was kind of it, man, for a while. 588 00:23:16,150 --> 00:23:17,544 - Orlando was amazing. 589 00:23:17,568 --> 00:23:19,212 Orlando's home was open. 590 00:23:19,236 --> 00:23:20,714 Orlando's heart was open. 591 00:23:20,738 --> 00:23:24,092 But after a while, Orlando can't be his mother, 592 00:23:24,116 --> 00:23:29,121 his father, his keeper, his therapist, or his confessor. 593 00:23:31,457 --> 00:23:32,767 - [Narrator] Artie returns 594 00:23:32,791 --> 00:23:35,210 to the safety of his mother's home in New Jersey. 595 00:23:36,462 --> 00:23:38,523 - He moves back into his mom's house 596 00:23:38,547 --> 00:23:39,649 and lives down in the basement 597 00:23:39,673 --> 00:23:42,027 trying to put his life back together. 598 00:23:42,051 --> 00:23:44,762 (dramatic music) 599 00:23:47,264 --> 00:23:49,767 (somber music) 600 00:23:51,393 --> 00:23:52,912 - [Narrator] Fired from "Mad TV," 601 00:23:52,936 --> 00:23:56,440 Artie is living in his mother's basement hoping for a break. 602 00:23:57,691 --> 00:23:59,586 Then it happens. 603 00:23:59,610 --> 00:24:02,088 Bob Saget is directing a movie called "Dirty Work," 604 00:24:02,112 --> 00:24:03,781 starring Norm Macdonald. 605 00:24:04,948 --> 00:24:08,637 {\an8}- Norm and Bob both got Artie a part in the movie. 606 00:24:08,661 --> 00:24:10,496 {\an8}Not a big part, but a good part. 607 00:24:11,622 --> 00:24:13,666 {\an8}- Hey, I think I feel a slight itch. 608 00:24:15,626 --> 00:24:16,669 {\an8}Oh, maybe not. 609 00:24:17,670 --> 00:24:19,505 {\an8}It could be my imagination. 610 00:24:22,508 --> 00:24:23,943 - Norm loved Artie. 611 00:24:23,967 --> 00:24:27,614 And he went on Howard Stern and took him with him. 612 00:24:27,638 --> 00:24:29,157 {\an8}- My name is Tim Sabean. 613 00:24:29,181 --> 00:24:32,577 {\an8}I worked with Howard Stern for about 26 years. 614 00:24:32,601 --> 00:24:35,080 - Man, this guy Artie's crazy. 615 00:24:35,104 --> 00:24:37,874 - Norm Macdonald told Howard that you gotta meet this guy. 616 00:24:37,898 --> 00:24:39,084 You gotta meet this guy. 617 00:24:39,108 --> 00:24:40,335 - That's Artie? - Hey, there's Artie. 618 00:24:40,359 --> 00:24:41,378 - Hey, Artie. 619 00:24:41,402 --> 00:24:43,505 Hey man, you got fired from "Mad TV." 620 00:24:43,529 --> 00:24:45,173 - [Narrator] Growing up in New Jersey, 621 00:24:45,197 --> 00:24:47,926 "The Howard Stern Show" was legendary. 622 00:24:47,950 --> 00:24:50,553 - Artie had always listened to "The Howard Stern Show." 623 00:24:50,577 --> 00:24:53,223 {\an8}You know like so many other east coast, 624 00:24:53,247 --> 00:24:55,600 {\an8}you know, class clown, wise ass guys, 625 00:24:55,624 --> 00:24:57,143 {\an8}those were his people. 626 00:24:57,167 --> 00:24:58,520 He loved everything about it. 627 00:24:58,544 --> 00:24:59,813 - [Howard] So you had a big coke problem? 628 00:24:59,837 --> 00:25:01,564 - Not a big coke problem. 629 00:25:01,588 --> 00:25:02,774 Like I never did it every day, 630 00:25:02,798 --> 00:25:04,275 but like once a month you couldn't find me 631 00:25:04,299 --> 00:25:05,111 for like four days. 632 00:25:05,135 --> 00:25:06,611 (all laughing) 633 00:25:06,635 --> 00:25:09,614 - It was a dream come true for Artie to get in there. 634 00:25:09,638 --> 00:25:10,408 - I went to like, 635 00:25:10,432 --> 00:25:11,866 I was in jail for like... 636 00:25:11,890 --> 00:25:13,243 (all laughing) 637 00:25:13,267 --> 00:25:14,703 - [Howard] I love outta control guys. 638 00:25:14,727 --> 00:25:17,664 - Howard has an incredible sensibility about talent. 639 00:25:17,688 --> 00:25:19,499 - They needed someone else on the show 640 00:25:19,523 --> 00:25:21,376 and he just said, "Hey, you should come back 641 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:24,587 "and be a regular on the show," which blew him away. 642 00:25:24,611 --> 00:25:26,798 - Then it just rocketed from there. 643 00:25:26,822 --> 00:25:28,049 - [Howard] What was your dream? 644 00:25:28,073 --> 00:25:29,259 Get on "The Howard Stern Show" to be with Norm, 645 00:25:29,283 --> 00:25:30,552 to be in the movies. 646 00:25:30,576 --> 00:25:32,220 - You think you're (beeps) family now? 647 00:25:32,244 --> 00:25:33,221 - [Howard] I want to tell you something. 648 00:25:33,245 --> 00:25:34,222 - I think I'm in heaven. (laughs) 649 00:25:34,246 --> 00:25:35,432 - [Howard] You are. 650 00:25:35,456 --> 00:25:37,267 - [Narrator] Co-hosting the popular radio show 651 00:25:37,291 --> 00:25:38,810 means that Artie will now be introduced 652 00:25:38,834 --> 00:25:40,687 to millions of listeners. 653 00:25:40,711 --> 00:25:42,564 - We're laughing. - Oh. 654 00:25:42,588 --> 00:25:43,606 - It's a big deal. 655 00:25:43,630 --> 00:25:44,774 Especially when he was at the show 656 00:25:44,798 --> 00:25:47,360 at the height of its popularity. 657 00:25:47,384 --> 00:25:48,778 {\an8}I'm Doug Goodstein. 658 00:25:48,802 --> 00:25:51,948 {\an8}I was Howard Stern's executive producer on "Howard TV." 659 00:25:51,972 --> 00:25:56,036 - We were just a gang of misfits that created magic. 660 00:25:56,060 --> 00:25:57,704 We would always pinch ourselves 661 00:25:57,728 --> 00:26:00,790 that it was the greatest time of our life. 662 00:26:00,814 --> 00:26:02,167 - [Narrator] Artie's open book style 663 00:26:02,191 --> 00:26:03,609 endears him to listeners. 664 00:26:04,693 --> 00:26:05,879 - Artie would talk about listening 665 00:26:05,903 --> 00:26:07,338 to Howard Stern with his dad, 666 00:26:07,362 --> 00:26:11,384 you know, in the car on the way to doing an install. 667 00:26:11,408 --> 00:26:13,386 - [Artie] He was listening to you working in the van. 668 00:26:13,410 --> 00:26:14,721 - Yeah. - And I was 14. 669 00:26:14,745 --> 00:26:15,930 Told, he said, "You gotta hear this guy, 670 00:26:15,954 --> 00:26:17,056 "you gotta hear this guy, he's hilarious." 671 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:18,391 And that's how we started listening, 672 00:26:18,415 --> 00:26:19,726 when I worked with him in the summers, 673 00:26:19,750 --> 00:26:20,769 we would listen to you all day. 674 00:26:20,793 --> 00:26:21,770 When you were on in the afternoon. 675 00:26:21,794 --> 00:26:22,688 - [Howard] But he was a good guy. 676 00:26:22,712 --> 00:26:23,855 - [Artie] Best guy in the world. 677 00:26:23,879 --> 00:26:25,231 He was the greatest father in the world. 678 00:26:25,255 --> 00:26:27,650 - He would talk about it all the time. 679 00:26:27,674 --> 00:26:29,194 He would bring it up on the air. 680 00:26:29,218 --> 00:26:33,490 And that's why it meant so much to Artie to be on the show. 681 00:26:33,514 --> 00:26:34,491 - [Howard] Why was he good? 682 00:26:34,515 --> 00:26:35,617 Tell me why he's a good father. 683 00:26:35,641 --> 00:26:36,868 - [Artie] He used to... 684 00:26:36,892 --> 00:26:39,496 Every Sunday, from the time I could remember. 685 00:26:39,520 --> 00:26:41,039 We played baseball together 686 00:26:41,063 --> 00:26:44,542 and he was more like a friend than a father. 687 00:26:44,566 --> 00:26:45,794 - When he was on, 688 00:26:45,818 --> 00:26:48,671 he was at his best and there was nobody better. 689 00:26:48,695 --> 00:26:50,882 - He became a fan favorite very quickly. 690 00:26:50,906 --> 00:26:52,133 - [Narrator] The Stern Show 691 00:26:52,157 --> 00:26:53,802 propels Artie into super stardom. 692 00:26:53,826 --> 00:26:54,969 (audience cheering) 693 00:26:54,993 --> 00:26:57,764 Between the show and his stand-up career, 694 00:26:57,788 --> 00:27:00,916 Artie would eventually make close to $4 million a year. 695 00:27:02,334 --> 00:27:03,812 - He had the extra money to indulge 696 00:27:03,836 --> 00:27:06,588 whatever whim came to mind. 697 00:27:07,464 --> 00:27:09,609 - [Narrator] Once again with more fame and money 698 00:27:09,633 --> 00:27:10,926 comes more temptation. 699 00:27:12,386 --> 00:27:13,780 - Every time he gets a lot of success, 700 00:27:13,804 --> 00:27:15,365 the demons rear their head 701 00:27:15,389 --> 00:27:17,659 and he sort of goes the way of chaos. 702 00:27:17,683 --> 00:27:18,701 - [Howard] Artie, what's going on? 703 00:27:18,725 --> 00:27:20,453 - [Artie] No, no, I'm all right. 704 00:27:20,477 --> 00:27:21,579 - [Howard] Do you wanna go lay down? 705 00:27:21,603 --> 00:27:22,580 - [Artie] I'm listening, too. 706 00:27:22,604 --> 00:27:23,873 - [Howard] Do you wanna lay down? 707 00:27:23,897 --> 00:27:25,834 - No, I'm listening. - I think, he's sweating. 708 00:27:25,858 --> 00:27:27,585 He's falling asleep. 709 00:27:27,609 --> 00:27:30,338 - The hours are crazy and you're intent... 710 00:27:30,362 --> 00:27:31,506 You have to be funny. 711 00:27:31,530 --> 00:27:33,716 You have to be on and funny and keep up. 712 00:27:33,740 --> 00:27:35,051 - Put 'em in bed. - Really? 713 00:27:35,075 --> 00:27:36,803 I mean, one time it was a joke, 714 00:27:36,827 --> 00:27:38,555 but now I feel like I'm being unprofessional. 715 00:27:38,579 --> 00:27:39,931 - [Howard] Well, I'll tell you what is unprofessional. 716 00:27:39,955 --> 00:27:41,349 You gotta stop taking gigs during the week. 717 00:27:41,373 --> 00:27:42,892 - [Artie] No, I apologize. 718 00:27:42,916 --> 00:27:44,853 - He was doing comedy gigs. 719 00:27:44,877 --> 00:27:46,813 So he would fly out for the weekends 720 00:27:46,837 --> 00:27:50,525 and do like a Friday, Saturday night and then come back 721 00:27:50,549 --> 00:27:52,110 and get right back into it. 722 00:27:52,134 --> 00:27:55,446 So along the way to deal with all of that stuff, 723 00:27:55,470 --> 00:27:57,699 he started getting more and more into opiates. 724 00:27:57,723 --> 00:28:00,618 - Artie is such a respected comedian in the business, 725 00:28:00,642 --> 00:28:03,913 but once the drug use started to weave itself 726 00:28:03,937 --> 00:28:08,751 into his vernacular, it was like watching a train wreck, 727 00:28:08,775 --> 00:28:11,087 you know, in slow motion. 728 00:28:11,111 --> 00:28:12,922 - If you get it closer you could hear the breathing. 729 00:28:12,946 --> 00:28:13,923 Not too close. 730 00:28:13,947 --> 00:28:14,924 There it is. (Artie breathing) 731 00:28:14,948 --> 00:28:16,718 - Oh, no. - What are they doing? 732 00:28:16,742 --> 00:28:17,719 - Somebody's backing in butt first. 733 00:28:17,743 --> 00:28:18,845 - Oh, guys, don't do that. 734 00:28:18,869 --> 00:28:20,513 - People would call in constantly, 735 00:28:20,537 --> 00:28:22,265 "What the (beeps) is wrong with Artie?" 736 00:28:22,289 --> 00:28:24,517 - You know, he was very obviously descending 737 00:28:24,541 --> 00:28:26,811 into the abyss of his addiction. 738 00:28:26,835 --> 00:28:27,812 - I'm gonna tell you something. 739 00:28:27,836 --> 00:28:29,063 - He's a dick. - Whatever, Artie. 740 00:28:29,087 --> 00:28:30,356 - [Howard] All right, hear my point of view. 741 00:28:30,380 --> 00:28:32,483 - Really (beeps) up, man. - No, I hate you, Ted. 742 00:28:32,507 --> 00:28:33,277 - [Howard] No, no, no, no, no. 743 00:28:33,301 --> 00:28:34,527 Artie, no. - Oh, Artie. 744 00:28:34,551 --> 00:28:35,612 No. Artie. 745 00:28:35,636 --> 00:28:37,238 - You know, he was moody, irregular. 746 00:28:37,262 --> 00:28:40,116 He basically threatened his assistant 747 00:28:40,140 --> 00:28:42,076 and physically went after him. 748 00:28:42,100 --> 00:28:44,144 - Artie! Artie, stop! - No, go. Go, now! 749 00:28:46,188 --> 00:28:47,707 Close the door! 750 00:28:47,731 --> 00:28:51,836 Jesus Christ, you people are crazy! 751 00:28:51,860 --> 00:28:54,797 - And when you have something that's creating great content 752 00:28:54,821 --> 00:28:56,883 for a show like that, do you let it go 753 00:28:56,907 --> 00:29:00,637 or do you throw the guy into rehab where he should be? 754 00:29:00,661 --> 00:29:02,764 Or do you just let him live his life? 755 00:29:02,788 --> 00:29:06,959 {\an8}- For me, I felt it was exploitative 756 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:09,270 because he needed help. 757 00:29:09,294 --> 00:29:12,857 And I felt like those jokes were at his expense. 758 00:29:12,881 --> 00:29:13,900 - [Howard] You said to me, 759 00:29:13,924 --> 00:29:15,735 I prodded and pushed you into this. 760 00:29:15,759 --> 00:29:17,528 I did not. - Right. 761 00:29:17,552 --> 00:29:18,738 - [Howard] Somebody just said to me, 762 00:29:18,762 --> 00:29:19,781 "Artie was yelling at Teddy in the hall." 763 00:29:19,805 --> 00:29:20,823 I go, all right- 764 00:29:20,847 --> 00:29:21,991 - So why wouldn't you go, 765 00:29:22,015 --> 00:29:23,117 "Artie's a little outta control sometimes, 766 00:29:23,141 --> 00:29:24,036 "let's stay away from that." 767 00:29:24,060 --> 00:29:25,495 - No. 768 00:29:25,519 --> 00:29:26,871 - No, because you want this? - You gotta be in control. 769 00:29:26,895 --> 00:29:28,122 - You want this, Howard. - No, I don't. 770 00:29:28,146 --> 00:29:29,958 - Yes, you do. - I did not want that. 771 00:29:29,982 --> 00:29:31,376 - [Artie] Dude. Come on. 772 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:35,213 - I really just felt like somebody needed to really 773 00:29:35,237 --> 00:29:37,799 force him into therapy and rehab. 774 00:29:37,823 --> 00:29:38,883 - It seemed like every other week 775 00:29:38,907 --> 00:29:40,885 there was another stent in rehab. 776 00:29:40,909 --> 00:29:42,804 - Howard and I would sit down with Artie 777 00:29:42,828 --> 00:29:45,390 on several occasions and Howard tried to talk to him 778 00:29:45,414 --> 00:29:46,683 and just ask him, 779 00:29:46,707 --> 00:29:47,976 "You know, is there anything I can do to help 780 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:49,978 "or send you anywhere?" 781 00:29:50,002 --> 00:29:52,980 He loved Artie and wanted Artie to be healthy. 782 00:29:53,004 --> 00:29:56,359 And none of us knew how to really handle the situation. 783 00:29:56,383 --> 00:29:58,403 It was delicate. 784 00:29:58,427 --> 00:29:59,904 - If you have trauma, 785 00:29:59,928 --> 00:30:01,823 you have typically the inability 786 00:30:01,847 --> 00:30:03,825 to regulate intense emotions. 787 00:30:03,849 --> 00:30:06,452 {\an8}And so you seek out solutions so that 788 00:30:06,476 --> 00:30:09,163 {\an8}you find your way to substances, they work. 789 00:30:09,187 --> 00:30:11,982 {\an8}Childhood trauma is the rocket fuel for addiction. 790 00:30:13,775 --> 00:30:15,253 - [Narrator] The year of his dad's accident, 791 00:30:15,277 --> 00:30:17,612 Artie had been working as his apprentice. 792 00:30:18,947 --> 00:30:21,867 But the day of the fall, Artie was away at school. 793 00:30:23,076 --> 00:30:24,846 - [Artie] I'm dealing with a lot of guilt, 794 00:30:24,870 --> 00:30:26,014 a lot of guilt, okay. - Right. 795 00:30:26,038 --> 00:30:27,765 Couple of things became very clear to me 796 00:30:27,789 --> 00:30:28,975 from your book. - Yeah. 797 00:30:28,999 --> 00:30:32,520 - Number one, you're feeling tremendous guilt 798 00:30:32,544 --> 00:30:34,272 not being there, of course, for your father 799 00:30:34,296 --> 00:30:35,523 when he fell off the ladder, 800 00:30:35,547 --> 00:30:37,358 because that was your job to hold the ladder. 801 00:30:37,382 --> 00:30:38,776 - That was the main thing. 802 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:40,278 - [Howard] You started college and you know, all that. 803 00:30:40,302 --> 00:30:42,030 - He holds it. 804 00:30:42,054 --> 00:30:45,366 He feels responsible for it, right? 805 00:30:45,390 --> 00:30:48,077 {\an8}- That shit stays in your body and it never goes away. 806 00:30:48,101 --> 00:30:49,871 {\an8}And no matter how successful you become, 807 00:30:49,895 --> 00:30:51,831 if you don't deal with that shit, 808 00:30:51,855 --> 00:30:54,500 it rears its ugly head. 809 00:30:54,524 --> 00:30:57,086 - Artie, it seems to me. - Right. 810 00:30:57,110 --> 00:30:58,737 - I don't want to- 811 00:31:00,280 --> 00:31:01,050 - Go ahead. - Go ahead. 812 00:31:01,074 --> 00:31:02,425 Do whatever. 813 00:31:02,449 --> 00:31:04,802 - It's almost like, just reading your book. 814 00:31:04,826 --> 00:31:06,345 I mean, it seems like, 815 00:31:06,369 --> 00:31:08,598 and I only just sort of sense what's up with you. 816 00:31:08,622 --> 00:31:09,932 - What, I can't be a great writer and sober? 817 00:31:09,956 --> 00:31:11,350 - Your book scared the hell outta me. 818 00:31:11,374 --> 00:31:13,770 But it's almost like you want to join your dad. 819 00:31:13,794 --> 00:31:14,812 You know what I mean? 820 00:31:14,836 --> 00:31:15,522 And if you can't live without him, 821 00:31:15,546 --> 00:31:16,523 you're not gonna live. 822 00:31:16,547 --> 00:31:20,485 - And he's not responsible for it. 823 00:31:20,509 --> 00:31:23,863 But you can't tell him that, right? 824 00:31:23,887 --> 00:31:24,947 - You deserve a better life. 825 00:31:24,971 --> 00:31:26,306 You deserve a sober life. 826 00:31:28,058 --> 00:31:29,058 - Broke my heart, man, 827 00:31:30,352 --> 00:31:31,603 broke my (beeps) heart. 828 00:31:34,940 --> 00:31:36,375 - I'll never forget the day that 829 00:31:36,399 --> 00:31:39,545 I came up to Artie's apartment to visit him. 830 00:31:39,569 --> 00:31:41,029 And Artie's showing me around. 831 00:31:42,155 --> 00:31:45,051 And one of the walls at this headboard of his bed 832 00:31:45,075 --> 00:31:47,452 was a frame with a piece of cable in it. 833 00:31:48,787 --> 00:31:51,057 And I said, "Artie, what is that?" 834 00:31:51,081 --> 00:31:53,976 He goes, "It's the last cable my dad hung 835 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:55,877 "before he fell off the ladder." 836 00:31:57,963 --> 00:31:59,357 - Every day of Artie's life, 837 00:31:59,381 --> 00:32:01,901 he wakes up, the first thing he sees 838 00:32:01,925 --> 00:32:04,094 and the last thing he sees is that cable. 839 00:32:05,345 --> 00:32:07,990 - It's just kind of a morbid poignant moment 840 00:32:08,014 --> 00:32:10,535 that I'll never forget. 841 00:32:10,559 --> 00:32:13,061 (somber music) 842 00:32:22,362 --> 00:32:25,157 (dramatic music) 843 00:32:26,241 --> 00:32:27,552 - This is gonna be one of those things 844 00:32:27,576 --> 00:32:30,429 where I shouldn't say this out loud, but I'm gonna. 845 00:32:30,453 --> 00:32:32,098 I purchased Europe. - You're kidding. 846 00:32:32,122 --> 00:32:33,433 (Artie laughs) 847 00:32:33,457 --> 00:32:35,309 - [Narrator] Artie continues his downward spiral 848 00:32:35,333 --> 00:32:37,770 live on-air. 849 00:32:37,794 --> 00:32:40,940 {\an8}- It just always left a black eye on the show. 850 00:32:40,964 --> 00:32:45,278 {\an8}And it was just always a nuisance. 851 00:32:45,302 --> 00:32:47,655 - [Narrator] For some time, his erratic behavior 852 00:32:47,679 --> 00:32:49,991 has been fueled by something new. 853 00:32:50,015 --> 00:32:52,076 - It started with opiates. 854 00:32:52,100 --> 00:32:55,204 It started with pills and eventually his pill intake 855 00:32:55,228 --> 00:32:59,000 was so much that his regular drug dealer said, 856 00:32:59,024 --> 00:33:00,126 {\an8}"Why don't you do heroin, 857 00:33:00,150 --> 00:33:02,211 {\an8}"it's actually better for your liver." 858 00:33:02,235 --> 00:33:04,046 - [Artie] Let your freak flag fly. 859 00:33:04,070 --> 00:33:05,715 - [Howard] What do you want right now, Artie? 860 00:33:05,739 --> 00:33:07,133 - I'm taking, 861 00:33:07,157 --> 00:33:09,343 well, I'm taking this anti-anxiety, anti-depressant. 862 00:33:09,367 --> 00:33:12,221 - He was all messed up one day. 863 00:33:12,245 --> 00:33:13,306 - [Howard] He's only on one. 864 00:33:13,330 --> 00:33:15,224 You're on two. - No, isn't he on two? 865 00:33:15,248 --> 00:33:16,018 - Is it one pill? No. 866 00:33:16,042 --> 00:33:17,101 And the Klonopin. 867 00:33:17,125 --> 00:33:18,227 - Oh, Klonopin. - See. 868 00:33:18,251 --> 00:33:20,021 - It was a Thursday, you know, morning. 869 00:33:20,045 --> 00:33:22,023 I'll never forget it as long as I live. 870 00:33:22,047 --> 00:33:23,649 - [Howard] Yeah, you can't handle those road gigs. 871 00:33:23,673 --> 00:33:24,650 - [Artie] No, I don't... 872 00:33:24,674 --> 00:33:26,402 Listen, I'm burnt out from them. 873 00:33:26,426 --> 00:33:27,820 - Yeah. - That's it, you know? 874 00:33:27,844 --> 00:33:29,238 - Yeah. - There's nothin' from that. 875 00:33:29,262 --> 00:33:31,032 - [Howard] You wanna get yourself... 876 00:33:31,056 --> 00:33:32,533 Look at you, already you look better. 877 00:33:32,557 --> 00:33:34,744 - [Artie] I don't want to be found dead in a hotel room. 878 00:33:34,768 --> 00:33:36,329 - [Howard] You wanna be found dead at home. 879 00:33:36,353 --> 00:33:38,247 - Yeah, that would be nicer. - Right. 880 00:33:38,271 --> 00:33:39,665 - And Artie was just whacked out. 881 00:33:39,689 --> 00:33:41,375 - [Howard] You gonna make it through the next year? 882 00:33:41,399 --> 00:33:42,793 - I'll be okay. - We'll see. 883 00:33:42,817 --> 00:33:44,712 - I'll be okay. - I don't know. 884 00:33:44,736 --> 00:33:46,631 - [Artie] I don't want you worrying about me. 885 00:33:46,655 --> 00:33:48,507 - [Woman] Oh, yeah, it's too late. 886 00:33:48,531 --> 00:33:49,509 - It was just a mess. 887 00:33:49,533 --> 00:33:51,177 - [Howard] Are you resigning? 888 00:33:51,201 --> 00:33:52,553 Let me ask you a question. - Am I resigning? 889 00:33:52,577 --> 00:33:53,596 - [Howard] Let's say we're... 890 00:33:53,620 --> 00:33:55,264 I'm fast forwarding a year, okay? 891 00:33:55,288 --> 00:33:57,141 - [Artie] (laughs) I gotta ask my doctor? 892 00:33:57,165 --> 00:33:59,185 - You've got, I mean, really. - You gotta ask your doctor. 893 00:33:59,209 --> 00:34:00,145 - [Howard] You're not gonna be able to do it. 894 00:34:00,169 --> 00:34:01,687 This is killing you. 895 00:34:01,711 --> 00:34:03,606 - Howard and I would talk during the breaks 896 00:34:03,630 --> 00:34:07,276 and finally came to the decision 897 00:34:07,300 --> 00:34:08,861 that maybe we should send him home. 898 00:34:08,885 --> 00:34:10,571 So I got him in the hall and I said, 899 00:34:10,595 --> 00:34:12,198 "Artie, you know, maybe it's time for you 900 00:34:12,222 --> 00:34:13,908 "to go home, you know?" 901 00:34:13,932 --> 00:34:14,785 And he said, "No, no. 902 00:34:14,809 --> 00:34:17,161 "I wanna finish the show." 903 00:34:17,185 --> 00:34:18,371 - [Howard] In a year Artie won't physically be able 904 00:34:18,395 --> 00:34:20,164 to sign his name to a piece of paper. 905 00:34:20,188 --> 00:34:22,333 - We asked him to take a break. 906 00:34:22,357 --> 00:34:24,293 And I said, "Artie maybe we just put things 907 00:34:24,317 --> 00:34:28,005 "on hold for a bit and hopefully you'll get some help." 908 00:34:28,029 --> 00:34:29,114 And he went home. 909 00:34:30,198 --> 00:34:32,052 - [Narrator] Artie - agrees to go to rehab. 910 00:34:32,076 --> 00:34:33,344 But his friends at The Stern Show 911 00:34:33,368 --> 00:34:35,245 are left with an uneasy feeling. 912 00:34:36,454 --> 00:34:40,893 - I felt very concerned and afraid 'cause I didn't know 913 00:34:40,917 --> 00:34:42,228 if I'd ever see him again. 914 00:34:42,252 --> 00:34:44,355 {\an8}- You can't force somebody to take treatment. 915 00:34:44,379 --> 00:34:46,107 {\an8}You can only leverage them. 916 00:34:46,131 --> 00:34:48,693 And if you are also causing the addict 917 00:34:48,717 --> 00:34:50,319 to lose his or her job, 918 00:34:50,343 --> 00:34:51,862 well that might get their attention, 919 00:34:51,886 --> 00:34:53,864 that might be the one thing that gets them into treatment. 920 00:34:53,888 --> 00:34:55,491 It also might be the thing that sends them 921 00:34:55,515 --> 00:34:57,285 to the streets and death. 922 00:34:57,309 --> 00:34:59,912 So it's not a clear thing. 923 00:34:59,936 --> 00:35:01,372 - [Narrator] Just eight days into rehab 924 00:35:01,396 --> 00:35:03,291 after his forced hiatus, 925 00:35:03,315 --> 00:35:05,334 Artie checks himself out. 926 00:35:05,358 --> 00:35:07,878 - His mom was living with him at the time 927 00:35:07,902 --> 00:35:09,714 and she had arranged for an intervention 928 00:35:09,738 --> 00:35:11,799 with close friends who've been great supporters 929 00:35:11,823 --> 00:35:13,342 of Artie throughout his life, 930 00:35:13,366 --> 00:35:14,659 especially with his sobriety. 931 00:35:16,161 --> 00:35:18,723 - I tried calling Artie just to check on him. 932 00:35:18,747 --> 00:35:20,474 And of course he doesn't answer the phone 933 00:35:20,498 --> 00:35:22,935 and you know, his mom and his sister are, 934 00:35:22,959 --> 00:35:26,022 you know, in hysteria because of the situation. 935 00:35:26,046 --> 00:35:28,107 - [Narrator] While his family and friends 936 00:35:28,131 --> 00:35:29,358 gather for an intervention, 937 00:35:29,382 --> 00:35:31,217 Artie has other plans. 938 00:35:32,344 --> 00:35:34,196 - Artie took a kitchen knife 939 00:35:34,220 --> 00:35:36,365 and just started sort of cutting, 940 00:35:36,389 --> 00:35:38,284 kind of like kept cutting himself. 941 00:35:38,308 --> 00:35:40,369 He wasn't like, you know, plunging it in like a sword. 942 00:35:40,393 --> 00:35:44,356 He drank some bleach and started vomiting. 943 00:35:45,857 --> 00:35:47,001 - [Narrator] When his mother makes her way 944 00:35:47,025 --> 00:35:48,210 into Artie's home, 945 00:35:48,234 --> 00:35:50,111 she's met with a gruesome scene. 946 00:35:51,404 --> 00:35:53,549 - He was bleeding pretty profusely to the point 947 00:35:53,573 --> 00:35:55,843 that if he wasn't found he would've lost enough blood 948 00:35:55,867 --> 00:35:57,261 to bleed out and died. 949 00:35:57,285 --> 00:35:58,387 {\an8}- That was the biggest shock. 950 00:35:58,411 --> 00:36:00,931 {\an8}When I heard that news, it was just... 951 00:36:00,955 --> 00:36:03,017 {\an8}didn't even seem real. 952 00:36:03,041 --> 00:36:04,935 - I felt, you know, really guilty, 953 00:36:04,959 --> 00:36:06,187 you know, with the whole thing 954 00:36:06,211 --> 00:36:08,606 because I was the one that maybe provoked it 955 00:36:08,630 --> 00:36:09,899 or pushed him over the edge. 956 00:36:09,923 --> 00:36:11,067 I didn't know. 957 00:36:11,091 --> 00:36:13,027 I never dealt with this situation before 958 00:36:13,051 --> 00:36:16,322 and I didn't know how fragile he was. 959 00:36:16,346 --> 00:36:21,285 - [Howard] I will never forget the feeling that shook me 960 00:36:21,309 --> 00:36:23,079 when I got the call, 961 00:36:23,103 --> 00:36:25,480 what happened to Artie and what he did to himself. 962 00:36:27,357 --> 00:36:28,357 It rocked me. 963 00:36:30,110 --> 00:36:32,112 It rocked me profoundly. 964 00:36:33,113 --> 00:36:34,298 I was so upset. 965 00:36:34,322 --> 00:36:36,384 I did a lot of self-examination. 966 00:36:36,408 --> 00:36:39,095 I said, "Did I feed into this? 967 00:36:39,119 --> 00:36:41,162 "Was I responsible for this?" 968 00:36:42,414 --> 00:36:43,891 - Looking back at it, 969 00:36:43,915 --> 00:36:46,227 we didn't get the professional help that we should have. 970 00:36:46,251 --> 00:36:47,895 So shame on us. 971 00:36:47,919 --> 00:36:48,688 - It's tough. 972 00:36:48,712 --> 00:36:50,106 What do you do with Artie? 973 00:36:50,130 --> 00:36:51,315 He's a grown man. 974 00:36:51,339 --> 00:36:53,526 He he's making his own decisions. 975 00:36:53,550 --> 00:36:54,860 I never saw him at work 976 00:36:54,884 --> 00:36:58,572 doing anything that was inappropriate or illegal. 977 00:36:58,596 --> 00:37:00,116 - [Howard] I never even realized... 978 00:37:00,140 --> 00:37:01,867 I'll tell you, I'm very focused on the show. 979 00:37:01,891 --> 00:37:03,828 I never realized Artie was in that kind of trouble. 980 00:37:03,852 --> 00:37:05,705 I never, you know what I actually thought Artie 981 00:37:05,729 --> 00:37:06,729 was off drugs. 982 00:37:07,814 --> 00:37:11,252 - He's never been one to hide what he's struggling with. 983 00:37:11,276 --> 00:37:13,045 He's been very public about it 984 00:37:13,069 --> 00:37:16,132 and it's actually hard for him not to be public 985 00:37:16,156 --> 00:37:20,386 'cause some of it has been bigger than life. 986 00:37:20,410 --> 00:37:21,263 - [Howard] I don't know if the show 987 00:37:21,287 --> 00:37:22,471 was good for him or bad for him. 988 00:37:22,495 --> 00:37:23,348 I don't know. 989 00:37:23,372 --> 00:37:25,123 I can't make those decisions. 990 00:37:26,082 --> 00:37:27,268 - You know, I have mixed feelings about 991 00:37:27,292 --> 00:37:29,520 somebody being made fun of for addiction. 992 00:37:29,544 --> 00:37:30,604 In some ways that's the way 993 00:37:30,628 --> 00:37:31,814 of breaking through their denial. 994 00:37:31,838 --> 00:37:33,232 The issue for the addict 995 00:37:33,256 --> 00:37:36,026 is to the extent that they're exposed to shame. 996 00:37:36,050 --> 00:37:37,194 And if they really are, 997 00:37:37,218 --> 00:37:40,322 if you sense that they're shattered and 998 00:37:40,346 --> 00:37:42,366 then it's important to back off. 999 00:37:42,390 --> 00:37:44,285 I'm not sure if anybody was paying attention to that. 1000 00:37:44,309 --> 00:37:47,121 - The thing that sucks is that we'd laugh at Artie 1001 00:37:47,145 --> 00:37:48,914 because Artie's funny. 1002 00:37:48,938 --> 00:37:51,667 He didn't need the drugs to make him funny. 1003 00:37:51,691 --> 00:37:52,877 - As a comedian, 1004 00:37:52,901 --> 00:37:57,906 you fantasize and idealize the notion of, 1005 00:37:58,448 --> 00:38:01,201 "If I'm messed up, I'm a little better. 1006 00:38:02,452 --> 00:38:05,181 "I'm wild and I'm crazy. 1007 00:38:05,205 --> 00:38:05,974 "I'm Lenny Bruce. 1008 00:38:05,998 --> 00:38:07,349 "I'm Richard Pryor." 1009 00:38:07,373 --> 00:38:09,268 That's the way to greatness, but it isn't. 1010 00:38:09,292 --> 00:38:12,062 It's a lie you tell yourself. 1011 00:38:12,086 --> 00:38:14,982 You can't be great that messed up. 1012 00:38:15,006 --> 00:38:16,066 You just can't. 1013 00:38:16,090 --> 00:38:18,426 It's swimming with cement boots on. 1014 00:38:19,427 --> 00:38:21,405 - [Narrator] Artie miraculously survives 1015 00:38:21,429 --> 00:38:24,116 his violent attempted suicide. 1016 00:38:24,140 --> 00:38:26,785 Howard is reluctant to invite Artie back to the show 1017 00:38:26,809 --> 00:38:29,479 concerned it could be detrimental to his recovery. 1018 00:38:31,606 --> 00:38:33,125 - [Howard] But in all seriousness, 1019 00:38:33,149 --> 00:38:35,711 when the reality of life and death hit me, 1020 00:38:35,735 --> 00:38:39,614 that he plunged a knife into himself several times, 1021 00:38:40,406 --> 00:38:42,593 I vowed right then and there I am not 1022 00:38:42,617 --> 00:38:45,638 gonna go on these airwaves and do anything 1023 00:38:45,662 --> 00:38:49,016 to upset him or to rock his world. 1024 00:38:49,040 --> 00:38:50,976 He needs lots of tender, love and care. 1025 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:52,561 He needs the love of his family. 1026 00:38:52,585 --> 00:38:57,399 He needs the love of his friends and he needs to get better. 1027 00:38:57,423 --> 00:38:58,734 - You know, he was on Stern for 11 years 1028 00:38:58,758 --> 00:39:01,403 and that was his whole world. 1029 00:39:01,427 --> 00:39:02,530 - When he got let go, 1030 00:39:02,554 --> 00:39:06,492 it had to just be another demon to him 1031 00:39:06,516 --> 00:39:08,268 that just probably haunted him. 1032 00:39:09,727 --> 00:39:12,373 He's just a tortured soul. 1033 00:39:12,397 --> 00:39:15,149 (somber music) 1034 00:39:18,319 --> 00:39:21,030 (gentle music) 1035 00:39:22,198 --> 00:39:23,592 - [Narrator] Gone from The Stern Show, 1036 00:39:23,616 --> 00:39:26,303 Artie moves back into his mother's basement, 1037 00:39:26,327 --> 00:39:29,372 trying to piece his life back together once again. 1038 00:39:30,748 --> 00:39:33,102 After a stint in a psychiatric institution, 1039 00:39:33,126 --> 00:39:35,729 Artie returns to the world he knows best, 1040 00:39:35,753 --> 00:39:40,442 drawing audiences through stand-up, TV roles and podcasts. 1041 00:39:40,466 --> 00:39:43,571 - Direct TV could not be a more awesome company to work for. 1042 00:39:43,595 --> 00:39:45,114 You see I've led a full life. 1043 00:39:45,138 --> 00:39:49,118 I've tried heroin and on occasion I've run. 1044 00:39:49,142 --> 00:39:50,494 Let me buy you a slice of pizza. 1045 00:39:50,518 --> 00:39:51,662 You wanna get a slice of pizza? 1046 00:39:51,686 --> 00:39:52,455 I'll buy you a slice of pizza. 1047 00:39:52,479 --> 00:39:54,290 Come on, I'll do that. 1048 00:39:54,314 --> 00:39:57,167 - [Narrator] Industry heavyweights take 1049 00:39:57,191 --> 00:40:00,087 - Judd had, I'm gonna say a brilliant idea, 1050 00:40:00,111 --> 00:40:02,965 which was instead of having Pete paired with someone 1051 00:40:02,989 --> 00:40:04,258 who was kind of like Pete, 1052 00:40:04,282 --> 00:40:06,302 why not pair Pete, my character Pete 1053 00:40:06,326 --> 00:40:09,054 with someone who's completely not at all like Pete. 1054 00:40:09,078 --> 00:40:10,598 - My buddy here's not that experienced, 1055 00:40:10,622 --> 00:40:12,141 human education. - Okay. 1056 00:40:12,165 --> 00:40:13,267 - He was always saying stuff 1057 00:40:13,291 --> 00:40:14,935 that was just better than what I wrote. 1058 00:40:14,959 --> 00:40:18,022 So like the debt I owe him, but also just the humanity. 1059 00:40:18,046 --> 00:40:19,398 He was always encouraging me. 1060 00:40:19,422 --> 00:40:21,025 - It's not all it's cut out to be. 1061 00:40:21,049 --> 00:40:23,110 It's not all the good shit you think it is. 1062 00:40:23,134 --> 00:40:24,945 It's not about being on stage all the time. 1063 00:40:24,969 --> 00:40:26,322 It's about the killing of time. 1064 00:40:26,346 --> 00:40:27,781 It's about times like this. 1065 00:40:27,805 --> 00:40:29,199 {\an8}- You know, we tried to talk about 1066 00:40:29,223 --> 00:40:30,326 {\an8}what he's going through on the show. 1067 00:40:30,350 --> 00:40:32,036 {\an8}So last season we did a whole episode 1068 00:40:32,060 --> 00:40:35,164 {\an8}and it was basically about Pete realizing 1069 00:40:35,188 --> 00:40:37,958 how bad Artie's addiction is and the fact that 1070 00:40:37,982 --> 00:40:39,251 no matter how much he tries to help 1071 00:40:39,275 --> 00:40:40,794 it doesn't work. 1072 00:40:40,818 --> 00:40:43,130 And it's really up to Artie to find the strength to do it. 1073 00:40:43,154 --> 00:40:46,216 And Artie was very brave about showing how painful 1074 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:47,384 his world can be. 1075 00:40:47,408 --> 00:40:51,055 - [Narrator] By 2017, Artie's drug abuse 1076 00:40:51,079 --> 00:40:54,141 leads to a serious criminal record and physical decline. 1077 00:40:54,165 --> 00:40:57,519 - You know, every time Artie goes sort of off the deep end, 1078 00:40:57,543 --> 00:40:59,563 it's deeper and deeper each time. 1079 00:40:59,587 --> 00:41:00,814 And you just kind of, 1080 00:41:00,838 --> 00:41:03,192 you're like waiting for something bad to happen. 1081 00:41:03,216 --> 00:41:04,526 - The only way that Mr. Lange 1082 00:41:04,550 --> 00:41:06,362 is going to be able to succeed 1083 00:41:06,386 --> 00:41:10,199 is if he's ultimately in an 18 month, two-year type program. 1084 00:41:10,223 --> 00:41:13,744 Understand drug court might be an option. 1085 00:41:13,768 --> 00:41:16,121 - [Narrator] In a 2018 court appearance, 1086 00:41:16,145 --> 00:41:18,356 Artie is almost unrecognizable. 1087 00:41:19,273 --> 00:41:22,360 - But the situation with his nose was really shocking. 1088 00:41:23,736 --> 00:41:28,092 - The story was that he had broken a pill with a salt shaker 1089 00:41:28,116 --> 00:41:30,260 and the salt shaker broke. 1090 00:41:30,284 --> 00:41:32,638 And then he snorted not only the pill, 1091 00:41:32,662 --> 00:41:34,080 but some broken glass. 1092 00:41:34,997 --> 00:41:37,976 All of the damage is literally right there on his face. 1093 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:39,311 Just doesn't look the same. 1094 00:41:39,335 --> 00:41:41,146 It breaks my heart. 1095 00:41:41,170 --> 00:41:43,107 - [Narrator] In Artie's darkest days, 1096 00:41:43,131 --> 00:41:45,383 he has always turned to comedy. 1097 00:41:46,676 --> 00:41:49,405 - Artie was like, take it all. 1098 00:41:49,429 --> 00:41:52,116 He's like, you can have the shame, 1099 00:41:52,140 --> 00:41:54,868 you can have the pain and the jokes. 1100 00:41:54,892 --> 00:41:56,829 He was like, I'm here for the show. 1101 00:41:56,853 --> 00:41:59,731 I never saw him blink or hesitate. 1102 00:42:01,065 --> 00:42:02,209 - Killin' is a comic, 1103 00:42:02,233 --> 00:42:04,712 it takes away all the pain, 1104 00:42:04,736 --> 00:42:06,714 you're so in the now. 1105 00:42:06,738 --> 00:42:09,615 When you're doing drugs, you're in the now. 1106 00:42:10,658 --> 00:42:13,262 - But he can't live with everything that comes with that. 1107 00:42:13,286 --> 00:42:14,746 It's like his undoing. 1108 00:42:17,665 --> 00:42:20,960 - I think he was enabled by the Hollywood system. 1109 00:42:21,794 --> 00:42:23,105 - [Man] How you doing? 1110 00:42:23,129 --> 00:42:26,275 - [Debra] So he didn't have to do anything arduous 1111 00:42:26,299 --> 00:42:30,446 to be able to cover up that wound and everyone else. 1112 00:42:30,470 --> 00:42:34,098 And every sycophant said, "We'll cover it up with you." 1113 00:42:35,308 --> 00:42:38,036 - He can't live with comedy, and can't live without it. 1114 00:42:38,060 --> 00:42:39,896 It's kind of where he lives. 1115 00:42:41,147 --> 00:42:42,041 - Fill it. - Yeah. 1116 00:42:42,065 --> 00:42:43,208 - Regular. 1117 00:42:43,232 --> 00:42:45,335 - [Narrator] In 2019, Artie was spotted 1118 00:42:45,359 --> 00:42:48,046 working at a gas station as part of his probation 1119 00:42:48,070 --> 00:42:49,339 for drug charges. 1120 00:42:49,363 --> 00:42:52,176 - No, it's a tip, man. - Oh, it's a tip. 1121 00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:53,510 - Yeah. - This a tip? 1122 00:42:53,534 --> 00:42:55,304 - But I gave you a little message on the inside 1123 00:42:55,328 --> 00:42:56,472 just in case, you know, a... 1124 00:42:56,496 --> 00:43:00,309 Ah, (beeps) bastard. - Wow. 1125 00:43:00,333 --> 00:43:02,269 - It seems like he's doing good now. 1126 00:43:02,293 --> 00:43:04,563 - He's been clean now for over two years, 1127 00:43:04,587 --> 00:43:06,982 you know, that's a major, major win. 1128 00:43:07,006 --> 00:43:09,359 He's fighting the good fight every single day. 1129 00:43:09,383 --> 00:43:11,653 - You know, obviously my nose is still a mess, 1130 00:43:11,677 --> 00:43:14,573 but it's funny, I like that as a reminder. 1131 00:43:14,597 --> 00:43:17,284 This nose should be a reminder to young people. 1132 00:43:17,308 --> 00:43:18,744 I hope it is what, 1133 00:43:18,768 --> 00:43:20,579 even if you make money and have some success, 1134 00:43:20,603 --> 00:43:23,815 you could still live like a straight up scumbag. 1135 00:43:24,816 --> 00:43:27,669 {\an8}- [Narrator] Today, Artie prioritizes his health, 1136 00:43:27,693 --> 00:43:29,487 {\an8}working at his own pace. 1137 00:43:31,030 --> 00:43:32,966 - And Artie, I want you to forgive yourself. 1138 00:43:32,990 --> 00:43:34,551 We're all trying to do that. 1139 00:43:34,575 --> 00:43:38,180 And Artie's wounds are bigger and louder. 1140 00:43:38,204 --> 00:43:40,182 - I hope he gets to spend some time in his life 1141 00:43:40,206 --> 00:43:42,226 spreading the joy that he has. 1142 00:43:42,250 --> 00:43:43,435 {\an8}Artie Lange ain't done yet. 1143 00:43:43,459 --> 00:43:45,020 {\an8}He's got a lot more to give. 1144 00:43:45,044 --> 00:43:48,339 {\an8}- Artie I miss you and keep going where you're going. 1145 00:43:49,423 --> 00:43:51,026 {\an8}He's a survivor. 1146 00:43:51,050 --> 00:43:53,237 {\an8}And we need him in this world. 1147 00:43:53,261 --> 00:43:55,364 {\an8}- Artie Lange has been going through so many struggles 1148 00:43:55,388 --> 00:43:57,014 {\an8}to begin with and he's still here. 1149 00:43:58,307 --> 00:43:59,976 He's still here mother (beeps). 1150 00:44:02,436 --> 00:44:04,897 (gentle music)