Artie Lange

I heard "This Is Not Happening" clip with Artie Lange became curious about him. (Obviously, I am not a fan of the Howard Stern show.) My research led me to "Crash and Burn."

I am an addict as well but fortunately didn't go down Artie's route. I remember falling asleep during conversations at work, driving, but not being able to sleep at night. I still can't sleep at night.

At the very end of the book, he says an addict craves chaos. That smacked me upside the head. Chaos described my twenties and thirties, even though I was Oxys for less than two years, maybe even one. One of my daughters who has had addiction problems leads a chaotic life. I am aware of how addiction plays a role in my life and my life is calm now.

I thank Artie for opening up and writing "Crash and Burn." I hope he and his family are doing well. One day at a time, Artie. Sometimes, one minute at a time.… (plus d'informations)

If you are considering picking this book up and are expecting it to be funny, think again! This book is absolutely not funny. In fact, it is a steaming pile of misery and despair seasoned throughout with self deprecation.

The beginning is actually quite sweet; a picture of his idyllic suburban Newark childhood with a devoted and loving father who was his best pal. From about the age of 18 onward it was one huge roller coaster ride of living hell. Do I feel sorry for Artie Lange? No, not really. His hell is one of his own making, stoked up by his own horrible and usually selfish decisions over and over and over again. Do I empathize with and wish him well? Sure.

So, why the two stars? The writing wasn't bad. Admittedly (by Mr. Lange) the book was "co-written" with some dude who used to work for Rolling Stone and has "co-written" a couple of other books for recording artists. Ahem, I dare to say that Artie didn't "write" much of this book, but rather provided the material. Fine. Then it should have been FUNNY. Misery can be told in a way that is funny. Sedaris does it. Nearly all stand-up is relating misery in a very funny way. This book was NOT funny.

My other problem with it was it was so "kiss ass" at the end of every story was the (eventually expected), "But, so'n'so's such a great guy/gal, really great. He/she saved my life! I love you, ______" It reminded me of the drunk at the party you may not even know well, but they keep telling you how much they love you...in very slurred speech. Everyone the guy has met or worked with received this same blah blah blah (Apart from Tom Cruise and that Kelly person who is married to John Travolta...big shock there.) Maybe they are all the greatest people ever, that just makes me wonder why he is such a misery guts even more. I've worked with a LOT of wankers over the years, people you'd be tempted to wish ill, very very ill. So, if he's only ever been surrounded with all of these GREAT guys from the days on the docks to the Stern show...what the hell, man?

The only slightly funny bit was when the bookie is screaming at him and his buddy threatening to kill and rape a vast number of people; all the while with his Ash Wednesday cross on his head. I still never laughed out loud, or even chuckled. The story was too crowded around with horror and depression, it just couldn't break free. (Thanks for the Ash Wednesday education, Bun. Without it prior to reading this book, I wouldn't have understood the only slightly funny bit in it! I would have missed it altogether.)

If Artie "writes" another book, which he alludes to at the end of this one, I will not read it. I've had a close enough look at Mr. Lange, thank you. Quite close enough.… (plus d'informations)

A sad tale of drug use and its consequences. I don't know what to think after reading this book. Lange knows he is a fuck up and will fuck up the best things in his life,tv shows, relationships, and supposedly his dream gig. Yet he does nothing to figure out how to stop till it is too late. He has what many people do not have money and fame and still pisses it all away. It is sad to see the things that Lange pissed away. Supposedly it was what he claims was dear to him, yet he consistently screws it up.… (plus d'informations)

Narrated by Artie Lange and friends. I never heard of Artie Lange and I am no fan of Howard Stern's show. I picked up the audio version out of curiosity after reading an article about a librarian being invited on to Stern's show after she gave the audio a starred review. This is actually highly entertaining and hilarious storytelling, very appropriate given that he's a comedian. Crude at times, yes, but dang funny. Artie Lange comes off as a lovable mess whose addictive personality disappoints time and time again. (I was getting pretty impatient with him myself.) His surprising and abrupt departure from the audio production (completed by his friends) is even in keeping with the kind of life he leads. Truly a mess of a man but still a fun story for my work commute.… (plus d'informations)