Too Fat to Fish

By: Artie Lange

Narrated by: Artie Lange

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

When Artie Lange joined the permanent cast of The Howard Stern Show in 2001, it was possibly the greatest thing ever to happen in the Stern universe, second only to the show's move to the wild, uncensored frontier of satellite radio. Lange provided what Stern had yet to find all in the same place: a wit quick enough to keep pace with his own, a pathetic self-image to dwarf his own, a personal history both heartbreaking and hilarious, and an ingrained sense of self-sabotage that continually keeps things interesting.

A natural storyteller with a bottomless pit of material, Lange grew up in a close-knit, working-class Italian family in Union, New Jersey, as a maniacal Yankees fan who pursued the two things his father said he was cut out for: sports and comedy. Tragically, Artie Lange Sr. never saw the truth in that prediction. He became a quadriplegic in an accident when Artie was 18 and died soon after. But as with every trial in his life, from his drug addiction to his obesity, to his fights with his mother, Artie mines the humor, pathos, and humanity in these events and turns them into comedy classics.

True fans of the Stern Show will find Artie gold in these pages: hilarious tales that couldn't have happened to anyone else. There are stories from his days driving a Jersey cab, working as a longshoreman in Port Newark, and navigating the dark circuit of stand-up comedy. There are outrageous episodes from the frenzied heights of his coked-up days at MADtv, surprisingly moving stories from his childhood, and an account of his recent U.S.O. tour that is equally stirring and irreverent. But also in this volume are stories Artie's never told before, including some that he deemed too revealing for radio.

Wild, shocking, and drop-dead hilarious, Too Fat to Fish is Artie Lange giving everything he's got to give. And like a true pro, the man never disappoints.

©2008 Artie Lang (P)2008 Random House

Critic reviews

"A very funny man." (David Letterman)
"A comedy treasure....One of the funniest guys there is....The pride of New Jersey." (Jimmy Kimmel)

Exellent for Stern fans and non-Stern fans alike.

Delve into this book to find out the most disturbing details and loveable insights about your favorite Stern Show Mess, Artie Lange. He will make you think long and hard about your own life and the lives of those around you through his colorful anecdotes. Artie, Gary and Jim do a great job; Bob is hard to listen to but it will make you chuckle a little.

Nothing about Creative Process.Vulgar

One thing missing here is anything about creating/writing comedy. The entertainment comes from the extremes Artie gets into with drug/alcohol abuse and the situations he gets into. Substance abuse is the main theme. He claims his movie 'Dirty Work' was funny-even though it went straight to video.

disappointed

Disappointed Artie didn't complete the narration of the whole book. Enjoyed the parts that he read.

Might help a friend..

He’s been through it all!! And yet, you find yourself pulling for him no matter how many times he screws up. A really nice guy with a lot of internal demons to slay. But a guy who forges forward with the help of some real friends! Something we can all learn from. This book might save a friend or loved one who may feel all alone in their addiction.

Gut wrenching

Outside of having to listen to Bob Levy’s voice, this book is straight up jarring. So many emotions!! Makes me realize how much I missed hearing Artie on the show. Highly recommend! Excellent stories, huge laughs and some serious tears. Wowww

Bob Levy ruins it … and Quick

Book was decent and nice to hear some of the stories in depth … many were touched on when was on with Stern. Really sad how Bob Levy just brings the book to a screeching halt. It’s awful. All that thought and work put into a book and destroyed by an illiterate .

Shit show

Good book. Can’t believe he is still alive, some of the shit in here is just sad.

Too funny to not buy

If you are from the the Tri-State you will LOVE this book.If you are a fan of the Stern show, you will love this book. If you want to hear someone talk passionately about their life, then this is one of the most engrossing books you are ever likely to read. Listening to Artie speak frankly about his life, his demons, his love(s) and his losses will bring tears to your eyes. Tears of joy and tears of sadness are never far apart.

This book only left me wanting for more.

Funny and moving

My husband and I listened to this book on a road trip. We were laughing most of the way through the book, but there were parts that brought us to tears as well (also many “Jesus Christ, Artie—what were you thinking!? moments) I commend Artie for his honesty— it takes a lot of courage to write a book like this.

A look back

Back when it was still funny, and not yet sad. Get well soon Art, please.