Comedy Central canceled Artie Lange‘s scheduled Wednesday appearance on “@midnight” following his graphic social media comments about ESPN “First Take” host Cari Champion. The sports network responded as well, labeling the comedian’s offensive tweets “reprehensible.” ESPN later imposed a ban on Lange, it told TheWrap.
The Howard Stern cohort’s crude Twitter comments started off with him describing his attraction for Champion, who is African-American.
“The chick on ESPNs First Take is so Fu*kin hot!” he tweeted.
Lange then joked about a solo sex act, and his sexual slavery fantasy involving the ESPN personality.
“Here’s the scenario I’m using to jer*off to chick on First Take I’m T. Jefferson & she’s my slave. She beats the sh*t out of me & runs free.”
He continued, “I attempt to whip @CariChampion cuz she disrespected the Jefferson Plantation but she grabs whip & beats me I cu* like a fat founding father.”
When Lange launched his bizarre Twitter rant, he was set to appear on Wednesday’s “@midnight,” which is in New York for the 2014 New York Comedy Festival. Once his appearance was scrapped, the cable channel told TheWrap Lange would be replaced by stand-up comedian Jesse Joyce.
Scores of Twitter users blasted the comedian as well by using the hashtag #iSupportCari.
Champion’s employer ESPN also condemned Lange’s tweets and issued the following statement to TheWrap:
“His comments were reprehensible and no one should be subjected to such hateful language. They objectify and demean one of our valued employees under the thin guise of ‘comedy’ and are offensive to all of us. We will not dignify them with any other comment.”
ESPN doesn’t plan on giving “First Take” host Champion or her two on-air colleagues Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith time on Thursday’s show to address Lange’s comments directly. But it remains to be seen if the notoriously outspoken Bayless and Smith will adhere to ESPN’s guidelines.
Here are some of Lange’s tweets following his removal from “@midnight”:
It's official. Comedy Central will not let me on @midnight Comedy Central has always been good to me & I don't blame them. Not worth it!
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 5, 2014
If u ppl protesting me end my career what have u accomplished?! Did u get a racist misogynist politician who does real harm?!
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 5, 2014
No. U got a comedian who's done tons of charity work benefiting all ppl of all kinds Cuz of a few stupid jokes. Congrats. Great day guys!
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 5, 2014
The comedian apologized late Wednesday, with another long series of tweets:
Ok guys just talked to a black woman who's a new friend of mine. She told me some of my "fans" threatened her life today.
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 6, 2014
I've gotta take that seriously. So my apologies extend to bigger group of ppl. If that's true and it is cuz she's no liar I have to think
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 6, 2014
I have to take jokes like the ones I made more seriously. Cuz I want no part of that awful bullshit. Not what I'm about.
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 6, 2014
I'm sorry to whoever was hurt by the tweets. I will keep some jokes to myself. It's a different world. Thx guys and thx to my new friend Pia
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 6, 2014
I hate that we have to cater to idiots but the thought of some woman scared for her well being cuz of a joke is something I can't stand
— Artie Lange (@artiequitter) November 6, 2014