In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, the comedian described several sexual scenarios he would enjoy with the 'First Take' host and dropped references to slavery.
- Nov 6, 2014
AceShowbiz - Artie Lange received backlash from Twitter users after posting racist sexual fantasy tweets about ESPN's anchor Cari Champion. In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, November 4, Artie described several sexual scenarios he would enjoy with the "First Take" host and dropped references to slavery.
On Wednesday, the 47-year-old comedian responded to the backlash in another series of tweets. "I'm about to tweet a few things I can't believe have to be explained in a rational world. I observed that @CariChampion was a gorgeous lady," he wrote, "This observation came while I was watching one of my favorite tv shows ESPNs 'First Take'. I also noticed she was black. I then thought it would be funny to tweet JOKES about that observation. A decision which might be the end of modern comedy."
He followed it up, "I tweeted jokes that in the past I would've said in privately in my home among friends. I know black women who could join me and handle it. I won't debate if the tweets were funny. That could take minutes of precious time left in my career. The issue is do they warrant an apology."
Artie refused to apologize to people whom he called "awful PC groups," but issued an apology to Cari. "Tricky question. I would rather load trucks for a living then ever apologize to one of these awful PC groups ruining the country," he tweeted, "So that's a NO. But if it upset the lady in question that's another story. Let me say to @CariChampion if this hurt u in any way I'm sorry. I'm a comedian. Sometimes I'm funny! For the record my mom's disgusted w the tweets. But if I based my humor on my mom I'd be broke."
Artie said his upcoming guest appearance on the Comedy Central show @Midnight was canceled due to the scandal. He posted, "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!"
ESPN responded to Artie comments on the same day. "His comments were reprehensible and no one should be subjected to such hateful language," ESPN said in a statement obtained by Sports Illustrated, "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."
Later on the day, Artie issued an apology to "whoever was hurt by the tweets" after he said his new black friend was threatened by some of his "fans." He wrote, "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."
"I have to take jokes like the ones I made more seriously. Cuz I want no part of that awful bulls**t. Not what I'm about. 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. 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."
