Comedian Artie Lange has come under fire for posting a series of tweets about ESPN host, Cari Champion, in which he details a lewd, racist, sexual fantasy.
Whilst watching Cari present First Take on Tuesday, he tweeted that he was pleasuring himself whilst imagining the black sports host as his “slave” who would “beat the s**t” out of him before “running free.” He also complained that he was struggling to maintain an erection as they kept “cutting back to Stephen A Smith and the white guy. Frustrating!" The 47-year-old then tweeted her directly, saying “Lets me and you get busy.”
Appalled by the language he had used, several Twitter users began posting #iSupportCari as they criticised The Howard Stern Show star for his abusive comments, and called on ESPN to release a statement on the matter. The sports network obliged, telling E! News, "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."
Artie faced a Twitter backlash for his offensive comments (Splash News)
On Wednesday, Artie attempted to explain himself. "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 said. "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."
"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," he continued. "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."
Cari has not commented on the issue (Splash News)
Cari has yet to comment on the matter, and has not responded to Artie's apology, which he made only to her and not the “PC army.” He took to Twitter on Wednesday, posting, “Tricky question. I would rather load trucks for a living then ever apologize to one of these awful PC groups ruining the country.” Adding, “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."
He insisted that his comments were made in jest, saying "Stupid jokes. Very stupid but jokes," he said. "Pls don't let them harm you. If they did I'm sorry." He added, "But I'm sure you'll be ok. You're gorgeous & talented. I hope that didn't offend u. To the PC army. Congrats! U won again! Gluten free cake!"
He also said that he's not a racist and doesn't hate women, but couldn't resist making yet another joke, tweeting, "Now that we're all cool again, Zoe Saldana is f**kin hot!”
