Jackie Martling wants Atrie langs chair back ?? talks to howard stern !

Former Howard Stern Show sidekick Jackie Martling made a shameless bid for current co-host Artie Lange's seat Wednesday morning. Artie Lange is currently recovering from a suicide attempt at an undisclosed facility.

Martling walked away from the Howard Stern Show in 2001 because he was unhappy with his salary, but "The Jokeman" has changed his tune since trying to fend for himself in the entertainment world over the last nine years.

"You give me the deal I walked away from, I'll start tomorrow," said Martling on Wednesday morning's Howard Stern Show broadcast.

The Howard Stern Show has forged on without a comedian in the second banana seat since Artie Lange was ordered to take time off by Sirius XM management due to health concerns in mid-December. Artie Lange attempted suicide by stabbing several weeks later.

None of the Howard Stern Show cast members seemed interested in Martling's offer. Howard Stern told him: "You walked away at the wrong time."

Howard Stern Show news mistress and female voice of reason Robin Quivers couldn't wait to tell Jack Martling she was against his proposal: "You have no idea how light this place got when you left," she said bluntly.

Howard Stern and Sirius XM VP Tim Sabean have both stated that Artie Lange's chair will be ready and waiting for him if and when the troubled comedian feels ready to rejoin the cast, but Jackie Martling isn't the first comedian to try to grab the brass ring Artie Lange left strewn under his chair. Stand up comedians Greg Fitzsimmons and Gilbert Gottfried each took turns guest co-hosting in Artie's absence.