Comedian and Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange is fuming over the FCC's continued attempts to take the shock jock's morning radio show off the air in an effort to clean up the airwaves.

“It makes me furious,’’ says Lange, who has been a staple on Stern's show for nearly three years. “I think it's awful that a group of people are allowed to fine us and force us to go off the air who barely even listen to the show, if they listen at all. ‘‘Nothing on the show is indecent. The show is a comedy show that millions of people love and they're being denied it because of an awful situation in an election year.

“Like Howard says, it really seems like a witch hunt to get him off the air, and the people that really suffer are those of us that work at the show and those who listen to the show. If they're able to get Howard off the air, I think a lot of people in this country should be worried because it's a step in the wrong direction.’’

Whether the FCC's actions eventually will force Stern from the air remains to be seen, but Lange says that Stern and company are aware of the possiblity.

“I think Howard is so popular that I think it's going to be hard to get him off the air, but you never know,’’ he says. “We're certainly worried that's going to happen. We are off in six cities and they're not all small cities —
Pittsburgh, Miami, Orlando and San Diego — they're big towns.’’

Lange, who has been doing comedy for about 14 years, says his gig with the Howard Stern show is the greatest job on the planet.

“I'm literally paid to just hang out and have a good time,’’ he says.

“Technically, I'm a hired comedian who sits in on the show, but it's like being at a deli with your friends and laughing and giggling like you're in high school again...The only thing that remotely feels like work to me is getting up early. The rest is like being a kid throwing spitballs all day.’’

When asked if Lange — who was one of the original members of "Mad TV" and had roles in movies such as "Old School," "Boat Trip" and "Elf" — prefers radio to TV, he says, “I prefer radio to everything because it's the easiest work. It's free-flowing and spontaneous. I go into work without shaving. I look homeless when I go to work. (With) TV, you've gotta go through hair and makeup.’’

Plus, he gets to rub shoulders with vixens like Carmen Electra. Lange says his most memorable moment on the show was when he had the chance to get up close and personal with Electra after he beat her husband, musician Dave Navarro, in a risqué game. His prize?

“I got to squeeze Carmen Electra's breast for 30 seconds,’’ Lange says. “I have a picture of that which is blown up and framed and hanging in my office.’’