Former “Mad TV” star and Howard Stern sidekick Lange, who has a well-documented history of substance abuse problems, was admitted to a New Jersey hospital over the weekend for undisclosed reasons according to TMZ.

A rep for the acerbic comedian, who has been absent from Sirius XM radio’s “The Howard Stern Show” for the past month and canceled all upcoming personal appearances early last month, told TMZ, “I can confirm that Artie is in the hospital. Artie has chosen to keep all information on this matter between him and his doctor. There will be no further comment.”

Stern, however, had plenty to say about the matter this morning, calling Lange “a tremendous contributor” and “a good man. Don’t forget how great he is” and denying reports that comedian Jim Breuer was replacing him as second banana on the show.

The outlook for the new year is much rosier for singer/songwriter Alexa Ray Joel, who was hospitalized in early December after reportedly swallowing a handful of homeopathic pills in an alleged suicide attempt.

Various sources have speculated that the overdose was spurred by Joel’s breakup with her boyfriend Jimmy Riot.

MTV News reports the 23-year-old singer, daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, took to her Facebook page over the holidays to thank fans for their support, fill them in on some of the details of her ordeal and announce some of her plans for 2010.

“I have many exciting new developments for the New Year, and I hope all of you can be a part of it!!,” the obviously re-energized Joel said. “This includes new creative projects, and even more volunteer work in hopes to give back to the community and, most importantly, to help young girls with something I feel I know a GREAT deal about: Heartbreak-Related Depression. Although it does not get much attention in our society, it is a very serious and painful condition that often gets ‘swept under the carpet.’

“I hope to bring this topic to more light. I’m even going back to school for psychology in hopes to learn more about this and many other afflictions that many of us have had to face.”

Read Alexa Ray Joel’s complete message to fans here.