Lange was outside Dan Tana's in Hollywood with his friend and potential new radio partner Nick DiPaolo last night -- when we asked how Howard would feel about his on-air comeback.
"Howard's the greatest guy in the world" ... Artie said ... adding, "He's been supportive of everything that's happened and he's been a good man to me ... so hopefully he'll be supportive of this ... but you never know."
As TMZ first reported, the people behind Artie's project are hoping to lock a deal that would nationally simulcast the new show on DirecTV and Fox Sports Radio.
So far, we're told ... no official deal has been reached.














