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Re: Two and a Half Men
Chuck Lorre Hatches 'Two and a Half Men' Reboot Without Charlie Sheen
by Kim Masters & Lacey Rose / The Hollywood Reporter
With time running out before the CBS upfront presentation in May, the plan to relaunch "Two and a Half Men" without Charlie Sheen is beginning to take shape.
Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that series co-creator Chuck Lorre has hatched an idea to reboot the Warner Bros.-produced sitcom with a new creative direction that doesn't involve Sheen, who was fired from the series in March.
Lorre is said to have presented close associates and "Men" co-star Jon Cryer with the plan, and the studio and network are aware of his intentions. According to an insider, Lorre has told Cryer this reboot would involve a significant role for him and the introduction of a new, yet-to-be-cast character.
Sheen, who is suing Lorre and Warner Bros. for $100 million, has frequently expressed his desire to return to the show as he has crisscrossed the country on his "Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option" comedy tour.
A source tells THR that Sheen is still actively working behind the scenes to be reinstated, attempting as late as this week to set up meetings with "Men" cast members, hoping to clear the air and win their support. But Lorre is said to remain uninterested in meeting with Sheen, and Warners sources are adamant that Sheen will not be invited back.
Neither CBS nor Warner Bros. has said whether "Men" will return for an ninth season. But industry speculation is that the show will almost certainly return. And talent representatives say that Warners has quietly begun pursuing an actor to appear in the series next season. Who that actor will be has become Topic A in Hollywood. Speculation has ranged from the plausible to the peculiar, with names from Woody Harrelson to Jeremy Piven to Bob Saget being bandied about. A Warners spokesperson says none of these actors is in contention.
While a new cast member wouldn't make "Sheen money" — in the $1.2 million realm, per episode — slipping into television's No. 1 sitcom would earn an actor a rate well above the usual freshman series fee, says one observer. But the role would come with intense pressure, as blame could be placed on the newcomer if the revamped show flops.
Others have suggested that "Men" might consider a "roommate" scenario, with multiple stars appearing on one or a few episodes to fill the Sheen void.
When exactly "Men" would return is another open question. Two sources say a midseason relaunch is more likely than a fall return. While delaying "Men's" start would leave a significant revenue and ratings generator off the CBS fall schedule, the network and studio would have more time to retool the series. But unanswered questions about TV's most-watched comedy could upset ad buyers and upstage CBS's splashy upfront presentation next month.
Matthew Belloni contributed to this report.
Re: Two and a Half Men
The show simply cannot be done without Charlie - period. Even with Jon Cryer taking the lead with a new sidekick.
Sheen was the heart and soul of 2HM.
I still think the absolute best choice out there to replace Sheen would be Christian Slater.
I also don't understand why the show couldn't return this fall. It hasn't been in production since March, and it needs another 8 months or so to keep retooling? All they need is a cast member, a couple new sets, some scripts, and they're ready to go.
- metallex78
- Rep: 194
Re: Two and a Half Men
Dumbest show on tv. Hope it doesn't come back.
There is no way in hell that is true. I know far far FAR worse and dumb shows on TV (i'm looking in NBC's direction, seeing how every comedy they've got sucks, with the exception of The Office).
But in reality, unless Lorre actually starts writing good scripts again, there's no point in bringing it back. Despite better and better ratings, the show has been in creative decline for a few years, as Lorre focused on other shows like The Big Bang Theory (which has also flatlined) and his newest Mike & Molly.
The show kind of peaked with Season 5. It's been downhill since.
Re: Two and a Half Men
'Two and a Half Men': Charlie Sheen vs. Chuck Lorre, round 83
by Rick Porter / Zap2it.com
On Thursday there was news that "Two and a Half Men" was working on a way to continue next season without Charlie Sheen. Which meant that it was only a matter of time before Sheen started ripping "Men" creator Chuck Lorre again.
Sheen obliged Thursday night (April 28) with a scathing letter sent to TMZ in which he calls Lorre, among other things, a "sad silly fool," an "A-hole p***y loser" and a "spineless rat."
"The ratings right now are not a fluke," Sheen writes. "It's a big fat mess. A 2.0 demo? That sucks. Almost as bad as you. You've been warned. Reap the whirl-wind you cockroach, reap it."
There's more of that -- really, it's mostly a restatement of stuff Sheen has said a bunch of times before about his former boss. It's also pretty much exactly not the way to get your job back, as Sheen has occasionally said he wants to do.
Lorre, for his part, took what reads like an oblique swipe at Sheen via his latest vanity card. At the end of Thursday's "Big Bang Theory," which featured a smoking monkey in one scene, Lorre offered up the following:
"Thanks to the magic of computer graphics, the monkey in tonight's episode was not actually smoking a cigarette, nor was he ever exposed to secondhand smoke. At all times, every effort was made to make the monkey feel happy and safe. Nevertheless, he proved impossible to work with. During the week of production his behavior became increasingly erratic, to the point of refusing to come out of his trailer to rehearse. It wasn't until after we finished filming his scenes that we learned why. The monkey is a heroin addict. Yes, hard as it may be to believe, the monkey had a monkey on his back. Thankfully, an intervention was staged by the Geico lizard and he is now going through detox and a twelve step program at the Bonzo Center in Palm Springs. Everyone at 'The Big Bang Theory' wishes him well."
CBS will unveil its 2011-12 schedule in 19 days, and presumably at that time will explain what's happening with "Two and a Half Men." Which will probably do very little to end the back-and-forth sniping.
Re: Two and a Half Men
Ashton Kutcher to Replace Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men' at Half the Price
by Fox News
Ashton Kutcher will be taking the reins from Charlie Sheen on CBS’ hit show “Two and a Half Men,” according to multiple reports.
The actor, who is married to actress Demi Moore and got his start in showbiz on “That 70’s Show,” is finishing up a deal to join the cast, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
A source says Kutcher is getting a “huge payday,” according to the magazine.
But its nowhere near Sheen's haul.
Sources tell TMZ that while Sheen made a base pay of $1.25 million an episode, Kutcher will be getting somewhere between $625,000 and $800,000.
She received upwards of $2 million once profit participation was factored in. Kutcher won't be getting a slice of that pie.
The news comes just after Hugh Grant reportedly ended discussions about joining the show, citing creative differences.
Other Hollywood stars like Rob Lowe, John Stamos and Jeremy Piven were also reportedly considered to assume the lead role.
Sheen was fired from “Men” in March after a series of booze and drug benders and tirades against CBS executives and Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator.
Re: Two and a Half Men
Charlie Sheen Praises 'Two and a Half Men' Replacement Ashton Kutcher, Predicts Show's Doom Anyway
by Eric Carlson / omg! Yahoo!
Surprise, surprise. The ink has barely tried on Ashton Kutcher's brand-new, last-minute contract to join "Two And a Half Men," and Charlie Sheen already has something to say about it.
"Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer ... Oh wait, so am I!" the whacked-out warlock tells TMZ, making a backhanded dig at the 33-year-old actor.
"Enjoy the show, America," he continues, aiming fire at the popular CBS sitcom. "Enjoy seeing a 2.0 in the demo every Monday, WB."
Let's translate that in TV industry-speak: a 2.0 Nielsen rating in the advertiser-friendly 18-to-49 demographic would not exactly be a good thing for the network and Warner Bros. Television, which produces "Men." Sheen is suggesting that regular viewers in that age group would tune out.
But Charlie being Charlie, the logic doesn't make sense: if anything, Kutcher's youth-centric appeal (and 6.6 million Twitter followers) could continue the long-running show's ratings success, maybe even grow the audience. And don't forget the fans who will stick around to watch Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones. There are other people in the cast too, ya know? Poor guys.
"Enjoy planet Chuck, Ashton," snipes Sheen. "There is no air, laughter, loyalty, or love there."
Re: Two and a Half Men
Jon Cryer Reacts To Ashton Kutcher Joining 'Two And A Half Men'; Offers Message For Charlie Sheen
by Yahoo! TV
Jon Cryer is finally speaking out about "Two and a Half Men" and he said he is thrilled his hit comedy will return to CBS.
"I'm jazzed about the news this morning that 'Two and a Half Men' is coming back! For all the rest of the cast and crew I'm sure they are equally excited," Cryer, who plays Alan Harper on the series, said in a statement to Access Hollywood on Friday.
Cryer, who, for the most part, kept quiet following Sheen's very public spat with CBS, the show's parent company, and Warner Bros., the studio that produces the show, also offered praise for his departing co-star as the show carries on without him.
"I want to express my enormous gratitude to Charlie Sheen for eight great seasons," Cryer's statement to Access Hollywood continued. "I'm extremely proud of the work we've done together and I will miss him. But I'm also looking forward to this new beginning."
On Friday, it was confirmed that Ashton Kutcher will join the hit comedy series from creator Chuck Lorre, and Cryer had nothing but praise for his new co-star.
"Ashton is an extraordinarily talented guy and his presence will be an asset to our show," Cryer's statement read.
"We are old friends from our male-modeling days and we're both looking forward to being judged for our comedic artistry, as opposed to our exceptional physical beauty," Cryer added, making a reference to Ashton's pre-TV and movie career as a model.
Re: Two and a Half Men
How Might 'Two and a Half Men' Write in Ashton Kutcher?
by Tara Ariano / The Set
We know that actor/producer/Twitter user/cougar bait Ashton Kutcher is going to replace Charlie Sheen on the CBS sitcom "Two and a Half Men." We know what kind of numbers are being bandied about for his salary. What we don't know is whom he'll play.
The premise of "Men" was, originally, that fussbudget Alan (Jon Cryer) was forced to move in with his lothario of a brother Charlie (Charlie Sheen), following Alan's divorce; the "Half" man in the title is Alan's son, Jake (Angus T. Jones). The question is, how can this framework be adapted to make room for Kutcher? TV Guide L.A. Bureau Chief Michael Schneider Tweeted one good idea, courtesy of his wife, who "thinks he'll show up looking for the dad he never knew - Charlie - and then move in." If producers decline to run with that one, here are a few more suggestions for Kutcher's character - let's call him Ashton.
- Ashton moves back to his home town to be closer to his mother Berta (Conchata Ferrell), who has never liked to talk about him much or even mention him ever.
- Ashton lives next door and has always enjoyed picking up Charlie's castoff ladies; when he comes by to find out why the stream has been dammed, he makes friends with Alan.
- In a crazy misunderstanding, Alan gets arrested for shoplifting in the season premiere; Ashton is his very hands-on parole officer.
- Though Ashton seems like a dippy goof, he's an acclaimed tutor whose students all go on to Ivy League schools; he moves in to work with Jake.
- Alan's new chiropractic client, Ashton, is a successful Web entrepreneur - which means he's tremendously wealthy, and tremendously stressed out. He moves in so that he can get adjustments from Alan whenever he wants.
- A newly slimmed-down Jake gets discovered as a teen model; Ashton is his runway coach.
- Ashton starts coming around the Harper house after marrying Harper matriarch Evelyn (Holland Taylor).
