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'Two and a Half Men' done for the season, CBS says
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"Two and a Half Men" is shutting down for the season in the wake of star Charlie Sheen's latest comments about the show.CBS and Warner Bros. TV, which produces the series, released a joint statement late Thursday afternoon (Feb. 24). It reads: "Based on the totality of Charlie Sheen's statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros. Television have decided to discontinue production of 'Two and a Half Men' for the remainder of the season."
The decision comes a few hours after Sheen -- who was due to report back to set next week after some in-home rehab -- ripped the show and co-creator Chuck Lorre in a radio interview. Among the choice soundbites from the interview on the "Alex Jones Show" was this one about Lorre:
"I embarrassed him in front of his children and the world by healing at a pace that his unevolved mind cannot process. Last I checked ... I spent close to the last decade effortlessly and magically converting your tin cans into pure gold. And the gratitude I get is this charlatan chose not to do his job, which is to write. Clearly someone who believes he's above the law."
That was apparently in response to a recent Lorre vanity card in which he made a joke about Sheen, saying "If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I'm gonna be really pissed." But the totality of the interview sounded as if Sheen was basically daring the "Men" powers that be to shut down the show. If so, he got his wish.
"Two and a Half Men" was scheduled to back into production next week following Sheen's rehab and shoot four more episodes. The network and studio decision idles the show's crew and other cast members -- and, we have to think, makes the show's long-term future more tenuous. CBS' current contract with Warner Bros. runs through the 2011-12 season.
The show, which averages about 14.7 million viewers per week, is the most-watched comedy on TV. It ranks second among all scripted shows this season (behind "Modern Family" and tied with "Grey's Anatomy") in the adults 18-49 demographic.
CBS will likely continue with "Men" reruns at 9 p.m. on Mondays for the time being. The network has also ordered extra episodes of "Mike & Molly" and "Rules of Engagement" to help fill the gap.
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It is stupid. Charlie Sheen is a comedian and an actor - not a saint. Two and a Half Men is great. Why CBS wasting money cutting such a popular show?
Well he really had it coming. Must be tough for CBS though.
The reality is that CBS has finally realized that people can no longer watch the show without the distraction of Sheen's tragic personal life spilling over into his character. What used to be funny is now pitiful. They made the right decision, but way too late.
The simple fact of the matter is that Two and a Half Men is a funny show and Charlie Sheen is one of the reasons it is so successful. With that said, I certainly don't condone Sheen's lifestyle choices, his indifference to his responsibilities as a husband and father,or his just totally outrageous behavior in general,
but you have to separate the two roles. If you can't do that, then stop watching the show and then perhaps enough people will follow suit that Charlie Sheen will cease to be a marketable commodity and will perhaps be motivated to clean up his act and save the life he seems hell-bent on trashing. Perhaps we'd all be doing him a huge favor by boycotting the show...in doing that, however, it's the other cast and crew members who would ultimately be paying the price for
his irresponsibility so I'm not certain that just axing the show
is the right solution either.
It's time for Charlie Sheen to grow up. With CBS shutting the show down for the rest of the season not only is Charlie out of work but so are his co-stars and all the people who work on set. That jerk really needs to realize he's not just affecting his life but countless others too. People who don't make a million + per episode and have families to support.
Talk about perceptions. Despite the bad publicity generated by Sheen in his personal life, the show continued to be funny and I will miss it. Also, not to be unkind, but who has Sheen hurt? He is not a child molestor or a thief or even a drunk driver (at least, there have been no reports.)
He is self-destructive and the news stories are probably embarrassing to his family -- and they are probably worried about him. But what has he done that makes it difficult for others to enjoy his talent? My point, if he was out robbing banks, mowing people down in the street or raping and pillaging -- yeah, I would find it hard to watch him.
I feel sorry for what he is doing to his private life but none of it ultimately hurts anyone other than him and his loved ones. In that sense, although he is a public figure, his pain is private. Why is he being punished by having his show pulled?
This is CBS's own fault for not nipping it in the bud and sitting Charlie down sooner.
Charlie Sheen is a wife beater and the show was stupid. Kudos to CBS for booting him and cancelling that crap!
What a jerk. Apparently the only person he cares about is himself.
Now all the people that work on the show will be out of work and not get paid.
He needs to do some serious growing up and fast.
I agree with most of the comments.
Charlie Sheen really needs to grow up. He doesn't give a thought to all
those people who are going to be out of work.
He had it coming. I will certainly
miss the show. It was really, for
me at least, the only show worth
watching.