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Hugh Grant on 'Two and a Half Men'? It almost happened

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May 11, 2011 3:07 PM ET

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hugh-grant-two-and-a-half-men.jpgThere isn't a whole lot in the TV business that genuinely surprises us anymore, but this definitely did: Hugh Grant was nearly Charlie Sheen's replacement on "Two and a Half Men."

That's the word from Deadline, which reports that Grant was "deep into final negotiations" to take his first role on an American TV series before ultimately saying no. "Creative differences" reportedly scotched the deal.

So first of all, wow. "Men" producer Warner Bros. and CBS certainly swung for the fences in pursuing Grant. If he's indicative of the kind of actor they're looking to take over for Sheen, we're even more curious to see what actually ends up happening with the show.

And second: Really? We realize Grant perhaps isn't quite as big a star as he was, say, 10 years ago, and his last few films haven't done all that well. But this seems like a bit of an odd career move for him. We're also having a really tough time getting our heads around the idea of Grant speaking "Two and a Half Men" dialogue like this:

Alan (Jon Cryer): You have five grand in your sweatpants?
Charlie (Sheen): I prefer to think of it as three hookers and a Philly cheesesteak.

Or this:

Charlie: It could have been worse, but I won a bundle at the roulette table betting the color of her underwear.
Alan: Red or black?
Charlie: Double zero.
Alan: What color is that?
Charlie: Ass cheeks.

Or this:

Charlie: She knows what she's talking about, Alan. Mom's been on more hotel pillows than a chocolate mint.

Grant decided not to sign his deal late Tuesday (May 10), Deadline says. That could complicate things if CBS is hoping to make an announcement about the show at its May 18 upfront. But if the show can get someone of Grant's stature locked in within the next week, the upfronts will get that much more interesting.
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 |  Comments (8)

I like charlie Seen

Susan VAnOrden | May 11, 2011 3:22 PM

That would have been interesting, but only if he was different than Charlie Harper -- perhaps a more refined cousin from across the pond who has about as much respect for Alan as Alan had for Charlie.

In the same respect that Alan needed Charlie, Hugh would need Alan.

Terrence | May 11, 2011 3:25 PM

Disagree with you Rick.
You know what type of paycheck Warner Bros is ok to give him ? With this gig he will make more than with any movie he could do, he doesn't make that anymore with movies since a long time..and with all the Sheen drama the show has quite the buzz right now..
Otherwise it could be an interesting choice because Grant is charming and can be funny (bridget jones) but it could also get old really fast if it is just a "brit" version of Charlie Harper and if he doesn't have the right chemistry with the cast..well maybe he will reconsider with all this money..we will see..but it will be hard for any actor, A-list movie star or not..Charlie Sheen was this sitcom..

Juliet | May 11, 2011 3:38 PM

if it didnt happened why bother even reporting about it... i dont get it.... reporters now a days have absolutely no clue what they r doing...

blah | May 11, 2011 4:42 PM

well i see it couple of ways to go
A new son or daughter pops up the one mom put up for adoption before charlie
after charlie dies the will is read and all is left to his sibling, not specific so a new cast could be a girl or guy so they would have share the house with Alan

or if they want to cast a younger guy , the will could state i leave everything to my oldest nephew
not knowing about the adoptive sibling who has a son older than Jake
which then Alan and Jake have to leave the house and move in with Mom

pantherman | May 11, 2011 5:22 PM

I think they're floating this crap to get Sheen back, then he will really be the "winner"!

Alex | May 11, 2011 7:19 PM

There's still time for him to change his mind, with a few tweaks in creative, he might go for it as his career has been sinking as of late, so this could become the saving grace for him as a whole but if not, either cancel the show or bring in someone between now and next week that can fit in well.

Sylvester | May 11, 2011 8:36 PM

I disagree with the writer's opinion. Hugh Grant would have been PERFECT for the job, on every level. It would have been a great career option for him. And I would have actually wanted to watch the show. He is one of the few actors that have that certain je ne sais quois.

Luxor G | May 12, 2011 6:16 PM
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