Have CBS and Warner Bros. just been punk’d? Actor and producer Ashton Kutcher has signed a deal to join the cast of Two and a Half Men. The news comes after months of speculation about who would replace Charlie Sheen on the most popular sitcom in primetime television.
Though the casting of Kutcher isn’t as bold a choice as Hugh Grant might have been, he does have impressive credentials. He has experience shooting a multi-camera sitcom since he spent seven seasons as a series regular on FOX’s That 70s Show, from 1998 to 2005. He’s got solid comedic timing and is familiar with the week-to-week schedule.
Kutcher’s an experienced producer (Punk’d, Beauty and the Geek, The Real Wedding Crashers, Opportunity Knocks) and has a good professional reputation in the industry. That should be a welcome change for executive producer Chuck Lorre who was tired of butting heads with Sheen for so long.
Though Kutcher’s movie career has certainly cooled, many still flock to his romantic comedies and his casting could bring new female viewers to the series. He also has 6.5 million Twitter followers and, as Deadline points out, that’s more than watched the repeat of Two and a Half Men this week.
Kutcher teased his Twitter followers last night, writing, “what’s the square root of 6.25?” The answer is 2.5.
What do you think? Is Kutcher a good replacement? What should his role be — a relative that comes to stay that Alan can’t get rid of? Will you tune in to see how they handle the change?
I didn’t think a movie personality like Hugh Grant would do the show, but he would have been awesome. It is too bad that Kutcher’s career has cooled so that he is turning to TV again. Especially, as the replacement for an actor leaving a successful role. Lorre says he has a smooth transition planned to bring in Kutcher, but we are really getting a completely different series with the same title. Kutcher’s character will have to be much different from Sheen’s, and it will affect the entire show. We will see if it is as good as what we… Read more »
Ashton is a great choice. He has that dry, deadpan humor that leaves you on the floor, laughing till you cry. I can definitely see him as part of the ensemble cast. He and John C. should be hilarious together. They both have great timing.
Can’t imagine how they would have worked in Hugh Grant with his British accent.
He will probably be brought in as an up till now unknown son from a long lost girlfriend of Charlies. He’ll move in and change the dynamics. I don’t know how they’ll explain Sheens departure. Alan will try to assert his authority but will be held back by Kutchers character. Kutcher will play a chip off the old block (channeling Charlie’s character). Jake will look up to Kutcher’s character just like Charlie.
You heard it here first.
How will they work Kutcher into the show?
Byron J » We don’t know yet. It’ll probably be kept under wraps as long as possible so more people will tune in to watch.
Seems like a smart replacement to me, better than Hugh Grant anyway. Never watched the show before but maybe I’ll try it. Kutcher is always good for a laugh and MUCH easier on the eyes than Sheen.
No… you cant be serious…ASHTON KUTCHER…Chuck Lorre…you are such a dumbass…
I don’t know how the transition would play out, generally speaking, I was much more intrigued by the possibility of Hugh Grant than Kucher.. I love Chuck Lorre but not enough to watch Kucher
we will give it a chance, it would not be fair to the other GREAT actors in the show to not get a chance to continue their careers, because of the dunkiness behavior of a co worker that has lost it.
Yes! I may actually start watching the show with Kutcher in it, he’s always cracked me up. So glad they didn’t go with Hugh Grant!
He’s definately NOT a good replacement!
All about the $$$. His movie career is just getting started. He must be strapped for cash.
Well, I rarely watched the show before. Now for sure I won’t be watching it. Idiotic choice.
He’s a better choice than Hugh Grant but I dunno…
ummm…bs. i’d believe it when i see it
Do you think he will play a made over Charlie after an accident or a new character.
KAB » Lorre plans to introduce him as a new character.