Could the Two and a Half Men TV show carry on without Charlie Sheen? It seems as unlikely as American Idol continuing without Simon Cowell. While Idol is scheduled to go on without Cowell next season, supposedly Men won’t try it without Sheen.
Currently in its seventh season, Two and a Half Men stars Sheen and Jon Cryer as Charlie and Alan, two brothers living the single life together. The “Half Man” in the title doesn’t seem very appropriate anymore since it refers to Alan’s nearly full-grown son, Jake (Angus T. Jones). Conchata Ferrell, Holland Taylor, and Marin Hinkle star as well.
Although Warner Bros. is in the midst of a multi-year broadcast agreement for Men, it may not get that far. Sheen has been besieged by personal problems, most notably a Christmas Day altercation with his wife, Brooke Mueller, that landed him in jail. Both Sheen and Mueller have subsequently entered rehab.
Prior to finishing production of this season’s episodes, Sheen let it be known that he was ready to leave the sitcom. He supposedly wants to get back into movies and regularly receives offers to do them, but can’t because of his sitcom schedule.
But this isn’t exactly news to the network and studio. Sheen told People, “Approaching the start of the current season and as far back as June ’09, I submitted my terms for season eight to Warner Bros. and CBS respectfully. Both parties have known the score for over a year. In no way, has this been a hasty or negligent 11th hour surprise. I offer this information out of love and respect to my crew, my on-set family, my writers, executive staff, as well as my real family, my dear friends and my loyal fans.”
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There’s been wide speculation that his being ready to walk away is a tactic for Sheen to get a significant bump in his paycheck. The actor reportedly makes about $900,000 per episode of Men, including backend profits. That makes him the highest-paid sitcom star on TV right now.
If this is a negotiating ploy, it’s hard to imagine that Sheen could be in a better bargaining position. It’s the top sitcom on television and CBS has a big interest in keeping it as an anchor of their Monday night schedule. They’ve already renewed the show through the 2011-12 season and Warner Bros. is ready to keep selling episodes for big bucks in syndication.
If a deal can’t be struck, the show is over according to RadarOnline. Unnamed sources at Warner Bros. say there’s been no discussions of trying to continue the show without Sheen. Taylor recently told EW, “I can’t even imagine.”
The actress believes Sheen is the brand of the show and says that his salary isn’t out of line, pointing out that the six castmembers of Friends were paid $1 million per episode almost a decade ago. Taylor also said, “I think he could walk away from it and be happy… Whatever he does, he commits himself and works very hard. He knows his lines before anybody. He is on time and responsible for the show, and a good guy on the set.”
According to Deadline, negotiations are still going on behind the scenes with a per episode rate of $1 million being bandied about. That’s significantly lower than previous rumors of $1.5-2 million per episode and may not be enough to get Sheen back.
If the worst happens, CBS is already trying out different scheduling options. They’re airing The Big Bang Theory in Men’s timeslot on Monday and will follow it with a Big Bang repeat. If Men doesn’t come back, Big Bang would likely move to 9pm and a new Chuck Lorre sitcom called Mike & Molly could take the 9:30pm timeslot. While it wouldn’t be the network’s preference, there are far worse scenarios.
However things work out, negotiations with Sheen and Two and a Half Men’s future should be finalized prior to CBS’ advertiser upfront presentation on May 19th.
What do you think? Will the show and Sheen return for season eight?
Image courtesy CBS.
warner bros and chuck lorrie should have had my mothers advice before making any decisions about proceeding two and a half men without sheen “don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”. the new show is stupid, not funny and will lose all of their smart sponsors. Charley was the show!!!!!
I think Warner Bros. TV should dump Sheen and Two and Half Men.
It is a disgrace to have anyone on TV to be a role model for our children like Sheen, and yes I sent the same letter to CBS. Bad enough that he is on the prime time news about his drug addiction and prostitutes. How is this man keeping out of jail with everyone knowing he is distributing drugs to the people that parties with him. He is a drug dealer in plain english, and should be in jail. Who is minding the store?
I hope they don’t cancel. I like the show. It’s so funny.
I am tired of the constant reruns. Where are the 2010 series? I enjoy their crude humor and I’m glad I don’t have children around to hear what they say and do.
Oh please..Charlie needs to go,,,,not funny but GROSS !!! Writers must have a twisted mind and then they have a KID on this show!! Get it off the air!!
I accidentally deleted this alert and in order to get it back on. I made a comment. I certainly hope it is back. Great Comedy!
could care less if it returns, use to like the show very much, but it has gotten so dirty and everything is about sex and nothing about good old fashioned humor or comedy that it no longer is entertaining to a family.
You said it!!
I think if the Friends actors were getting a million an episode 10 years ago, then Charlie has been under paid for awhile. It’s the funniest show on television, so they should pay him fairly. Without him in the cast, there is no show. So, CBS dust off your wallets and pay the man what he’s worth.
Its a different world today, back when Friends were running there were hardly any down loaders if any. The income Two and a half men make by selling the series on DVD’s is far less then it should be.
But i agree, Sheen is worth far more then a million and he is only 1 great actor, the friends crew were 6 but the income is far to great for one or even two million US dollar to make any different to CBS.
PS: Any grammar or typing mistakes is because English is my second language.
i just started watching two and a half men and omg it is so hilarious i went out and bought all seasons available. charlie sheen is amazing in this sitcom he cannot leave the show. watching a show about alan played by john cryer isnt a great idea although his son is funny with his one line quips chances are if charlie does not return itll be pulled whoever is in charge of negotiations please make it happen this show is so amazing and many people want to see many more episodes and seasons.
I think the network should do whatever it takes to keep charlie. The show is a breath of fresh air with some wicked one liners and really good stories and as bruce said there is no show without charlie. I really hope to see as many more seasons as possible as there is no real comedy any more except this it has the feel of our british classics such as only fools and horses and porridge.So whoever it is negotiating sort it out!!!!!
Um, who’s “Joy” Cryer? Maybe y`all need some proof readers over there…..I would think if Sheen doesn’t return the show is done. What sense would the show make without Charlie? Do we want to watch prissy Alan with all his issues every week? Don’t think so. Probably they will put Big Bang Theory (also VERY funny) at 9:00 and move something, or put a pilot oon at 9:30. I’d rather see the show continue though, it’s one of my favorites…
I have to wonder if Sheen is contractually locked in for the show until the “planned” end in 2012. I know a lot of the other gossip sites were speculating that he was doing a holdout for more pay in terms of renewal for the current run but I can see him walking otherwise if he isn’t under obligation to the show. If not, I expect he’ll be shaving out a chunk of his pay for the lawyers to get him out of the contract.