Could Charlie Sheen's Rehab Stint Threaten His Job?

By John Mitchell Posted Feb 25th 2010 03:53PM

On Tuesday, PopEater reported that Charlie Sheen had checked himself into a rehabilitation facility "as a preventative measure."

Now, the Hollywood Reporter is speculating that the actor's decision to enter rehab may put his job on the hit sitcom 'Two and a Half Men' at risk. Production on 'Men' was put on hold Tuesday following Sheen's announcement. The show is the highest-rated comedy on television, and THR reports that a prolonged absence by its star could put CBS and Sheen in a complicated situation.

Sheen likely has a "morals clause" in his contract with Warner Bros. TV, which produces 'Men.' A standard morals clause usually "allows employers to alter or terminate an employee's deal for bad behavior that harms the production." While THR notes that "it would take a prolonged absence for TV's highest-paid star to get fired," morals clauses also often include provisions for recovering losses in the event of a star's misbehavior, meaning Sheen could be liable for any money producers or CBS lose due to his absence.

Sheen earns $900,000 per episode for 'Two and a Half Men,' and the show is an enormously profitable cash cow for both CBS and Warner Bros. TV. "If Sheen violated his morals clause, the show's producers might go after him to recoup some of the money it loses when he's away," according to the Reporter.

Even if the show's producers do not choose to pursue legal action against Sheen for losses incurred, they could use his extended absence from the show and his recent legal problems to reopen contract negotiations. "WBTV and CBS potentially could shave tens of millions of dollars off the cost of the series if they were to wave these losses over Sheen's head," said THR. "Producers are spending a fortune paying Sheen for his services."

In addition to his most recent rehab stint (Sheen also entered rehab in 1990 and was hospitalized in 1998 after "consuming excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol"), Sheen is facing felony menacing, misdemeanor assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges after allegedly attacking his wife, Brooke Mueller, on Christmas Day. Mueller herself is also receiving treatment for a reported addiction to crack and alcohol, as PopEater previously reported.

TMZ is reporting that Sheen and Mueller's twin sons, Bob and Max, are currently being cared for by Sheen's mother and father, actor Martin Sheen.

Tags: charlie sheen

Comments

(12)

Thursday 25 February

By bob

Vote down Vote up Report this

do you think it's the rehab or that he's
about as crazy as an outhouse rat?

By thomas

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

charlie had a problem sinces he made the movie platoon,i know it was a movie but the shooting in real jungle and his age i think had a effect on his adult life.

By Bub

Bring back Kandi to fill in. She brings a lot of talent to the show.

By quitt100

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

They won't let him go, he's white and we all know they can do anything!!!

By joesgulfstream

up yours

By j

why should it threaten his job ? He plays a drunken womanizing bum . Whats the difference ?

Thursday 27 January

By Margaret el.

right whats the difference? Thats why he can play the part so well because it is him.

By Erich

Nothing will happen to Charlie Sheen, he makes the show what it is a winner. Should the Producers thrteaten him, he will quit because there is always another show for him, for more money too. Remember Seinfeld, his payrate...Charlie is not far behind. Again his bad boy act is what makes it, and we dont know how bad Mueller is into crack, it would offset me too, with the children in her care while I am working!!!!

By the_fool

What a db. This guy has a great job that thousands of people without jobs and losing their homes would take in a heartbeat. He has screwed the whole crew and other actors as he is crapping up his life. Narrow minded prick needs to work at a fast food place and try to live off that salary. He owes all involved in that Two and a Half Men show an incredible apology and lost pay. Because this db makes that show work with their formula -- the network risks losing the show and the a_hole actor. The asswipe would deserve just that.

By Robin

Of course this won't hurt his career with Two and Half Men! Those of us who are big fans of the show realize the irony of Charlie Sheen playing Charlie Harper. That much of Charlie's antics on the show probably do or did mirror much of his real life to some extent. That's partly why I love the show myself. I've always liked watching him in anything. From his awful movies (except for The Arrival, that movie is GREAT!) to his great tv show.

Besides, his wife? She's got her own problems with substance abuse to worry about, and the fiasco over Christmas was, in my opinion, just as much her fault as his.

By ROGER

HOW CAN ANYONE EMPLOY THAT LOUSY BASTARD TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE IS BEYOND ME. THE PRODUCERS AND SPONSERS OF THAT SHOW SHOULD BE BOYCOTTED , MYSELF I WILL NEVER BY A PRODUCT FROM ANY MANUFACTURER THAT SPONSORS THAT SHOW TWO AND A AHLF LOUSERS.

By Mary Lou

I feel bad for the rest of the great cast of the show. They actually carry him and make him look good. Also, sad for the crew and all the rest that go into making the show. Hopefully, he is in rehab at the behest of his employers and the rest won't suffer.

Page 1 of 1