How Do You Subtract a Man From 'Two and a Half Men'? The Charlie Sheen Debate
Word on the street is that
Charlie Sheen doesn't want to play his onscreen alter ego Charlie Harper on 'Two and a Half Men' any longer, even though it banks him huge bucks.
PopEater's Naughty But Nice Columnist
Rob Shuter reports that CBS is already on the lookout for a replacement for Sheen.
So what does this mean for the tremendously popular series? Can the show survive a Charlie exit?
Sometimes leading characters leave shows. It can happen for any number of reasons, and surely no one would blame Sheen for wanting to take some time off, given his personal drama as of late.
"It's understandable that Charlie would want out. Who knows how long 'Celebrity Rehab' is gonna be on the air? He's gotta get on that show before it's over," says Ronnie Karam, Senior Editor of TvGasm.com. "If we as a country would just let our celebs live in private, they wouldn't feel the need to quit multi-million jobs to hide from our prying eyes. Can't a man get wasted and hold a knife to his wife's throat in private? We should all be ashamed of ourselves."
Sheen was arrested in Aspen on Christmas after he allegedly assaulted his wife. (Reports suggest a knife was involved.) The actor has been charged with misdemeanor assault and felony menacing.
The problem with Sheen's exit from 'Men' is that he truly does carry that show, much as Hugh Laurie carries 'House' and Kiefer Sutherland carries '24.'
'Men' isn't an ensemble like 'The Office' or '30 Rock.' Jon Cryer is at his best when he's playing the straight man to Sheen's bad boy -- and not to be harsh about it, but Angus T. Jones sinks deeper into his awkward stage with each season.
"They can't recast him, that's for sure. I don't think the whole 'two Darrens' [a la 'Bewitched'] would work on 'Two and a Half Men.' No two STDs are created equal. You can change a man's face, but you can't change his herpes. The audience won't stand for it! If Charlie leaves, the show is over," Karam says. "Unless the kid becomes the bad boy, which America might just find hilarious, but 'One and a Half Men' sounds like a dude with a little person fetish and 'Two Men' sounds like one long, gay argument."
But some folks argue that the popularity of 'Two and a Half Men' mandates that it remain on the air.
"They should not call it quits and leave so many people bereft of this great American institution," says television writer and comedienne Caroline Waxler. "I think they should take a page from Aaron Spelling's playbook and bring in Heather Locklear. Not only can she play the hot lead, but she'll bring in the lesbian angle. I know doing a lesbian stunt is a hard sell to TV execs, but they should make an exception just this once!"
There is a certain irony to Sheen's being replaced since Sheen was the television replacement for the beloved Michael J. Fox on 'Spin City' before the fast and steep decline of the series. Sheen's character on 'Men' works so well because Sheen essentially plays himself. Therefore any replacement would have to be equally as bad as Charlie is in real life, which makes this a particularly tough casting call. All the good drunks in Hollywood have hit rehab. There genuinely isn't anyone like Charlie left.
With Charlie so goes the show. Let's hope the network doesn't struggle to keep the show alive with a weak replacement and an even weaker story line about Charlie Harper being sent out to pasture.
Mad Men: 'Chevy Is Spelled Wrong!'
Thank Al Pacino for Pretty Woman
Add a comment
I wish I could see a way for the show to continue without Sheen, but the addition of Chelsea nearly doomed the show. The whole premise of the show is the irresponsible rake that Charlie is, but that he lives a lovable life in spite of it. Trying to make him a married man was a disaster, bringing in another "rake" would die in a minute. If he leaves, let it go... reruns will be the only way to keep it afloat.
show is over now
Reply
The show could survive with some creative casting and story lines. Charlie could move to New York or somewhere and let Jon Cryer and Jake stay in the house. A long lost cousin could move in or Jon could get married or Jake could get married and have a kid. Or...Jake oculd start being a stud like his Uncle Charlie. Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson - both funny guys could be guests on the show - there are things that could be done with this show. It is one of my favorite shows and I don't want to see it go as I like all the characters on there.
Reply
Easy, Charlie and his stalker neighbor disappear and aren't seen from again (till season 10). While the sleezy illigitmate brother(Emelio Estevez) shows up and takes over. Simple as that!!!
Reply
The only way I would watch if Charlie leaves would be: He gets married and moves away -- George Clooney, a long lost cousin or something, moves in with the brother and kid
Reply
This article is really freakin' funny! Good job!
Reply
I do not think any one on the show can be replaced!!! My husband and I laugh at the re-runs as if we had never seen them before. Please, keep all of the characters together. They are one.
Reply
if charlie leaves the show must be canceled ,charlie makes the show,myself and my partner and parents and kids watches every nite
Reply
I see no reason the show won't survive without Charlie Sheen...just replace him with another funny guy! After all, it's not Charlie himself who is that funny but the writers of the script each week! Put someone else in to play off the really funny people on the show and it will remain a hit!
Reply
Charlie Sheen is a good actor. He makes the show. If he leaves, the show will not last no matter replaces him. As far as his personal life I wouldn't give two cents for it but that is his business how he lives his life.
Reply
The supporting cast MAKES the show. Charlie Sheen only plays himself -- an aging, addictive fool. Create a new show revolving around some or all of the characters. There's enough talent and audience support to give it a shot.
Reply
If Charlie quits, how about John Stamos ?
Reply
YES John Stamos I would love to see him on t.v. again, Charlie has to, say, go away for awhile and he gets, his good but equally sleezy friend to move in
No Charlie, no show! Simple as that!
Reply
Recast with John Stamos !!!
Reply
IT'S A TV SHOW PEOPLE, WHEN THE STAR GOES AWAY THE SHOW IS OVER. WHEN A DIAMOND RING LOOSES THE DIAMOND ITS JUST A RING NO ONE WANTS TO LOOK AT.
N
Reply
I think that Berta should have her own show, she is one of the funniest characters on Two and a Half Men.
Reply
The show has been on long enough.
Reply
We love Jon Cryer, and would love to see him on TV for many, many years, but Sheen and he go together like chocolate on a vanilla popcicle!! Need to have both of them--Can't the Network convince Sheen to stay with the show for as long as there are plans for it to stay on TV? He's appreciated and loved by millions-- GB
Reply
John Stamos... replacment
Reply