How Do You Subtract a Man From 'Two and a Half Men'? The Charlie Sheen Debate

By Jo Piazza Posted Apr 2nd 2010 01:45PM

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.

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Tags: charlie sheen, hugh laurie, Kiefer Sutherland, michael j. fox, two and a half men

Comments

(73)

Friday 02 April

By margaret

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Pleeeeeeeeeeeez don't try to replace Charlie. The show lost a lot of its unique flavor when they tried to marry him off. We watch the reruns every night so I can see the difference in the quality. Charlie is tired and needs to go home and get his life together. He had a great run. Jon Cryer is great but he needs Charlie to bounce off. Let it go. Why don't people quit while they are ahead, the producers aren't smart , just greedy. We love you "Chawie". We all wish we were like your character.

By BluesDaddy

After eight seasons, the show is repeating itself. I mean how many more chicks can Charlie Harper screw-over? Time to put it to pasture.

By Debbie

I like this show and it makes me laugh but, I really think it is on it's last year anyway. The plot can only go so far.
Let it go while it is still on top.Goodbye Charlie!

By Lee

I'd like to see more stories revolving around Jake. He's the funniest character, along with Berta, on the show.

By sue

The show is only as funny as the writers! The clever dialog is what makes the show entertaining. I amsure the writers could do something to mske another character just as funny. We do tend to think of the actors as real people and would all miss "Charlie".

By caircair

Frankly, I don't care one way or the other whether Charlie Sheen goes or stays. The show has been getting worse, and this season is particularly lousy. Husband and I quit watching back in November - at least, the newer episodes - and we agree TAHM basically jumped the shark when Rose left.

I think it's time the show was allowed to die a merciful death.

Wednesday 21 April

By catherine mc closkey

charley sheen is a a very sick man and needs to go back to rehab for about two years because he does not think he has a problem with addiction we should all pray for him he so many of these stares kill themself because they dont understand addiction my heart go out to his kids

By Sonny Durazzo

Charlie puts the beach house up for sale playing up the single life style angle. Another swinger buys the house not realizing there is a special clause in fine fine fine print. Alan & Jake have to stay until Jake turns 18!

By reader

Love Charlie Sheen, I hope he stays, but if not, how about Tommy Lee, he's a funny screw up too.

By TR

Charlie is so depressed that Chelsea married the horsey lawyer, He goes off on a whim to Vegas to manage a strip club...Allen calls in his long lost gay brother "Bruce" as his new roomate..

By J.H.Paul

Sheen,should leave & get lost .. And take the other Sheens along. .. Tell them to join the "Scientology Hollywood idiots".. They are goofy enough .. ?? Or maybe they already belong ??

By sparrow

I've seen a few episodes of "Men" and I have to say that, even though I am far from prudish, I was offended. The worst thing they ever did was to move "Big Bang Theory"--which IS the funniest show on TV--to a slot after "Men."

By simplesimon

this show sucks, I'll be glad when it's off the air. The storyline since episode one has been "will Charlie get laid today" while Alan's so lame can't even score with a hooker. The kid, mom, maid, crazy neighbor are filler. I can't see why this show is so popular, with a hundred channels available there's always something on that's better than this garbage.

By Vicki

If Charlie has to leave,let him finally marry Rose, and they could go abroad while his brother, Emelio, could be a "surprise" brother and move in?

By todd hilley

this show sucks anyway.

By Tom

Charlie should be sheen and not heard.

Saturday 03 April

By reza

reza 25

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I used to enjoy Charlie but it seems the sheen has worn off.

By ems911brat

Charlie could take a job on a cruise ship to get over Chelsea and Alan's ex's husband could move in...

By Cecil Jones

Charlie Sheen should quit "Men" and work on his personal relationships. How would CBS replace him? They could have the brother enter into a "Gay" relationship because surely he is. The son could play a larger role because as he grows older his departure would be unavoidable. The Brother was doing Charlie's "Sloppy Seconds." When would "Seven of Nine" sleep with the Brother and Charlie? A gay relationship on national tv would give the show the edge and the humor of a Wil and Grace, as the producers head for the exits. In two years, Charlie could return and live with the son in the CBS version of "The New Odd Couple." Done deal now send me the check.

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