What Happens to Charlie if Ratings Soar? A Big Bonus and a Short Rehab

By Rob Shuter Posted Jan 31st 2011 09:20AM

Although Charlie Sheen has finally checked himself into an undisclosed rehab facility, no one knows how seriously he's going to take it until the ratings come in for this week's 'Two and A Half Men.'

"If the ratings go through the roof again, as they did after Charlie's incident in New York, CBS and Charlie will be out again in no time and back to his old ways," warns a close friend of the actor. "However, if the public finally stops rewarding Charlie for his bad behavior, then, and only then, can you expect him to take the situation seriously."

Why? It's simple. Charlie makes a substantial bonus on his industry-topping salary ($1.25M per episode!) if the show does particularly well.

[On that subject ... the next highest actor in sitcom land is Sheen's co-star, Jon Cryer, at $550,000 per episode. The 'Half' in the show, Angus T. Jones, is TV's highest paid teen, raking in $250,000 per.]

Mark Burg, the star's manager and an executive producer of his hit show, told PEOPLE, "Charlie knows he has work to do, and he is looking forward to regaining his sobriety."

He added, "Charlie hopes to be back at work in the near future, but there is no time frame. Regaining his sobriety is what is most important."

But insiders familiar with the situation tell me CBS only has two unaired episodes of TV's No. 1 comedy in the can. So although team Charlie claims there is no time frame ("near future"), they mean they hope the troubled actor is back on the set within a few weeks.

That seems to me like a very small amount of time to fix a very large problem.

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Tags: charlie sheen, Two and a Half Men

Comments

(287)

Monday 31 January

By mw

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Of course that would happen, keep rewarding him. Just stop watching the show and see what happens then.

By BTDT

"Charlie will be out again in no time and back to his old ways," warns a close friend of the actor."

Some friend this guy is. Predicting failure can't be helpful.
Of course, Shuter could have made it all up, as it's in keeping with his anti Charlie attitude.

By junior

BTDT, since Charlie only cares about Charlie, nothing that man said is relevant. What about the dozens of people out of work because of Charlie? Does he think about them for one second? No, he is worried about hiring porn stars to watch his kids.

By bushstaged911

Martin must be so proud of his son

By cappy

Wonder how CBS will feel when their cash cow, Charlie Sheen, drops dead from an overdose. Those greedy pigs are fueling his addiction. Charlie looks older than his dad... What the hell are they thinking at CBS?

By J.J.

Cappy, I wouldn't exactly say CBS is fueling his addiction. It ain't up to one's employer to police the money they pay an employee. But I do agree they have a vested interest in him and would suffer a huge loss should he OD.

By Pat

Two million a week? Guess money doesn't always buy happiness.

By Larry

Although I have liked the show-I will STOP watching it and condoning Charlie's atrocious addictions. He can go kill himself somewhere else. Unless he ever feels the PAIN enough he will NEVER see the POWERLESSNESS of his life, but continue to think he can control his life and dabble at recovery here and there. Let him bottom out-or die.

By billsmith

I am tiring of the show and this is the excuse I need to stop watching.
My greatest concern is does Cryer, Jones and the others still receive their salary if Sheen is on hiatus?

By dbrns124

This is not about rewarding Charlie it is about the show being very entertaining. I could care less about his personal life. I get a lot of pleasure out of watching his show and he is very good at his craft as are the other actors. When he leaves the set what he does is his own business and I will not be watching .

By chrissk

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leave charlie sheen alone. lil wayne does the same stuff but noone says anything bout him goin to rehab.

By Hmmm

"That seems to me like a very small amount of time to fix a very large problem". I guess we'll see where societies priorities are now won't we. It's a sad day when people will support Charlie in his behavior and even reward him for it. It says a lot about why this country is so weak. Just sayin It might be all cute and funny but then again IT'S NOT.

By New York

I agree It is NOT funny. I hope CBS is planning the shows last episode. "Charlie's Funeral". Now that should really bring in the ratings. I find the whole thing very sad.

By redhottamales

Charlie is addicted to being addicted. Life is too boring for him sober. He is a "bad boy" and unless he wants to change on his own without being thrown into rehab by Martin, his dad, he will just go back to his lady friends and his drugs.

By joetesta7

Charlie needs help and his health is very important. I was wondeering why he could not do both - when it is time to shoot the show, have Charlie go there with supervision that will not allow him to get access to anything that would harm his rehab.

By er1011

The show does not help his sobriety. Do you see how much drinking his character does? Maybe they should make his character sober up. That might help him. His sobriety is not his priority and until it is, he will not get better.

By Mallory Kane

Abdominal pain, my butt.
My bet is pancreatitis. One step closer to dead for ol' Charlie.
What a waste

By jktejas

Well, I don't think rehab works that way. I believe it requires a more controlled environment than being in a work situation. There is more to rehab than just cleaning up your physical system. There has to be a great deal of isolated time facing yourself with a therapist and time with a group conducted by a professional.....and of course the pain of withdrawal, etc. I don't believe anyone will go to work and allow themselves to be "policed" at the same time. The depth of his problem requires more than just a few weeks. By the way, Morton Downey finally buckled down and got through it when it appeared his only way out was death, and he has now restored a brilliant acting career. I would like to see Sheen do the same.

By ps7603

A lot of jail time for all the laws that he breaks and that will dry him out ... the right way.

By fiona

I didn't notice a single nomination for him or his show cast at the SAG awards last night. At least his own peers know it sucks. But, of course, America loves a train wreck.

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