Source: CBS Pondering a 'Men' Without Charlie Sheen

By Rob Shuter Posted Feb 23rd 2011 02:50PM

Has CBS finally had enough of Charlie Sheen's wildman ways? You bet they have, and now sources tell me the network is having internal discussions to ponder if his mega-hit show 'Two and a Half Men' can possibly survive without him.

"CBS stock has been taking a beating during Charlie's recent meltdown," a TV insider tells me. "Charlie has become too big a risk to not have a backup plan in case he has another incident and forces production to be shut down."

Every time Charlie ends up in the hospital (or in home rehab), the network takes a hit because production of the show is impacted. According to media buyers, a 30-second spot on 'Men' goes for around $200,000 and generates more than $3 million per episode. That's money CBS doesn't want to lose because of one actor.

Of course, we're not talking about just any actor. This is the star of the show and the most well-payed actor in all of television.

"The big question is can the show survive without Charlie," an insider tells me. "Would the show take a big hit? Yes, but if they found the right person to replace him it would survive and maybe even grow."

CBS declined to comment for this story.

What do you think? Would you watch the show without Charlie? Could it still be No. 1? With Chuck Lorre at the helm, I wouldn't bet against it.

While 'Men' and CBS may not always be there for Charlie, we learned today that his famous father and brother will never waver with their support. In an interview with Sky News, acting legend Martin Sheen and his other son, Emilio Estevez, opened up about how Charlie's struggles have affected their lives and how they're hoping to help him through.

Martin said, "He's an extraordinary man. If he had cancer, how would we treat him? The disease of addiction is a form of cancer, and you have to have an equal measure of concern and love and lift them up, so that's what we do for him."

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Tags: Charlie Sheen, Two and Half Men

Comments

(704)

Thursday 24 February

By Yikes-A-Hooty

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Modernfam - It's ROBERT not Morton. Dingdong.

By kbroome1969

yeah i think they are..

his problem is that he doesnt think there is anything wrong
so i dont think there is a rock bottom he can hit
he likes the way he is and the way he acts....
he sees nothing wrong with it.... a sorry sight... plus hes a sh-ty actor anyway.. i have never watched that show....

By Star

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That would be so cool, a child that was given up for adoption. Later found in a monanstery. The brother would be a Buddhist Monk and wanted to find his lost family. That could be a good spin to the story.

By Modernfam

Sorry, I meant Robert.

By Barbara

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I too, love the show. I think the show would survive without Charlie. I idea of bringing in another character that was given up for adoption by the Mother would work because she plays the part of someone that would have done that for whatever reason.I think the other cast members are the glue that makes Charlie look good. I will continue to watch the show with another Charlie character. Time to get your life in order Charlie. You are not a child. Time is ticking away.

Friday 25 February

By Linda

Terri I had the very same idea. I think Alan is the funniest anyway. Plus I feel the actors are only as good as the writers. Bring a long lost brother in and ditch Charlie. I have lost interest in the show since all of Sheen's bulls**t!!!! CBS get rid of Charlie!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday 23 February

By jlyn

I think there is no show without Sheen. The character of Jake,I think he could go now. He isn't cute and funny anymore, sorry.

By harold

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the network's money maker is 2 1/2 men, the Network moguls must be stupid. I for one will stop watching it without Mr. Sheen. He is the showmaker.

By joan

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I do not agree that the show would be no good without Charlie. He is good, but the entire cast is great with or without him. I said yesterday that Charlie Sheen has gone too far and they should just change actors for his part. Have him be in a bad car crash wear his face is messed up and replace him with another actor. Ashton Kutcher would be a good replacement for Charlie....

By Clara

Yeah, its like when Beaver went from cute and trusting to an annoying teen.

By Barbara Jones

No Charlie, Yes,Yes,Yes, he is not a good Role Model for anyone. I will never watch a show with him in it again!!!!

By Bob

OH, you get your role models off television ?

By cici217

Who could they find to replace him? Another problem is that they would probably put more of a focus on Jon Cryer who just plains SUX. I wish it was more of a case of dumping the Alan character than the Charlie one. The show would continue on very well.

Could they kill off Charlie and have the house left in equal parts to Alan, Berta and the mother?

PS: bring back Chelsea

By Ratbert

No Charlie, no show.. Pack it in...

By hrhsheeba

It would be so easy to write for Two and a half Men without Charlie Shee. There's such a rich smorgasboard of variables, I'd love to be a writer for that show now. CBS give me a call. I'm new, fresh and could bring a lot to the table!!!

By pamliska

Good riddens dirt-bag!

Good riddens ? I see your a writer

Hey BOB -

|Good riddens ? I see your a writer|

"Your" a writer?? It's YOU'RE a writer! If you're gonna play grammar police, make sure you know the rules. Moron.

By dlee

His father is being a father when he eqates cancer to addiction, big mistake!!! you choose to be an addict, you do not choose to get cancer. I say CBs should kick him to the curb and if the show goes off it goes off, its that simple. He doesn't deserve 1mil an episode anyway and there are alot of people who wish they had his opportunities he's had in his spoiled, endulged, entitled lifestle. Can't stand the guy and not doubt I'll be seeing his name in the obituaries one day soon.

By HRHSheeba

No, you don't gt rid of Jake, he could seriously be a pivotal point and if well written could bring a whole new group of viewers tot he show. Don't kill Charlie off, but like I said there's so much to work with I'm shocked the redundancy of Charlie drinking and screwing didn't get old. With the characters as they are there's a wealth of variable writting material that wouldn't create a "pete-repeat" sceanrio!! Seriously CBS needs me to write for this show.

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