Friends: CBS Can Beg, Charlie Is 'Never' Coming Back

By Rob Shuter Posted Feb 25th 2011 09:24AM

CBS and Warner Bros. finally tranquilized the elephant in the room Thursday, saying in a statement that "based on the totality of Charlie Sheen's statement, conduct and condition" they were shutting down production of 'Two and a Half Men,' TV's top comedy, for the remainder of the season. But if the goal is to one day welcome Charlie back to the top-rated show, sources close to the erratic actor tell me he wouldn't return to the set even if they begged.

"Charlie is furious that they have done this," a close friend of the actor tells me. "He has never been late for work, and what he does and says in his private life is none of [CBS's] business. He feels like they have made billions off him, and now they dare to pull his show just because they didn't like an interview he did."

I'm not defending Charlie, but it does seem bizarre that CBS was happy to turn a blind eye when their biggest actor was scaring porn stars and inhaling booze and drugs, but now that he has very publicly dissed his show's creator, Chuck Lorre ("a stupid, stupid little man and a p**sy punk"), production has been halted.

What's Next? PopEater and RadarOnline.com Talk It Through:

Charlie's most incendiary comments were made to TMZ when, talking about Lorre, he said, "That piece of s**t took money out of my pocket, my family's pocket, and, most importantly, my second family -- my crew's pocket. You can tell him one thing: I own him."

And with that, it seems Charlie has decided it's time to move on for good.

"At this moment he would never return to that show even if they begged him," another Charlie insider tells me. "He's given these fools the number one comedy on TV, and their feelings get hurt over a stupid radio interview. Nothing would get him back on that set. It's over. Done."

Well, he does have a little thing called a contract, so we'll see about that. In the meantime, Charlie is already claiming that he's taking his talents to HBO for an "epic" show called 'Sheen's Corner.' Not surprisingly, a rep from HBO tells PopEater that there is "no truth to this."

Sheen's buddy also tells me that the actor will start "making movies with superstars" again. 'Major League 3'!!!

On Tuesday, I exclusively reported that CBS finally had enough of Charlie and were having internal discussions about carrying on 'Two and a Half Men' without its biggest star.

"The big question is can the show survive without Charlie," an insider with direct knowledge of the talks told 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."

What do you think? Would you watch 'Men' with a Charlie replacement? Should CBS just cut their losses and call it a day?

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Charlie Sheen Snapshots

Charlie Sheen, pretty much summing everything up on Feb. 21. More Pics >>

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Charlie Sheen Snapshots

(FILES): This March 12, 2009 file photo shows US actor Charlie Sheen during the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles. The producers of hit TV series "Two and a Half Men" canceled the show for the season Thursday, February 24, 2011 after a new outburst by troubled actor Sheen -- who promptly launched another tirade. CBS and Warner Brothers made the announcement after Sheen, who was briefly hospitalized last month following his latest reported booze and drugs-fueled partying mishap, denounced the show's co-creator Chuck Lorre. AFP PHOTO / Files / Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

LOS ANGELES - FILE: Executive Producer Chuck Lorre (L) and actor Charlie Sheen attend the panel discussion for "Two And A Half Men" during the CBS 2005 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 20, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. CBS television network announced on February 24, 2011 that it has canceled production of its sitcom, "Two and A Half Men", starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones, for the remainder of the season. The network and the show's creator have cited Sheen's public statements, conduct and condition for their decision. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this undated publicity image released by CBS, from left, Charlie Sheen, Angus T. Jones and Conchata Ferrell are shown during the taping of "Two and a Half Men," in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/CBS, Greg Gayne)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

FILE - In this July 20, 2005 file photo, actor Charlie Sheen, right, co-star of "Two and a Half Men," and Chuck Lorre, executive producer of the show, are shown during the CBS portion of the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, file)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

FILE - This Jan. 28, 2009 file photo shows Charlie Sheen in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots