Hollywood Loves a Happy Ending, But Has Charlie Sheen Gone Too Far?

By Sarah Crow Posted Mar 7th 2011 04:00PM

Hollywood scandals are nothing new, but in recent years, an increasing number of celebrities have pushed their luck to the absolute limit with few consequences.

Charlie Sheen is the latest in a long line of celebrities to break down in a very public manner, airing his grievances to anyone who will listen. Yet, despite his multiple arrests, substance abuse problems, domestic violence allegations and a long history of biting the hand that feeds, Charlie Sheen is still commanding the spotlight in Hollywood.

In the past few months alone, Sheen has trashed a pricey hotel room while frightening his porn-star companion enough to call the police on him, admitted to a marathon drug binge, allegedly threatened to kill his estranged wife, spent time in the hospital, lashed out at the creators of his his hit TV show and provided what seems to be irrefutable proof of some kind of mental break. Despite all of this, sources for RadarOnline.com say that CBS is still trying to mitigate the damage caused by the public feuding between Sheen and Chuck Lorre and are even trying to work out a deal in which Sheen can return to his role on 'Two and a Half Men.'

Dr. Shanthi Mogali, a New York City addiction psychiatrist, says of the public fascination over Sheen's behavior, "People are interested in chaotic lives, just like people are interested in reality TV -- you can relate to the people, but the problems they're having are blown out of proportion. You can say to yourself, 'I may do cocaine or I may drink, but at least I don't look like that.'"

So what does it take for fans to turn their back on a beloved star?

There are some stars whose scandals have irreputably damaged their careers. While there are still legions of loyal fans who still display their devotion to Chris Brown (particularly on Twitter), his talent is still overshadowed by his personal life. His name is rarely referred to without some mention of his violence against ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

For Jesse James, a uniquely potent combination of cheating on Sandra Bullock and posing for some highly questionable photos was tantamount to a death sentence for his public image.

Yet for other Hollywood leading men, their scandals have become rarely mentioned jokes, not career killers.

Rob Lowe, who rose to fame in the '80s as a member of the Brat Pack, is more famous these days for his high-profile TV and film career than his late-80s sex scandal. One of the earliest sex tape stars, in 1988, Lowe was filmed engaging in sexual activity with two girls, one of whom was a minor. After a stint in rehab for alcohol and sex addiction, his bad behavior seems to be a thing of the past, and is rarely mentioned at all these days.

Hugh Grant, whose floppy-haired good looks earned him high praise in movies like 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' and 'Notting Hill,' surprised fans when he was busted by police for engaging in a lewd act with prostitute Divine Brown. Although Grant was in a relationship with Elizabeth Hurley at the time of his arrest, the couple didn't call it quits for another few years, and Grant's career has continued to soar ever since.

While Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood's leading men these days, there was a time when the 'Iron Man' star was such a liability that insurance companies for films refused to cover him. Despite a lengthy drug addiction, a history of erratic behavior, failure to show up on sets and multiple arrests, once Downey got clean, his enormous talent was once again embraced on the silver screen, earning high praise for his roles and scoring multiple award nominations.

So how much more will Hollywood take of Charlie Sheen's bad behavior? From accidentally shooting Kelly Preston in the early '90s to his most recent "winning spree," it doesn't seem like Sheen's roller-coaster ride is coming to an end any time soon. But it all depends on how eager audiences are to watch someone spiral out of control.

Mogali says, "With Charlie Sheen, [his problems] have turned into this never-ending cycle with the media, which feeds this grandiose behavior he's been exhibiting. For the general public, it's just entertainment. People love to see drama."

In the end, only time will tell if Sheen will resolve his issues and get back to work. A clean drug test, however, isn't the only indicator that Sheen is ready to once again handle the pressures of Hollywood. "The average person who comes in for addiction treatment has problems with mood regulation, sleep, and some people even exhibit psychotic behavior. It takes six to 12 months for those chemicals in the brain to become regulated again," says Mogali. "If you look at someone like Charlie Sheen who doesn't think that there's any mood disorder going on, you want to motivate them. With checks and balances in their life, they might see that they do need some help."

See fans suggest who could be the next Charlie Sheen -- both on 'Two and a Half Men' and in the headlines:

Tags: charlie sheen

Comments

(12)

Monday 07 March

By sue

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We have been followers of his show and loved it. WE ARE SO DONE! NOT EVER WATCHING CHARLIE AGAIN, but of course he's WINNING! Not so much with his eternal soul. Sorry Charlie. This is only your temporary home.It's a shame you do not realize that.

By K

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Not only is he a very sick man, but he is a Genuis. He is getting what he wants, attention. Everyone wants him now.....

By JACKIE

Well, after the tyrading on having tigers' blood and calling his girlfriends goddess' something seems drastically wrong with Charlie Sheen. Normal people don't act this way. I love two and a half men. Charlie Sheen should apologize to all and see if the show can be salvaged. He is being paid a large amount of money to entertain and do a job. Not carry on like a child throwing a temper tantrum. I don't blame his ex-wife he is unstable to care for young children.

By Charlotte

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To Charlie Sheen My wish for you is to get well and be happy

Tuesday 08 March

By Rose-Marie Noa

I stopped watching 2 & 1/2 Men a long time ago. Charlie plays himself in the show & he's not someone I enjoy abusing himelf the way he does. He has definitely lost his looks & is looking older. I feel he is going to crash & burn very soon & I have seen enough train wrecks in my time, I dont want to see another. His antics are boring & he is getting too much press coverage & people are soon going to say "Ho Hum" not HIM again. He is winning all the way to the grave!!!

By YellowRose3218

Yes, Charlie has gone too far, and he doesnt see it because of his drug abuse. I am sure the man will be rewarded with more job offers though. In hollywood, its seems the more a person messses up, the more work they get.

By Susan Clark

I've recently been diagnosed with bipolar and, to me, he seems to be suffering from some severe bipolar manic episodes.
He needs to see a psychiatrist and psychologist that will help him, not let him continue on his tirade so they can get paid. He obviously is bipolar and needs medication to stabilize him. Once these greedy 'high profile' psychiatrists and psychologists realize this and get over themselves, perhaps this poor man will finally get back to himself.
It's not easy for us with bipolar. For those calling him a child, you all need to educate yourself about mental illnesses. Actors and actresses, along with any other high profile careers, are very susceptible to these illnesses. The high stress factor and loneliness is a HUGE issue.

Charlie...demand the help you need and deserve. Quit letting these greedy people destroy you for your money.

By Eleanor Peters

Charlie Sheen is human just like the rest of us. Any one who lives in Hollywood gets or has a breakdown after a while. The pace of living is impossible to keep up with. I am sure Charlie will be ok now. Hollywood is not done with him. His personality is to great just to be lost. He will go on to bigger and better things. Although I love a good movie I would not want to be a part of it. I like the quiet pace of life spent with my children and friends. I wish him well and with a good future. I am sure he could not get off of the roller coaster untill it stopped. Cheers to you Charlie as the sun always shines after a storm. motherbird.

By joanslotnick

I wish Charlie Sheen well, but I think he has killed his own career this time. He seems totally irrational and gone off the deep end. He has been much more vocal in his rantings and done more crazy things then Grant, Lowe or Downey. Also, none of these other men were married or had children at the times they did their stupide things. He needs to take time out, clean himself out of the drug situation and hopefully get back on the right track.

By Heather

I am so over Charlie Sheen. Never really was a fan of him personally. The show was funny but he didn't make the show on his own. It was the chemistry with all THREE of the stars that made it work. I would rather see them cancel the show altogether and start a spinoff adding in new characters. I think a spinoff would survive much longer than attempting to do the same old thing with a new guy. There have been lots of very successful spinoffs so it could work.
I hope something else happens that puts Charlie out of the limelight for awhile. I am tired of having to turn the channel so I don't have to listen to his rants.

By OhGodYes

Yes, he has gone too far-no happy ending for him-i no longer respect him & once thats lost-there is nothing left..NEXT>>>

yes, its like we are being abused now-by him-his rantings and nonsense are being forced upon us from every direction-He belongs in a mental institution & we shouldnt have to be exposed to such trash....there is no room for that kind of trash in this world....no wonder the children now days have such a rough time...look what they have to emulate

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