Why Is Charlie Sheen on Edge? 'He's Cash Poor,' Says Insider

By Rob Shuter Posted Mar 9th 2011 10:04AM

Newly out-of-work actor Charlie Sheen is making his public fight against his ex-bosses at CBS and Warner Bros. Television about defending his honor, but sources very close to the actor tell me the real reason is the guy is "cash poor" and desperately needs the money to maintain his vast, complicated estate.

"Charlie has earned an enormous amount of money with this show, but he has also spent a fortune and now finds himself in the very tricky position of being cash poor," an insider tells me. "Every penny he has is tied up in property or business dealings."

According to my source, what Charlie needs is cold hard cash and "that's why he's fighting so hard to try and get the $16 million he lost when CBS originally suspended production on the eight remaining episodes of this season."

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

Beware former "overlords," Charlie intends to fight to make sure he still gets a big paycheck if the show continues without him, which seems to be the case. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Warners execs and show boss Chuck Lorre are signaling that 'Men' will likely return in the fall. (They're mum on who will replace him.)

Charlie claims to have a so-called 'Michael J. Fox Clause' in his contract, referring to the fact that Michael still earned money from 'Spin City' even after he left the show (and was replaced by Charlie Sheen). Charlie's contract with 'Two and a Half Men' is reportedly based on a similar model, which is why he hopes the show continues without him.

"Charlie wants the show to continue as long as he gets paid," a friend of actor's tells me. "He would like nothing better than to earn money to stay home while someone else does the work."

► Sources: 'Two and a Half Men' Will Carry On Without Charlie Sheen

Another interesting kink in the show's future, via THR: "Existing deals with CBS and syndicators require both Sheen's and Lorre's participation in the show, but Warners execs believe those pacts could be renegotiated if Lorre agreed to return and the right cast came together. And one thing is certain: At least the initial ratings next season would be huge."

In the meantime, the enterprising star is also busy making deals to to put "Winning" and his other catchphrases on T-shirts to capitalize on his elevated profile these days.

I've also learned that Charlie is shopping an interview for $1 million, though since he's been giving them away for free for the past week and a half it's not clear what he could say that would be worth that kind of money!

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Charlie Sheen Snapshots

A hand-written note "To Ging, From one Druggie to Another. Love- C," by Charlie Sheen is inscribed on a page inside the 1991 Consumer Report, The Complete Drug Reference, a gift from Sheen to Porn star Ginger Lynn after her drug incarceration. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Times

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

Porn star Ginger Lynn sits in her Woodland Hills, California home with gift items from actor Charlie Sheen she is about to auction off, March 4, 2011. Lynn used to date Sheen during the '90s. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this photo made Monday, March 7, 2011, television news crews wait across from the entrance to the Mulholland Estates gated community, where actor Charlie Sheen lives, on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this 1989 publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, clockwise from top left, Corbin Bernsen, Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen are shown in a scene from "Major League." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

In this publicity image released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Orion Pictures, top row from left, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, from bottom left, Francesco Quinn and Kevin Dillon is shown in a scene from "Platoon." (AP Photo/Metro Goldwyn Mayer/Orion Pictures)

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM After being fired from his hit television show "Two and a Half Men", Charlie Sheen and one of his "goddesses", Natalie Kenly, stand atop a roof while attending a meeting with Live Nation. Charlie drinks from a bottle of red liquid which has been altered to read "Tiger Blood" and wields a large knife. NON-EXCLUSIVE March 7, 2011 Job: 110307H8 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Charlie Sheen Snapshots

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Tags: Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

Comments

(386)

Wednesday 09 March

By Gary

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I hope the self serving SOB goes totally broke and has to sleep on the street...he should have to pay CBS and Warner since he is the one that totally screwed the show over. Again F-U Charlie!

By mem

Sure, Charlie might have a Michael J Fox type of clause in his contract but my money is on CBS having hundreds of pages of clauses covering everything from drug addiction to morals. The only way he'll win this and all other battles is if he finally admits he has mental problems and gets admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

By Georgre

A morals clause in a Hollywood contract? 90% of Hollywood would be violating it. Actors, Athletes and Aristocrats (politicians), the bigger they get, the worse the moral violation, with all too few exceptions. What to do?
Turn off the tv and get to know your kids, neighbors, and church body. These are the people that matter and who you will count on through life. The rest is a burdensome and mostly negative influence. Clean up your act America.

By BJ

Your poll questions should include: Who NEVER will watch "Three Men" again.

By Sue

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I will always continue watching this show

By ml

A very wise Man once said "To whom much is given, much is expected." I don't think Charlie's response was what the Giver expected.

By JEB BUCKINGHAM

Charlie Sheen's worst enemy is himself.

By shirleyA

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I don't believe this artical.

By themeeker

What's an artical?

So how do you spell article?

I still luv the show, and will continue watching it

By bill

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

article

By nunyabiz222

Two and a Half Men is my favorite show, the best and funniest on T.V., nobody can really replace Charlie, he's the core of the show. They can replace him, but it wouldn't be the same and it won't last long. It'll be another "Jump The Shark" situation.

By nunyabiz

I'm not against gay people, but Charlie's character is a handsome womanizer and David Hyde Pierce is gay to the core. Since he couldn't convince an audience that he's a handsome womanizer, what kind of part could he do on the show?

By Katie

Well, hmmmm,,,,for starters....Neil Patrick Harris (Dougie Howser) has been convincing people he's a womanizer in the show "How I met Your Mother". While it sorta surprised me to find out that he was gay, you really can't deny it when watching him! David Hyde Pierce is a funny actor but you'll NEVER convince an audience that he is a womanizing he-man!

Cash poor and morally bankrupt...it's a matched set.

By Ralph Zuccaro

Its a pure Hollywood life -style - Things never change their in policy or MORALS!!!

By terz

What is the show two and a half men all about, its about uncle charley who has no morals and is a lush and a pig who porks everything in sight, what is charley sheen all about, he is a lush an adict and a pig with no morals nor manners just like the
character he portrays and CBS fires him, there the insane one, no one can replace uncle Charley, the need to create a new character and I would go with Rob Lowe.

I really PITY the poor SOB--All involved in this mess, Moonvez, Lorrie and Sheen, should ALL get their Rabbis Together at their favored SINNERGOGUES and discuss their GREED problem with each other!!!!!

By Whoa

Dude, chill.

By mcl

Tell us how you REALLY feel.

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