Who Could Replace Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'?

By Jo Piazza Posted Mar 9th 2011 01:00PM

Everyone and their mother has been auditioning in jest to be the replacement Charlie Harper on 'Two and a Half Men' now that Charlie Sheen has officially been axed from the show. Replacing a beloved character is tricky business, though. Some shows fail miserably. We are indeed talking about the time 'Roseanne' replaced one blonde actress with another back in 1993 and simply expected no one to notice. But other replacements add value to the show. While Michael J. Fox was certainly missed from the cast of 'Spin City' when he left that show to spend more time with his family, Sheen of all people proved to be an excellent substitute.

Now we don't expect Warner Brothers to try to pull the wool over our eyes and simply create a new Charlie Parker out of whiskey and pixie dust and pretend nothing happened (although we hear Matt Dillon is available). But if the show continues someone will need to step in to bolster the one and a half remaining men. Who could possibly be up for the job?

1. Rob Lowe - He seems to be the money shot for 'Men' producer Chuck Lorre, who has reportedly already taken meetings with the actor. We love Rob. But we don't know if he is just right. Sure, he has a bad boy past, but it is so in the past that it is practically buried. The role requires someone just a little bit grittier, naughtier and we'll just say it, less pretty. No one wants to see Cryer and that kid's mugs next to someone so chiseled and pristine as Rob Lowe -- except for Sheen himself, who gives the actor his endorsement. "Rob's an old friend and a brilliant actor. And he's a beautiful man," Sheen told PEOPLE.

2. Andrew McCarthy or Judd Nelson - Is it unfair to lump these two together? Not at all. "If producers are looking for casting ideas to fill the gaping Sheenless hole of 'Two and Half Men,' they need to look no further than 'Pretty in Pink' -- the movie that made Sheen's co-star, John Cryer, beloved by all teenage girls in the '80s," says Yahoo Shine's Piper Weiss. "It should so obviously be Andrew McCarthy. If producers haven't approached Duckie's former nemesis they're not doing their job. Andrew could channel his 'Weekend at Bernie's' persona, the laid back type, that perpetually aggravates the straight Jon (be it Silverman or Cryer)." If McCarthy isn't available, we think his brat pack counterpart Judd Nelson could fill Sheen's shoes. "Nelson would be quite believable as a bloated, past-his-prime lothario," says Crushable Editor-in-Chief Lilit Marcus.

3. Andy Dick - Yeah, that's right, Andy Dick. Because who's crazier than Charlie Sheen? Andy Dick is. "AD was just caught having sex in a bathroom and then seen doing blow in his car, so I think he can continue the 'bad boy' tradition," says radio host Cooper Lawrence. "Plus he's really funny."

4. Emilio Estevez - Crazier things have happened. "Charlie Sheen's career got a huge pump of adrenaline with 'Two and a Half Men,' and it's only fair that Emilio should get a shot, too," says Ronnie Karam, senior editor at TVGasm.com. "If he's too unstable, Scott Baio could do it, too. Charles has been waiting to be back in charge."

5. Heather Locklear - When all else fails you can't go wrong with a blonde. She was ratings gold for 'Spin City' and 'Melrose Place,' old and new. She could definitely pull off a long lost cousin on 'Men.' "I might even start watching if that happened," HollywoodLife.com Senior Editor Chris Spargo told us. "Plus hiring a woman might be a pretty smart PR move for CBS and Warner Bros."

Follow Jo on Twitter

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

Tags: charlie sheen, Two and a Half Men

Comments

(609)

Wednesday 09 March

By Elisa

Vote down Vote up Report this

You are soooo right!

By stillATtheBaseBallPark

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

i think the only thing that is wrong with this show is it's redundant story line - but to watch it once in a while is a good thing , so i hope they can keep it on the air - i say rob lowe .

By can't be downy

i'd agree with robert downy jr ( forgot about that guy ) but he will end up in the same boat down the road as sheen is right now .

By nunyabiz

A Woman to replace Charlie?? That's nuts!!! It's Two and a Half MEN!!!! Not One and a Half Men and a Woman!!! NOBODY CAN REPLACE CHARLIE!!! Hopefully he'll get help and get back on the show after he and Chuck Lorre patch things up and tape the next season!!! Everyone on the show and crew will be paid, and I for one will be glad to know what happens to the cast at the end, just like Mash!!!

By steve b

Herss the plan. Herb gets kicked out by Judith. Charlie disappears and leaves Alan hi money. Now there is a new kid... the baby and the disfunction of 2 ex jilted husbands both craving the same woman. I for one like it. Jake can go to school and be a part time flop.

By Garry Neel

I agree with you, Steve b. This way, if Sheen does get the help that he needs, he may be able to return to the show at some later date. That would be a win-win, it would seem to me at least.

By Diana

I would continue to watch the show - depending on who replaces Charlie. I would NOT watch if it is Rob Lowe. I think John Stamos would be a good replacement.

By cheyennehartman

I don't think Charlie should be replaced how can you criticize someone for practically being their self on a show, a drunk thats witty, rich and likes hooking up and women??? sound familiar? When your paying someone millions of dollars to play a roll like that I would almost guarantee you would pick up a new habit too.... I'm not saying crack is good or he should be doing it but have you ever heard of the saying keep work at work and home at home? I think he is a very funny, smart individual and everyone has there downfalls especially when your young,cute and rich like him!!! all i can say people is STOP hating and pay attention to your own lives and kids and stop pointing fingers when you know DAMN well your own hands aren't clean!!!! and you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about america!!!!

By mbg

Heather Locklear has also been on the show - as Alan's divorce lawyer. I don't think they can or should bring in a new Charlie. Let's not forget that next season was already scheduled to be the LAST season.

By ocrose

I thought Heather had been on the show. I was trying to remember what role she'd had. The author of this article must not have watched the show much.

By buddy

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Russel Brand, William Shatner or Steve Martin are at the top of my list .....

By vegas10s

CBS, read these posts....they're your "bread'n butter."

John Stamos seems to be the best fit. He's not had much, if any, bad press, which makes him the best fit.

The other possible replacements, as mentioned in this article don't seem to be the best fit.

My 2½

By Jules

Either John Stamos or David Hyde Pierce.

By Lisa

David Spade.

By WILLIAM SOWLES

Hell, I'd do it for a Million a year for the life of the show and that's no BS!

By Laurie

People that say bring Charlie Sheen back, the problem with that is he burnt his bridges. Remember don't bite the hand that feeds you. He did both and more. Only he is to blame for his bi-polor behavior. As he is pointing his finger remember 3 are pointing back at him. SORRY CHARIE You lose.

By Irv

Joel Murray. I saw him the other day coaching his kid's basketball game. He kind of looks like CS but is way funnier.

By CW

Robert Downey Jr. would be my choice. Looks similar, similar back ground, in control, and funny.

By onoudont

Just so playing the part doesn't bring him down. Some people really get into the role and start to live like the character they are playing.

By RC Vickerman

Swami Carlos owns CBS and Warner Bros. and will be back in all of his glory! See you Soon, RC Vickerman

Page 4 of 31