Ashton Kutcher Signs Short Contract for 'Two and a Half Men'

By AOL TV Editors Posted May 23rd 2011 09:01AM

Last week it was all smiles as Ashton Kutcher attended CBS's annual upfront presentation in New York as the new face of top-rated comedy, 'Two and a Half Men.'

Now it seems as though Warner Bros. and CBS may not be making longterm plans for the veteran series with Kutcher.

'The Wall Street Journal' reports that Kutcher's new deal, which will net him an estimated $750,000 per episode, is only for one year, even though executives are still said to be keen to continue the money-spinning 'Men' for at least another two or three years.

'Men' was renewed for Seasons 8 and 9 back in 2010, before star Charlie Sheen's very public meltdown and exit. With Kutcher's signing it seemed like a new era was about to start for the veteran series, which is due to enter its ninth season in the fall.

So why the one-year deal? If CBS decides to renew 'Men' beyond Season 9, then Warner Bros. could either renew Kutcher's contract or could look for a replacement. A short deal also gives Kutcher an escape clause in case he decides to quit the show after one lucrative season.

Kutcher will join existing 'Men' stars Holland Taylor, Angus T. Jones and Jon Cryer when the show returns, and creator Chuck Lorre greeted the news of his signing with an emphatic thumbs-up: "We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton joining our family. ... If I was any happier, it'd be illegal."

Nina Tassler, President of CBS Entertainment was similarly enthusiastic. She said in a statement: "He brings creativity, energy and personality to everything he touches. We are thrilled to have him, and excited beyond words for what he brings to the next season of 'Two and a Half Men.'"

Meanwhile, in an interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter', Warner Bros. CEO Peter Roth isn't giving anything away: "The specifics are literally still being worked out. This is such a dynamic process that I'm sure [executive producer] Chuck [Lorre] will have a number of different thoughts and will write towards the extraordinary strengths of Ashton as we go through the process. What I can tell you is that we're very excited about Ashton's presence in the show."

See more at TV Squad.

Tags: ashton kutcher, Two and a Half Men

Comments

(31)

Monday 23 May

By GEORGE

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WRITE THE SHOW AROUND THE KID GET RID OF THE CRYING CRYER KEEP THE GRANDMOTHER AND THE FAT BROAD

By Koz

Stick the old fork in the show it is done. Good thing they only signed him for only a year;smart move.

By Lopez5231

I think Charlie Sheen is the show, no matter who they put in there it wont work.

By ken

it dont matter who you get without charlie i will not watch the show Lorre is the real loser CHARLIE RULES

By Hbowman

It will be a totsalkly diffeent show with Kutcher, but I hope it succeeds. Kutcher is a talented guy. I'll be watching.

By nick

Ought to be interesting. I'll at least give it a chance having watched the show since the beginning but I don't have high hopes. They should have just made a spin-off or something rather than still call the show "Men."

By sosgeorgelegacy

This show without Charlie would be like "I Love Lucy" without Lucy. They should just change the name and start over, such as when "Valerie's Family" became "The Hogan Family" when Valerie Harper left. (How's that for dating myself. Ha!) The point is, with Kutcher, what will remain is more "Three Stooges" than "Two and a Half Men."

By lorshore633

i have nothing against Ashton but he should really clean himself up. He always looks like a mess-cut your hair-change your clothes-

By Martha

I like Ashton Kutcher but be it can't fix two and half men without Charlie Sheen. Someother show maybe. Turn out the lights the party is over.

By Wow

So it's still 1 1/2 men!

By Emily

I love my idea of the show,it would be great if youwould use it or think about it.....They should write "Manny Quin" in the show.

Charlie feels really badthat he is cheating with Rose on Manny. So heis so distraught anddrives off of acliff.He thenleaves all of his money to Manny so, Alan, Rose, Berta and their mother try to do what they can to get his money, but Manny Quin needs to be there to sign papers in order to get the money, that would take one season of the show and then maybe by then, the show would bring Charlie back or just let the show die.....

I don't like Ashton Kutcher, but if they wrote him in the show as the lawyer that is trying to get the papers signed, he could act like a goof ball lawyer and try to get the money himself but he can't find Manny Quin by himself without Rose.

That is just part of an idea that CBS could use.....

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