Ashton Kutcher replaces Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'

CNN Entertainment ^ | 05/16/2011 | CNN Wire Staff

[SeekAndFind]

It's official: Ashton Kutcher is filling the gap left by Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men."

"I can't wait to get to work with this ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in viewers' homes," Kutcher said Friday in a statement released by CBS and Warner Bros. Television.

"I can't replace Charlie Sheen but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!"

Kutcher, who gained his early fame on a TV sitcom, "That 70s Show," has more recently been seen on the big screen. His last film was "No Strings Attached," which hit theaters in January.

He's also made his mark as a TV executive producer, most notably for MTV's hidden-camera show "Punk'd."

"Ashton is a pop culture triple threat -- film star, cutting-edge producer and a social media pioneer," said Nina Tassler, the head of CBS Entertainment. "He brings creativity, energy and personality to everything he touches. We are thrilled to have him."

CBS and Warner Bros. did not disclose how much Kutcher will earn. Sheen, who is embroiled in a lawsuit over his sudden dismissal from the show in March, was earning a reported $2 million for each episode.

Sheen responded to the news by praising Kutcher while taking a shot at the show's executive producer, Chuck Lorre.

"Ashton Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer. Oh wait, so am I!!," Sheen said in a written statement. "Enjoy the show America. Enjoy seeing 2.0 in the demo every Monday, WB. Enjoy planet Chuck, Ashton. There is no air, laughter, loyalty, or love there."

[Texas Eagle]

How old is the half-man? About 30?

[Sacajaweau]

Somehow I think this is all part of a clever plot (and future lawsuit) to suck Sheen's bank account for non-performance...and also deny him the commish on re-runs.

Ashton as Charlie?? Ridiculous. That's like Jack Be Nimble playing the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk.

[EEGator]

They are speaking of things like Facebook and Twitter. I think it said he has 6 million followers.

[svcw]

Wow. If just having groupies makes you a pioneer that is a pretty low bar.

[Tupelo]

Ashton Kutcher?
Isn't he Demi Moore's boy toy?
Just curious since I no longer can keep up with the coming and goings in Hollywood.

[DJ MacWoW]

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[EEGator]

Yes, the bar is low. I think he was the first to get X amount of followers or something like that...for what it’s worth.

[jmcenanly]

The limiting factor on this show would not be the two fully grown leads, but Angus T. Jones, the juvenile actor. He was 10 years old when the series started in 2003. He'll be 18 in October. Sitcoms generally have a life expectancy of 7 years. If it runs longer than that, you would probably want characters who don't age out of their roles.

[Living Free in NH]

pulling out one Dick and quickly slipping in a new Dick

It seemed almost impossible to say that and not be filthy, but you pulled it off. Bravo.

[dfwgator]

Yup. They certainly won’t be able to get away with pulling out one Dick and quickly slipping in a new Dick like they did back in the old days...

"'The New Dick'.....it's short and sweet and everyone wants to see it."

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Ashton Kutcher?
Isn’t he Demi Moore’s boy toy?

---

He would take exception to the term you use. Yes, he’s about 15 years younger than her, but get this -— THEY’RE MARRIED (and have been for 6 years).

[Oratam]

Alan finally kills Charlie. One wisecrack too many and Alan splits his skull.

Realizing that if they tell the authorities about the crime they will lose the Malibu beach home, the vehicles, the income, etc., both Jake and Berta agree to keep Alan's crime a secret.

Wacky P.I. Michael Kelso (Kutcher), having relocated to southern California, is convinced Charlie was murdered. He repeatedly shows up at the house unannounced in various disguises hoping to get a confession.

The show is cancelled midway through the first episode.

[traderrob6]

Dick York, Dick Sargent, Sergeant York... coincidence, I don’t think so.

[handmade]

grungy toy boy replacing truther moron..
More accurate.

[Oztrich Boy]

What’s odd to me is in the show, they live in CHARLIE’S house. How are they going to explain Charlie not being there,

Chuck Cunningham on Happy Days

"We have always been at war with Eastasia"

[RJS1950]

Yeah, he played that role well because like Sheen in 2-1/2 Men he played himself.

[RJS1950]

It’s akin to a sticker I saw in 72.

Don’t switch Dicks in the middle of a screw; Vote for Nixon in 72.

[ssaftler]

That kid ain’t no “half” anything anymore.

Well, that may be the point of bringing in Kutcher. The kid moves to a full man, and Kutcher is the new half.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Good luck with that. Look for it to be $h!tcanned by mid-season.

You don't know what you're talking about. Bringing in the long lost cousin to replace a main character has always worked so well on sitcoms in the past... /s

[dfwgator]

You don't know what you're talking about. Bringing in the long lost cousin to replace a main character has always worked so well on sitcoms in the past... /s

Would have been real funny if they brought in Ted McGinley.