Ashton Kutcher is CBS' new Man, replacing fired Charlie Sheen as the star of TV's top-rated comedy Two and a Half Men.
By Evan Agostini, AP
Look who's moving to Malibu: Ashton Kutcher will replace Charlie Sheen but will play a new character.
By Evan Agostini, AP
Look who's moving to Malibu: Ashton Kutcher will replace Charlie Sheen but will play a new character.
CBS and Warner Bros., which produces the show, today will announce that Kutcher will fill a new, undisclosed role in a one-year deal for the show's ninth season, expected to consist of about 24 episodes. Men's future was in jeopardy when Sheen was fired earlier this year after a history of substance abuse, erratic behavior and public tirades against his bosses.
Though plans to hire Hugh Grant, 50, fell apart in recent days when the film star passed on a role in the show, Kutcher was on a list of other prospects and was said to have been suggested by CBS programming chief Nina Tassler. (Kutcher's production company, Katalyst, already has a deal with Warner Bros. to produce reality series and other projects.)
"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 in a statement. "I can't replace Charlie Sheen, but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!"
It's no secret why the show is continuing, even without Sheen: CBS has no other current Monday show that's strong enough to become the 9 p.m. ET/PT anchor of its top-rated block and was loathe to move The Big Bang Theory from Thursday, where it was successfully relocated last fall to establish a new comedy beachhead.
And Warner Bros. stands to reap millions in syndication fees: Men has already been sold to broadcast stations for next season, while a separate deal with FX extends through a possible 10th season. Many of those contracts do not contain so-called "key man" clauses that require Sheen's appearance.
One executive involved in the negotiations expects Kutcher, 33, a charismatic actor with a big female fan base, to bring a younger audience to the show. The executive says the show's producer, Chuck Lorre, felt comfortable with Kutcher as a stand-in for Sheen's cad Charlie Harper, though he will play a different character.
"We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton," Lorre said in a statement. "Added to that is the deep sigh of relief knowing that our family stays together. If I was any happier, it'd be illegal."
A seamless transition is "not a slam dunk," says analyst Brad Adgate of ad firm Horizon Media. "I don't know that he's a TV star of the magnitude that Charlie Sheen has been, but it's worth a shot." Adgate expects a big tune-in for Kutcher's debut but after that, "We're going to know real quick" if the plan peters out or is an acceptable alternative. "It's really a pressure cooker."
The actor started his career as a model, but got his showbiz start at 20 with a role as dimwitted Kelso on Fox hit That '70s Show, which ran for eight seasons. He has since gone on to star in several movies, mostly romantic comedies, married Demi Moore, and began a side hobby on Twitter, where he's amassed more than 6 million followers and teased the news late Thursday by asking, "What's the square root of 6.25?"
As for Sheen, who just a few weeks ago implied he was in talks to reclaim his old job? "Ashton Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer," he said in a statement. "Oh wait, so am I!! Enjoy the show, America."
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