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CBS cancels production this season for 'Two and a Half Men'

Actor Charlie Sheen gives a speech before Television producer and writer Chuck Lorre unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles.

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JEREMY HOBSON: The top-rated TV network has a gaping hole in its prime time lineup -- at least for the next few months. CBS pulled the plug on Charlie Sheen and his show, "Two and a Half Men," for the rest of the season. This after the actor trashed talked the show's creators during a radio interview. "Two and Half Men" has more than 15 million viewers.

Marketplace's Janet Babin reports on what the stoppage means for CBS.


JANET BABIN: After a stint in rehab, Sheen was supposed to head back to the set of the "Two and a Half Men" sitcom next week. But the network canceled production for the season after Sheen appeared on the Alex Jones Radio show.

Sheen's bizarre rant attacked the sitcom's creator.

CHARLIE SHEEN: I've spent I think close to the last decade, I don't know, effortlessly and magically converting your tin cans into pure gold. And the gratitude I get is that this charlatan chose not to do his job which is to write.

The production halt puts 200 show employees out of work for the time being -- and, leaves a gaping hole in CBS's Monday night comedy lineup. It remains unclear whether CBS will abandon the show entirely -- or if Sheen, and his $1.8 million per episode salary, will be back to work next season. CBS reportedly took in more than $150 million in ad revenue from last season. Regardless, syndicated reruns of the show are scheduled to air for the next 10 years.

I'm Janet Babin for Marketplace.

mo odonnell's picture
mo odonnell - Feb 26, 2011

Poor sad Charlie. He's not only a crack head, but a crack head with a narcissistic personality disorder. Sure, I feel sorry this toad cost people their jobs, but imagine how much happy they are now! Maybe they should jointly sue CBS for cruel and inhumane working conditions. Why do Charlie Sheen's "rants" sound like the crazy dictator of Libya? Didn't anyone tell these boys that crack, and some stds cause brain damage? Sorry Charlie, just like self-obsessed, nut-job dictators-you CAN be dethroned. What'll you do for crack and ho money now? Take it out of your kids child support?

Teileen M's picture
Teileen M - Feb 25, 2011

Good riddance to Charlie. I can't stand looking at him. His character, both on and off the screen, is lacking. CBS can't find a mature actor capable of pulling off the part? He's so annoying and full of himself. So the fans watch re-runs? I am glad CBS pulled his plug.I do feel sorry for the people working the show whose lives he wrecking.