Jon Cryer Comments on Ashton Kutcher Joining “Two and a Half Men” – He’s Thrilled!

After being silent for the last three months, “Two and a Half Men” veteran Jon Cryer is finally talking about the recent changes on the show.

Cryer, who plays Alan Harper, released a press statement saying that he is thrilled that “Men” will be returning and commented,

“I’m jazzed about the news this morning that ‘Two and a Half Men’ is coming back! For all the rest of the cast and crew I’m sure they are equally excited”.

He even thanked his one-time cast mate Charlie Sheen saying,

“I want to express my enormous gratitude to Charlie Sheen for eight great seasons. I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done together and I will miss him. But I’m also looking forward to this new beginning.”

He went on to say the he and Kutcher go way back together and even added a little levity with,

“Ashton is an extraordinarily talented guy and his presence will be an asset to our show. We are old friends from our male-modeling days and we’re both looking forward to being judged for our comedic artistry, as opposed to our exceptional physical beauty”.

CBS and Warner Bro’s announced today that after three months of discussion and reinvention they had hired Ashton Kutcher to replace the fired Charlie Sheen.

Sheen was fired in January for repeated alcohol and drug abuse issues. He is currently suing CBS and Warner Bro’s for $100 million.

Kutcher will NOT be playing the part of Charlie Harper but rather introduced as a new cast member to the existing family. He will pull in almost $900,000 per episode compared to Sheen’s $1.8 million.

Kutcher, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones will form the backbone of the cast while recurring characters like Berta, Rose, Judith Harper, Evelyn Harper and Herb Melnick will round out the cast.

No word yet on exactly how executive producer Chuck Lorre plans to write out Sheen’s character and bring in Kutcher’s, in fact we don’t even now the new characters name or his relationship to the family.

But if we know Chuck Lorre we suspect season 9 could be one of the funniest yet.

Go Chuck!

Related: See the official news release and cast comments

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Ashton Kutcher and CBS Official News Release About Two and a Half Men Season 9

Warner Bro’s, CBS, and Chuck Lorre are probably glad this is all behind them.

They’re probably even happier that Charlie Sheen is out of the picture.

Ashton Kutcher has agreed to a deal to replace troubled, and not winning, Charlie Sheen in the hit CBS sitcom “Two and a Half Men” working alongside Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones.

Kutcher is slated to pull in almost $900,000 per episode through season 9. Production will begin this summer and new episodes will be aired in the fall.

Kutcher says,

“I can’t wait to work with this ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo into the viewer’s home. I can’t replace Charlie Sheen but I’m going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people”.

For his part, Sheen has already thrown in his thoughts telling TMZ,

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

Wow. Sheen sure seems to have a bitter chip on his shoulder regarding all the problems HE has caused all involved. It seems he has fallen out of the spotlight and is no longer winning – but loosing.

Chuck Lorre also chimed in with,

“We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton Kutcher joining our family. Added to that is a deep sigh of relief knowing that our family stays together. If I was any happier, it’d be illegal”.

Lorre is the creator and Executive Producer of the show and was tasked with developing the plot to get Charlie out and a new face in.

Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment added,

"Ashton is a pop culture triple threat-film star, cutting-edge producer and a social media pioneer. 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".

The last party in the triangle is Warner Brothers, whose President said,

"Ashton Kutcher brings a new and distinctive comedic flavor to “Two and a Half Men”. He is a big-time talent whose unique style will blend seamlessly with Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones and the rest of this terrific ensemble. We look forward to a great future for this revamped and reenergized show, helmed as always by the extraordinary Chuck Lorre, whose creative skills and consummate professionalism makes him the best in the business."

So there it is. The deal is done and all parties involved have stepped up to say their piece. The only thing left is to see how they update the story to sneak Kutcher into the plot in a believable way.

I really think if all involved can pull this off that season 9 may make us ask, “Why did they put up with Sheen for so long?”

Now if they can just get past Sheen’s $100 million lawsuit things will have come full circle.

Will you watch season 9? Was Kutcher a good choice? Are you over Charlie Sheen’s antics yet?

Do tell…

See the feuds highlights:

Ashton Kutcher to replace Charlie Sheen on “Men”
Chuck Lorre reaches out to Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen Fired – “Men” season 8 cancelled
Charlie Sheen Bizarre Today Show interview

More Charlie Sheen Posts…
More Chuck Lorre Posts…

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Ashton Kutcher Replacing Charlie Sheen on Revamped “Two and a Half Men” - $900k Per Episode

It’s official.

Multiple sources are reporting that Ashton Kutcher will replace Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men”.

News broke early yesterday that Hugh Grant was also negotiating a deal but things fell apart at the last minute.

CBS, Warner Brothers, and Chuck Lorre have been franticly trying to revamp the popular sitcom before this months “upfronts” where they will have to announce their final strategy and plans.

Reports say that Kutcher will pull in about $900,000 per episode. CBS executive Les Moonves has already signed off on the deal and soon will announce that “Two and a Half Men” is coming back for Season 9.

We also know that Ashton will NOT be playing the role of Uncle Charley Harper, but rather a NEW character introduced into the show.

Charlie Sheen was fired in January for repeated drug, alcohol, and moral issues.

Related: Charlie Sheen Fired From “Two and a Half Men”
Related: Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones to Headline New “Men”

After news broke that Kutcher was the man he tweeted,

"What's the square root of 6.25?"

If you do the math the answer is, in fact, 2 1/2. Get it?

Insiders say creator Chuck Lorre has developed a clever story line to introduce Kutcher in a way that satisfies the network and studio.

Kutcher, who got his start on the popular “That ‘70s Show” with Topher Grace, has also stared on the big screen in My Boss's Daughter, Dude, Where’s My Car, The Butterfly Effect , What Happens in Vegas, No Strings Attached, and Valentine's Day.

Kutcher also executive produced and starred in the hit MTV hidden-camera series Punk’d.

Kutcher just wrapped filming New Year's Eve, a comedy directed by Gary Marshall that tells the story of the lives of several couples and singles in New York that intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve.

It’s going to be weird seeing Kutcher walking around on the set of “Two and a Half Men” but we’re willing to give him a chance. I’m already way past Charlie Sheen at this point.

You can see the CBS, Warner Bro's, Lorre press release here.

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John Cryer and Angus T. Jones to Star in New ‘Two and a Half Men’ without Charlie Sheen – Confirmed

It has been a brutal two months for Chuck Lorre.

Charlie Sheen was fired from his show “Two and a Half Men”, the remaining season was cancelled, and the future of the sitcom was unknown.

While there has been some speculation and many great ideas floated about, we didn’t really know anything solid – until now.

The Inquisitr is reporting that Chuck Lorre has confirmed to them that the remaining parts of the eighth season, and any new shows from that point on, will now focus on Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones character while a possible new character may be introduced.

It’s official – “Two and A Half Men” is BACK!

This was what we were hoping for all along. We knew there had to be a way to keep the show going, and Cryer and Jones are the perfect match to bridge any transition in plot.

One insider said,

“They already have the set, a group of actors with contracts, an audience, and a place to start a new plot. They would have been fools to not try and keep it going – even if it was for just one season to see how it goes. They could have a bigger hit on their hands now than they did with the old show and Sheen. Charlie thinks he’s indispensable – but he’s not.”

The deal most certainly looked attractive to both Cryer and Jones. Sheen was pulling in $1.8 million per episode, Cryer was earning $550k, and Angus (Jake) was making $350k per show.

With Sheen’s salary expense out of the way, producers can afford to spread that love around a little more to the remaining cast and crew – everybody wins.

Except Uncle Charlie.

While it is not clear what impact Sheen’s $100 million lawsuit against Chuck Lorre, CBS and Warner Brothers will have on the shows finances, some smart legal people tell us that Charlie will probably not prevail.

So let’s bring the show back with Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones as the new leads, and weave in larger roles for Herb Melnick (Ryan Stiles), Berta (Conchata Ferrell), Rose (Melanie Lynskey), and of course mother Evelyn (Holland Taylor).

That’s all we ever wanted. We don’t need Charlie Sheen anymore.

Go Chuck Lorre!

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‘Two and a Half Men’ has 50/50 Chance of Returning Says CBS - Decision Soon.

CBS Network brass is still contemplating what to do with “Two and a Half Men”.

With television sweeps starting next month (May), and up-fronts looming, CBS has to make a decision on what to do with season 9 of the once golden sitcom – and fast.

Ever since Charlie Sheen was fired from the show there has been speculation it might return for another season – with or without Uncle Charlie Harper.

Since his firing, Sheen has been on the road with his “Violent Torpedo of Truth” tour and has been telling his audiences that he desperately wants back on the show.

Not so fast says the show’s production staff.

One insider says that there is a 50/50 chance the show will return for another season. And if it does return – there will be changes.

Here is what we know for sure:

- Charlie Sheen is not welcome back on the show.
- Executive producer Chuck Lorre has a plot workaround to either replace Sheen or write him out of the series.
- No official offers have been made to any new actors.
- A decision has to be made before May 18, 2011.
- CBS really does want to try and salvage the show

Chuck Lorre has been telling the media that he has several ideas on how to continue the show – one that increases Jon Cryer’s role, and another puts Ryan Stile’s “Herb Melnick” character in a lead role.

We have also heard a couple unofficial “plot” ideas, sans Charlie Sheen, that all include using the existing actors, sets, writers, and facilities. Seems like a smart idea to us.

Our favorite has Rose downsizing and buying Charlie’s house after he gets thrown in jail in Bangkok. She then allows recently thrown to the curb Herb Melnick to move in with her, Allen, and Jake. Even Berta likes the idea and agrees to stay on.

One insider told reporters,

“The idea would be Rose buys the house and lets Alan, Herb, and Jake live there. We call it ‘Two and a Half Men – and Rose’. There have been lots of variations but it always comes back to the same fundamental movement of actors and their roles. It would be easy – and funny.”

It does sound like a nice clean, and believable, transition that could actually propel the sitcom into a whole new direction – both retaining the old fans and creating new ones.

We say bring us “Two and a Half Men & Rose”

Katie Couric Officially Steps Down From the CBS Evening News

After five years of hosting the Evening News on CBS, Katie Couric has made it official by announcing that she is stepping down from her anchor chair.

Couric never really found a grove with viewers and ratings for her show declined each year.

The network has not announced her last show but is moving to hire Scott Pelley of "60 Minutes" as her successor as early as next week.

Couric’s contract expires June 4 and she says she would like to create and host her own talk show by next year.

Couric's news broadcast was seen nightly by about 6.3 million viewers, the Nielsen Co. said. That's only two-thirds of the usual viewership of 9.8 million for Brian Williams and NBC's "Nightly News." ABC's "World News" with Diane Sawyer gets about 8.7 million viewers.

Couric has released the following statement,

“I’m really proud of the talented team on the CBS Evening News and the award-winning work we’ve been able to do in the past five years in addition to the reporting I’ve done for 60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Morning.

In making the decision to move on, I know the Evening News will be in great hands, but I am excited about the future.”