It's official: Ashton Kutcher replaces Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'

CBS confirms the comedy will return in the fall, not at midseason

By Daniel Fienberg Friday, May 13, 2011 1:03 PM

Ashton Kutcher

Credit: Evan Agostini/AP

You read the breathless breaking news version.

You even followed @aplusk's cryptical mathematical tweets.

But now, the news is truly official: Ashton Kutcher is joining the cast of CBS' "Two and a Half Men," effectively replacing the departed Charlie Sheen.

CBS, normally a network to play all of its pre-upfronts cards very, very close to the vest -- Note how few reports you've seen regarding CBS pilot pickups or bubble decisions -- announced Kutcher's casting in a press release on Friday (May 13) morning.

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

A tribute to CBS' success with maintaining secrecy, Kutcher's name only hit the rumor mill on Thursday, just one day after Hugh Grant's name was floated as a former replacement for Sheen, who was fired from "Two and a Half Men" in March.

"Ashton is a pop culture triple threat—film star, cutting-edge producer and a social media pioneer," states Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "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 CBS announcement gives no indication of Kutcher's character or how said character will be brought into the many-layed Twoandahalfmeniverse

The key piece of actual fresh news in the CBS release is that "Two and a Half Men" will resume production this summer and will be back on CBS in the fall. There had been speculation that the retooling pursuant to Sheen's departure and the addition of a new character might cause executive producer Chuck Lorre to request that the comedy be held for midseason. That won't be the case and Lorre sounds almost giddy in the release.

"We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton joining our family," states Lorre. "Added to that is the deep sigh of relief knowing that our family stays together. If I was any happier, it'd be illegal."

As you already know, Kutcher's TV credits include his storied run as Michael Kelso on FOX's "The '70s Show," as well as his capacity as producer on "Punk'd," "Beauty and the Geek," "True Beauty" and, of course, "The Beautiful Life: TBL." He has also made movies.

CBS' full schedule will be revealed on Wednesday, May 18 at the network's upfront presentation to advertisers.

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Ryan

This news guarantees I will watch 'Men' as much as I did before, which is not at all.
May 13, 2011 at 2:22PM EST Reply to Comment
Like I've said in Alan's side, if 'Men' expresses a change of formula (i.e. "man-whore"/nice guy combo) and have the characters undergo some change then 'Men' would be a lot more interesting and the content of the show wouldn't stagnate, staying on 1 formula for far too long. Additionally, the new 'Men' shouldn't attempt to outdo/mimic the old 'Charlie Sheen'-era of 'Men'. Some examples of shows stagnating due to formula: American Idol, Law and Order, Dexter, Nurse Jackie, and etc. Also, sticking on a formula for far too long will not allow a show to creatively grow to new levels.

...or maybe I just hate formulas in general.
May 13, 2011 at 2:46PM EST Reply to Comment
- The reason I write this is because I'm witnessing a lot of thoughts that Ashton can "fill in" Charlie's role of being a 'man-whore' or being 'Charlie Harper'-esque. This would be a mistake, in my opinion.
  May 13, 2011 at 2:49PM EST

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It's official: Ashton Kutcher replaces Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'