Ashton Kutcher replaces Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men

Don't doubt Andrew Morton...

As I've said before, only Chuck Lorre can make Charlie Sheen seem sympathetic.

 

Have to think Charlie's gonna die in the sack. Heart attack during a three-way, something like that. I don't give this show much of a chance without him, though.

 

That would be a really dumb move. They could keep the Charlie character involved in the show by having him taking off with two strippers on a round-the-world round-the-world jaunt.
Kutcher could be a half- or stepbrother.

 

I think they'll get 2-3 seasons out of it. It might be According to Jim quality, but it's in syndication so they won't care.

 

I think everyone has just assumed it will still be set at the Malibu place, but really they could just have Cryer's character move in with some other guy. Maybe he moves to New York and shares an apartment with Kutcher, who plays a sportswriter.

 

That was the rumor right after Kutcher was signed, that he was going to play some sort of relative/step-relative.

 

I give it one season. Many others have tried and failed to keep the magic going without a central character, especially in a sitcom. News Radio after Phil Hartman, Eight Simple Rules after John Ritter. Even Happy Days without Ron Howard. Doughnut shows with a hole in the middle. Even with a great ensemble, it's hard to make it work. The audience is smart enough to realize there's something missing.

 

Dick Sargent thinks this is a good idea. And Chuck Lorre gets a pass, having survived Roseanne and Brett Butler

 

Kutcher is a good TV comic actor. But he's doomed. The whole point of this show was Charlie Sheen playing himself. Then he was fired for getting TOO GOOD at playing himself. Now Kutcher is supposed to be a kindler, gentler reprobate. Who wants to watch a timid reprobate?

 

Survived? He rode both into syndication. He should be thanking God for Roseanne and the fact that people were stupid enough to think Brett Butler is funny.

 

You really think they're going to make Kutcher's character timid?

 

I think somehow the show should somehow go back in time, with Ashton as a young Charlie and Alan looking exactly the same.