Two and a Half Men's Chuck Lorre "Was So Afraid" Charlie Sheen Would Die
Credit: John M. Heller/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
Charlie Sheen may be on the straight and narrow these days, but that doesn't stop his former Two and a Half Men boss Chuck Lorre from reflecting on what could have been.
In a new interview with TV Guide, the CBS showrunner opens up for the first time about his motivations behind shuttering the primetime hit in the wake of Sheen's addiction troubles, and admits he just couldn't stand by and watch his friend self-destruct.
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"The [studio and the network] chose to make a moral decision as opposed to a financial one. This was not a game. This was drug addiction writ large," Lorre told TV Guide of his decision to give Sheen, 46, the boot in March 2010 and put the show on a forced hiatus. "This was big-time cocaine, and in his own words, an 'epic drug run' that could have ended with either his death or someone else's."
Lorre knew cutting Sheen loose was a necessary evil.
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"I was so afraid my friend was going to die," admits Lorre, who was derided as a dictator in interviews given by his one-time star. "When we would shoot a show on a Friday night, there was always that 'I'll see you Monday. I hope.' The holidays were the worst, because those long stretches of time were the ones we feared the most," Lorre recalls. "You couldn't do that much cocaine and work. It was falling apart. It was heartbreaking to be around here then."
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Telling TV Guide the "Charlie Sheen debacle" will forever follow his series -- which now stars Ashton Kutcher -- Lorre confirms he still has a soft spot for Sheen.
"I cared for him deeply. We had a great time," says Lorre. "We succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. Sometimes I'll watch the reruns and I'll go, 'That was worth watching.' I'm proud of what we did."
Tell Us What You Think
7First mistake Lorre made was producing the show at a slow pace I would have canned a full season in a week or two. That way you're no so dependent on an actor continuous good health or behaviour over a long period of time. You just need to make sure they sober up for two weeks. After that they can do whatever the hell they want with their own lives!
I agree you need to bring him back. The writers are killing this show with their ridiculous shows. Really growing up with a gorilla? What are they thinking...bring Charlie back.
Good to hear. So when are you bringing him back. Swollow your pride, he wants to come back, and all the fans want him back. Him and Alan are the show. Bring Him Back!!!!
Bring back Charlie!! Ashton isn't cutting it. Although last night's story was VERY good with Ashton's character having a chimpanzee as a brother, very cute.
Loved the show better with Charlie! Sorry Ashton but it's true! Ashton is still a good actor but not for this show.. BRING BACK CHARLIE!!!!!!!
Okay, listen up Chuck Lorre: I applaud you for being so concerned about your "friend" but enough is enough: The ratings have been falling steadily since the show premiered. Why? Because as hard as he tries, Ashton is no Charlie. Charlie made that show what it was. He was the glue to that show, he and Cryer. There are PLENTY of ways you can bring back Charlie's character... You can make an epic season finale by revealing that he isn't really dead, but that Rose had kidnapped him and stuffed him someplace. It'd be epic to have the phone ring in the last few seconds and have Allan pick up the phone and go, "Charlie?" and have the screen fade to black. Bottom line is that your fans want Charlie back. I can't count the many times I've started laughing because of something he or someone else did. Its not the same without Charlie-even the writing isn't the same!
interesting