‘Two and a Half Men’ Creator: Firing Charlie Sheen Was a Moral Decision
Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre has once again attacked the hit show’s former star, Charlie Sheen. “The [studio and the network] chose to make a moral decision as opposed to a financial one,” Lorre told TV Guide, regarding the move to sever ties with the actor. “This was not a game. This was drug addiction writ large. 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.”
“He was a great friend and partner for eight years,” Lorre continued. “Every time he got himself into trouble, we believed that there was healing that was going to come. I certainly believed that sobriety is something that he wants in his life, and I was wrong.” Though he and the producers had attempted to intervene, Sheen’s behavior spun too far out of control last winter. “There was a tragedy unfolding right in front of us. There was violence and blackouts. On a certain level, if you’re looking the other way, you’re responsible. . . You couldn’t do that much cocaine and work. It was falling apart. It was heartbreaking to be around here then.”
Lorre also spoke out about his decision to carry on with Two and a Half Men with Ashton Kutcher as the new lead. “I thought, why not find out if we can do it?,” he said. “If we failed, what have we failed at? Making a sitcom? Then it became exciting. We got to do something none of us ever dreamed of doing: We got to end a series and start a new series in 20 minutes.”
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