Kutcher sitcom debut takes Sheen off Charlie
Kutcher’s debut in the CBS sitcom on Monday was watched by 27.7 million people. The Nielsen company says that’s more than any other episode in the first eight seasons, when Sheen was the star.
The troubled actor filed a $100 million (€73m) lawsuit for wrongful termination against Warner after his firing, which followed bitter public tirades directed at the studio and the show’s executive producer.
The closely guarded secret of how Sheen’s character Charlie Harper would be killed off was revealed right away during the season premiere: he slipped on a subway platform in Paris and was hit by an oncoming train.
The show opened with Jon Cryer, who played ad writer Harper’s sad-sack brother Alan, speaking at Charlie’s wake in front of a coffin and one of Sheen’s signature shirts. Alan said that it was a sad day for everyone.
“Speak for yourself,” one woman shouted from the audience.
However, the sitcom’s former star and the studio that fired him are said to be drawing closer to a deal to end their legal dispute.
The Los Angeles Times reported that final touches are being put on a deal that would give Sheen about $25m (€18.2m)to settle out of his contract.
Sheen was the highest-paid actor in television, with a per-episode salary reported to be between $1.2m to $2m.
In a recent turnaround, he has been making conciliatory gestures toward his former show.
Appearing at Sunday’s Emmy Awards as a presenter, he addressed the Two and a Half Men cast and crew, saying: “I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season.”
Kutcher plays an internet billionaire who decides to buy the house that had been owned by Sheen’s now-deceased character.
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