Photo: AP Photo
Everyone knows the sweet, funny and slightly raunchy show, “Two and a Half Men.” It was created by Chuck Lorre and is one of the only long running sitcoms left on television. It stars that guy from “Pretty in Pink” and the notorious Charlie Sheen. OK, it used to star Charlie Sheen. If you have been living under a rock for the past year, Sheen had a strange but slightly entertaining breakdown that ended up getting him fired from his day job. So what did this mean for the fate of “Two and a Half Men?” The only logical answer is Ashton Kutcher.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that I have probably seen way too many “That ‘70s Show” re-runs. Ashton Kutcher is the reason why. Although he doesn’t always make four-star movies, you have to admit there is something about him. However, I had my doubts that he could save “Two and a Half Men.” After last Monday’s premiere episode I have to be honest that I still have my doubts.
It wasn’t that Kutcher did a terrible job or that the show handled the whole Sheen-leaving thing badly; it was just so boring. I wasn’t expecting fireworks, but I thought it would have been a little more exciting. After I watched it, I was almost depressed. It was sad seeing Charlie’s funeral. It was awkward the whole episode; they got rid of him that easily by just pushing him in front of a train.
There were some positive things in the episode, though. When Kutcher finally made his grand entrance the crowd went wild, and even though the rest of the episode was awkward and dull, this one moment made you want to run to the door and let Mr. Kutcher in. I think this was the moment viewers needed to lift themselves out of the deep, Charlie-deprived funk. The rest of the episode explains that Kutcher’s character wanted to commit suicide because his girlfriend had broken up with him. Instead he decides the water is too cold and stumbles into Charlie’s pad, which Alan has to sell. Alan takes him out to a bar, they bring home two girls, and in true “Two and a Half Men” fashion, he ends up walking into the kitchen naked the next morning. He also agrees to buy the house.
It sounds like a weird episode, and if you didn’t see it yet, let me tell you that it was. I do, however, believe that this show knows what it is doing. Thirty minutes just isn’t long enough to appreciate the new and improved show. Yes, Ashton Kutcher is not Charlie Sheen. Yes, Charlie made the show, but I’m not giving up hope just yet. Ashton Kutcher has the potential to save this show. He just has to get a good story line first and maybe that will unfold in the episodes to come. Also, I think they should let the half man, Angus T. Jones, have more than three lines next time. We will have to see what this week’s episode brings.