Who could replace Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'? The speculation begins

Now that Charlie Sheen has said his piece in morning show interviews and a live feed on TMZ, it's becoming harder and harder to see "Charlie Harper" ever making his return to the CBS show that had its production shut down for the rest of the season.

So now begins the game of guessing how or with whom CBS and Warner Bros. will proceed Sheen-less with the cash cow of a comedy.

The likeliest option — besides just canceling the show — would be to bring in some kind of replacement. Everyone's replaceable in theory, and someone playing a shallow, womanizing bachelor who works in showbiz would seem to be especially replaceable.

Uncle Jesse ... is that you on "Two and a Half Men"? EOnline reported that John Stamos of feather-haired "Full House" fame — and a recent run on "Glee" — is in talks with CBS to replace Sheen. Stamos has denied any such thing, saying on Twitter last Friday: "Contrary to the rumors, I am not replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. however, Martin Sheen has asked me to be his son."

Who else might fit the bill? Matt Dillon did a hilarious turn recently as a hard-partying guy who never grew up on "Modern Family." The producers could keep it in the family and bring in Sheen's brother, actor-director Emilio Estevez. (I haven't seen him around much since the "Mighty Ducks" sequels, so he's likely available.)  Or they could scrap the whole the replacement idea and build a bigger role for Holland Taylor, who plays the tipsy, manipulative real-estate agent mother.

It wouldn't the first time Sheen was involved in a sitcom switcharoo: He took Michael J. Fox's place on "Spin City," for the show's final two seasons, after Fox left because of advancing Parkinson's disease — one of the seemingly rare occasions in which a show held on after the departure of a leading character. (It's the same conundrum faced by "The Office," which will be bidding farewell to star Steve Carrell, especially since the show's getting long in the tooth as it wraps its seventh season.)

There are plenty of instances of ancillary characters disappearing without notice or a flimsy excuse or just being replaced. Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) went to Costa Rica on "Home Improvement" — and has yet to return. Judy #2 (Jaimee Foxworth, who became a porn star and "Celebrity Rehab" cast member) walked up the kitchen stairs in an episode of "Family Matters" and was never seen on the show again.  On "Roseanne," bratty eldest daughter Becky went from being played by Lecy Goranson to Sarah Chalke (later on "Scrubs"), and then back to Goranson and to Chalke. (Whew!)

But Sheen does not play a minor character, and it would certainly be jarring for a television family — albeit an unusual one — to undergo such a drastic change after seven seasons. It's like "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" minus Jon all over again.

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What do you think? Could John Stamos fit in with the rest of the cast? Who would your ideal replacement be? And how would they write Sheen out of the show? Take the poll and add your own suggestions in the comments.

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Comments

[Thad Marshall]

After Charlie Sheen leaves, his character should be played by a trained animal with no explanation whatsoever.

[Jeannie]

I figure the show only has another year to go and it won't be Two and A-Half Men because the boy will be graduating from high school and a grown man. I thought they would write it so they ended the show with the boy graduating maybe going off to collage with a group of womanizing guy friends. Charlie and his brother going their own way/s. Maybe they get separated by a couple women who marry them. Or they could retire together on some island running a Tiki-Bar. After Allen hits it big in Vegas or the Lotto so the show doesn't end with him owing to Charlie or his two ex's ya know, gotta give Allen a happy ending to his years of suffering.

As it is now though I would write it that Charlie goes away to rehab. No sooner does that happen and Emilio Estevez comes knocking on the door. Turns out he's the illegitimate son to Charlie's deceased father that not even their mother knew about. That should throw a good spin on things to get to the end of the shows run.

Allen could still hit it big in the Lotto in the end and buy himself a Tiki-Bar in the Islands while Charlie recovers but doesn't want to come back to his old life so leaves everything to his new found brother who as it turns out is also a great musician and so takes up where Charlie left off in the advertising and womanizing business.

Ta-Da
THE END

[Novanglus]

Charlie disappears for more than a few days. Social services shows up with a 4-year-old smartmouth boy (Chuck) saying that the mother has died and Charlie is the father. Evelyn agrees to take care of Chuck until Charlie returns. He never does, and she dumps the kid on Alan. Jake starts college nearby and stays at the house, taking on elements of Uncle Charlie's lifestyle.

Voila: Alan, Jake, and Chuck are now the Two and a Half Men...

[Novanglus]

Oh, yeah. And Jimmy Fallon shows up once in awhile as Charlie in cameos.

[Angela]

He could easily be replaced ... some suggestions of other has-been, womanizing, drunks in Hollywood that could fill his stinky shoes - Sean Penn, Robert Downy, Jr. or David Arquette. Or how about Howard Stern? John Stamos is a bit too clean-cut to be a realistic replacement. As for writing Charlie off the show - they could just use existing interviews as part of the show & have the other characters flee the beachhouse to live with Cousin Sean. Unfortunately, I think they are contractually obligated to Charlie for 1 more year, and I would guess that Charlie has great lawyers to hold CBS accountable.

[artie]

There is only one who could do Charlie justice..... Gary Busey

[Joe Slater]

If Charlie goes, I will no longer watch the show...as a matter of fact I will boycott CBS all together.......Changed the star of the best show on television because of two people do not like each other....oh politics!!!!! Goes to show you Lorre has more money than brains........

[Joan]

Charlie Sheen is not the show, the rest of the cast like Conchata Ferrell (Berta) the maid, Rose, the mother and the rest of the cast are just as good. Charlie would not be missed. How about Michael Weatherby from NCIS who plays
Tony as a replacement for Charlie Sheen.

[Bob B.]

The show must go on... and here's how: Have Alan get a phone call that Charlie was in a car wreck (DUI) and in the hospital. They (Alan, Jake and Evelyn,) get there and Charlie is wrapped in bandages from head to toe, being badly burned in the car fire. His arm and hand, the only thing not bandaged, hangs over the bed. He is in a coma and can remain there for as long as needed (until they decide to kill him off or bring him back... without making a rash decision and leaving hope for the Charlie fans) An episode later, Judith loses her house due to the bad investments with Alan as they give him more and more money. Alan, feeling guilty, lets her and Herb (Ryan Stiles) stay with them in Charlie's house. This also gives a much larger role to Ryan who is one of the funniest people on TV. No replacement is needed for Charlie as they already have the core that we have come to know and love. Expand the role for Ryan, Jake and the women: Berta, Evelyn and Judith. Herb and Alan can become best friends and maybe Alan has designs on Judith again now that she is living under the same roof...

[Ronald Gaffin]

Russell Brand is a fantastic call, he really suits that role and it would be easy to do. Charlie is bored of American women so arranges a house swap with his talented songwriter cousin from London. This also gives an escape clause if Sheen cleans up and apologises he may one day come back. That would probably extend the life of the show by a few seasons. My one concern is that he might not have the right chemistry with the rest of the cast to be successful.

I almost choked when someone suggested Depp! If Sheen has no acting range then how on earth can anyone suggest Gervais? He is just not right for the role anyway. Matt Dillon might work, I'd be interested to see it, but not sure I'd enjoy it as much as I do now.

To be honest, I have always thought that Sheen was the show and it will be very hard if not impossible to replace him. I look forward to seeing if and how they move on from here.

[Jackie]

I don't think anyone could replace Charlie Sheen on the show unfortunately. I think the story line should be that Charlie is killed or put into a coma in a drunk driving accident and that the show should use this as a learning tool for everyone right now that think Charlie Sheen is sooo cool. Drugs, drinking, degrading women is not cool. Making fun of other people is not funny either. Maybe is Charlie Sheen sees his character being in a drunk driving accident than maybe he will wake up since he seems to feel he is the character and has lost all sense of reality.

[Kallavasa]

This is hardly an unexpected move on CBS's part. Have Charlie die of an overdose of drugs and alcohol. Bring all his ex-girlfriends on the show to say their good byes. Life goes on after many tragic events in real life, so why not on Two and a Half Men? The other actors/actresses are great and shouldn't have to pay for the rampage of one man.

[jajaja]

@m. morales, who cares if it's charlie sheen, the producers need to give this guy the regular guy treatment, replace him and keep the show coming.

Right with you Paige, he needs help, but unfortunately he'll die soon due to some stupid event, as a former drug counselor i've seen it before and he won't be the last person with popularity that thinks "he's a winner" When he falls face on the ground and can't breath and passes out, thats when he "might" realize somethings wrong, too little too late

[hmmmmmmmmm]

have the producers or actors or both do a formal introduction,
1st thanking the viewers and actors for continuing to support the show.
2nd say something to the effect that, while they value charlie sheen's work and prior commitment , they can no longer support charlie sheen's life choices and for this reason they have made the decision to go on without him and while they hope and will try to reach out to mr. sheen (that he makes the right decision to enter rehab) in hopes he will seek the help he needs. And when the time is right and Mr. Sheen has made the transition back to a sober lifestyle his place will be waiting for him on 2 and half men. Then they can start the 1st episode without sheen.
The perfect scenario that i would start with for a first episode is NOT to replace him from the start.
The 1st episode without sheen should start with perhaps....
concept 1.... Art imitating life. Have the episode mirror sheens life. Except put sheen in rehab on the show. Have the family frantic to drop stuff off to him, talk to him on the phone and at the end of the show, introduce his replacement as a family member thats gifted writing or composing music in his leui, I love the idea of putting him in rehab on the show, because it pays homage to Sheen's actual struggle, whether sheen admits it or not..
concept 2 sheen has left for any number of reasons and they are frantic to find him....
whatever let the writers think of it, am just supporting the idea of Not showing his replacement until the end of the 1st episode without him

[rgbva]

The writing is the best thing about the show--they should keep it going. How about this scenario: Rose kidnaps Charlie and they go off to some remote island together. He occasionally manages to send a postcard home but never actually returns. Allan stays in the house but has no access to Charlie's money, so he needs a roomate. Enter sleazy bachelor #2, and the show goes on.

[Mark Seattle]

Only started watching it this year, but love it (the only show we watch regularly). Reminds me a lot of Seinfeld - not too complicated, always funny with a collection of great characters. Would Jerry do it ?

[FoxCrush]

Move Berta into the house, make her the new "Moe" type, make Alan "Larry" and bring in Kevin James as a transplant to Cali as a "Curly" type!! LOVE KEVIN JAMES>>>

[hawksfan13]

People watch this show? Ugh.

[jnh]

Have Charlie Die,Allen gets the house with Jake add a Charlie like character.
Funny writers and actors, keep it on.

[Michael]

I wonder if CBS has given any thought to talking to Larry Romano, late of The King of Queens, about replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men? It can't hurt to talk to Larry.