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.

***

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.

RELATED

Show Tracker: Charlie Sheen's publicist 'respectfully resigns' after latest round of actor's media outbursts

— Rick Rojas

Comments

[Bill Roll]

The best sitcom on TV is finished without Sheen. The executive's that fired him owe Charlie half their salary. Without him, and the stars like him, they don't have a business. Therefore, they should be fired.

[Jacqui]

Two and a Half Men is hiliarious with Charlie Sheen because he is playing himself although a much toned-down version. Robert Downey, Jr. would be perfect for the role as Charlie. Of course, he would be quitting movies. Another choice would be Johnny Depp. Wait a moment, can you imagine!

[DJ]

I think the rest of the cast is strong enough that the show cannot go on without Sheen. Hugh Grant or Robert downey Jr or how about getting Rob Lowe off of the crummy show he is on now.

[CAROL LEWIS]

i think charlie should disappear, maybe in a boating accident, only to reappear as charlie, only using another name, uncle bob. hes been hiding from many angry men who had gotten together to destroy himbecause he had been with their wives, etc,, the new uncle bob will be played by his real bro, emilio estevez. only his bro alan will know its charlie come back after having his face changed to protect himself. slowly he will become more recognizable to the other family members and berta the maid.. by his actions. his character will act like the old charlie,but he looks like the new uncle bob.. etc.. it could be very funny.

[Tom]

I think that Bradley Cooper in the character he played in The Hangover. Would be an ideal replacement. I think 2 mil an episode could sway him.

[cza]

Hugh Grant would be great and any actor who is clipped and funny but handsome wold work. The rest of the cast is just way tooo funny to be let go. They are funny enough actually but it was fun playing off a bachelor who was girl crazy and there are plenty of actors who can do that. They just have to all have the right chemistry!

The chemistry is important. Soorrrry Charlie- hate to see you gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!cza

[cza]

Charlie needs to gooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"So long Charlie" they could sing that at his funeral.

Replace charlie with different cousins who come to visit-
that would be fun and I liked the idea of Judith's husband moving in as his is soo funny and ads a live wire to it all. Hugh Grant wouild be funny as well but need the right chemistry as the other actors on that show are way ttooooooo funny and need the right person.
CZA

[Diane Novak]

Charlie dies. New show opens with Jake and Allen 'mourning' his passing while joyously looking forward to taking over the condo, etc. At the reading of the will, an unknown is awarded everything. The unknown man turns out to have won Charlies earthly goods in a long ago poker game, with a last -minute clause (guilt) that states Allen and Jake can't be thrown out for 6(?) months. The unknown man shows up (Mark Valley of Boston Legal and Human Target fame). And so it continues... Mark is gorgeous - and hilarious. Over time, no-one will remember Charlie....
I think I deserve 2M for this idea...or producers could detour attention by setting up a 'lottery' asking for ideas about how to continue the show and award 2M to whoever offers the story line they end up using. Of course, that will be me!

[cherilyn]

The writers also make this show what it is...have Charlie go to rehab...and bring in Harry Connick Jr. as the new character...ill leave it up to the creative writing...but Harry Connick Jr has "off the chart" fabulous comedic timing and appeal...his natural sarcastic wit coupled with a smart funny script will make for a brilliant solution...if I say so myself!!! Harry may not be on the top of anyones list...but HE SHOULD BE.....

[Stacy]

i love the show, and i hate to see Charlie Sheen leave, but i agree with the idea to write him out, and replace him with a surprise illegimate brother. it could work, if played out right.

[Dave]

Repalce Charlie with Verne Troyer...at least it would hold true to the name of the show!

[Mary Mckinney]

I agree with alot of the ideas for the show that people have come up with. It will be sad to see Charlie go. I feel that charlie has an illness and like any illness he needs medical treatment. People are not looked down on,put down and fired because they have other illness like cancer,diabetes,or brain tumers. To many illness to name. My point is that Charlie is sick and I hope that he has anough friends and family to see that he gets help. They say and addict has to hit rock bottom before he gets better. So hopfully now he will get some help. I think he is very talented and a funny guy. Good luck Charlie, and I wish you the best and hope you get the help you need.

[logan]

no one can repllace charlie sheen he is the best actor of all time

[Danielle]

Russell Brand would be PERFECT as his replacement.

[rodney]

Kill him off and bring in steve carell who is the long lost brother to Allen that Evelyn didnt tell them about

[Babs Armstrong]

Charlie is easier to replace than you think. The trick to send him off somewhere (Europe, rehab, Las Vegas ect.) and bring his fraternal twin (male or female) , who was lost at sea or something of that nature. Bring in his real brother to play the part might be a good idea too.

[Jack Yan]

I said it at the time, and the solutions are very simple.

1. Emilio Estévez, exactly as Rick mentions. Who’s going to know the difference?

2. Martin Sheen, and set the show in 2035. Call it, Two and a Half Men: the Later Years. You could have plots such as ‘Jake comes home with a tin of Soylent Green. Does Uncle Charlie tell him his theory?’