Charlie Sheen finds a new enabler: Mark Cuban

The most depressing part of the sordid Charlie Sheen saga is how little we've heard from his supposed friends, who by now should have rounded up an intervention posse to help the out- of-control actor get some help for his addictions. But Sheen, like all too many TV and movie stars, is surrounded by a flock of enablers.

Actually, that starts with the broadcast media, who, despite Sheen's long history of drug abuse and violence toward women, continue to give him every platform available to protest his innocence, as well as the online media, who continue to milk his story for every last hit and page view possible. But of course there are also the weaselly showbiz handlers, as the New York Times pointed out today, who seem happy to keep the Sheen Money Machine humming along as long as it churns out paydays for everyone involved.

People in Hollywood are buzzing over the latest news that CBS has officially dumped Sheen from "Two and a Half Men." But everyone has also has been quietly expressing amazement over the brutally candid quote in the Times from Tom Arnold, who's been a leading force for good in recent years in movieland's recovery community. Arnold said that he recently approached one of Sheen's coterie of support personnel, saying, "This guy is in serious trouble with serious drugs. We've got to help him." He was told to butt out, with the handler saying, "We can make a lot of money from him. I can't be part of [any intervention]."

As if that wasn't bad enough, Dallas Mavericks and Landmark Theatres owner Mark Cuban has now jumped into the fray, telling ESPN that he's been talking with the troubled actor about developing a show for Cuban's HDNet cable network. "I reached out and we've had some conversations, and we're going to work on some things," said Cuban, who added that he's discussed with Sheen the possibility of the actor hosting a talk show or starring in a reality program on HDNet. "It comes down to what he wants to do and what his situation is.... But it's a unique opportunity, I'll say that."

I think the money quote there is "unique opportunity." What Cuban seems to be implying is that with CBS having washed its hands of Sheen, the actor is now an available piece of free-agent talent for HDNet, a network that is in desperate need of the kind of star power that would to put it on the map and attract a bigger viewing audience. The fact that most people would be watching a Sheen reality program or talk show to satisfy their prurient interest -- i.e., will Charlie be incoherent or drugged out or engaging in inappropriate behavior with his goddesses in residence? -- doesn't seem to bother Cuban in the least.

It would be one thing if Cuban had made Sheen a serious offer but said that the star would have to go into rehab and clean up his act first. But Cuban apparently hasn't given Sheen any incentive to change his behavior in return for making some quick money for all concerned, which would be close to the textbook definition of being an enabler.

It's hard to imagine that Cuban would take the same stance if one of his NBA stars was running around on the loose, abusing drugs and attacking women. But that's because the NBA has a strict drug-testing policy and a strong-willed commissioner with the power to punish anyone whose behavior strays beyond the bounds of polite society. Cuban knows this all too well  --he's been fined more than $1.6 million for a variety of incidents during his tenure as Mavericks owner, including organizing booing contests directed at rival players and rushing on to the court to berate the referees.

But in show business, as is all too clear from the Sheen soap opera, there is no higher authority. Hollywood is the ultimate free market for situational ethics and morality. If someone is rich and famous enough, they can fly as high as they want before their self-destructive tailspin sends them plummeting to the ground.

RELATED:

Charlie Sheen fired from 'Two and a Half Men'

Photos: Memorable TV departures

Warner Bros. airs its dirty laundry on Charlie Sheen

--Patrick Goldstein

Photo: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban arguing a call during a 2009 game against the New Orleans Hornets. Credit: Derick E. Hingle / US Presswire 

 

Comments

[Aztec Prince]

Note to Charlie: Cymbalta works.

[Kent Perkins, Rancher, Mingus, Texas]

This is speculation, not reporting. You have no idea what Mark Cuban and Charlie Sheen discussed regarding drugs, reahab, or anything else except what you've heard. Please don't speculate with people's reputations. A legitimate publication like L A Times should not allow you to label Cuban "an enabler" until you're got some kind of proof. He's a good and moral man with his employees' best interests high on his scale of priorities. Asking the unemployed actor who last month was making $1.8 million a week to come find an appropriate project with his network isn't enabling anything except his corporation which is, in fact, a for profit institution.

[Film Slate Magazine]

It's sad that the public cares so much about this story, when there are more important things going on in the world.

[maandrews]

Its way too soon to see how this will play out. Just remember Imus had to be paid for all of his unexpired contract even though the network fought it tooth and nail!
ps. and he is back on the air.

[Joseph Andrews]

What really disturbs me THE MOST is how silent his blood relatives have been. Where is his family? Where is Martin Sheen, his father*? Where are his brothers, relatives cousins? Why have we heard almost nothing from them? Are they aware, and, if so, do they care, and what are they willing to do as their relative dies in front of our eyes.

For die he will, from addiction, ultimately, on the path he is on ...

*Martin Sheen allegedly gave interview on this to Sky TV, in which he said little

[Colin Flaherty -- San Diego public relations guy]

mark cuban owns landmark?

uh, WINNING!

[Ivy]

And to think that many of you wanted Cuban running the Cubs.

[Brett]

Joseph Andrews: Why do his family members have to speak out in public about Sheen's problems? They don't owe you, me, or the masses anything regarding this issue. I know Martin Sheen believes his son has serious problems, and he was recently interviewed by the BBC where he spoke of his son's addiction as being like a cancer. Charlie's response to a direct question about that statement? He didn't care, and it didn't matter if the statement came from his father or a man down the street.

I do find it interesting that Charlie, whom everyone from the Anti-Defamation League to his ex-wife Brooke Mueller has intimated is anti-Semitic, may associate himself with the Jewish Mark Cuban.

[cee cee]

enabling or exploiting ?

might wanna ask CBS and WB about that too

[Spin]

Another reason why Cuban is a genius. This guy knows that a reality show with Charlie Sheen would get huge ratings and explode the popularity of his HD-Net channel. Not to mention, it's on cable and could be way raunchier than if one of the big networks aired it.

Cuban wants to capitalize on a huge story. It's no different than what every other media outlet does in the midst of a story that captivates American pop culture.