Two and a Half Men

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Two and a Half Men (aka Men)
Format	Sitcom
Created by	Chuck Lorre Lee Aronsohn
Developed by	Warner Bros. Television
Starring	Charlie Sheen Jon Cryer Angus T. Jones Conchata Ferrell Marin Hinkle Holland Taylor Melanie Lynskey Ryan Stiles
Theme music composer	Chuck Lorre
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	6
No. of episodes	139 (List of episodes)
Production
Location(s)	Malibu, California, USA
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	22 min. approx.
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS
Picture format	480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Original run	September 22, 2003 – present
External links
Official website

The main cast of Two and a Half Men, from left to right: Melanie Lynskey as Rose, Conchata Ferrell as Berta, Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper, Angus T. Jones as Jake Harper, Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, and Marin Hinkle as Judith Harper

Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom, which premiered on CBS on Monday, September 22, 2003 at 9:30 p.m., ET/PT. The sitcom stars Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones.

[edit] Premise

This section requires expansion.

The show is about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie, his brother, Alan, and his (at the start of the series) 10-year-old nephew, Jake. Charlie's free-wheeling life is changed when his brother gets divorced and moves into his beach-front house.^[1]

On March 18, 2009, CBS renewed Two and a Half Men for an additional three seasons, making it run a total of nine seasons.^[2]

[edit] Main characters

• Charlie Sheen as Charles Francis "Charlie" Harper, a hedonistic bachelor, jingle/children's song writer who tends to pick on his younger brother Alan but ultimately loves him. He is the exact opposite of his little brother: relaxed, carefree, and affluent. He loves his nephew Jake and gives him advice (much of which is not age-appropriate), but the two often trade barbs as well.
• Jon Cryer as Alan Jerome Harper, Charlie's twice-divorced chiropractor brother, who is more conscientious than his brother, but continually stricken with bad luck and teased by Charlie. After losing his house to his wife Judith in the divorce process, he resides with Charlie. He is generally a nice and polite person, but seems to have a weakness for women who treat him poorly, which may stem from the non-nurturing relationship he had with his and Charlie's mother. In the Season 4 episode, "Repeated Blows to his Unformed Head," it is revealed that Alan is a maieusiophile. Jon Cryer plays the part of the younger brother, by two years, yet in real life he is a few months older than Charlie Sheen. Prior to Two and a Half Men, Cryer and Sheen appeared together in the 1991 comedy Hot Shots!
• Angus T. Jones as Jacob David "Jake" Harper, the underachieving son of Alan and Judith. He spends most of his free time playing video games, eating, watching television, playing guitar, sleeping and expelling bodily odors. He clearly loves his father and uncle but is often surly toward them. Despite popular belief, Sheen, Cryer, and Jones do not sing the show's theme song; the voice Jones is lip-syncing is actually that of female singer and voice-over artist Elizabeth Daily.
• Conchata Ferrell (season 2 onward; recurring in season 1), as their sharp-tongued housekeeper Berta. Although Berta's manner may be viewed as sarcastic, Alan and Charlie still treat her with a great deal of respect, and it is clear that the household cannot function properly without her. She has a sister named Daisy, played by Camryn Manheim, with whom she does not get along. She also has three daughters and a number of granddaughters, who she herself states are "sleazy and easy" and sometimes brings along to work. A notable example was when she brought her teenage granddaughter Prudence, who is played by Megan Fox. She has been known to attend many of the Harper family functions when not working.
• Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper, Charlie and Alan's conceited, self-centered mother and Jake's grandmother. She expresses a superficial fondness for her sons and grandson, but she rarely lives up the self-perceived image that she's a devoted and misunderstood matriarch. Her sons and grandson generally return the favor and go out of their way to avoid interacting with her on most occasions. Her wide-ranging sex life is a recurring gag throughout the series. The family frequently refers to her as "the devil", and Charlie has her number on his cell phone under the name "666". Further proof of her strange demeanor is shown on a Halloween episode where she scares off a practicing satanist, who Charlie was dating, just by declaring "These are my sons".
• Marin Hinkle as Judith Harper, Alan's vindictive, self-absorbed, and humorless ex-wife. She seems to despise Alan and takes any chance to humiliate him. She was the first woman Alan ever slept with, but their marriage was cold and she said that the only time she was ever happy being sexual was when she was pregnant with Jake. She made no secret of living luxuriously with Alan's alimony, going as far as to get breast implants. She has since remarried to Dr. Herb Melnick (Ryan Stiles), Jake's pediatrician, a union that brought joy to Alan because it meant he no longer had to pay alimony. In Season 6, she threw Herb out of the house and briefly reunited with Alan before reconciling with Herb, and it was later revealed she was pregnant with a girl. Alan feared he was the father, but Judith said she would kill him if he revealed that he slept with her, and after she gave birth in the Season 6 finale the child's parentage remained uncertain.

[edit] Recurring characters

• Melanie Lynskey (starring seasons 1-2; recurring season 3 onward) as their neighbor Rose, another of Charlie's one-night stands who became his stalker, but the Harper family considers her a friend. Frequently unannounced and uninvited, Rose usually enters and exits Charlie's house by climbing onto the backyard deck and easily bypassing the locks. She has even been caught by Charlie and Alan as she watched them sleeping on several occasions. In Season 6, she became friend with Charlie's fiance Chelsea and went on a blind date with Alan; the two began dating before Rose evinced the same jealousy and possessiveness towards Alan that she had applied towards Charlie, right down to gluing things to his nether regions. Although she is somewhat mentally unhinged and obsessed with Charlie, Rose expressed that she "has an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a Masters Degree in behavioral psychology from Stanford University". Throughout the series, Rose has applied her knowledge of interpersonal communication towards the various situations that arise. Her family is involved in banking and oil, making them, and implicitly her, extremely wealthy. Martin Sheen, who is Charlie Sheen's real-life father, made a guest-appearance on the show as Rose's equally-disturbed father. She also has five ferrets, all named after Charlie, as was revealed in Season 2's "Salmon Under My Sweater" episode before she left for Britain.
• Jennifer Bini Taylor as Chelsea, Charlie's girlfriend for most of season six, who has moved into his house by season's end. Formerly a one-night stand, Chelsea, besides Lisa and Mia, seems to be the only other woman out of Charlie's countless relationships that has caused him to try and make positive changes in his debaucherous lifestyle. She has become close friends with Alan, something Charlie enjoys because that way Alan goes to museums and foreign films and other activities that Charlie cannot stand. Prior to starring as Chelsea, Jennifer had appeared briefly as three different characters in previous seasons: as Suzanne in the series' pilot (season 1), as Tina in "Last Chance to See Those Tattoos" (season 2), and as Nina in "The Leather Gear Is in the Guest Room" (season 5).
• Ryan Stiles (recurring season 2 onward) as pediatrician Dr. Herbert Gregory Melnick, Judith's goofy, train-hobbyist new husband and Jake's stepfather. Though he is married to uptight Judith, he is a laid-back guy, and he seems to get along with Alan and Jake. He seems to envy aspects of the Harper brothers' lives, such Charlie's partying and the fact that Alan was married to a girl like Kandi.
• Jane Lynch as Dr. Linda Freeman, initially as Jake's, then as Charlie's and Alan's psychiatrist. Often when Charlie or Alan are just getting to the root of their problem, Dr. Freeman notes that the area is interesting, "but, unfortunately, we're out of time." She prides herself as a guesser and is quite sarcastic, especially with Charlie. During her sessions with Jake, Dr. Freeman displays a rather quirky demeanor and is noted for her use of a cow hand puppet.
• April Bowlby (recurring season 3-4) as Kimber in her first appearance, then as Kandi thereafter, was initially Charlie's gorgeous, young, and extremely dim-witted girlfriend who subsequently became involved with Alan. Kandi and Alan had a superficial relationship based mostly on sex, but they eventually wed in Las Vegas, where they also won half-a-million dollars. After only four months of marriage, and Kandi spending nearly all of their winnings, she and Alan separated. When Kandi was offered a role on a CSI-spoof drama (Bowlby previously starred in both CSI and CSI: NY), she finally signed their divorce papers and hasn't been seen since.

[edit] Notable guest stars

Guest stars so far have included Emmanuelle Vaugier as Charlie's ex-fiance Mia, Jeri Ryan as Sherri, Martin Sheen as Rose's father, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe as Gail and then as Satanist Isabella, Cloris Leachman as neighbor Norma, Denise Richards as Lisa, Richard Lewis as Charlie's accountant Stan, Teri Hatcher as Judith's sister Liz, Judy Greer as Dr. Herb Melnick's sister Myra, Heather Locklear as Alan's divorce attorney Laura Lang, Megan Fox as Berta's granddaughter Prudence, Gail O'Grady as Kandi's mother Mandi, Kevin Sorbo as Kandi's father Andy, Kelly Stables as Alan's receptionist Melissa, Carol Kane as Melissa's mother, Josie Davis as Sandy, Robert Wagner as Teddy, Jenny McCarthy as Teddy's "daughter", Courtney, Ming-Na as Judge Linda Harris, Jenna Elfman as Frankie, Camryn Manheim as Berta's sister Daisy, Brooke Shields as neighbor Danielle, Allison Janney as Alan's on-line dating partner, Michael Clark Duncan as neighbor Jerome, Katherine LaNasa as Lydia, Chris O'Donnell as Jill/Bill (Charlie's ex-girlfriend who became a man), Enrique Iglesias as carpenter/handyman Fernando, Sara Rue as Berta's daughter Naomi, Paget Brewster as an old classmate and Sean Penn, Elvis Costello, Harry Dean Stanton, Steven Tyler, and James Earl Jones have all appeared as themselves, among other guests.

As part of a crossover from the writers and executive producer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, George Eads made a brief cameo appearance on the May 5, 2008 episode.^[3]

Sheen’s real-life brother Emilio Estevez has also guest-starred as an old friend of Charlie’s.^[4] and his father Martin Sheen as Rose's father. Sam Sheen, the real-life daughter of Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen's, also made appearance as Lisa's daughter.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Episodes

To date, six seasons have been broadcasted and the show has been renewed for three more seasons.^[5] The show's 100th episode ("City of Great Racks") aired on October 15, 2007. To celebrate this, a casino-inspired party was held at West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center.^[6] Warner Brothers Television also distributed blue Micargi Rover bicycles adorned with the Two and a Half Men logo along with the words "100 Episodes." Each bicycle came with a note saying "You've made us very proud. Here's to a long ride together."^[6] The cast also gifted the crew with sterling silver key rings from Tiffany & Co. The key rings were attached to small pendants with "100" inscribed on one side and Two and a Half Men on the other.

CBS has announced that Season 7 is set to kick off on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 9:00PM ET.^[7]

[edit] Crossover with CSI

In 2007, Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre contacted CSI: Crime Scene Investigation executive producer Carol Mendelsohn about a crossover. At first, the idea seemed unlikely to receive approval; however, it resurfaced when Mendelsohn and Lorre were at the World Television Festival in Canada and they decided to get approval and run with it^[8]. Even though the casts' eyebrows raised when they heard about the crossover, they all jumped on board. When Mendelsohn was giving a talk, she accidentally mentioned the crossover, that same day Variety Magazine was already inquiring about the crossover episodes. Mendelsohn later stated: "We're all used to being in control and in charge of our own shows and even though this was a freelance-type situation … there was an expectation and also a desire on all of our parts to really have a true collaboration. You have to give a little. It was sort of a life lesson, I think^[8]." "The biggest challenge for us was doing a comedy with a murder in it. Generally our stories are a little lighter," stated Lorre in an interview. "Would our audience go with a dead body in it? There was a moment where it could have gone either way. I think the results were spectacular. It turned out to be a really funny episode^[8]." "Fish in a Drawer" was the first part of the crossover to air, on May 5, 2008, and was written by Sarah Goldfinger, Evan Dunsky, Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar^[9]. George Eads is the only CSI: Crime Scene Investigation main cast member to make a cameo on Two and a Half Men. Three days later (May 8, 2008) the second part of the crossover, "Two And a Half Deaths" aired, following Gil Grissom (William Petersen) as he investigates the murder of a sitcom diva named Annabelle (Katey Sagal), who was found murdered while she was filming her show in Las Vegas, Nevada^[9]; Sheen, Cryer, and Jones all made cameos in this episode.

[edit] Awards and nominations

The show has received multiple award nominations. It was nominated for 30 Primetime Emmy Award nominations (winning four technical awards), and two Golden Globe nominations. The show won the "Favorite TV Comedy" award at the 35th People's Choice Awards.

[edit] Primetime Emmy Awards

[edit] Golden Globe Awards

[edit] U.S. television ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Two and a Half Men on CBS.

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps.

For the week ending December 21, 2008, the series was first in households (10.7), with viewers (17.92m), with adults 25-54 (7.3) and with adults 18-49 (5.7). It was the series' best delivery in households and adults 18-49 since February 5, 2007 (the night after the 2007 Super Bowl), with adults 25-54 since February 27, 2006, and viewers since May 16, 2005 (the night of Everybody Loves Raymond's series finale). This is the largest audience for the series in the 9:00 PM time slot.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] DVD releases

Season 1 Extras

• Two Adults, One Kid, No Grown-Ups - behind the scenes with the cast and crew.
• Backstage tour with Angus T. Jones.
• Gag reel.

Season 2 Extras

• 2½ Days in the Life of 2½ - viewers are invited for a behind-the-scenes look at a typical day in the life of cast members Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones.
• The Serious Business of Writing Comedy - a hilarious look at what it really takes to write a comedy show.
• Gag reel.

Season 3 Extras

• Gag reel.

Season 4 Extras

• Two men talking about Two and a Half Men - Creators Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn talk about the show.
• "Tucked, Taped and Gorgeous" commentary with Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn.
• "Mr. McGlue's Feedbag" commentary with Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones.
• Gag reel.

Season 5 Extras^[18]

• Two and a Half Men at 100 - featurette on the show's 100th episode.
• The Lore of Chuck Lorre: Must Pause TV - the genesis and evolution of his vanity cards at the end of each episode.
• Dying Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard - chronicling the crossover episodes between writing teams of Two and a Half Men and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
• Bonus episode: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - "Two and a Half Deaths."

[edit] Pop culture references

A caricatured version of the characters from Two and a Half Men, called Two and a Half Wits, was placed in MAD Magazine issue #450. The artwork was done by artist Tom Richmond, who, himself, found the show very amusing.^[19] The show's creator, Chuck Lorre, was very excited about Two and a Half Men being in MAD Magazine, before the issue was published, he contacted MAD Magazine for the original artwork.^[19]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Two and a Half Men

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Two and a Half Men

• Two and a Half Men at the Internet Movie Database
• Two and a Half Men at TV.com
• Two and a Half Men on the CBS site
• Wikia-Two and a Half Men
• Two and a Half Men at Yahoo! TV