It's amazing that it took them this long, but today Warner Bros. Television and CBS, the people behind Two and a Half Men, have finally fired Charlie Sheen. According to a statement received by TMZ, the production company and network have "terminated Charlie Sheen's services" on the show, "effective immediately." And yet, they're still not commenting on whether or not the show will be back for another season.
It's easier to count the reasons Sheen wouldn't have been fired-- namely, that he brought in a ton of money as the star of CBS's most popular sitcom-- than all the reasons the network should have made this move weeks ago. Sheen has gone very publicly off the reservation, striking out at everyone behind Two and a Half Men including creator Chuck Lorre, and basically claiming that he doesn't need the show to continue being a successful (given that he may be planning a new show with Mark Cuban, he might be right). It seemed obvious that CBS would want to discontinue their association with a raving egomaniac, but unclear when they would finally get the guts to cut the ties.
As for the fate of Two and a Half Men, that's a tougher call. It's possible that they could replace Sheen with another actor-- Sheen himself stepped in to replace Michael J. Fox on Spin City, another network sitcom anchored by a major star, so there's a precedent there. It's likely they'll at least try, given how big the show is. But I'm predicting more of a slow decline for a show that always seemed dominated by Sheen's personality-- and will live in the shadow of whatever he's up to for as long as either of them last.
UPDATE: Charlie Sheen has released a predictably insane statement to TMZ; here it is in full:
"This is very good news. They continue to be in breach, like so many whales. It is a big day of gladness at the Sober Valley Lodge because now I can take all of their bazillions, never have to look at whatshiscock again and I never have to put on those silly shirts for as long as this warlock exists in the terrestrial dimension."
You can also go here to read the full letter sent to Sheen's lawyer explaining the reasons he was fired-- though you probably know those reasons already.
