Actor Charlie Sheen, known more these days for his off the screen antics than his million-dollar payday for his hit CBS series “Two and a Half Men,” is now noted by producers to be the cause for the show to halt filming for the rest of the season. While Sheen may be a big enough star, with presumably enough money to comfortably go without the pay the show’s production brings, many are now wondering the fate of his co-stars. The show is not solely carried by Sheen, of course; the cast also comprises actors Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Holland Taylor and Melanie Lynskey.
If there’s any direct effect Sheen’s actions have caused on the cast, it’s most likely stress. Stress over the fate of the show, of course (which is right now unknown), as well as worry over the welfare of their co-star. Cryer before the show was more known for his roles in the Jon Hughes movies of the 1980s, most notably 1986’s “Pretty in Pink.” The actor had struggled to find major career success after those films; since the show’s premiere in 2003, Cryer had appeared in some films, although nothing notably successful. If there’s anyone who might feel the need for the show to continue, it’s probably Cryer.
Angus Jones, 17, is the highest-paid child actor on television. This series was his major break in Hollywood; what the actor does after the show is up to him. Obviously able to afford college (should he choose to go), the actor has a bright future. Not marred by the Disney stigma, Angus could go the college route, or continue to act. As the press continues to report on the wild antics of fellow child stars, perhaps the antics of Sheen of late will deter Jones from following the same route. If there’s any wake-up call to how things can go wrong for people, Jones is certainly witnessing it right now.
Lynskey and Taylor are both noted film actresses, with more on their plate than their male cast-mates. Being that the two do not play central characters on the show, they’re not as closely affiliated with the fate of the show. The “Men” crew, however, is obviously tied to the show’s fate, losing work due to Sheen’s antics. If there’s anyone feeling the current status of the program more than anyone, it’s the crew who are losing money because of the abrupt (possibly temporary) cancellation. Also, if there’s any group of people madder at Sheen than his relatives, it’s possibly them.
The intense media scrutiny on Sheen and everyone involved with “Two and a Half Men” is unlikely to go away anytime soon. This has to be a burden on those not closely involved with Sheen who work on the show. They have stayed so far tight-lipped, which, given the situation, might be the best thing. If there’s anything that might help the welfare of the show, it might be the good behavior of Sheen’s co-stars.
Source
Paige Wiser, “Charlie Sheen’s gnarly future”, SunTimes.com
