Review by Justin Bateman
Stars Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, Holland Taylor, Melanie Lynskey
UK certification 15 | UK RRP £14.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 350 minutes | Created by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn
As it turns out, this was more like the Incomplete Eighth Season, and the last to star Charlie “Tiger Blood” Sheen. His drug rehab and subsequent public spat with the show’s creator Chuck Lorre led to his being fired from Two and Half Men. As a result, this is a 16-show series (as opposed to the usual 24 and the story is left hanging which gives it something of a novelty factor even if it is a tad unsatisfying from a narrative perspective.
In case you know more about Sheen’s controversial outbursts than this uber-successful sitcom, a reminder of the set-up. Charlie Harper (Sheen) is a wealthy jingle writer with a beach house in Malibu. As ever, he is drinking, womanising and cracking wise while his perpetually cashless brother Alan (Cryer) lodges with his son Jake (Jones). Alan is now seeing Lyndsey (Courtney Thorne-Smith), whose son is best friends with Jake. Meanwhile, Rose (Lynskey) is back on the scene and Charlie begins to questions his feelings for his long-time stalker.
In my experience of watching Two and Half Men (three entire series, each over the course of a weekend), there hasn’t been that much in the way of continual plot line so this development is quite welcome. At times it seems to have been prioritised over the gag count but more often than not this is still laugh-out-loud funny, and let’s face it, there are precious few sitcoms like that around.
The topics (sex, hookers, booze, masturbation, porn, farting) often aren’t exactly highbrow but it is funny, if a little boy-sy at times. If there’s one disappointment it’s that there isn’t enough of Angus T. Jones as the ‘half’. He gets some great lines, always delivers them well, and as a teenager has the potential for some interesting storylines but sadly these are largely eschewed.
On the special guest front, Judd Nelson occasionally appears as a “crazy ex-husband” which is fun, and old flame Courtney (Jenny McCarthy) also returns for a while which is nice if you like ogling hot blondes on the telly. The real question though will be how new boy Ashton Kutcher takes up the mantle of playboy when the new season begins in September 2011. Personally, I can’t see him matching up to Sheen. Charlie may be bonkers but he was always a treat to watch.
EXTRAS None