Reviewed by Justin Bateman
Stars Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T Jones, Marin Hinkle,
Conchata Ferrell, Holland Taylor | Created by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn
UK certification 15 | UK RRP £24.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 507 minutes | Directed by Various
Welcome back to Malibu and the beachside residence of one Charlie Harper (Sheen), philanderer and composer. When he’s not at his piano (which is most of the time) he’s drinking either with or without a drop-dead gorgeous girl in attendance. Making life even more interesting is the presence of divorced and uptight brother Alan (Cryer) and his son Jake (Jones).
This sixth season sees a significant change in the familiar set up, with Charlie largely eschewing his carefree approach to dating and thinking seriously about settling down with one woman. In fact, he thinks seriously about quite a lot of things, including his own mortality, brought into sharp focus by the death of a similarly party-minded pal played by real life brother Emilio Estevez in an all-too brief cameo. Other special guest stars include the return of stalker Rose (Melanie Lynskey) and the delectable Diora Baird who really ought to have been in it more, for at least a couple of very good reasons (sense of humour and, er, sense of balance).
After an ill-advised and predictably brief liaison with Alan’s receptionist, Charlie decides that Chelsea (Jennifer Bini Taylor) is the one for him and does his level best to be a proper, monogamous boyfriend with a conscience, a turn of events that is as problematic for her as it is for him. Meanwhile, Alan takes over romantic duties from his brother with his receptionist with decidedly mixed results and then has a brief fling with ex-wife Judith (Hinkle) which leaves her pregnant. New husband Herb (Ryan Stiles) thinks it’s his but is beginning to have doubts about his chosen “life path”.
Jake is growing into quite the stroppy teenager and has a semi-regular love interest next door, the father of whom is played by the imposing and charismatic figure of Michael Clarke Duncan. Jake remains food-obsessed and if anything is even dumber than before but still gets a decent share of the show’s many hilarious lines. The script really is phenomenally consistent in its laughs per episode ratio and if anything is becoming increasingly insightful as the seasons progress in its many observations on life, love and sex.
EXTRAS *** Growing Up Harper – a feature on Angus T. Jones and his portrayal of Jake over the years; The Women of Two and a Half Men – a reflection on the female impact on the show; Gag Reel.