14 DAY TRIAL // Charlie Sheen is facing a possible jail sentence for allegedly assaulting his wife late last year. At the same time, he’s seeking specialized help with a problem not revealed to the media in a rehabilitation facility, while his contract with Warner Bros. and CBS for the “Two and a Half Men” series ends with the current season. As far as he’s concerned, Sheen is ready for this to be the end, as he tells People in a brand-new statement.
Speculation about whether Sheen will return to the immensely successful show has been rife these past few months, especially since his arrest and the charges brought against him only seemed to boost ratings. With this in mind, the actor reportedly went to network bosses to ask for more money for each episode, in a context in which he was already being paid a ridiculously high sum. This, of course, brought all negotiations to a standstill, word on the street had it.
Should the season finale turn out to be his final episode on the show, Sheen is ready to move on, he says. “Much speculation and rumor has arisen from my current status surrounding Two and a Half Men. All of the numbers reported in the press are false. Claims from ‘inside sources’ regarding offers from the studio as well as my salary, on their best day, are without merit. Approaching the start of the current season and as far back as June ‘09, I submitted my terms for season eight to Warner Bros. and CBS respectfully,” Sheen tells People.
“Both parties have known the score for over a year. In no way, has this been a hasty or negligent eleventh hour surprise. I offer this information out of love and respect to my crew, my on-set family, my writers, executive staff, as well as my real family, my dear friends and my loyal fans. We tape the final episode of the season this evening. If tonight’s show is the end for me as Charlie Harper, so be it. Another journey has begun. I take from the experience 161 shows filled with a kaleidoscope of amazing experiences, memories, friendships and gratitude. I remain humbly inspired,” the star goes on to explain.
While many have jumped the gun to see this as confirmation that he’s leaving the show, People points out that he’s only saying that, if he’s to be told his conditions are deemed not feasible, he has already made his peace with the idea. A decision has not been made yet, but Sheen is putting the worst ahead. Whether fans will be able to do the same remains to be seen.