# CBS pulls plug on Two and a Half Men
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 25, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534 "2011-02-25T02:45:27Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 7
### Author:  [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/121 "2011-03-01T19:05:26Z")
At least he said the power of the **business** he’s in, rather than his own power. It seems he’s calmed down a bit from his fists of fire rampage.
For a while, I thought he was sounding like a scientologist, rather than manic.
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### Author:  [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/122 "2011-03-01T19:10:41Z")
@newcomer
This is from the Wikipedia article on [_Mania_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mania):A manic episode is defined as a period of … unusually and continuously effusive and open elated or irritable mood…
To be classed as a manic episode, while the disturbed mood is present at least three (or four if only irritability is present) of the following must have been consistently prominent: grand or extravagant style, or expanded self-esteem; reduced need of sleep (e.g. three hours may be sufficient); talks more often and feels the urge to talk longer; ideas flit through the mind in quick succession, or thoughts race and preoccupy the person; over indulgence in enjoyable behaviors with high risk of a negative outcome (e.g., extravagant shopping, sexual adventures or improbable commercial schemes).
Extravagant style or expanded self-esteem? check.
Talks more often? check
Racing thoughts? check
Overindulgence in enjoyable high-risk behavior? check
Other than his sleep habits, which I have no knowledge of, it looks like textbook mania. Of course IANAD, that’s just my uninformed opinion.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/123 "2011-03-01T19:15:03Z")
> [@newcomer](#):
>
> Again, kindly point to a part of the interview that spells M-A-N-I-C.
>
> I want those English language skills in my repertoire too.
You have a point. I watched most of the interview. I’m far from an expert, but Charlie’s demeanor seemed a bit manic to me, partly because he was so freakin’ quick with the responses but also because he was never still.
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### Author:  [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/124 "2011-03-01T20:03:54Z")
> [@Skammer](#):
>
> @newcomer
>
> This is from the Wikipedia article on [_Mania_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mania):A manic episode is defined as a period of … unusually and continuously effusive and open elated or irritable mood…
>
> To be classed as a manic episode, while the disturbed mood is present at least three (or four if only irritability is present) of the following must have been consistently prominent: grand or extravagant style, or expanded self-esteem; reduced need of sleep (e.g. three hours may be sufficient); talks more often and feels the urge to talk longer; ideas flit through the mind in quick succession, or thoughts race and preoccupy the person; over indulgence in enjoyable behaviors with high risk of a negative outcome (e.g., extravagant shopping, sexual adventures or improbable commercial schemes).
>
> Extravagant style or expanded self-esteem? check.
> Talks more often? check
> Racing thoughts? check
> Overindulgence in enjoyable high-risk behavior? check
>
> Other than his sleep habits, which I have no knowledge of, it looks like textbook mania. Of course IANAD, that’s just my uninformed opinion.
I would agree if a person exhibiting these traits is my neighbour or office co-worker. I’m not sure you can apply it to anyone of his celebrity stature. In other words, how can you accuse Charlie of acting like Charlie? As Piers mentioned, Charlie was Charlie 20 years ago. It’s nothing new; CBS knew it when they signed it so I say outrage is manufactured.
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### Author:  [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/125 "2011-03-01T20:05:09Z")
Ccocaine use can imitate a manic episode.
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### Author:  [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/126 "2011-03-01T20:27:58Z")
Annie-Xmas, that’s right and part of the difinition I omitted is that the behavior is not attributable to drug use. I’m taking Charlie at his word (well, bolstered by the ABC News drug test) that he is currently clean.
Newcomer, you have a point, no one can really make an accurate diagnosis from just watching him on TV. There would have to be a medical evaluation. I’m just saying, it certainly _looks_ like mania. (My BIL is manic/depressive and we see the same kind of patterns).
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### Author:  [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/127 "2011-03-01T20:31:43Z")
I would bet it’s somewhat of a combo of recent coke useage AND a manic swing, but that still dosen’t give his egomania and general self-centered asshole behavior a pass in my book.
Problem is, some of his rants are basically true—He has access to millions of dollars to recklessly blow, unlimited drugs, a beautiful home, and plenty of attractive female company (even if paid for). It’s hard to think that he has much incentive to get sober or straighten up. He can indeed do what he wants, brag about it, and still seems to escape from any significant negative consequences. The money he lost by his show being axed is chump change to him, as he probably would have just pissed/smoked it away anyways…
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### Author:  [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/128 "2011-03-01T20:48:00Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#):
>
> Is there ANY way both parties could loose?
2 1/2 men enter, one man leaves
He is a terrible actor.
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/129 "2011-03-01T20:50:51Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#):
>
> Judging by how he looked in the Today interview, I’m not sure I’d bet money on him making it that long. He was looking very drawn in the face and had a slight ashen tone to his skin. That was not the face of a very healthy man.
To be fair it could be a bad makeup job. Sheen IS 46 years old and playing younger on his series. They do a good job of making him up. This is very common for men in their 40s.
In Chicago I’ve seen our local TV anchors, in their 40s without being made up and they look BAD. It’s unbelieveable the difference make up and lighting makes for these guys.
I’ve also seen Oprah without make up and whoever does her make up deserves an award, 'cause she looks awful without it on.
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### Author:  [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/130 "2011-03-01T21:01:45Z")
> [@Markxxx](#):
>
> To be fair it could be a bad makeup job. Sheen IS 46 years old and playing younger on his series. They do a good job of making him up. This is very common for men in their 40s.
>
> In Chicago I’ve seen our local TV anchors, in their 40s without being made up and they look BAD. It’s unbelieveable the difference make up and lighting makes for these guys.
>
> I’ve also seen Oprah without make up and whoever does her make up deserves an award, 'cause she looks awful without it on.
Yeah, but it was for his Today show interview, and NBC usually does a good job on makeup for stuff like that. Google “Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb without makeup” to see images from the show where they went on minus any makeup. Their makeup artists are freaking **awesome**.
I suppose it’s possible he said “fuck the makeup” and went on without any prep, but usually for anyone who’s Hollywood, they get some makeup done.
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### Author:  [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/131 "2011-03-01T21:05:56Z")
Here’s a quiz from the Guardian, which seems apropos: [Charlie Sheen v Muammar Gaddafi: whose line is it anyway?](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/quiz/2011/mar/01/muammar-gaddafi-charlie-sheen-quiz)
My score was 3/10. I guess I’m not just that familiar with batshit-crazy dictators or actors.
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### Author:  [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/132 "2011-03-01T21:09:09Z")
I admit he looked a bit haggard in the interviews. Didn’t seem bad enough though to assume it’s likely he’s going to die anytime soon.
I just don’t get the “I’ll bet he’ll be dead within a year” comments.
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### Author:  [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/133 "2011-03-01T21:25:05Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#):
>
> Here’s a quiz from the Guardian, which seems apropos: [Charlie Sheen v Muammar Gaddafi: whose line is it anyway?](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/quiz/2011/mar/01/muammar-gaddafi-charlie-sheen-quiz)
>
> My score was 3/10. I guess I’m not just that familiar with batshit-crazy dictators or actors.
Wow, that’s awesome. I only got 5/10. “One man’s rave is another man’s … very similar rave.”
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/134 "2011-03-01T21:27:30Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#):
>
> You have a point. I watched most of the interview. I’m far from an expert, but Charlie’s demeanor seemed a bit manic to me, partly because he was so freakin’ quick with the responses but also because he was never still.
I’ve seen people in the corner of a library carry on a spirited argument with a wall. Always a guaranteed oratory winner with that skill.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/135 "2011-03-01T21:47:17Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#):
>
> Here’s a quiz from the Guardian, which seems apropos: [Charlie Sheen v Muammar Gaddafi: whose line is it anyway?](http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/quiz/2011/mar/01/muammar-gaddafi-charlie-sheen-quiz)
>
> My score was 3/10. I guess I’m not just that familiar with batshit-crazy dictators or actors.
9/10, but only because I’ve been following Libya closely.
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### Author:  [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/136 "2011-03-01T21:53:02Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> 9/10, but only because I’ve been following Libya closely.
8/10, for the opposite reason 🙂
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### Author:  [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/137 "2011-03-01T21:56:16Z")
6/10, because I’ve been following both, and the individual details are beginning to blur.
or… what the Guardian said.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [March 1, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/138 "2011-03-01T23:04:32Z")
7/10. The fact that it’s so hard to determine who said what is hilarious.
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [March 2, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/139 "2011-03-02T01:58:13Z")
7/10. Two of my three wrong answers I was “iffy” about, but the third one took me by surprise.
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### Author:  [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)
#### Post date: [March 2, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cbs-pulls-plug-on-two-and-a-half-men/572534/140 "2011-03-02T03:58:25Z")
7/10 too. I had no idea Sheen was a 9/11 truther or whatever. If it didn’t happen, where’s my friend Debbie, and the Mike Lynch my brother went to HS school with, or…
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