How Two And A Half Men hopelessly lost it's way

Discussion in 'In the Media' started by hellified, Oct 1, 2013.

  1. hellified

    hellified Active Member

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    Amber Tamblyn is joining the cast of Two and half Men as Charlie Harper's illegitimate lesbian daughter that he may not have known existed. I guess in the absence of Jake (Angus T. Jones), who was the half in two and a half men, a lesbian replacement is a crude play on the wording of the title.

    Two and a Half Men has fallen victim to a couple of transgressions for sitcoms. Over the last ten seasons I've watched this show slowly trade in its heart and soul in order to profit off the cheap and gross laugh and pratfall. What makes it worse is they've been rewarded for it by steady or increased ratings. At this point TAAHM is a shadow of its former self and going into this new season they may as well re-brand the show because of the radical departure its made from its core. The best way to see the change is through the development of the youngest member of the trio, Jake. As he got older we can see the show slowly morphing into its current incarnation.

    In the beginning, the show was about two brothers, Charlie (Charlie Sheen) the unabashed bachelor and Alan (Jon Cryer) a just divorced father who takes care of his son, Jake, on the weekends. The show was something along the lines of the Odd Couple with Allen playing the overly levelheaded constantly put upon roommate to Charlie's free wheeling, alcoholic swinging single. At this point the show had chemistry and heart. Alan just wanted to be the best father and example he could be to his son despite a failed marriage and the emasculating affect of having to move in with his big brother. And even though Charlie cherished his space and freedom he willingly gave that up to support his little brother and nephew in their time of need.

    While mostly episodic there were a number of story arcs that lead to some interesting character development for Charlie and Alan. Most of the recurring characters pertained to Charlie's love life and his issues with commitment. The other recurring story-lines involve Alan's efforts at first to rekindle his relationship with his ex and failing that finding love again with other women, most of whom Charlie already slept with. And its that little detail that helped to show just how deep their bond went. They both had similar tastes in women and even though there were many aspects of Charlie's lifestyle that Alan resented or was jealous of, deep down he really wanted to be like his big brother.

    Since Angus T. Jones was a little boy during this time, his character, Jake was portrayed as a regular little boy. He wasn't precocious nor too snarky and sarcastic for an eight year old. The supporting characters, Evelyn Harper (Holland Taylor), their near unfit, neglectful mother, Rose (Melanie Lynsky), the crazy obsessive neighbor, Berta (Conchata Ferrell), the domineering house keeper and Judith Harper (Marin Hinkle), Alan's nagging ex-wife rounded out the show perfectly. Everyone had a function and purpose in the main characters lives and the chemistry with the full cast was great. The writing for the characters in seasons 1-4 was very well done.

    read more: http://mczfilmtvreviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-two-and-half-men-hopelessly-lost.html
     
  2. archangel

    archangel Well-Known Member

    The show sucked from the get go. It was a common show for common people. The only thing I can say is that it didn't outlast frasier which was a great show.
     
  3. Morning Star

    Morning Star Well-Known Member

    I would put this crappy ass show on the same level as Adventure Time and Regular Show. They all belong in the shit hole.
     
  4. samson1701

    samson1701 Well-Known Member

    Guess I'm one of those common people, 'cause I loved this show up to now. The addition of Charlie's daughter isn't working for me. The writers are going to have to step up their game.
     
  5. Gorath

    Gorath Well-Known Member

    I loved the show from the beginning. It addressed a lot of male-oriented issues. While it reminded me of the classic sitcom Family Affair(this, too was a family affair but it dealt with the bachelor's brother and his family issues). This was Charlie Sheen's show. Jon Cryer was perfect as his brother Alan. Angus T. Jones was perfect as the son Jake. I will have to admit, that it was not a show for everyone. It had a lot of crude adult humor. And it was right on the mark. The new addition of the late Charlie's lesbian daughter would shake things up. She is very much like Charlie.
     
  6. 4north1side2

    4north1side2 Well-Known Member

    Ya killing me smalls!
     
  7. Tamstrong

    Tamstrong Administrator Staff Member

    Evidently I'm one of those common people as well, because I thought it was a great show. It went to shit when they got rid of Charlie though. I watched a few episodes after he was gone, but I wasn't impressed with the new version and quit watching.
     
  8. samson1701

    samson1701 Well-Known Member

    When Ashton Kutcher first joined the show, it was garbage. But, the writers found their way and it got good again. Like, laugh out loud good again. Especially, some of the episodes with Patton Oswald and the tall dude from The Drew Cary show. Judy straight up, fearless guy humor. Prolly, the only comedy on broadcast television that doesn't cater to a family, female or PC audeince.

    It remains to be seen if they can do the same with the addition of Ambe Tamblyn.
     
  9. blackbull1970

    blackbull1970 Well-Known Member

    HaHa!

    I watch those shows with my kids.

    A lot of the stories can go over your head if you don't pay attention. There's a few times I have to rewind to catch shit.

    If you watch them with a good beer buzz, you will catch the humor.
     
  10. Gorath

    Gorath Well-Known Member

    The show Mike & Molly, also written by the Chuck Lorre, is probably the most realistic sitcom on the CBS network. If not in all television. I hope that show stays around.
     
  11. Tamstrong

    Tamstrong Administrator Staff Member

    I'm glad for those who kept watching that it got good again. Maybe one of these days I'll catch up on the reruns. Hopefully they'll find a way to make it work again with the new character.
     
  12. 1449225

    1449225 Well-Known Member

    This show fell the fuck off when Charlie Sheen left. I haven't watched 1 episode with Kutcher in it.
     

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