It took me a long time to get over the blatant misogyny of Two and a Half Men. I must have seen a really bad episode once and it turned me off. However, while visiting my 80-year-old mother four years ago, she insisted I watch it. We watched a new episode and I chuckled a bit. We then watched about five additional episodes in syndication during that visit. I was a convert! Once I returned home I made sure to catch up on all the episodes I had missed. I couldn’t help it. It was always on one channel or another.
I loved how the show was raunchy in some places and yet very clever. I decided it wasn’t misogynistic, it was a fantastic juxtaposition between the extremes in men: one sweet and sensitive man considered a “loser” and one man considered a “winner” who was up-front with what he wanted from women. The loser, Alan Harper (played by Jon Cryer) lived happily off his brother while trying to raise his son Jake (played by Angus T. Jones) after his divorce. The winner, the infamous Charlie Sheen, lives the lifestyle of which many people dream. The supporting cast of the disapproving mother Evelyn (played by Holland Taylor) 
and Berta (played by Conchata Ferrell) were a riot. Jane Lynch as the psychiatrist was truly wonderful.
We watched Jake grow up and into his role as a dumb-but-loveable teenager. We heard Berta tell her tales of an interesting past life and her disappointing family members and many of us could relate to her. Berta often stole the show, but then, at some point, each of the supporting cast did.
The “Squab” episode still makes me howl in laughter as I watch Jake finally break Evelyn, a feat neither Charlie nor Alan ever accomplished. Each season I wondered how they were going to keep the show interesting and funny. As Jake got older, so did Charlie. I was glad they brought in the colonoscopy episode (“Yay, no polyps!”) and showed Charlie’s mojo not being what it used to be. The writers were brilliant. Even though Alan was a mooch, there was humanity and kindness that surrounded him. Even though Charlie was a sleaze, he never lied to women about who he was. He was noble in his own way. The writers made these caricatures real to us and yet the viewer could see that, when all is said and done, this was a family. Speaking of family, I also loved the cameos with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. This show was about family: the quirks and the love-hate relationships.
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Article comments
1 - Bailey
I agree, I think the show should just be pitched. I mean, maybe one of the main motivations behind employing Kutcher was they are trying to set a new trend with the Jesus thing? You have to admit he is just a little attractive. Myself being female of course I would say that. And well, that sells in showbiz, so he's got an immediate in with that.
And I mean of course we can't expect them to be absolutely perfect together right off the bat, but I was most definitely disappointed with how things turned out as well.
Lovely article. :)
2 - Alexandria Jackson
A new Jesus trend? I love it!
3 - al
i really agree on the illegitamate child story line. i hold true to my own idea, have charlie's kid become alan's ward and all charlie's royalties go to him. hillarity would be when jake convinces charlie jr. to use his position as future owner of the house on 18th birthday to make uncle alan sleep in the guest room and Jake could begin his life of debotchery
4 - ponygirl
boo hoo...cant laugh cant cry, Miss Charlie!! sooo much, show is a bust, the writers could have done better and the Charlie replacement could have been better matched...at least funny
5 - Alexandria Jackson
Al, I like that idea. Ponygirl, I'm sorry. I miss the old shows too.
6 - Colin M
I agree that they should have connected the new episodes a bit more with the original premise. Let's face it the show WAS ALL ABOUT Sheen in its original days and just killing him off without much emotion or taste was just not in continuity with how the show was. Plus, Ashton has not been a great replacement. I really liked his role as Kelso in That 70's Show, in fact, he was perfect as that character. But trying to fill Sheen's void just hasn't worked for Ashton. Sheen was adult, mature, and grounded despite the character (and actor) being a drunken, immoral womanizer. It worked! Ashton is just too different, and the writing hasn't worked for him. I agree with Sheen, don't blame Ashton really, blame Chuck Lorre for not keeping the same quality in the new episodes and having it stay "Two and a Half Men". They could have very easily have made this a spin off called "3 Men", so as not to tick off the fans of the original years so much. Sheen WAS the show.
7 - Alexandria Jackson
Or "Two Half-men" ....and Jesus.
8 - Brinafr3sh
Agreed, when they killed off Charlie Sheens character with sick humor about his death, they killed off the whole show. Bye bye, Two and a Half Men was fun while it lasted. Gonna miss the original one.
9 - Captain Akhmed
Alexandria your review once again is spot on. You undoubtedly are the wisest blog critic out there with your keen insight and witty sense of humor. What a pleasure it is to come to your page. You hit another home run with this one. Hope to hear more from you.
10 - rod3126
This WILL be the last season for Two And 1/2 Men. It's JUST NOT THE SAME without Charlie! Ashton is NOT funny, looks like a beach bum. Totally not believable. I won't be watching anymore. Chuck and CBS need to swallow their pride and BRING BACK CHARLIE. May I suggest a scenario where this season has been one of the character's nightmare? or even dilusional sequence of events due to Alan's upcoming mental state? Come on CBS! It's time to listen to your viewers.
11 - pov
I agree with the review. The new version doesn't do it for me.
12 - tennesseerider
I think since Aston got on there that the show is not worth my time to watch, it is about NOTHING BUT SEX, Bring charlie back or cancel the show!!!!!!
13 - Christian
I don't know Alexandria, but I loved the thoughtful review. You described my thoughts and feelings about the new season very well! Great job!
14 - Igor
Excellent review of a failing show.
15 - norcaltandem
My wife and I were longtime viewers of original show. Two episodes of the new remake and we were out of there. Too bad, so sad.
16 - jake smith
i remember when i looked foreward to the old shows.we want charlie back . send ashton back to the 70's
17 - kitten
the "actress" playing Lindsay, Alan's girlfriend, should be canned. She's not funny and is crude to boot--can't stand her!
18 - tin
Excellent review.
Couldn't agree more. I watched two episodes and couldn't make myself go through another one...
Ashton's character is such a loser. Depressing humour... Not funny at all. it's such a shame. It was my favourite show.
19 - reporterwhb
Although season 9 isn't all that bad, I really, really miss Charlie Sheen. The entire premise of the show is entirely dead, and now it's like "Charlie who?"
My suggestion is start off the Season 10 premiere with something unrelated going on, and then at the end of the episode, Charlie knocks on the door and demands to get his house back.
20 - tunc
Season 9 definitely sucks. When there was a problem, they should have found someone just to replace Charlie Sheen, not deleting the the character. I agree hat Lindsay sucks, Allan became more sucker and he is also not funny anymore. I am not going to watch a new season.
21 - eagletrek2
Hi I always like the show with Charlie
I do not like the show with the new person
So I stop watching it.
I know of a way to bring charlie back
To life if they ever wanted to bring him
Back. There is way but I'm.not saying it
But for me this show all ready gone plus Jake
is no longer small to be 1/2 man.