Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Okay, he's not exactly saving it. But he is going to join the cast of CBS' highly rated -- though lately troubled -- smash comedy "Two and Half Men."
He's not really replacing the notorious Charlie Sheen. He's just filling in the extra man slot that emptied out when the studio and the network decided that enough was enough and gave Sheen the axe.
When I heard the news yesterday, my first thought was: Yes. Brilliant choice. This could turn out to be just what the show needed -- a shot in the arm. It could give the series another five years, which is what happened not so long ago when a young and beautiful Kirstie Alley joined the cast of "Cheers" -- another long-running, money-cascading smash hit -- after the departure of the "irreplaceable" Shelley Long. The show ran another six years, providing the studio and the network with hundreds of millions of dollars and more importantly me, with my first job in television.
In his statement, Kutcher comes off as the guy everybody who knows him says he is: smart, funny, enthusiastic, and (rare among actors, especially young actors) possessed of excellent judgement, if not total adherence to the Ricochet Code of Conduct:
"I can't wait to get to work with this ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in viewers' homes," said Kutcher. "I can't replace Charlie Sheen but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!"
Comedy only works if there's total commitment to the joke. Any hint that the performer is a little too cool for school, or bailing on the material, or somehow better than his audience, and the laughter stops. This is one of the reasons why NBC has had such trouble lately finding comedies with broad appeal -- so many of them ("Parks and Recreation," "Community") seem too clever-clever, more about being smart than being funny. Compare them to Tina Fey's energetic and often over-the-top "30 Rock," and you see my point. Tina Fey works, and works hard. Her show is a blizzard of jokes and fast-talking and cutaways and breakneck pace. It may not be your cup of tea -- I find it hilarious -- but you can't say she's not in there, swinging, doing her best to make you laugh. In show business, this is called a "sweat act," and it's usually a pejorative. But there's something great and noble and honest -- and successful -- about sweat acts.
Ashton Kutcher works hard, too. In his television debut role as "Kelso" in the long-running syndication hit "That '70's Show," he was a go-to performer, the energy center of every scene. As someone who has spent 20 years working in television, I'm here to tell you: a performer like that is a rare and valuable thing.
It's also a great moment for Hollywood in general. Ashton Kutcher is going to make a lot of money, of course -- though not Charlie Sheen money, at least to start -- but it sends the message to actors all over town: You can be replaced. You are not as special as you imagine.
Which is something everyone should remember, no matter what business you're in.
My prediction: "Two and a Half Men" runs another five years and makes everyone pots of money. Or should I say more pots of money. I'm rooting for it, and Kutcher.
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Jul '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Do You not think there is a problem with the kid growing up? Isn't that a major source of demise for most shows with kids?
I think one aspect of the everlasting success with "The Simpsons" is that the kids don't grow up.
Jul '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Now that I think about it, I guess, in America, the kid could still be "1/2" a Man at 30.
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Jimmy Carter: Do You not think there is a problem with the kid growing up? Isn't that a major source of demise for most shows with kids?
I think one aspect of the everlasting success with "The Simpsons" is that the kids don't grow up. · May 13 at 11:29am
Didn't hurt "Everybody Loves Ray" but then that series rarely made the linoleum lizards the focus of the episode.
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Rob is Ashton coming on as Charlie's character, like when they changed the actor playing the husband on Bewitched? Or is he coming on as a new character, like your Kirsty Alley/Shelley Long example?
To me that's going to make a difference.
Aug '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Added benefit: When ratings start to sag they will get Demi Moore as a guest star.
Remember that one season of Friends when everybody's boyfriend/girlfriend made a guest star appearance?
Exactly.
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Rob, as to your smart vs funny argument - I think the death knell for any sit-com is when you see any social issues dealt with in a serious manner. Cheers and Frasier rarely, if ever, had an episode that made me think. On the other hand The Golden Girls went to hell in a handbasket rather quickly after the first season (I suspect it's because they let the actors determine the show).
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
I'm not a big fan of either the 2.5 show or Ashton Kutcher, but I agree he'd make a good replacement for that show. The few times I've seen it, it offered the kind of comedy that Kutcher had down pat in the 70s Show. (I admit, I enjoyed That 70s Show.)
That got me to thinking about whether Kutcher could play any other kind of comedy. In turn, how many actors can do different kinds of comedy?
Good dramatic actors can play different kinds of drama. For instance, Paul Newman could play a sharp guy who loses (Cool Hand Luke, The Verdict), a sharp guy who wins (The Sting), or a not-so-bright guy who wins and loses (Butch Cassidy). Geoffrey Rush can play a pirate or a speech therapist.
Try and find that versatility in comedy. There are some people you laugh at, and others you laugh along with, but few who can adjust to do both. There aren't many. Peter Sellers could play anything, and sometimes did, in the same movie. Cary Grant had it. But most comedy actors can only be funny in one way.
Jul '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Oofah. Cross another show off the list that I used to watch regularly.
Ashton Kutcher...acting? Um, no. Like 99.9% of Hollywood "actors" and "actresses" (remember that word?) he just basically plays himself.
Oh, and Kirstie Alley was awful on Cheers.
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Jimmy Carter: Do You not think there is a problem with the kid growing up? Isn't that a major source of demise for most shows with kids?
I think one aspect of the everlasting success with "The Simpsons" is that the kids don't grow up. · May 13 at 11:29am
You deal with the kid getting older by downgrading his importance. Suddenly, he's off at college.
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Tommy De Seno: Rob is Ashton coming on as Charlie's character, like when they changed the actor playing the husband on Bewitched? Or is he coming on as a new character, like your Kirsty Alley/Shelley Long example?
To me that's going to make a difference. · May 13 at 11:34am
I agree, Tommy. My understanding is that he's playing a different character. At least, I hope so.
May '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Will Melanie Lynskey coime and stalk him now? He seems like a more likely target than Charlie Sheen.
Sep '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
M*A*S*H is another good example. The more Alan Alda gained control of the content, the worse the show became. Compare an episode of the first two years with the last two years and you will see what I mean.
Jul '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Rob Long
You deal with the kid getting older by downgrading his importance. Suddenly, he's off at college. · May 13 at 12:04pm
Spin off: "1/2 Educated"
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Standfast
M*A*S*H is another good example. The more Alan Alda gained control of the content, the worse the show became. Compare an episode of the first two years with the last two years and you will see what I mean. · May 13 at 12:24pm
Great example but think we should also add Mike Farrell to list of show killers.
Dec '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Basically, when a comedy show does politics, whether in a serious or snarky way, it says that the writers are either out of ideas or are tired of doing the show. It's easy to open the paper and talk about current events and even easier in this bien pensant culture to simply reference things and get the audience to applaud in approval.
As for me, I liked Kirstie in Cheers. The Sam/Diane romance was played out. The problem was that when she joined the cast, the dynamic her character had with Sam forced him to lose about 20 IQ points.
I only watch Community for their jabs at Anthropology. My former dean was an anthropologist and I get such pleasure when their big class project is doing a diorama about doing a diorama.
Feb '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
I like both Community and Parks and Recreation. They both take on political correctness pretty sharply. I thought the Community episode where they spoof "My Dinner with Andre" was genius.
Apr '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
I've yet to see a single episode of 2 1/2 Men. I wish Ashton good luck (I really liked That 70's Show), but I doubt I'll watch just to see him.
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Jimmy Carter
Spin off: "1/2 Educated" · May 13 at 12:34pm
LOL
Jun '10
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
Kutcher was good in the occasioinal 70s Show episodes I caught. I've never seen him in anything else, except camera commercials. I never was able to watch a full 2 1/2 men episode -- hated Sheen and that old housekeeper character -- but do like John Cryer. Maybe I will tune in now.
Best comic actor around, in my opinion, is Jason Bateman. I miss Arrested Development.
Best comdey in years: 30 Rock.
I find Community & Parks and Rec unwatchable.
Jan '11
Re: Ashton Kutcher Saves Television
StickerShock: Kutcher was good in the occasioinal 70s Show episodes I caught. I've never seen him in anything else, except camera commercials. I never was able to watch a full 2 1/2 men episode -- hated Sheen and that old housekeeper character -- but do like John Cryer. Maybe I will tune in now.
Best comic actor around, in my opinion, is Jason Bateman. I miss Arrested Development.
Best comdey in years: 30 Rock.
I find Community & Parks and Rec unwatchable. · May 13 at 2:45pm
I've never seen 2 1/2 men but through commercials for it I know that the housekeeper is played by Conchatta Ferrell. Not to change your opinion of her character but I would like to recommend Heartland it is one of those great small pictures that has never received its due. She and Rip Torn can always point this film with pride.