Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Yesterday, as Libya descended further into civil war, the State of Wisconsin continued its budget chaos, the big trending topic on Twitter was the drug-fueled personal meltdown of television star Charlie Sheen.
It’s nice, isn’t it, to know that Twitter users have such a firm grasp of the important things in life?
To be fair to Sheen, he joined Twitter barely a week ago, and by this morning sported over two million followers. And to be fair to his Twitter followers, it probably isn’t his uplifting world view that compelled them to click “follow.”
And the viewers of his sad, rambling, pre-homeless guy rants on his Ustream channel aren't there for the uplift, either. They're there to watch a man fall apart.
Until last week -- and I'm not proud of this -- I have to admit that I found the sideshow of Charlie Sheen’s decadent, addled madness sort of funny. The lurid stories in the celebrity tabloids and the crackpot statements he’d make to the press were amusing to someone on the sidelines like me. But I know they were infuriating – and worse, financially disquieting -- to those people (some of whom are my close friends) who have big-time upside stakes in the continuation of the series. That’s sort of the line we all walk here in the entertainment business – part of the time we’re insiders with some skin in the game; part of the time we’re flipping through the tabloids like everybody else, mouths agape at the sheer trashiness of the behavior of many celebrities.
And, okay, I’ll admit it: part of me – and, again, I’m not proud of this; I’m just being honest -- admired in an admittedly creepy and indefensible way Sheen’s sheer reckless nose-thumbing at the world, his total lack of remorse or decorum or participation in the rehab-apology-recovery-Oprah Winfrey-weepy-guesting celebrity melodrama that Hollywood loves so much. Charlie Sheen refused to play the part of the fallen star. He just kept on partying. He became the Keith Richards of television.
But then, last week, he crossed the line. In a rambling and profane radio interview, he went on a long diatribe against the network and the studio – all of which can be forgiven – but then he did something unforgivable, which is hard to do in Hollywood.
He insulted the show-runner. He attacked the executive producer of his show, Chuck Lorre, in a barrage of crazy-talk from which there was no going back.
He said, essentially, that the executive producer and creator of his hit series owed it all to him. He claimed credit for the success of the show, its humor and popularity, and described Lorre’s work as so many “tin cans” that he, Sheen, had spun into “pure gold.”
That, at long last, was it. Sheen insulted the writer, executive producer, and the man responsible for his massive paychecks. And at that exact moment, whatever small sympathy or amusement I still had for him drained away. And yesterday, he was fired from the show. The last time that happened in Hollywood was...well, a long time ago.
Which proves that there are some things -- not drug abuse, or violence, or destruction of hotel rooms - up with which Hollywood will not put.
Rule one in the television business: you do not disrespect the show-runner. You do not insult him in any way. The man woke up one day, put together a huge hit series, invited you into it, and delivered the success that funneled the paychecks that enabled the life you’re living now. So, when you say his name, don’t say it. Whisper it. With awe.
Full disclosure: this may have something to do with the fact that on many past and (I hope) future occasions, I’ve been a show-runner myself. I know how hard it is. And I know Lorre’s work, too. And they ain’t “tin cans.”
“So, let me get this straight,” a friend of mine not in the entertainment industry said when we talked about it the next day. “Charlie Sheen wrecks a hotel room, goes on cocaine binges with porn stars, allegedly holds a knife to his wife’s throat – and you’re okay with that? But when he insults the executive producer of his series –“
“Not okay,” I said.
“That’s amoral.”
“No,” I said. “That’s show business. We’re tolerant of a lot of things. But not insurrection.”
I can think of a few despots in far-flung corners who probably wish the rest of the world worked that way, too.
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May '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
To plagiarize from his father's best movie: "Because there's a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. The good does not always triumph. Sometimes the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Charlie Sheen has reached his. And very obviously, he has gone insane." http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Apocalypse_Now
Dec '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob. Early on I shared your subversive admiration for Charlie's refusal to apologize for his coke fueled porn star binges. As an ex-rock drummer during the '70's I was hardly the one to scowl and wag a finger. Then last night while watching his greasy-haired, wild-eyed tweaker performance on his webcast Sheen's Korner, amusement turned into a queasy low level horror. My wife commented on how SNL would have a field day with this one, but I wasn't so sure. It just isn't funny anymore. I'm beginning to wonder what show wants to be the one with the last scathing Charlie Sheen skit before we watch the body bag going into the coroner van.
I also admire your honesty about how show business works. Like no business I know.
Jan '11
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
He'll always have the porn house.residuals.
Dec '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob, Valerie Harper was also the first idea that popped into my head when I heard Sheen had been fired. You can do a lot of things to an employer, but the one thing you cannot do is make it personal.
Look at Ricky Gervais: beloved for his iconoclastic satire on God and the political Right, he swings a second stint as host of the Golden Globes. But when he goofs on Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr., suddenly he's not such a funny man anymore.
I'm not sure what prompted Gervais to turn an awards show into a celebrity roast without the collusion of the roasted celebrities. But I suspect what's behind Charlie Sheen's decompensation is untreated bipolar disorder -- I sure hope it's not a schizophrenic psychotic break.
Oct '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob - up with which Hollywood will not put
Just curious, what brought that folderal to mind?
May '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Oh, of course he's bipolar (though I prefer to be called manic-depressive; so much more artistic and edgy and dangerous). Half the people in Hollywood are bipolar, at a conservative estimate.
And, like Rob, I shrugged off his antics as pure box office stagecraft while he was having a fine time doing it. Also, having some experience in the area, applauded his rejection of Rehab Culture. Mainly because it doesn't work.
But then it hit the number of people who depend on that show (no, not the viewers, the people with a serious, life-altering stake in it). That's just cold, and they can't very well replace him.
Besides, he's not really having fun any more, is he? Pretending to have fun is hard to watch. Ridi pagliaccio.
Jun '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Charlie's self-righteous father made heroes--noble victims--out of the addicted dysfunctional homeless in America (Reagan's fault, Bush's fault) and Martin's son learned how to impress his father. Learned it well.
Edited on Mar 8, 2011 at 6:56pmJul '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
I'm trying to muster an opinion here, but I just don't have it in me.
Oct '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
I don't watch the show, but in channel surfing I noticed how gaunt and sick Charlie looked this year. He's become a NASCAR race with wrecks at every turn. Anna Nicole Smith is waiting for him in whatever afterlife Hollywood folk enter.
Oct '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob Long
“So, let me get this straight,” a friend of mine not in the entertainment industry said when we talked about it the next day. “Charlie Sheen wrecks a hotel room, goes on cocaine binges with porn stars, allegedly holds a knife to his wife’s throat – and you’re okay with that? But when he insults the executive producer of his series –“
“Not okay,” I said.
“That’s amoral.”
“No,” I said. “That’s show business. We’re tolerant of a lot of things. But not insurrection.”
Seems to me the only word that needs to be changed in your answer is the "no" to "yes."
Jan '11
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Martin Sheen is one of my "brush with fame" guys. I met him a couple times as a Jesuit. And although our politics don't always mesh, I want to say that he is one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met. We can debate his political commitments, but I'll testify that he was what we used to call a gentleman.Is he perfect? Do I know him well? No. But he did a lot of little things that impressed me. He listened. He didn't resort to gratuitous slams just because he knew he was among friends. He didn't take cheap shots. He stood by what he wanted to say, and never made it personal. He was also very gracious, and talked to people, not as a star, but as a regular guy. I like him. I'm sorry for their family's predicament, and pray for them.
Jun '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Oh, it's just time for a career change. Charlie can always get a job as Gadhafi's propaganda minister. They speak the same incoherent language and both like to party all night long...longer; and they're both starting to look like twins separated at birth. Besides, Gadhafi pays much better than anything Charlie has been getting in Hollywood...hit show or no hit show even with syndication residuals. Just ask Beyonce.
Jun '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Of course, since Charlie is a fighter jet, Gadhafi could use him in that capacity, too...after all, he just lost one and could use a replacement.
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Wait, Rob. You do not insult the show runner? Where have you been working? How many stars have made life miserable for show runners? As many as in the heavens. And virtually all the time the show runner takes it in the chin. Actually, all the time...until one comes along with two other hit series on the same network. And that's the only reason they gave Charlie the heave-ho, otherwise it would be Lorre packing up his office right now and Charlie getting his butt kissed by the head honchos at CBS.
Dec '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
I just finished watching Charlie's latest verbal jihad against his trolls, and I've revised my view. He is a model employee.
For the post office.
Dec '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob, this may be the most informative thing I've yet to read on Ricochet (and I've read some VERY insightful things here). I really enjoyed this post. Your wit and candor are recognized and appreciated.
Btw, in keeping with my love of all things Reagan, I'd like to come out to CA soon and get a job as an actor so I can later run for governor of your fiscally-beleaguered state. I was the Energizer Bunny in a skit in the Spring Sing during 5th grade. I also put on dazzling performances of pretending to not be reading National Review Online in my least favorite seminary classes. Next time you're a show-runner, keep me (and the fate of your state, and if all goes to plan, country) in mind.
Edited on Mar 8, 2011 at 7:46pmDec '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
I suppose Isaiah Washington doesn't count, because (a) he wasn't a big enough star on the show, (b) he directed his foolishness at other stars and thus threatened to disrupt the rest of the ensemble, and (c) didn't direct his foolishness at the showrunner (in public, anyhow).
Isn't the "in public" part the key? It's one thing to be an irritant behind closed doors, so long as you present a pleasant face to the public -- but entirely different when you trash a boss where the press is taking down your every word.
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Rob I think we are all guilty of the "nutty buddy" indulgence.
We all have that friend who amuses us with hard partying. He has fun making us laugh. We get to make other people laugh by talking about him. We vicariously live through him as he does things we wouldn't do.
But then one day we realize he's stuck there and he can't get out. He's getting hurt and we can't do anything about it. Then we feel guilty for ever indulging him in the first place.
Sheen was our national nutty buddy. Whenever we would hear stories of his hookers and binges, for some reason with Charlie we wouldn't boycott his show. We'd laugh, waive our hands and say "Oh that's just Charlie being Charlie." Then we'd give him more money to play himself on television.
We don't do that with Lindsey Lohan. Why'd we have a double standard?
We should have boycotted his show. We shouldn't have given the nutty buddy a pass for amusing us.
Sheen looks awful. So gaunt. He's hurting himself.
I feel bad I was ever amused at his antics.
Sep '10
Re: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
I don't own a TV, so I haven't seen the show "Two and a Half Men" from which Mr. Sheen was recently fired. (In fact, my lack of TV is one of the many reasons I subscribe to Rob's Martini Shot podcast. It's fascinating.) So the last time I really saw Mr. Sheen's face before tonight was while watching a DVD of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, in which he's about 20 years old.
Since Rob linked to his Ustream broadcast, I clicked on it. He was on. The difference between the young Charlie Sheen and the ranting individual on now is... frightening. Sad, but more than that. Actually a bit horrible.
To quote Donald Westlake's Cops and Robbers, he's not the way God made him originally. As Rob says, it's not funny. At all.
Edited on Mar 8, 2011 at 7:58pmRe: Charlie Sheen, The Last Word
Tonight's show committed two more unforgivable sins: it was dull, and it wasn't amusing. Before it went live, the UStream feed was hot, and you heard Sheen and two other people - a handler, or lawyer, and someone who sounded like a writer or advisor - help him craft his "message." Ranting Manic Charlie was nowhere in evidence, which brings up the possibility that the crazy whooo-boy entertaining train-wreck Charlie is something of an act, or at least a persona that can be turned on and off.
Almost as if he was acting.