Two and a Half Men - TV Fanatic

Two and a Half Men Review: The Working Class and Aristocrat

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:01:56 EST

This week's Two and a Half Men episode was a pretty good one. I mean, who doesn't love a little bit of cat fighting, especially when two of our beloved female characters are at each other's throats?!?

We were treated to a tad bit of class warfare on "Sips, Sonnets and Sodomy," with Zoey in the right corner representing the 1%, and Lyndsey in the left corner sporting the colors of the working class. What really worked for me was seeing Zoey getting her hands dirty and being a little bitchy, a far cry from her normal prim and proper character.

In life, everything is a competition, and “Sips, Sonnets & Sodomy” proved that no one is above rivalry. The most hysterical part of the episode was the moaning match between both parties; they both tried to outdo each other, and it was pretty funny to watch.

I called it last week, and Zoey totally backed me up here, referring to Nigel, her ex-husband, as “a total douche bag." At the end of the half hour, both Zoey and Lyndsey bonded over wine, their kids and the men on their lives. Zoey even asked her ex-enemy for advice on how to lock Walden down.

Another piece of comedic gem? Watching Alan and Walden trying to come up with mail-related sexual innuendos.

Side notes:

Alan has some serious mommy issues.
I would have loved to see this throw down between Chelsea and Lyndsey.
Does anyone read Chuck Lorre’s vanity cards? Those things are pretty hilarious.

Please head over to our Two and a Half Men quotes page for some of the best insults traded between Zoey and Lyndsey - and sound off in the comments what you thought of the episode.

Two and a Half Men Review: Mary Poppins and Sir Schmidt

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:45:05 EST

Oh, my, this week’s episode of Two and a Half Men was full of carnal interludes, drugs and loyal subjects.

Walden and Zoey seemed to hit that dreaded spot in any relationship where everything suddenly becomes boring, but that all became water under the bridge after awhile... provided they visit many more zoos in the future.

I can understand Zoey’s reluctance in saying certain words. After all, she's British. Those Brits are so formal, looking for better words all the time, trying to replace vulgar ones with others such as frisky and randy. Seriously, Berta hit the proverbial nail on the head by calling her "Mary Poppins."

She had a little bit of trust issues, but seeing as Walden and her child hit off, it's safe to say, those worries are long gone now. I do hope their relationship continues to grow stronger.

Indeed, we were treated to a little bit of character development from Zoey in "Duchess of Dull- In-Sack," as viewers were introduced to her ex- husband, who happens to be 177th in line for the throne and her daughter, Ava. The latter is really sweet, and she gave Walden his new name, “Sir Schmidt," Her ex, though? A complete douche bag.

This week was a little low on jokes, but Berta, Jake and Eldridge had the best lines of the night. From Jake suggesting that he and Eldridge could be ringers for each other... to finding Berta’s brownies... and Berta’s borderline racist jokes about Poland and shoes... I could not stop laughing. I'm happy to see other characters are getting more screen time, with Alan relegated a bit here, though still produce some chuckles.

All in all, a good episode. I look forward to the return of Judy Greer, while Aston Kutcher looks kind of young with that haircut. I also hope Jake and Eldridge find the real Zoey. Finally: best of luck to Zoey’s ex-husband - that succession line is really long.

Patton Oswalt to Guest Star on Two and a Half Men

matt@tvfanatic.com (TV Fanatic Staff) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:23:06 EST

It's not exactly the same as starring opposite Charlize Theron, but at least Ashton Kutcher has cleaned himself up a bit.

Comedian Patton Oswalt - currently appearing in Young Adult and recently having recurred on United States of Tara - will stop by the February 27 episode of Two and a Half Men.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Oswalt will play an ex-business partner of Kutcher's Walden Schmidt, someone described by show writers as “the Wozniak to Walden’s Jobs.” So he's damn rich, but not all that famous.

He's signed for just one installment.

Two and a Half Men Review: Goodbye Hipster Jesus!

eric@tvfanatic.com (Eric Hochberger) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:42:06 EST

I can say whatever I want about this week's Two and a Half Men, but it will all come down to a former prison barber and the death of hipster jesus.

Already the target of celebrity gossip and TV news sites, Ashton Kutcher's, and thus Walden's, haircut was front and center this week, as Zoey made her man cut his hair for his corporate party.

There was sadly little else to the story - aside from the amazing joke of Alan's attempts that led to the episode's title, "A Possum on Chemo" - worth mentioning. It can pretty much all be summed up in one picture:

Wow. So what did you think of Walden's new clean face and combed 'do? Will his newfound ridiculously pretty looks help finally make you forget about Charlie Sheen?

As for the actual episode story and jokes, most of them were left in the capable hands of Alan and Lyndsey and their own little Beavis and Butthead, Jake and Eldritch.

There seems to be a lot more cheesy stoner humor this season, but the boys managed to land a few good ones, between spewing bug spray to clean up roaches and tricking Alan into heading off to Lyndsey's.

But that's when things got good for me, when we learned what keeps Lyndsey coming back to Alan: his low expectations and sexual prowess. Alan may have been less than pleased... but just pick up a copy of Cinnamon's Buns. Or any old season of Melrose Place on DVD. That's worth any amount of dead buffalo farts.

I always welcome her pretty face and crude humor around the Malibu beach house. If nothing else, it keeps Alan away from occupying two minutes of screen time, taking pictures for an online dating site. Unfortunately, it may be one less rubbing it out joke...

NOTE: TV Fanatic is looking for a new Two and a Half Men critic. Think you're up for the gig? If so, email a review of this episode to editor-in-chief Matt Richenthal (matt@tvfanatic.com) as a writing sample. He'll look over the submissions and choose a writer to cover future episodes.

Thank you for reading - and good luck!

TCA Notes: CBS President on Good Wife Time Slot, Mike & Molly Wedding, Vagina Jokes and More!

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:59:13 EST

With her network clobbering all others in ratings, and with only one new show premiering this season - the horrific Rob - CBS President Nina Tassler took to the stage today at the Television Critics Association press tour and answered questions regarding a number of steady performers.

Among the highlights from her panel, along with those sprinkled in from other network guests:

No, CBS is not happy with the football overruns pushing back The Good Wife almost every Sunday, but “the show feels like a better fit on Sunday night. More importantly, the audience that does watch the show on Sunday is more upscale, more female and very engaged."
Ashton Kutcher has a new, clean look (above) and the reason why will be addressed on Monday's Two and a Half Men.
While confirming 2 Broke Girls will likely continue to use the diner as a setting, Tassler responded to criticism over risque storylines with the line of the week: "Vagina is not indecent."
A Mike & Molly wedding will almost definitely take place in May.

Note: 2 Broke Girls creator Michael Patrick King just completed a VERY hostile session with reporters. It deserves its own post...

Two and a Half Men Review: Awful Alan

eric@tvfanatic.com (Eric Hochberger) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:57:16 EST

As board member of Walden Loves Bridgette Enterprises, Alan remained true to what's been a season-long theme on Two and a Half Men this week: the guy acted like the biggest scum bag ever.

I can handle scum baggery, but the very idea of the man suddenly giving up his loyalty to Walden for a red Porsche and a touch from Walden's mother - that could only be described as "Slowly and in a Circular Fashion" - seemed ridiculous, considering he passed on selling on Walden's very expensive rhodium wedding band.

Now, suddenly, the irritating little douche required a multi-million dollar bribe of his name on the Malibu beach home to remain a loyal friend? Sure, I'll buy it for the purpose of this episode. But it's going to make me look at Alan a little differently the rest of the season.

The episode was also too dependent on Walden and his new array of supporting characters (Bridgette, Zoe, and Robin), all of whom were situated around the board room table.

After the midseason finale, I realized the series was going to closey follow the show's new Rose, Bridgette. And that's fine, I know Judy Greer is more than capable as taking over as the resident crazy lady. However, this week, she appeared much too sane, plotting with Robin to protect Walden's money from his investments. All this talk of fiduciary responsibility was far too... sensible. After driving through the house, I'm going to need a little something more than mother manipulation.

All in favor of never heading back to the Walden Loves Alan Enterprises board room? Aye. And bringing back more old Men supporting cast members? Seconded.

Chuck Lorre Explains Charlie Sheen Firing, Two and a Half Men Makeover

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:31:35 EST

The shenanigans of Charlie Sheen may have dominated the headlines for weeks in early 2011, but Chuck Lorre goes into detail with TV Guide Magazine this month and says the battle between Two and a Half Men and its leading man was "not a game."

"The [studio and the network] chose to make a moral decision as opposed to a financial one," Lorre says in his first wide-ranging interview on the topic. "This was drug addiction writ large. This was big-time cocaine, and in his own words, an 'epic drug run' that could have ended with either his death or someone else's."

Lorre also said he offered to quit the show during the height of the controversy.

Among other topics tackled by Lorre...

On bringing in Ashton Kutcher: "I thought, why not find out if we can do it? If we failed, what have we failed at? Making a sitcom? Then it became exciting. We got to do something none of us ever dreamed of doing: We got to end a series and start a new series in 20 minutes."

On crossing fiction with non-fiction: "To not deal with it felt like a cheat. The unbelievably public nature of this debacle is part of our legacy now. It happened, and the dividing line between Charlie Harper and Charlie Sheen is forever blurred."

On shutting down production: "I didn't want to be writing a sitcom while my friend died. Or worse, hurt someone else. We couldn't be complacent. There was a tragedy unfolding right in front of us. There was violence and blackouts. On a certain level, if you're looking the other way, you're responsible."

On his current attitude toward Sheen: "Bottom line, I hope he's happy, I hope he's healthy. I hope he's able to be there for his kids."

Two and a Half Men Review: "One False Move, Zimbabwe!"

eric@tvfanatic.com (Eric Hochberger) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:29:19 EST

Watching this week's Two and a Half Men, I couldn't help but feel like I'm watching a completely different show these days. Walden has become much more of a focal point since his courtship with Zoe began.

But this week, it was much more than that.

Alan was again relegated to the sideline of the A story as he played Walden's sidekick, while Jake (with some Eldritch) and Berta were barely used as supporting characters.

The real difference this week stemmed from guest star Mimi Rogers as Walden's mother. The episode attempted to take a more emotional route again with Walden, this time exploring his childhood.

Apparently, Walden was raised with a gorilla, Magilla, for the first four years of his life as part of his mother's experiment. The result? Walden is smarter than a gorilla. Oh, and some emotional scaring from the "One False Move, Zimbabwe!" threat that led Walden up to the top of a roof for a little King Kong parody.

Somewhere, between that rooftop scene and Walden's reunion with Magilla, the sitcom felt off and like a different show, though watching a 400-pound Gorilla tickle Kutcher had me laughing at the end at least.

The main highlight of the night for me took place on the floor during the King Kong scene. I loved both Zoe's ridiculously adorable parents meeting Walden's mother and the stoned Jake and Eldritch showing up with some pizza in hand, then leaving for some FroYo.

So what did everyone else think of the latest Walden-centric installment of Men? Are you caring about his relationship with Zoe, his mother, and long lost gorilla brother?

Two and a Half Men Review: Oh, Lay!

eric@tvfanatic.com (Eric Hochberger) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:40:52 EST

On this week's Two and a Half Men, Jake and Alan were relegated to mere peanut gallery roles, while Walden took the reigns and ran the entire show, courting Zoey in the process like only he can. To wit:

As much as I want to complain that the Sombrero-wearing billionaire has hijacked the sitcom, "What a Lovely Landing Strip" wasn't actually too bad.

Walden finally took advantage of what it is women loved about him besides dashing good looks: his money. There was that slight feeling of deja vu, err like it happened before, when suddenly I was watching a man I was jealous of.

As he hopped in his private jet, bought Zoey's child's way into school (despite not knowing what the school was or its testing process, he apparently had a connection on the board?) and served some delicious guacamole, there was a semblance of that idol aspect Charlie Sheen brought to the show.

While the first part of the episode never felt very Two and a Half Men-like, the second half accomplish that feat, slowly turning Judy Greer's Bridget (yes, I still feel the need to specify which Judy Greer character) into Walden's very own Rose.

They didn't just make her crazy. Well... they did. I mean, she drove a car through the house. But they literally decided to turn her into Rose as they brought in our beloved Rose to mentor her and sent the two ladies jumping off the balcony together.

I hope with the sudden continuity this season has been enjoying (was this the second Previously On...?), we'll see a little more Rose and crazy Bridget as a pairing. Now those are some talented comedic actresses.

So come along as we circle around Guadalajara and land in London, grab a margarita and browse our favorite Two and Half Men jokes from the episode. Then, complain about the lack of Sheen in the comments.

Two and a Half Men Review: "A Fishbowl Full Of Glass Eyes"

eric@tvfanatic.com (Eric Hochberger) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:58:29 EST

Significant time apparently passed in the Two and a Half Men universe because Alan was out of the looney bin this week and back in a completing remodeled of the Malibu Beach home.

In addition to humor, it turns out Charlie beats out Walden in yet another department: taste. Seriously, buddy. Green tile backsplash? Retro electronics in front of wood paneling? A computer desk where a piano used to be? Wow, I'm analyzing the set way too much.

Back to the episode... After teasing us with what could have been a strong Jake installment in the intro, we returned again to the solo Walden show as he left his wingman behind with a quarter million frequent flyer miles and went on an awkward date with a charming English woman.

Meanwhile, Alan spent most of "A Fishbowl Full Of Glass Eyes" in and out of a pawn shop. But really it was an eye-opening chat with Berta and a fancy wedding ring that made this story.

Alan really seemed to be as terrible as Berta made him out to be, until he managed to redeem himself when he pulled out a rhodium and platinum ring worth enough digits to make up a phone number (yeah, over a million).

The thing that always makes Alan work is the ridiculous line he walks between deplorable and pathetic. This week he was dangerously close to making me hate the guy, only to have him bounce back as he took a plunge into the ocean.

No, it wasn't nearly as funny as last week's half hour. But it also didn't rely on any dream sequence gimmicks and delivered some solid bromance building between Walden and Alan.

They're not exactly ready to be signed up for our dynamic duo poll, but they might just make it to another season. And maybe by then Jake will find his way back from whatever city it was with an Eiffel Tower in the background.