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Chuck Lorre Reveals CBS Wanted Cryer Off "Two and a Half Men"
24 Oct
Summary
- Network executives initially opposed Jon Cryer's casting as Alan Harper.
- CBS cited Cryer's previous four short-lived sitcoms as a reason for rejection.
- Jon Cryer's successful audition secured his role, defying network doubts.
The successful run of "Two and a Half Men" nearly faltered before filming began due to casting disputes. Series creator Chuck Lorre's memoir reveals CBS's strong opposition to Jon Cryer playing Alan Harper. Executives deemed Cryer a liability, pointing to his track record of four failed sitcoms, each lasting only one season. Lorre, however, was impressed by Cryer from previous work and advocated for him.
Despite executive resistance, Cryer was given an audition for CBS chairman Les Moonves and other executives. He delivered a standout performance, demonstrating excellent chemistry with Charlie Sheen. Lorre's enthusiastic reaction to the audition visibly irked Moonves, but Cryer's performance was strong enough to secure his role in the pilot. The pilot's success paved the way for the series' historic run. Notably, Jon Cryer, initially doubted by the network, outlasted his co-star Charlie Sheen, who was later fired due to personal issues in March 2011. Ashton Kutcher then joined the show for its remaining seasons.
