Charlie Sheen...loser won't have day in court! Arbitration Judge to rule on issues!

Some celebs - Lindsay Lohan, for example - are hauled off to court kicking-and-screaming without too much problem.

Provided Sheriffs are in tow!

Standing before a Judge is not a piece of a cake, though, even for an actor skilled at play-acting.

On occasion, getting the naughty few to appear before a Judge as the frenzied tabloid press jockey for a perch in the gallery on the sidelines, is tantamount to pulling wisdom teeth!

I expect that if Charlie Sheen was hoping to make a big splash on his much-anticipated upcoming day-in-court, that his ego must be a bit deflated now, as the news flashed out of the court environs over the past twenty-four hours.

Uh-huh!

A Judge presiding over his long-awaited lawsuit against Warner Brothers Studios just ruled that Charlie may not have the opportunity to litigate his case in open court.

What a pisser, eh?

The legal decision is based on a valid clause in bad-boy Sheen's contract with Warner Brothers which stipulates that an arbitrator must preside over legal disputes in respect to contract issues.

Previously, Sheen vehemently opposed the arbitration route in papers that were lodged with the court in April earlier this year.

Marty Singer, Sheen's attorney, has argued to all within earshot that the recent ruling does not necessarily determine whether the case will be heard privately - and so - the legal eagle is bent on obtaining a further ruling from the bench warmer that allows for the litigation to proceed in a public forum later this year.

Sheen has alleged in his causes of action that he has a valid claim for damages to the tune of $10 million based on royalties due on reruns and sales of the show (Two and A Half Men).

In addition to the monies alleged due, Sheen is suing on the grounds that he was fired by management with the express aim of punishing him for emergency hospitalizations and attacks on producer Chuck Lorre in high-profile interviews he gave in the wake of being kicked off the lot at Warner Brothers.

Superior Court Judge Allan Goodman, who is presiding over the legal proceedings, has asked that both parties provide updates on the progress of the arbitration by November 20th (2011).

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Ashton Kutcher...Network trots out "Two and a Half Men" star! Former Underwear model in spotlight!

Former underwear model catapulted into spotlight!







Ashton Kutcher - an actor the big brass at the studio is counting on to revive a hit show (that some say is on its last legs ) - was trotted out earlier today to introduce himself to loyal fans of the effervescent comedy "Two and a Half Men".
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Looking lean and raring-to-go - the sexy star of such films as "Where's my Car, Dude?" - was noticeably keyed-up and quick to take a dig at Charlie Sheen who once starred on the entertaining sitcom..

“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,” Kutcher qupped, as he fielded questions from journalists at a high-profile press conference aimed at triggering renewed interest in the once-smart, amusing, well-written comedy which continued to snag top ratings over the past eight years.

Of course, Kutcher was taking a poke at Sheen who recently inferred that charismatic performer was not capable of drawing in the all-important 2.5 demographic that is needed to propel "Two" forward and beyond with American viewers who have sat on the sidelines fascinated by all the brouhaha generated by the scandalous antics of bad-boy Sheen.

Producers are optimistic that the casting of Kutcher - who faired well in "That 70's Show" will trigger new directions in plot lines for the writers - and ultimately - breathe new life into the popular TV sitcom.

“Sheen’s character was getting a little thin,” says Robert Thompson, founder of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University in New York.

“As good as Charlie Sheen was, his TV alter ego, Charlie Harper, had begun to wear out. You can only do so many stories with a drinking, drugged-out womanizer."

As Charlie Sheen is beginning to find out in real life!

With that in mind, one has to seriously wonder about the obvious, in the aftermath.
 Will “Two and a Half Men” be as successful as it was when the mean Sheen machine was at the helm?

More importantly, will the entertaining piece of fluff continue to be a magnet capable of attracting A-list talent to CBS like moth to flame once again?

Predictions become iffy, at best, when analysts are forced to take a wider view of the terrain.

In some instances, when stars have departed suddenly from Television bill-of-fare for whatever reason (death, contract disputes, to move on), a handful of top-rated shows have managed to not only maintain a toehold - but also (with the right set of circumstances) - leap forward in popularity to gain momentum and "stick" even after the curiosity factor has long since worn off.

For example, when David Caruso left “NYPD Blue” in 1994, critics opined that the show would suffer.

“The ultimately interesting point in all this is debated in television and theater classes across America all the time,” says Fordham University communications professor Paul Levinson, author of “New New Media.

“Is it the overall characters or the overall story that is most compelling to audiences?”

“If Ashton Kutcher succeeds in the absence of Sheen, it will weigh in on the side that characters are less important than the overall story. If he doesn’t succeed, it will be evidence that overall, characters are more important.”

On the other hand, some shows just konk out, after all the potential storylines (and the obvious variables) have inevitably panned out.

In the case of Sheen, the one joke joke, may have rustled up its last laugh this past season.

With Kutcher in the role of a fresh character, the sitcom may find itself transfused with life-saving creative energy, that may catapult it forward for another season or two.

In the final analysis, the network may prove the critics wrong, once again.

"Two and a Half Men" may have survived all these years not because of Sheen's sheer talent - and comic genius - but by virtue of ensemble cast performances that charmed and won over the American public.

Notwithstanding, Kutcher's demographics across the board may be a force to reckon with, too.

Does lightning strike twiice?

The jury is still out.

We'll see!

http://www.thetattler.biz


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Ashton out-on-town with Cougar Demi Moore!

Ashton Kutcher...to replace mean machine Charlie Sheen! Underwear model may titillate!

Early yesterday morning, the Network that produces the TV Sitcom - Two and a Half Men - was obviously throwing up a smoke screen as their negotations with an actor they were keen on scooping for one of their shut-down productions capable of reapling in big-bucks were underway.

Uh-huh!

The Internet - and News outlets around the country - were a-buzz with the rumor that Hugh Grant (Sunset Strip bad-boy of yesteryear) was about to prove his acting chops (and star power) by landing the lead on a top-rated American nightly funny.

According to the scuttlebutt, Grant was a good fit to step into the role, by virtue of his notorious past.

But, a dude in the shadows was inking a deal to the surprise of agents, out-of-work actors, and media outlets.

Ashton Kutcher - a 36-year-old Cougar-lover (with 6 million twitter followers) - had apparently nabbed the role at the 11th hour.

Talk about in-like-Flynn, eh?

Even though the stardust hadn't even settled yet, a disgruntled - bent-out-of-whack has-been by the name of Charlie Sheen - was spouting off at the mouth.

Duh!

Quick to avoid criticism, Sheen focused on the ratings, and refrained from taking pot shots at the actor who would replace him, in spite of his tendency to do so with the likes of John Stamos on the heels of his firing.

Frankly, I think the dude with the tiger blood, got caught with his pants down (again!).

Even still, Mr. Sheen was not a loss for words.

"Enjoy planet Chuck, Ashton," laughed Sheen on hearing the astounding news.

"There is no air, laughter, loyalty, or love there," he noted for the record.

The hunka-hunka porn love did not go quietly in the night, either.

No, Sir!

His thoughts on Demi's better-half in a nutshell?

"Kutcher is a sweetheart and a brilliant comedic performer," he applauded.

But, in the final analysis, the drug-addled actor tried to take a nasty snipe at the handsome former male model when he inferred that Mr. Kutcher was not capable of rustling up a ratings coup in a powerhouse demographic.

"Enjoy the show, America," he huffed.

"Enjoy seeing a 2.0 in the demo every Monday at WB."

In-between the lines, Charlie appeared to be inferring that the network brass may be back knocking on his door in the near ffuture, when Ashton's MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE fails.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz




Was it something I said? Duh!



Revolving door swings other way!

Charlie Sheen...winning streak ends! In words of Donald Trump...

 

In response to Charlie Sheen's laments over the weekend that the brass at the Network failed to return his telephone calls regarding the production of - "Two and a half Men" - the execs at Warner Brothers finally ended the suspense.

Instead of a jolt in the arm, the suits delivered a lethal blow.

Uh-huh!

In the words of the immortal Donald Trump, they were inclined to utter up:

"You're fired!"

Since the fate of the show is still up-in-the-air, pundits have been quick to drag long-in-the-tooth actor John Stamos into the frey (a possible replacement) to underscore a Hollywood reality.

Everyone can be replaced!

That's usually a given, when disputes arise with tempermental talents on the creative end, and especially rings true when troubles arise with vain egotistical actors starring in the hit shows.

Except with one notable exception in recent years.

If you recall - the cast of "Friends" were able to hold out - and achieve their big buck demands.

Why, pray tell?

Because all of the actors held their ground and stood together in the good fight.

In retrospect?

Charlie Sheen should have reached out to the other one-and-a-half men on the popular TV sitcom.

Is a reality show in the wings for Sheen now?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

"You're fired!"