Switching out a lead protagonist, for whatever reason, can either win or lose viewers. In the case of Two and a Half Men‘s recent reboot, which found Charlie Sheen dead in a train accident, the former has most definitely been true.
The premiere opened with Charlie’s funeral, which needless-to-say did not run smoothly. Thanks to a lengthy list of guest appearances and character returns, the show started its new season swimmingly.
Kutcher’s first appearance as Walden Schmidt occurs when Evelyn, Charlie’s mother, who seems to feel anything but grief over the loss of her son, holds an open house in attempt to sell Charlie’s lucrative beach-front property. As he enters the porch, Alan, surprised by the visitor, humorously scatters Charlie’s ashes all around.
The rest of the episode revolved around Walden as he “familiarized” himself with the house and the people. The script seemed to be tailored to what movie-goers know are the extent of Kutcher’s comedic abilities; however, that does not mean that what Kutcher can do he does not do well.
In the episodes that have followed, the series’ creator, Chuck Lorre, has continued to fill the script with many jokes that fall flat, but several that make me laugh. By introducing Walden’s soon-to-be-ex-wife Bridget, played by Judy Greer (13 Going on 30, Mad Love), they have even created a relationship based not only in superficial ideals but on feelings. Walden spends most nights planning ways to get Bridget back, while she cannot get over the clearly immature and childlike behavior that ravaged their relationship in both public and private circumstances.
Finally, an overwhelming, record-breaking statistic appeared on the Nielsen website early on the morning after the show’s debut. Two and a Half Men‘s premiere episode had garnered 28.7 million viewers, a number that had not been reached in over half a decade. With a series-high in viewers came the same in ratings, demonstrating a 10.3 rating which was more than double of last year’s premiere.
In the end, however, it is easier to gain viewers than it is to keep them. Will Men be able to hold its success in the long run? I suppose it’s up to viewers to make the decision: will you stick around?
