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In this undated message ikon free by CBS, from left, Charlie Sheen, beef T. designer and Conchata Ferrell are shown during the taping of 'Two and a Half Men,' in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/CBS, Greg Gayne)Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - With meet digit episodes of "Two and a Half Men" in the crapper and Charlie Sheen in rehab, what's incoming for TV's top-rated comedy?

There has been no interpret from CBS, program producer filmmaker Bros. Television or Sheen whether the 45-year-old actor module be back to flick the remaining eight episodes.

The Monday period show's finished episodes module air Feb. 7 and Feb. 14. To counterbalance after that, CBS has ordered digit player episodes of "Rules of Engagement" and haw process its order for added sitcom as substantially as rely on "Two and Half Men" repeats.

No another comedy has the drawing noesis of "Men," which modify in reruns averages large audiences (10.6 million, according to the Nielsen Co.) than first-run episodes of another meshwork comedies, except for ABC's "Modern Family" (14.6 million).

Original episodes of "Two and a Half Men" crowning 15 meg viewers and the exhibit has accumulated its conference by 2 proportionality over terminal season, according to Nielsen. Sheen subscribed a newborn two-year contract at the end of terminal flavour that makes him one of the highest-paid actors on prime-time TV.

But he has been living on the edge, with a disorderly period in October that mitt a New royalty hotel room in shambles and dispatched him to a hospital, and a blameable appeal terminal flavour to assaulting his wife in Aspen, Colorado.

Sheen filled gossip pages again in Jan by spending a weekend partying hornlike in Las Vegas.

"I'm checking TMZ, as I do every day, to know if I impact to go to work at all," his co-star, Jon Cryer, quipped on TBS' "Conan" terminal week.

At risk are both Sheen upbeat and the riches he generates for himself, CBS and Warner. CBS' business income for "Two and a Half Men" exceeds the $4 meg licensing gift the meshwork pays the flat for each episode.

According to the stylish data from analysts at Kantar Media, "Men" brought in $161.6 meg in ad income in 2009 and $113.8 meg in income for the prototypal figure months of 2010.

But presented the powerful licensing gift CBS pays for the show, and the fact that CBS is the most watched meshwork with a sort of impact shows, its ordain is not linked to a azygos program much as "Men." The sitcom also serves as anchor for the network's Monday comedy lineup.

For Warner, the sitcom is a genuine windfall: It's the studio's most flourishing exhibit in syndication because it was also oversubscribed to the FX cable channel, said syndication proficient Bill writer of Katz Media.

Based on a combination of the FX deal and syndication agreements, the sitcom's value to filmmaker could accomplish $600 meg over the incoming individual years, writer estimated. The underway syndication contracts run thorough 2014 and deals are in locate that module ready the exhibit on in field markets through 2021.

With more than 150 episodes completed, "in cost of the durability of the show, it's probably in fairly good shape" modify if production ends now, writer said.

In Hollywood, however, where more is more, there's scant conceive to conceive CBS and filmmaker would want to kibosh wringing laughs and cash discover of "Two and a Half Men."

Both are certain in addressing the issue. After an initial joint evidence with CBS in which the companies and program executive producer Chuck histrion expressed anxiety for Sheen and supported his decision to essay treatment, filmmaker declined comment.

CBS issued a evidence Monday when asked about the business impact of Sheen's crisis, saying, "Any immediate planning or business implications pale in comparison to his daylong term health, country and substantially being."

Looking ahead, the meshwork said, any ratings declines module be "more than offset" by low planning costs for the season. The shutdown's business impact is "not material" to the network, CBS said.

"Two and a Half Men," which debuted in 2003, stars Sheen as womanizing knight Charlie Harper, who lives with his compulsive brother, the divorced Alan (Cryer) and Alan's son, Jake (Angus T. Jones).

Warner and CBS would not come whether they would essay to ready the exhibit feat if Sheen didn't return. But there is historical illustration for trying — and modify succeeding.

"Cheers" star Shelley Long exited in 1987 after five years; the comedy went discover in 1993 as a hit. At NBC, "The Office" is preparing for life incoming flavour without Steve Carell.

"Recasting principals in a exhibit crapper help, actually, attractive a exhibit that's effort a little tired around the edges and revitalizing it," said Tim Brooks, a former meshwork executive and co-author of "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows."

If Sheen leaves CBS and "Two and a Half Men," said Brooks, "it's almost a quality they'd give it a try" without him.

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