It appears that Charlie Sheen's latest verbal blow-up has cost him and CBS "Two And A Half Men"...at least for the season. In a radio interview with Alex Jones, Charlie went off against producer Chuck Lorre, including calling him "Chaim Levine" (a variation on his real name, Charlies Levine) that set off the Anti-Defamation League. That led to CBS issuing this statement: "Based on the totality of Charlie Sheen’s statements, conduct and condition, CBS and Warner Bros. Television have decided to discontinue production of Two and a Half Men for the remainder of the season."
"Two And a Half Men" has been the #1 comedy on television and one of CBS's cash cows for years, and there's no way CBS is going to get rid of that anytime soon even though is already earned way enough seasons to gain rerun immortality. But Lorre already has his hands full with "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mike & Molly", both also on CBS. Replacing Sheen could be costly, which reminds me...what's Ted McGinley doing these days?
Charlie Sheen has been the backbone of "Two And A Half Men", and you cannot continue without a backbone. I think the show should be put on a permanent hiatus, though the theme song with only one word sung throughout ("men") is already tiring.
Now...in less than 48 hours and change, it'll be Oscar time. However, telecast producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer -- the latter also pulling double duty as director after that piss-poor job last year by Hamish Hamilton -- should be watching The Weather Channel during rehearsals because the forecast on Sunday may be calling for some natural glitter on the red carpet...SNOW! But don't worry, the area's tented just in case.
"The King's Speech" comes in as the film to beat with 12 nominations, though "The Social Network" was originally favored to take Best Picture after their Golden Globes win. That changed when a few other awards including SAG and BAFTAs were already tilted in "King's Speech" favor, leaving the other eight Best Picture nominees -- "127 Hours", "Black Swan", "The Fighter", "Inception", "The Kids Are All Right", "Toy Story 3", "True Grit", and "Winter's Bone" -- high and dry.
Colin Firth is guaranteed Best Actor, unless Javier Bardem, Jeff Bridges (going for back-to-back Oscars), Jesse Eisenberg, or James Franco say otherwise. And for Best Actress, it's all about Natalie Portman vs. Annette Bening, with Portman already having a wide advantage after Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA victories. In other words, Natalie may have this won come Sunday...that is, unless there's a tie. By the way, the other three nominees -- Nicole Kidman (who got that same award "The Hours" in 2003), newcomer Jennifer Lawrence, and Michelle Williams (in her second nod) -- will have to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
But win or lose, Franco will be enjoying the show like no other, as he and Anne Hathaway will be keeping things civilized as hosts. Among the presenters lined up: Oprah Winfrey, Scarlett Johansson, 2009 host Hugh Jackman, Matthew McConaughey, Jude Law, Mila Kunis, Robert Downey Jr., Josh Brolin, past winners Tom Hanks, Hilary Swank, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Marisa Tomei, Cate Blanchett, and last year's Best Actress Sandra Bullock.
Okay, now comes the part you've been waiting for: Whose lives will change forever after those five famous words, "And the Oscar goes to...", is read? Here are my picks:
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christian Bale
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Originally I was going for Melissa Leo, but based on history of this category, it has always went to somebody young; case in point: Tatum O'Nell and later Anna Paquin. Hailee Steinfeld at 14 should end that 17-year drought.
BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth (who else?)
BEST ACTRESS: If it was Hilary Swank for "Conviction", then Annette Bening would have the advantage. Bening (being the veteran she is) will get her due alright...but not this time. This year, with a baby on the way as well as hitting 30, it's all about Natalie Portman.
BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher ("The Social Network")
BEST PICTURE: The keyword here is "theme" when it comes to Best Picture. "The Hurt Locker" has a war theme; "The Departed", a mob theme; "Slumdog Millionaire"; an ethnic theme; "Schindler's List", a holocaust theme"; "Gladiator", a medieval theme; and "No Country For Old Men", a western theme. All of them have won Best Picture in the past, so in the case of "The King's Speech", there's a royalty theme.
But...remember when "Shakespeare In Love" won over the heavily favored "Saving Private Ryan" thanks to some behind-the-scenes bribing from the Weinsteins? Well, the Academy voters have learned their lesson from last time, and keeping up with those changing times I'm going to say that "The Social Network" will have a chance to pull it off this year!
We'll see what happens when the 83rd Annual Academy Awards comes our way this Sunday, and since they'll be aired LIVE here in Alaska at 4:30 pm (yes, no more spoiling ourselves online on who already won!) I'll be live tweeting during the show, so follow me on Twitter @jonathanallen. I hope Franco and Hathaway finish up in time so I can catch "The Amazing Race" at 8:00.
And of course, on Monday I'll have my complete wrap-up, so so long and stay strong.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Originally I was going for Melissa Leo, but based on history of this category, it has always went to somebody young; case in point: Tatum O'Nell and later Anna Paquin. Hailee Steinfeld at 14 should end that 17-year drought.
BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth (who else?)
BEST ACTRESS: If it was Hilary Swank for "Conviction", then Annette Bening would have the advantage. Bening (being the veteran she is) will get her due alright...but not this time. This year, with a baby on the way as well as hitting 30, it's all about Natalie Portman.
BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher ("The Social Network")
BEST PICTURE: The keyword here is "theme" when it comes to Best Picture. "The Hurt Locker" has a war theme; "The Departed", a mob theme; "Slumdog Millionaire"; an ethnic theme; "Schindler's List", a holocaust theme"; "Gladiator", a medieval theme; and "No Country For Old Men", a western theme. All of them have won Best Picture in the past, so in the case of "The King's Speech", there's a royalty theme.
But...remember when "Shakespeare In Love" won over the heavily favored "Saving Private Ryan" thanks to some behind-the-scenes bribing from the Weinsteins? Well, the Academy voters have learned their lesson from last time, and keeping up with those changing times I'm going to say that "The Social Network" will have a chance to pull it off this year!
We'll see what happens when the 83rd Annual Academy Awards comes our way this Sunday, and since they'll be aired LIVE here in Alaska at 4:30 pm (yes, no more spoiling ourselves online on who already won!) I'll be live tweeting during the show, so follow me on Twitter @jonathanallen. I hope Franco and Hathaway finish up in time so I can catch "The Amazing Race" at 8:00.
And of course, on Monday I'll have my complete wrap-up, so so long and stay strong.
No comments:
Post a Comment