CBS Shutters Two and a Half Men

LOS ANGELES: CBS has canceled the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men for the rest of the season, following star Charlie Sheen’s tirade against the show’s producer.

The move by CBS to pull the sitcom follows recent expletive-filled rants from Sheen live on radio, in which he called Two And A Half Men creator Chuck Lorre a "charlatan (who) chose not to do his job," a "turd" and a "stupid, stupid little man." 

Warner Bros. Television and CBS shortly thereafter released a statement about their decision to halt the show’s run: "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."

After news broke that the show had been pulled, Sheen sent a letter to gossip website TMZ criticizing Lorre for the decision: "I fire back once and this contaminated little maggot can’t handle my power and can’t handle the truth. I wish him nothing but pain in his silly travels especially if they wind up in my octagon. Clearly I have defeated this earthworm with my words—imagine what I would have done with my fire-breathing fists."

Production of Two and a Half Men had been suspended last month when Sheen began a drug-rehabilitation program, after being hospitalized following a wild party at his home. Sheen is the highest paid actor on U.S. television, having earned $30 million last year on the back of the show. Warner Bros. has left open the possibility that the show will start filming again next season.