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 CHARLIE SHEEN ....deserves our support? |
Standing up for Charlie
in his time of need
By ANDY MURCIA
of TheColumnists.com
You’d have to be dead not to have heard about Charlie Sheen and the producers of his runaway hit TV series, “Two & A Half Men”. I know Charlie Sheen; my wife, Ann Jillian, and I met Charlie many years ago at a party, when he was a young man. Jeff Ballard, a Hollywood publicist, introduced us all.
First off, Charlie is a first class guy. He was always a gentleman around my Ann, and to everyone I ever saw him in contact with. Sure we all have a couple of drinks at a party, and as we all know, when someone has a few belts, they tend to expose the person they truly are. We get to see the real guy not the guy they present to the public. Take my word for it, Charlie is a very nice guy and very down to earth when you speak with him.
I’ve seen this side of Charlie always. Our paths have crossed in the show business circles he and my wife travel in and I’ve never seen him out of line, not in the least. Many of these so-called “Hollywood Insiders” don’t know beans and their comments anger me to no end. Charlie, in his good-natured way, seems to let them slide. He is a professional and he knows these people just have a job to do.
Lately I’ve heard people on TV and
writers in the print media talk about Charlie as if they knew
him, when 99% of them really don’t. Because Charlie Sheen
is so hot right now, they all want to play like they have the
inside track. Most of them know little more than what the network
and TV producer’s press agents are telling them.
The truth is, the feud between Charlie and the producers of his
show has been brewing for years. (Editor's Note: Sheen has been
fired from his hit series and is now suing the producers for
$100 million.) Sure Charlie’s “far out” verbiage
is intriguing and millions of folks are acting like “looky
Lou’s” at a freeway car accident. We are tuning in
for the latest news and the news media knows this. It’s
all good for their almighty ratings.
But all that’s really going on is that Charlie has had enough of his main producer, and because he has the courage, he is calling him out publicly. Very few actors can ever afford to speak their mind to those who get a perverted pleasure out of controlling their lives. Some of these producers (male and female) can send many a weak actor to the shrink's couch, if they let them. Charlie refuses to let them.
I for one, having been through a war or two as a personal manager of actors, can tell you that these people can drive you up a tree and mess with your mind. Why, you ask? Simple. Many of the people who get to high places are very talented but many are just weird. Some are not well adjusted in their personal lives. They bring a lot of baggage going back to why their fathers and/or mothers are ashamed of them or why a normal life holds no kicks for them– nd why they need to meddle in other peoples’ personal lives.
While most actors have to put up with their crap, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see Charlie Sheen refuse to take it. Thank God and his talents that he has made “Two and A Half Men” the mega million dollar hit it is, and that while Charlie may not have gotten his fair share of those millions, he has obtained enough so as to put his middle finger up to the producer he feels is the source of his blues.
I agree with Charlie. This producer should get on his knees and thank Charlie for making him one of the wealthy cats in Hollywood! But, as it goes here in town, once the actor gets his show to be a hit, others want to take all the credit for it–-at least in telling their husbands/wives that “they did it all”. It’s ego man! Yes, plain and simple, it’s ego!
Ask any actor who has worked with Charlie and they will tell you that Charlie is a terrific guy, a lot of fun, and most generous. He has never displayed an ego that would belittle others–not until now, that is.
So you tell me, did the producer(s) drive him to it? Why would he just now single them out? As an old copper, I am suspect of what triggered Charlie to blow off steam like he has of late. I would not doubt his producers played a major role. I would also venture that his ex is not helping matters in taking her shot at Charlie while some think he’s so far down that he’d have to reach up to touch bottom – but I’m sure he and she will work that out to the tune of more bucks.
I know Charlie is a great Dad to his kids, and a decent minded young man. I’ve seen Charlie interact with his kids and, as a dad, I can tell you it’s pure love. While Charlie and I are neighbors here in Sherman Oaks, because of our age difference (me much older than Charlie) we ain’t bar buddies.
But Ann and I consider Charlie a friend and I’m sure the truth will all come out in court, as they say–or at least a fair settlement will be made to Charlie in terms of the bucks he knows he has coming from his TV hit. That’s how right and wrong are usually adjudicated here in Hollywood: The wrong guy pays the bill and the right guy walks away richer.
Sure, Charlie is no angel and has had his escapades with babes and intoxications, I would guess in his attempt to de-stress himself from all the "blues" they gave him. But he's dealing with his imperfections--and, after all, who among us is perfect enough to cast the first stone?
As for his colorful sex life, what unmarried red blooded man would not want some of the female action Charlies seems to be getting regularly? Producers know his "life" is the charm of the show, even though the writers may have been embellishing Charlie's life quite a bit.
Anyway, I’ll put my two bucks down that Charlie is the winner of this dispute. In the meantime, I say we should all “let Charlie do it” on behalf of all those actors who can’t afford to do it for themselves. Picture David and Goliath – I say, "Go, David, go!" I mean, “Go, Charlie, go!”
I hope all the great fans that loved Charlie’s show will get behind him and support him with their loyalty and love. He truly deserves it. Lastly, Charlie, if you need me, just whistle next time I drive by your crib, man, I’m in your corner and not afraid to say so. Take care and be well, Charlie.
©2011 by Andy Murcia. This column first posted March 14, 2011.
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