Poor Charlie Sheen

Poor Charlie Sheen.


Playing out a power dynamic without first considering how badly you are needed usually works out badly.

Power is about needs and abilities. Charlie’s abilities are, unfortunately, replaceable.

Chuck Lorre has a list of successes. Each of his shows have been very profitable to the people who make the ultimate decisions and who really only care about profitability.

Moreover Lorre is not publicly attacking the people who write his paychecks.

The question is who needs who? The power dynamic will always go the one who feels his need the least. Chuck Lorre has some pretty solid things to keep him busy - Big Bang Theory and Mike and Molly. His resume is solid. He has proven his worth to those who make the decisions.

Chuck Lorre has a multitude of people who want to work for him.

Charlie Sheen has a fun resume. The last few years on television have been good to him. His popularity, though sometimes dubious, is proven as well. Charlie is important to TV.

He is important to Jimmy, Jay and Dave - but not for the reasons he hopes.

Charlie Sheen seems to have one show about to end and some illusory promises for movies. I hope they come through for him.

He does not seem to be valuable to his children who he has lost.
He is valuable to his ex wives who are using his embarrassing moments to secure their control over the children.

However, he is playing the power game as well as he might in the circumstance. If fact I offer him a certain amount of praise. He is present on news shows everyday. He is playing to those who love his lecherous and besotted characters. He is making his points and fans are listening. Charlie has a connection to the audience. He is personable and lovable. He is recognizable and real to the people. He may even be sympathetic to some of us.

Most of us wouldn’t recognize Chuck Lorre if he bit us on the proverbial.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Charlie is as important to us as he thinks.
I am afraid that fans of Two and a Half Men will simply change channels.
Maybe to Big Bang Theory.

I do not think Chuck Lorre needs him as bad as he needs Chuck Lorre. And so the power game will go to the producer not the star.

In fact we may see the nastiest proof of that power yet.

Next season will begin with Charlie Harper dying in a car crash.
We can fill two shows with characters reminiscing.
Charlie could get some royalty money :)

Hundreds of beautiful women will turn up to for his funeral only to spit on his grave. Cut to all those face slaps, insults and Charlie’s loveable but sinister smile.

Among that crowd of well wishers, idolizers and revenge seekers will emerge a new wholly despicable, yet lovable, womanizer (the as of yet, unknown, bastard son of Evelyn from a crazy night at Woodstock with a rock star) who will break Alan’s heart because Charlie’s house and money was left to the bastard in Charlie’s will. Of course the will stipulates that Alan can live there for the rest of his life and the battle of brothers will continue.

You won’t even need to change the name of the show. We can reuse some of the old jokes. He could try to bed Judith. Maybe another baby from a Harper brother...

Sounds kind of interesting doesn’t it?
Maybe I should call Chuck.
Hey Chuck maybe you need me…
Maybe I have some power after all.

What do you think?