Dec 5, 2012 5:00am

CBS CEO Hints at Angus T. Jones’ ‘Two and a Half Men’ Departure

gty angus t jones thg 121126 wblog CBS CEO Hints at Angus T. Jones Two and a Half Men Departure

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Angus T. Jones’ future with “Two and a Half Men” remains uncertain after his rant against the CBS sitcom went viral last week, but it’s clear that a lot of people remain baffled by the 19-year-old actor’s decision to call the show that pays him $350,000 an episode “filth,” among them, CBS CEO Les Moonves.

“We took this boy who started with us when he was eight years old and it seems to be what happens with child stars over the course of time,” Moonves said at a breakfast hosted by Wall Street Journal Tuesday. Video of Moonves’ comments is posted on the Journal’s website.

“He’s now making over $300,000 per week, which is not a bad salary for a 19-year-0ld kid,” Moonves said, “and he went on a religious channel and urged people not to watch the show because it was filth. By the way, he’s still collecting his $300,000 per week.”

RELATED: Angus T. Jones ‘Calm’ After ‘Two and a Half Men’ Furor

Regarding whether or not Jones will stay on the show, Moonves said, “I don’t know what our status is with him.” But he added, “After going through what we went through with Charlie Sheen, it’s been a piece of cake.”

CBS and Warner Bros., the studio that produces “Two and a Half Men,” have declined to officially comment on the situation, but a source close to the show told ABCNews.com that Jones isn’t expected on set anytime soon because he doesn’t appear in the next two episodes being filmed. His character, Jake Harper, recently joined the Army and hasn’t appeared often this season.

If Jones does get the ax, he may find a new gig with Sheen, the “Two and a Half Men” star who was booted from the sitcom last year.

“My former nephew is welcome at the Goodson Anger Management home anytime,” Sheen told ABCNews.com last week, inviting Jones to appear on his FX series, “Anger Management,” in which he plays therapist Charles Goodson.

Sheen also said, “It is radically clear to me that the show is cursed,” and called Jones’ video testimonial against the show a “Hale-Bopp-like meltdown.”

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User Comments

Yes the kid bit the hand that feed him but he was right the show is trash.

Posted by: hkdakota | December 5, 2012, 6:40 am 6:40 am

Well, he’s not half a man anymore.

Posted by: newcountryman | December 5, 2012, 7:20 am 7:20 am

He made his money, it’s OK to move on to better things.

Posted by: ZZbar | December 5, 2012, 7:31 am 7:31 am

Sheen also said, “It is radically clear to me that the show is cursed.” — It’s been running for something like 9 years now. I’ll bet a lot of shows hope to be cursed like that! Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s sitcom drivel. It just means the majority of the television-watching population are idiots….

Posted by: My_New_Name | December 5, 2012, 8:40 am 8:40 am

Working with Charlie Sheen again would be a step up? How do the actions of Charlie work with his newly found religious attitudes? Wasn’t one of Charlie’s girls known for a specific style of pornographic activity that ultimately turned one into a pillar of salt? This is nothing more than a spoiled brat who is still taking money for what he supposedly opposes. What a load of crap.

Posted by: Wha !!! | December 5, 2012, 9:07 am 9:07 am

Well that’s youth for you. Never bite the hand that feeds you! Sounds like this might become a life lesson for this young man.

Posted by: pagrow | December 5, 2012, 9:19 am 9:19 am

can one say from the frying pan into the fire for this kid if he goes to work with sheen.

Posted by: SMOOCHIE | December 5, 2012, 9:31 am 9:31 am

ax him!

Posted by: idyou | December 5, 2012, 9:32 am 9:32 am

He needs to follow his heart, if he truly believes in the courage of his convictions. However, Jesus doesn’t pay cash, which is why he recanted. I don’t watch the show, never have, so I cannot comment on its worth.

Posted by: carole | December 5, 2012, 9:40 am 9:40 am

@My_New_Name….”It just means the majority of the television-watching population are idiots….” Like you.

Posted by: Ted | December 5, 2012, 9:41 am 9:41 am

Would have been more meaningful if he’d resigned and given back the money from the contract he’d already accepted.

Posted by: JrzWrld | December 5, 2012, 9:52 am 9:52 am

out of the frying pan & into the fire…..lol, you’ll grow up one day Jones. but it ain’t now, ditch the zealot that is making you his puppet for his extreme views on christ. You are being used by religion, it’s worse than the show. Be humbled by Christ, don’;t go around accusing everyone of being ‘filth’.
The kid needs to go somewhere peaceful (not religious) to grow up & think about things. After years of contemplation, you will see the light. Till then , don’t get on tv & start talking, wait till YOU grow up & have something to say. Religious fanatics are the worse. They brainwash & dictate. That’s not what Jesus taught or for that matter any true religion teaches peace & forgiveness. Not we are spiritual , you are not.

Posted by: apostleJohn | December 5, 2012, 9:58 am 9:58 am

Mr. Jones, you are ungrateful and immature. You are making $300,000 a week? People are starving and out of work in this country…you should be ashamed. If you think the show is filth, quit, and give your huge salary to charity! GROW UP!

Posted by: Barb | December 5, 2012, 10:15 am 10:15 am

@Ted: Sorry, I don’t watch much television. Don’t even have cable. I might watch some PBS, but I mostly stick with those quaint, antiquated things called books.

Posted by: My_New_Name | December 5, 2012, 10:16 am 10:16 am

and yes religious fanatics. These are cults not true religion. It’s very sad…like sheep they follow others…Remember John Jones I believe? His followers drank poisen and died. think God would want that?

Posted by: Barb | December 5, 2012, 10:16 am 10:16 am

problems with substance abuse + 12 step program = jesus junkie…different drug, same dopey addiction. And i love the comment about moving on to better things…yeah, hopefully just like dana plato.

Posted by: blah | December 5, 2012, 10:19 am 10:19 am

Please get rid of him! He hasn’t been cute for a decade, and now he’s just in the way.

Posted by: Jojo Jones | December 5, 2012, 10:25 am 10:25 am

He’s 19. He was probably easily impressed by some Religious Guru to think this way. He is a teen after all. 19 year olds tell their parents they hate them. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Teens do it all the time. The Network just believes he’s more sophisticated than other teens because he has a privileged life. If anything, it has probably been more sheltered.

Posted by: annNewYork | December 5, 2012, 10:26 am 10:26 am

Hey, just end the series already! It’s entertained for nine years, but nothing can last forever. End it now on a relatively good note…rather than let it evolve into something ridiculous that people will make jokes about for many years. We’ve seen it happen to a number of series over the decades.

I also feel insulted by CBS CEO Moonves saying “He’s now making over $300,000 per week, which is not a bad salary for a 19-year-0ld kid,” Hey, myself and millions of others would have to work almost 10 YEARS to see the kind of money this actor makes in a week! Sorry, Mr. Moonves, not all of us are blessed with the huge salaries, fame, and Royalty-Status of you and your actors. You and this “kid” may want to experience real-life once in a while.

Posted by: Terrence | December 5, 2012, 10:27 am 10:27 am

And Mr. Jones may want to lock-up a good portion of his money where even HE can’t access it for 10+ years. Sometimes we see these religious/spiritual “guides” turn out to be leeches and parasites draining their victims and ruining their lives.

Posted by: Terrence | December 5, 2012, 10:33 am 10:33 am

The show is filth!! All they do is talk about sex and having sex. Now that he is older, I guess he understand. I stop watching the show because it is becoming a porn show! Who cars how much he makes, that is the TV company fault for giving him so much!!! People who are just talking about how much he makes are just jealous.

Posted by: Jess | December 5, 2012, 10:46 am 10:46 am

You’re fired…!!!! What an absolute moron…

Posted by: RalphF | December 5, 2012, 11:16 am 11:16 am

He’s 19-years-old and has lead a charmed life compared to other kids his age. He landed a gig that thousands of actors dream about while in grade school. He didn’t have to work for, pay his dues. I’m not saying that if he had he still wouldn’t have his religious convictions – I just think he would have been a bit more gracious about it. I see my friend’s college-age kids on social networking all the time about how they’re living their dreams and life is this open book, how easy it is to change the world, blah, blah, blah – and then they graduate and move out of the dorm or mom and dad’s and, lo and behold, they have to dye their hair back to a normal color, shave, lose some piercings, wear shoes and find a job. They take for granted just how much their parents sacrificed for them so they could go off and “be themselves” for four years.

Posted by: Carys | December 5, 2012, 11:28 am 11:28 am

I guess the show is like working in the salt mines or Russian gulag. Poor kid must feel psychologically tortured. The money just ain’t worth it. (Joking!)

Posted by: Roscoe Chait | December 5, 2012, 11:31 am 11:31 am

Wow, like nobody ever talks bad about their employers. Just because he doesn’t like the show doesn’t mean he has to quit. How many of you hate your job and still work there and collect a paycheck……

Posted by: mindyourownbusiness2 | December 5, 2012, 11:40 am 11:40 am

Poor pathetic souls on here jealous because a 19yr is making 10 times your salary and doesn’t even like what he does….lol

Posted by: mindyourownbusiness2 | December 5, 2012, 11:41 am 11:41 am

Carys—that’s what college is all about — young kids having fun before they have to enter the real world their parents most likely did the same and their kids will do the same…benefits of going to college you get 4-6 more years of being free before you have to have responsibility. And there is no such thing as paying your dues, this kid payed his dues he had to sacrifice a normal child hooo toing to school and just being a kid.

Posted by: mindyourownbusiness2 | December 5, 2012, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

He should leave the show. I do, however, think that his religious advisor probably doesn’t have his best interests at heart, but if that is who he wants to follow, he should just leave the show, and give his money to the church.
If he doesn’t leave voluntarily, he should be fired.

Posted by: Debbie | December 5, 2012, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

They all laugh all the way to the bank, free press cover for talking smack about the hand that feeds, and the hand saying the cash is good . LOL bunch of bottom feeders.

Posted by: real person | December 5, 2012, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

Yeah, might have taken him seriously if he didn’t go to Sheen for advice. That destroyed his credibility sitting in a strip club with the other loser.

Too bad, because he is correct. The show is a snot-rag of morality and the rehashed jokes aren’t even funny anymore. (I know this because I stayed on the show one night for about 2 minutes). What’s sad is it isn’t just this show but most of the sit-coms that are on now.

Posted by: David | December 5, 2012, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

That show is filth! I don’t watch too much TV but watched a episode on demand with my 12 year old son yesterday and in the episode, the young boy (played by Angus T. Jones) was excited he contracted the “Clap” because it meant all his friends knew he was having sex (he is approx. 19 in the show this year I believe), then Ashton was watching porn, then John Cryer turned down sleeping with his ex-wife because he was in a committed relationship with another woman and at the end of the episode both women were in bed together. Labeled TV 14 is NOT ENOUGH, it need to be taken off the air or put on HBO or something. Doesn’t CBS have any boundries or MORALS??

Posted by: Jennfer | December 5, 2012, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

Mash ran for over ten years. Even to this day you can ask any member of that cast if they were grateful for the opportunity and they still say yes. I hope Angus saved his money because he may never work in Hollywood again.

Posted by: Tracie | December 5, 2012, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his own soul…? Good move, Angus – the Lord will guide & provide.

Posted by: Sandy | December 5, 2012, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

They just need to end the show all together. The show has run it’s course. He isn’t a kid anymore, so it isn’t Two and a Half Men. Quit while your ahead.

Posted by: Beth | December 5, 2012, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm

I definitely think that people with brains in their heads and good consciences, eventually come around to seeing worthless cr-p for what it is, whether they’re Joe Schmoe from Idaho or the highest paid actor on the planet. So Jones wisened up to the fact that this show is just totally worthless cr-p, and guess what? He’s only 19 so that’s pretty frickin impressive I’d say! Maybe, eventually, some of the creators of these worthless cr-p shows will begin to see a pattern emerge….it’s possible. Doubtful though, since it obviously takes some staggering non-geniusness to come up with many of the shows on primetime, TLC, MTV, etc these days, and of course, the minions of non-genius sheeple mesmerized and salivating over them. All contributing towards the overall enlightenment of our culture…..that’s evident, all you have to do is look around!

Posted by: thatwasobvious | December 5, 2012, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

Poor kid. First we find out he has no talent (have you seen his ‘acting’?). Then, we find out he has no moral standards–willing to be payed ridiculous sums of money to help create in his own words “filth”. And now we find out he is not even smart enough to keep his mouth shut and milk this opportunity for all it is worth. Has he looked at the trajectory of most former child stars? Crash and burn.

Posted by: aandw1991 | December 5, 2012, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

Most everything in the TV and film industry is forgivable EXCEPT badmouthing producers who are responsible for one’s success.

This kid let his ego get the best of him and, unlike Charlie Sheen, he doesn’t have the looks, the talent or the Hollywood clout to survive.

The show doesn’t need him anymore, whether or not Two and a Half Men goes forward, will depend on the writers’ ability to rehabilitate themselves. The show has become almost unbearable for any decent TV watcher. I hope they know enough to turn it around. A sitcom is a sitcom. All these sitcoms reincarnate the same characters and story lines repeatedly anyway.

Posted by: R.A.B | December 5, 2012, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

Geeze! Give the kid a break! He’s probably spent most of his life trying to dodge the Hollywood sodomites.

Posted by: John Appleseed | December 5, 2012, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

I seriously doubt Sheen will pay this kid anything close to $300,000 a week.

Posted by: Brian P | December 5, 2012, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm

Look – I’ve NEVER likes the show – it IS trash. But you know what? I’m pretty certain this kid has violated several clauses in his employment contract and should be terminated. He doesn’t want to stay anyway, so let him go and save $300K a week!

Posted by: DCTA | December 5, 2012, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm

What a spoiled rich deluded crybaby.

Posted by: Darwufche | December 5, 2012, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

Time to let go of Angus so they can put this over rated show to rest. There doing it again by hanging on a show we HATE.

Posted by: hightide6096 | December 5, 2012, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Hey, 19yrs old making over 300k a year guess what he could care aless what you think and he has another job lined up if he does get fired probable about the same amount of money. And that’s more then most of you will make in 10yrs..lol….

Posted by: mindyourownbusiness2 | December 5, 2012, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

This show is on it’s last leg anyway. I said years ago that it was nothing but trash. Good! Angus will succeed somewhere else. I’m glad he opened up and told his generation to stop watching the FILTH! We use to watch it, but the last few seasons have gotten unbearable, even before Charlie left.

Posted by: Frogleg | December 5, 2012, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm

I wouldn’t say it’s “radically clear” the show’s “cursed,” Charlie (and Angus, for that matter). I’d say it’s “radically clear” the show’s “stupid.” Always has been.

Posted by: ChefBoyAreYouShort | December 5, 2012, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

There are some things you just don’t do and publicly dissing your employer is one of them.

Posted by: hawkechik | December 5, 2012, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

People speak but people dont know. This kid took a stand and everyone will be trying to bash him. I wish him the best, people r so lost and bamboozoled by our world that not even for a second will a person who thinks they know more than the other would consider Jesus christ. Thank you Angus! Because of u some will seek the truth that sits somewhere in our home (the kjv bible)

Posted by: j | December 5, 2012, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm

I disagree with some of you. Why should he be fired? For expressing his opinion? Guess what? Millions of people will go yeah, it’s filth, and still watch it so no one’s taking money out of Moonves’ pockets. You do forget we live in a country where supposed to be allowed to voice our opinions. I don’t think he ever thought that video would see the light of day or be this big of a deal. Leave him alone. I’ve said far worse about my employer and haven’t been fired. Hopefully, one day I’ll have the ability to leave. $350,00 would help.

Posted by: brownin329 | December 5, 2012, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm

He’s been making a steady 7 figures for 9 years. He’s probably going to be collecting a mid 6 figure check on residuals from syndication for the rest of his life. He’s making $7 Million a year whether he’s on 5 episodes or 25 a year. If they fire him, they owe him the rest of his contract and he just starts collecting his royalties while going to school or partying.. He’s at a point in his career where he can just tell the boss to blow it. Some people reach the promise land just a little sooner.

Posted by: JohnT | December 5, 2012, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm

After Sheen left they should have just canceled this show.

Posted by: Dave | December 6, 2012, 5:50 am 5:50 am

J , You are completely wrong and know nothing about the constitution. The constitution, protects people from free speech ,from government persecution. Employees have every right to fire an employee for placing their product in a bad way. In this case the show is the product. Just because you have not been fired ,does not mean it should not happen to others. By the way I dare you to come out non-anon and badmouth your company online. Lets see how long you last at your job.

Posted by: Dave | December 6, 2012, 5:53 am 5:53 am

Is he returning his “filth” money anytime soon?

Posted by: jayne | December 6, 2012, 10:43 am 10:43 am

This is abc snews at it best. Let’s not talk about Americans beng sacrificed in Benghazi. Or how bad the econimy REALLY is. Or fake unemployment numbers.. How about that inflation rate calculation? Anyone seeing the food and gas prices go up? Lame stream media at its best..

Posted by: lamestream | December 6, 2012, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

Mr. Jones has apparently decided to run his lifestyle from a moral position, and he has a contract that he can not get out of easily – sooooo… dis the show and show up for work. Eventually the producer will buy out his contract. I think Charley Sheen’s words are appropo: “AH, WINNING!”

Posted by: Frank Verderber | December 6, 2012, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

Call the show “One man and a Replacement.” I doubt it will ever be the same…

Posted by: Sam | December 7, 2012, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

Angus – if you read this. I like you to know, that having an opinion is a good thing, it can hurt you in society though, because in this world it is all about the money and conforming to certain things that some believe works for our world. But, as you have newly entered it, you have seen some of it, has not made things better. I believe religion is important, but know that sometimes even certain religion groups, churches pressure people and use religion in vain by sending letters or making calls to make you feel bad if you don’t provide them money in the envelopes, so they can track it. Know that I am a good person, a provide to my church during service in cash form, and do not feel I need to be tracked or recognized for this, and I also do community volunteering. You are young and influential and this is why many become magnets to you in life, if your known to the public and liked, the same, if you have money, then beware of everyone, because there are munipulators that can sweep you with kindness, respect and go as far as being your friends for years. This happened to my spouse, his parents had wealth, and as all kids do they talk about their lifes with school friends, and there was this one person in my spouse’s life that were friends for over 30 years, and then it happened the so called joined my spouse’s business, then cheated and stoled from my spouse, the friend had no care or remorse for its actions. So just be wise in your endeavors, and God Bless you, and stay safe in the service. Love U.S. Citizen (who cares)

Posted by: Christie | December 8, 2012, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

So he knowingly plays a pot smoking, drug taking stoner and seems to enjoy the part. He pulls in a paycheck for portraying the sluge of American teen life and he gets to cash in on it while at the same time maintain a personal life not worth that of a garden slug. His part involves having sex with multiple partners throughout a typical day and then loading up with all manner of drugs, alcohol, and weed. So I really don’t care if a future script calls for him to put his head in a large cannon and his buddy Eldridge pulls the cord and blows his d**m head off and he’s gone off the show.

Posted by: Rick Springfield | December 10, 2012, 1:09 am 1:09 am

You pay him 300,000 an episode, yet he still has the right to call the show filth. It is, it’s always been lol just fire him so he can be on his way.

Posted by: MarkRike | December 13, 2012, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm

Just cancel the whole show, jeez.

Posted by: Natalie | December 16, 2012, 8:57 am 8:57 am

So they got him as a child to play a role in this sum show and now they own his soul? I am sure he made them a lot of money for he was what they were looking for. Enjoy your paycheck Jones, no matter how many idiots would jump up and down calling you a sleaze for accepting the money: don’t pay heed to them.
This kid is not overpaid at all and noone opened his wallet to donate to this kid. Noone has the right to say that they were so “generous” to this kid and now he is being ungrateful. In this system everyone makes money; the actors, the network that pays the actors, the advertisers that pay the network . Ultimately it is us the consumers who pick up the tab for all the fat cats to get fatter.I for one say that Jones has the right to have his own views on life, right or wrong , is not for us to judge. So the CBS people should go and blow a long “clarinet”

Posted by: jake is fake | December 22, 2012, 11:07 pm 11:07 pm

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