Passing the Torch: Two and a Half Men

By Jonathan Berohn

Those of you that, for some unfathomable reason, don't watch Monday Night Football, are probably already well aware that "Everybody Loves Raymond" is winding up its run this season.

You can also rest assured that the good folks at CBS are also quite aware that their flagship comedy is closing up shop. Things aren't all doom and gloom at CBS, however, because they've cultivated a very capable, interesting—and most importantly—funny replacement with "Two and a Half Men."

The Premise

"Two and a Half Men" brings us into the world of a divorced father (Jon Cryer) who moves in with his successful--and unapologetically and emphatically immature—brother (Charlie Sheen).  Add Allen's son to the mix and you get the extra half man.  Sheen—the cool, laid back, and romantically successful of the two—and Cryer—the uptight, repressed, and romantically frustrated brother—provide great foils for each other and great set-ups for a steady stream of witty humor.

Humor

As with all successful comedies, the writing carries "Two and a Half Men."  The writers manage to twist the normal mundane aspects of life and parenting into to cleverly hilarious mini-adventures.  We follow the cast's exploits into such thrilling settings as parent-teacher conferences, doctor's visits, and house cleaning, yet somehow these are the very things we watch TV to escape.  Of course, "Two and a Half Men" uses gimmicks like the crazy neighbor, the self-absorbed mother, and the smart-aleck housekeeper, but each of these characters also has enough depth to make them interesting, and they certainly are funny. Which of course is exactly what CBS is hoping will make us forget just how much we love Raymond and--oh yeah--some other network has some sports thing going on.

NOTE: “Two and a Half Men” airs on CBS Mondays at 8:30, 7:30 Central and Mountain.