Welcome to a new Sitcom Tuesday! This week, we’re continuing our coverage of Two And A Half Men (2003-2015, CBS), which is currently available on DVD and Peacock!
Two And A Half Men stars CHARLIE SHEEN, JON CRYER, and ANGUS T. JONES. With CONCHATA FERRELL as Berta and HOLLAND TAYLOR as Evelyn.
Although interrupted by a three-month WGA Strike, Two And A Half Men’s fifth season doesn’t disrupt the series’ own continuity. That is, it was still the most-watched sitcom on the air — for the third consecutive season! — and continued to rack up Emmy nominations for its two stars (and as the Outstanding Comedy Series). Additionally, all the trends we’ve been discussing these past few weeks remain evident… albeit, perhaps at a slower rate of increase. Yes, the show continues to get naughtier and less narratively able to play up most aspects of its premise in story, beyond the idea that these are two dysfunctional single men hopping in and out of romances. But a lot of the decay that will follow in future seasons — when Men’s storytelling and comic ethos no longer feel like an outgrowth of the leads and therefore a tonal exploration of them — is staved off here, for this is still an above-average year by way of the two men and their usage. However… it’s complicated with Charlie; he gets a handful of deliberately earnest plots about growing up as he seeks more mature, legitimate relationships — a believable arc for his character — but scripts are also starting to tweak his depiction, taking him from roguish ladies’ man to immature hooker-junkie. This is an unmotivated shift that will get more extreme over time — in Five, it’s noticeable but not yet ridiculous. Meanwhile, Alan continues to be a loser, especially as he becomes more sex-obsessed and tries to apply “wisdom” imparted by his brother… As for the episodes, there are a few highlights based on the show’s self-established quality, but aside from a gimmicky stunt with CSI that’s nevertheless fun, Men remains more consistent than truly gem-producing — it’s not as episodically competitive as its finest contemporaries (The Office, 30 Rock, etc.), which are more capable of delivering memorable excursions that transcend their series. That said, Two And A Half Men is commendable for its solidity — largely stemming from how its design still encourages character-affiliation in story — and this list below is truncated only because the season itself was truncated.
01) Episode 104: “Is There A Mrs. Waffles?” (Aired: 11/12/07)
Charlie finds fame as a children’s singer.
Teleplay by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn | Story by Susan Beavers & Jim Patterson | Directed by Ted Wass
One of the series’ most popular, this episode basically deploys the singularly comedic idea of Charlie, the hard-drinking, nookie-loving bachelor, becoming a beloved children’s entertainer, now that’s he pivoted his jingle-writing career into kids’ songs. The logline alone reminds me of Nanny G. — Frasier’s ex from Frasier and Cheers — so, like so much of Men, I don’t think it’s as original as it maybe should be. But it works well here because it plays with the very premise of the show, via the similar comic tension surrounding Charlie being a bad influence on his brother’s child. In this regard, a story like this feels somewhat affiliated to the situation, even if, by itself, it’s just a one-off idea-led notion that earns easy laughs. (Richard Kind guests.)
02) Episode 105: “Tight’s Good” [a.k.a. “Shoes, Hats, Pickle Jar Lids”] (Aired: 11/19/07)
Charlie starts sleeping with Evelyn’s fiancé’s daughter.
Teleplay by Don Foster & Eddie Gorodetsky | Story by Mark Roberts | Directed by Jean Sagal
Jenny McCarthy debuts here as Courtney, Charlie and Alan’s future step-sister — the daughter of Teddy (Robert Wagner), who is engaged to Evelyn — in this installment that starts with a fairly typical idea for the series. It’s hinged on the Charlie character and our expectation that his lustful proclivities will prove impervious to normal human boundaries — which therefore means it’s well-rooted in what we know of him and his depiction. But it’s fun to see Charlie, the player, get played himself, as Courtney is revealed to be a money-hungry, blackmailing viper — the real reason Teddy warned Charlie about sleeping with her. Memorable!
03) Episode 106: “Kinda Like Necrophilia” (Aired: 11/26/07)
Alan wants revenge after learning Charlie stole a girl he dated back in high school.
Teleplay by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn | Story by Susan Beavers & Jim Patterson | Directed by Ted Wass
A decent brother show, this offering features another familiar template for Two And A Half Men that plays with the “buddy comedy” aspect of the premise — as Alan discovers that, once again, he was felled in the romance department by his charming brother, who stole a girl he used to date. Naturally, Alan seeks revenge for this ancient slight — believing he can steal Charlie’s current lover away from him… even though, of course, we learn that this only happens because Charlie wants her to be stolen: a comic idea that reiterates both characterizations and thus the status quo of their dynamic. (This was the last entry before the strike.)
04) Episode 107: “Meander To Your Dander” (Aired: 03/17/08)
Charlie helps Alan dump a girl and Jake pick up a girl.
Teleplay by Susan Beavers & Jim Patterson | Story by Don Foster & Mark Roberts | Directed by James Widdoes
Another terrific showcase for the Charlie characterization, this installment also boasts an appreciated sense of thematic cohesion, for it involves Charlie attempting to help both Alan and Jake, who are relative neophytes when it comes to romantic tribulations. First, he gives Alan tips on how to dump a woman — which proves to be unfortunate, as Alan breaks things off right before she was about to propose a threesome — and then he tries to help Jake flirt with a girl at the mall… a scene that yields a hilarious bit of physical comedy, as Charlie ends up doused with pepper spray. In both cases, Charlie’s style is wrong for both Jake and Alan, reinforcing each of their personas in the process, with an eye to how they exist in relation to the centralized Charlie.
05) Episode 109: “The Soil Is Moist” (Aired: 03/31/08)
Alan feels insecure after learning that Judith calls Herb her best lover.
Teleplay by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn | Story by Eddie Gorodetsky | Directed by James Widdoes
This is the year’s best sample for Jon Cryer’s Alan, who assumes the narrative focus when he begins seeing a former friend with whom he used to double date when married to Judith. The story takes a turn when this woman reveals something Judith told her in confidence — that Herb is the best lover Judith’s ever had. This obviously disturbs the already neurotic Alan, who demands details and specifics — a further chance for him to ruin a casual affair because of his own insecurities. There’s really not much more to this outing than that, but as Alan increasingly becomes a broader comic figure, a segment like this is an important mile marker in his utilization. And it’s ultimately one of the funniest episodes for the reliable Ryan Stiles as well.
06) Episode 110: “Winky-Dink Time” (Aired: 04/14/08)
Charlie and Jake double date with a mother and daughter.
Teleplay by Eddie Gorodetsky & Jim Patterson | Story by Mark Roberts | Directed by James Widdoes
Season Five again asserts its maintained capacity for character exploration in this enjoyable entry that also showcases the leads well. In the subplot, Charlie secures a hooker for Alan, whose awkward and comparably inexperienced characterization is on comedic display, while the A-story claims several amusing setups, starting with the familiar idea of Charlie not remembering the name of a woman he once dated — a reminder of how much of a womanizer he is, and how little he gets emotionally involved with his conquests. That’s paired with the centerpiece of a double date with Jake and her daughter, which reiterates to us the premise, and the fact that Charlie is a “bachelor uncle” role model, especially when it comes to women. So, it’s a great play to the series’ “situation” — all centered around Charlie’s comical character.
07) Episode 111: “Rough Night In Hump Junction” (Aired: 04/21/08)
Charlie’s promiscuity goes into overdrive.
Teleplay by Chuck Lorre & Lee Aronsohn | Story by Mark Roberts | Directed by James Widdoes
Charlie’s arc is continued in this character-focused excursion that accentuates his well-defined persona, bringing him to a catharsis. It starts with him being more careless and overindulgent with sex — which runs him afoul of many jealous husbands and leads him back to therapy (with Jane Lynch). There, the doc helps him realize that he’s burying his emotions in sex — and, in particular, still harboring feelings for his ex, Mia. This is not the funniest outing, but it’s funny enough, and its concern for character deserves praise, as this is the year’s smartest showing for Charlie and his implied narrative growth. (Barry Livingston and Emmanuelle Vaugier appear.)
08) Episode 113: “Fish In A Drawer” (Aired: 05/05/08)
Evelyn’s new husband is found dead on their wedding night.
Teleplay by Sarah Goldfinger & Evan Dunsky | Story by Carol Mendelsohn & Naren Shankar | Directed by Jeff Melman
Ordinarily, I would be loath to single out such an atypical, ostentatious gimmick like “Fish In A Drawer,” which is a parody of CSI that’s actually written by that show’s staffers — trading off responsibilities with Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn, who in turn penned an installment of CSI called “Two And A Half Deaths.” But Two And A Half Men, by this point, is a sitcom that fundamentally enjoys gimmickry, and so this doesn’t feel totally out of step with its comic identity, which essentially allows for anything… so long as it gets a laugh. Okay, Season Five has proven itself to still be fairly skilled with character, and that’s really — beyond the sheer memorability of the crossover stunt — the reason I enjoy this entry, for the design of having all the leads questioned after Evelyn’s new husband Teddy is murdered enables their terrifically well-defined characterizations to shine, earning big hahas that nevertheless are unique due to the one-off narrative format. Again, not often do I praise such offerings — it’s too different from the norm to be an accurate sample of this series or its regular situation — but because it truly satisfies both character and comedy, and there’s no other half hour from Five that I’ll remember as much, I have to choose it as my MVE (Most Valuable Episode). A highlight.
Other notable episodes that merit mention include: the season premiere and finale — “Large Birds, Spiders, And Mom,” a remarkably earnest parenting show about Jake growing up (incidentally, this is the year where his stupidity really starts to become his primary character trait), and “Waiting For The Right Snapper,” which contrasts Alan and Charlie in the latter’s quest for a serious relationship, and in a story that takes advantage of his known lasciviousness. Both would have been easily highlightable. Meanwhile, I’ll also use this space to cite “Dum Diddy Dum Diddy Doo,” a pivotal Charlie entry that has a funny idea about him trying to date a mature, smart woman for once but inherently operates with the “given” that he’s inexperienced with their type — an amusing prospect that will be heightened in future seasons, even though it’s a stretch based on what we’ve been heretofore led to believe about Charlie and his proficiency with all women; “Putting Swim Fins On A Cat,” where the premise’s idea of Charlie having to deal with a kid is mirrored through his chemistry with a love interest’s son; and “Media Room Slash Dungeon,” where Janeane Garofalo is comedically memorable.
*** The MVE Award for the Best Episode from Season Five of Two And A Half Men goes to…
“Fish In A Drawer”
Come back next week for Season Six! And stay tuned for a new Wildcard Wednesday!