'Two and a Half Men' creator plans for Sheen-free Season 9

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'Two and a Half Men' creator plans for Sheen-free Season 9
April 28, 2011, 3:22 PM EST
By Rick Porter
Zap2it

Maybe they can call it "Men Without Sheen."

"Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre has reportedly come up with a way to continue the CBS comedy for a ninth season without the involvement of Charlie Sheen. Lorre's plan would refocus the show around Jon Cryer's character, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Find: Charlie Sheen's woes

Sheen was fired from the show in March. He's suing Lorre and "Men" producer Warner Bros. TV for breach of contract, but he's also said numerous times in the past couple of months that he'd be open to the idea of returning to the series.

Also: Charlie Sheen taking his show Down Under

The Hollywood Reporter says Sheen is still "actively working" to get his job back and has been trying to meet with other members of the show's cast and gain their support. Lorre and Warner Bros., however, are reportedly not interested in having him return to the series.

Lorre's pitch for a Sheen-less "Two and a Half Men" would revolve around Cryer's character, divorced dad Alan Harper, his son Jake (Angus T. Jones) and a new character. The Hollywood Reporter says Warner Bros. has "quietly begun pursuing" actors to play the new role.

CBS will present its 2011-12 lineup to advertisers on May 18 and presumably will have something to say about the future of "Two and a Half Men" by that time.