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Ashton Kutcher Replaces Charlie Sheen On ‘Two and a Half Men’

Christian Allaire — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:50:08 +0000

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Ashton Kutcher will be replacing Charlie Sheen on ‘Two and a Half Men,’ reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Two sources close to the deal-making say the actor is putting the final touches on a deal to replace Charlie Sheen as the star of TV’s No. 1 comedy.

The exact dollar figure he will be paid is not known, but a source says Kutcher is getting a “huge payday” to join the hit sitcom.

The deal came together after Hugh Grant passed on the opportunity to join the show. Now, sources say the show’s creator Chuck Lorre has crafted a storyline to introduce Kutcher in a way that satisfies the network and studio. “It’s really funny,” says one source. “People are going to love it.”

This will be Kutcher’s first regular series gig since rising to stardom on Fox’s ‘That 70’s Show.’ He also executive produced the hit MTV series ‘Punk’d,’ among others.

Kutcher was chosen as he brings a youthful fan base to the CBS show, as well as a big online profile with 6.7 million Twitter followers, which could help CBS promote the show.

As we all know, Sheen was fired from the show in early March due to erratic behaviour and mucho-substance-abuse.

I think Kutcher is a good choice, actually. If he’s expected to take on Sheen’s role as an arrogant ladies man, then he’ll definitely be able to pull it off. Much better choice than Hugh Grant, that’s for sure. Kutcher hasn’t made any great films lately, so I think this will be a good career move for him as well.

Hugh Grant Pulls Out Of ‘Two and a Half Men’ Negotiations

Christian Allaire — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:49:16 +0000

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Hugh Grant has reportedly pulled out of negotiations to take on the lead role in ‘Two and a Half Men,’ reports CTV.

The 50-year-old actor was reportedly offered $1 million an episode to replace Charlie Sheen on the sitcom, but turned down the job due to “creative differences.” Sheen was fired from the show earlier this year because of his erratic behaviour.

According to insiders, creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre, who Charlie branded “s**tbrain and “Chucky Cheesball” during their public feud, will only continue the show if he can find someone to work comfortably with, and prefers an actor not known for television work.

A source said ”Chuck will only continue if he can find the right actor and get excited about that. It has to be somebody Chuck can work with.”

Warner Bros. and U.S. television network CBS are gunning to get the matter resolved soon in order to get a new series of the show ready before the end of the year.

After Charlie was fired from ‘Two and a Half Men’ in March, a number of actors have been considered to take on the lead role, including Rob Lowe, Woody Harrelson, Jeremy Piven and John Stamos.

Hugh Grant was kind of a random choice, anyways. Sure, he’s good at pulling off arrogant, ladies-man roles, but I don’t feel like it would be a good fit for this show. Guess the search continues – but honestly – anyone is better than Sheen.

Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker Team Up For Rom-Com

Eva Lam — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:25:33 +0000

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The king and queen of romantic comedies are finally getting together.

Variety reports that Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker are in talks to star in an untitled project — a romantic comedy, natch — from “Music and Lyrics” director Marc Lawrence.

Lawrence also penned the script, which follows an estranged New York couple (Grant and Parker) who are placed in a witness-protection program in a small Wyoming town after witnessing a murder.

Shooting is expected to begin next March.

Lawrence previously worked with Grant on “Music and Lyrics” and “Two Weeks Notice” and also penned the “Miss Congeniality” films.

Grant is attached to star in a remake of the romantic comedy “Trouble in Paradise,” while Parker is expected to reprise her role as Carrie Bradshaw in a “Sex and the City” sequel.

Hugh Grant Handcuffed By Fan At Premiere

andPOP Staff — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:03:28 +0000

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A prankster handcuffed herself to HUGH GRANT at the Dutch premiere of his new movie MUSIC & LYRICS on Friday night.

The actor was left stunned when CIELKE SIJBEN, a journalist working for Dutch TV network 101 TV, leaped forward as he walked the red carpet at the Amsterdam Pathe and clamped a metal handcuff on his wrist, attaching herself to him.

The confused star had to stand for 10 minutes while police detained Sijben and fire fighters were summoned to free him from his captor.

After the cuffs were cut off, the calm 46-year-old returned to his red-carpet duties, promoting the film – in which he stars alongside DREW BARRYMORE – while Sijben was arrested by police.

An onlooker says, “It was incredible. She appeared from nowhere and Grant couldn’t believe it was happening. But he was the ultimate professional. He just stood in silence and waited for the fire fighters to free him.

“He did look relieved when he disappeared into the theatre – she could have been a maniac.”

Movie Review: Music and Lyrics

andPOP Staff — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:39:07 +0000

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“Music and Lyrics” is a pretty decent romantic comedy, but it has the ability to be a lot better.

The film, which opens on Valentine’s Day, tells the story of Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) – a washed up, old-news ’80s pop idol (it’s kind of what happened to the “other” guy in Wham!). His career fizzled after his ’80s supergroup, Pop!, broke up. His partner in the band went on to a successful solo career, but Alex is stuck playing gigs at high school reunions or the local fair. Enter his agent, Chris Riley (Brad Garrett) who gets Alex a meeting with the news poptart, Cora (Haley Bennett), who wants him to write a song for her. In four days.

As Alex begins pounding out a song with a song writer, his plant waterer, Sophie (Drew Barrymore) has a knack for writing lyrics, so Alex encourages her to help him write the song. And the traditional romantic comedy script plays out, the two fall in love, get ripped apart, etc.

Grant is fabulous in his role, although there are times you can see the disdain in his actions as he goes through the motions of being Alex, who the audience loathes at times. But he does get into the role as much as he can, and there is lots of dancing, so Grant does provide a lot of laughs. He also sings the songs himself, his voice almost on the breaking level, who know where your voice is about to break or crack, but as Entertainment Weekly comments, it just shows the silliness of ’80s pop music – you didn’t have to sing in order to make money and be a success.

Barrymore is the wrong choice for the role of Sophie. Although typically she is well cast in the role of the lovable loser (“Never Been Kissed”), in this role it just seems uncomfortable. As well, Grant is aging, his baby face is disappearing, but Barrymore still has hers, so on one level it seems like a creepy May-December romance. A better casting choice may have been Sarah Jessica Parker, who has mastered playing the lovable loser; she looks closer to Grant’s age and she can sing as well.

The film is good, but has a little too many subplots, especially Sophie’s ex-lover who wrote a novel about her, that never seem to get resolved. And the fact that Sophie is Alex’s plant waterer just seems a little too odd. Make her something more enticing, like his dog walker, or house cleaner, or something a little more believable.

Kristen Thompson steals every scene she’s in as Sophie’s sister, Rhonda, who goes all schoolgirl giddy over Alex.

However, for being a romantic comedy, the film is enjoyable. It’s a great way to spend Valentine’s Day with your significant other, or a bunch of girlfriends. Just a bit of warning: Pop’s number one hit, “Pop Goes My Heart,” will be stuck in your head as you exit the theatre.

Grants Wants Michael To Play Him In Biopic

andPOP Staff — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:38:03 +0000

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British actor HUGH GRANT has earmarked pop star GEORGE MICHAEL to play him in a potential biopic of his turbulent life.

The NOTTING HILL actor, who was arrested for lewd conduct after cops found him with a prostitute in his car in 1995, insists CARELESS WHISPER star Michael holds a burning ambition to play him.

He tells British radio station Heart, “I know that it’s something that George has always wanted to do.

“He sent me a script the other day actually. It’s not my whole life – just really the years between 20 and 25 – and it’s very flattering.”

Barrymore Sent Letter Of Support To Grant During Scandal

andPOP Staff — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 21:39:23 +0000

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HUGH GRANT was shocked when he received a letter of support from DREW BARRYMORE after he was arrested in 1995 for picking up prostitute DIVINE BROWN in Hollywood.

The two are currently starring in the romantic comedy MUSIC AND LYRICS and became friendly after Barrymore’s initial correspondence.

He explains, “Drew sent me a letter during my great scandal of 1995. I had two incredibly supportive letters from famous people.

“One was from Drew. The other was from FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA. Both apologizing for the press coverage and being supportive. So I’ve always loved Drew for that.”

In a recent interview promoting their new film, Barrymore told Grant she felt compelled to do something during his hour of need.

She adds, “I wouldn’t send anyone I didn’t know a letter, but I thought you were so charming.

“I wrote you a letter and you wrote me one back! It hung on my fridge for a long time.”