CBS CEO Les Moonves says it remains unclear if the network will take any action to oust Angus T. Jones from his starring role on Two and a Half Men. Jones’ place on the show was called in to question after he called Two and a Half Men “filth” and urged fans to stop watching. Moonves says the teen is still collecting his paycheck – for now.
“I don’t know what our status is with him,” Moonves told Wall Street Journal Deputy Editor-In-Chief Gerard Baker on Tuesday. “We took this boy who started with us when he was 8 years old and it seems to be what happens with child stars over the course of time. He’s now making over $300,000 per week, which is not a bad salary for a 19-year-old kid, and he went on a religious channel and urged people not to watch the show because it was filth. You know, by the way, he’s still collecting his $300,000 a week.”
When asked if Jones will be replaced, Moonves added, “We have other plans; I don’t think it’s quite been resolved, but after going through what we went through with Charlie Sheen, this is a piece of cake.”
Jones made the eyebrow-raising comments in a Youtube video about his Christian faith. The video was posted by Forerunner Christian Church.
“If you watch 'Two and a Half Men,' please stop watching 'Two and a Half Men.' I'm on 'Two and a Half Men,' and I don't want to be on it,” he said. “Please stop watching it. Please stop filling your head with filth.”
“People say it’s just entertainment. ... Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television, and especially with what you watch. It's bad news,” he continued.
“People will see us and be like, 'I can be a Christian and be on a show like Two and a Half Men.' You can't. You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can't,” added Jones.
He later apologized in a lengthy statement. “While I cannot address everything that has been said or right every misstatement or misunderstanding, there is one thing I want to make clear. Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and Half Men with whom I have worked and over the past ten years who have become an extension of my family,” he said.
“I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed. I never intended that,” Jones added.
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