Jon Cryer, Chuck Lorre and Ashton Kutcher all commented on a controversial Two and a Half Men episode that did not sit well with many fans.
Throughout its lengthy run, Two and a Half Men did not avoid sensitive topics. In fact, the show was very edgy and that was well-known by its fanbase early on. However, as we're going to reveal in the following, it seems like the show pushed a little too hard at times.
A certain storyline during season 12 angered some fans. We'll take a look at the issues involved with Alan and Walden's potential same-sex marriage, and why it angered lots of fans. Ultimately, both Chuck Lorre and Jon Cryer apologized for the moment, though Cryer did argue that its purpose was meant to be light-hearted.
Ashton Kutcher also discussed his kiss with Jon Cryer during his interview with Conan. As expected, the actor also took a lighter approach, detailing what the moment was like while avoiding any controversy.
Chuck Lorre Had To Apologize For The Gay Wedding Episode
Throughout his run behind the scenes, Chuck Lorre has faced some backlash on a few occasions. At times, that heat took center stage due to the nature of certain episodes on Two and a Half Men. However, clearly by this point it was already established that the show wasn't afraid to push boundaries, especially in terms of its edginess.
One storyline in particular angered fans and likely wouldn't air at all today. It featured both Walden and Alan getting involved with a same-sex marriage. Lorre had to apologize for the moment, they did state that there was no bad intent to work the storyline.
“No offence is intended, and I hope none is taken,” Lorre said.
“We’ve always been somewhat of an offensive show, so it wouldn’t surprise me if this is going to be offending people. We can’t go out with dignity, because we’ve never had any.”
Jon Cryer also issued a statement of his own about the moment. Similar to Lorre, Cryer understood why fans were upset, but he also defended the moment and the show.
Jon Cryer Understood Why The Show Received Backlash, But Revealed It Was Meant To Be Light-Hearted
Season 12 kicks off in a major way with Walden wanting to adopt following a health scare. This means that the idea of getting engaged to Alan is floated around. For viewers, this was deemed as too much. Jon Cryer would also discuss the situation, stating that its purpose was for it to be a silly and fun story for the audience.
Cryer revealed defending the show, "For us it was just a fun, silly idea that some people were taking kind of seriously, so that sort of surprised us. It seemed really fertile to have a lot of fun with. Hopefully, we haven't done something too terrible in taste."
On the flip side, Cryer did acknowledge that he fully understood why certain fans weren't happy with the episode.
"But at the same time I understand. This is a time when our nation is changing so much. And let's remember, same-sex adoption is still illegal in some states so I can see why people would be nervous about it. And as long as the fight is still being fought they have a right to be sensitive about it."
Credit to Cryer for understanding the issues and addressing them, instead of not issuing a statement at all and sitting back.
Ashton Kutcher Also Tried To Downplay The Storyline During His Interview With Conan
As expected, Ashton Kutcher made light of his kiss alongside Jon Cryer. While on Conan, Kutcher discussed the moment, revealing it was his second kiss with a male on-screen. Kutcher called it a great way to explore one's sexuality.
“Jon’s my second male kiss on screen. My first one was in ‘Dude, Where’s My Car? Here’s the thing… if you want to know if you’re not gay, kiss a dude. If you feel nothing, you know."
Kutcher would go on to reveal that he felt nothing during his kiss with Cryer, but there was a moment he was weirded out by during their exchange.
“While Jon’s a wonderful human… there was nothing. It was weird because he had a little stubble, and now I understand the issue with the stubble. It’s a little scratchy and itchy.”
That same season proved to be the last, as the show wrapped up during season 12. Although Kutcher's involvement didn't receive the best reviews, ratings for the show remained very stable until the very end.
Fans will always be angered by the finale, with some calling it among the very worst of all-time. Fans were angry in large part due to Charlie Sheen's absence from the final episode, despite the fact that he was teased throughout. Nonetheless, fans have plenty of episodes to look back on featuring both Sheen and Cryer in fine form together, particularly during the earlier seasons of the comedy.