Charlie Sheen has never been one to hold back his opinions, often making headlines with his controversial remarks. So, what does the outspoken actor think of The Big Bang Theory? Spoiler alert: He’s not a fan.
In a 2013 interview with The Guardian, Sheen didn’t mince words when discussing Chuck Lorre’s popular sitcom, claiming it was only successful thanks to the lead-in provided by his own show, Two and a Half Men. “You gotta think about the shows that my show launched,” Sheen boasted, suggesting he deserved a cut of any success that followed. He even noted that The Big Bang Theory was initially planned to air after his later project, Anger Management.
However, Sheen’s comments quickly turned critical. “I’m sorry, but Big Bang Theory is a piece of garbage—it’s a stupid show about lame people,” Sheen declared. Despite his harsh words, he did offer some support for the younger cast members, saying, “I like the kids in it, but without us as a lead-in, it’s goodbye. I’m rooting for those kids because I know who they’re dealing with.” Sheen then targeted Chuck Lorre directly, using a Hebrew version of Lorre’s name, “Chaim Levine,” as an attempted insult.
Charlie Sheen’s Tumultuous History with Chuck Lorre
To understand Sheen’s animosity, it’s important to revisit his years on Two and a Half Men, another Chuck Lorre creation. Sheen played the lead role of Charlie Harper, a carefree bachelor and jingle writer living in Malibu. The show became a massive hit, with Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones rounding out the main cast as Charlie’s uptight brother Alan and his young nephew Jake. The dynamic trio’s comedic misadventures became a staple of early 2000s television.
But behind the scenes, things weren’t as rosy. Sheen’s erratic behavior and substance abuse issues caused tension on set, eventually leading to his abrupt departure. By season 9, Warner Bros. and Lorre had replaced him with Ashton Kutcher, citing Sheen’s inability to perform his duties and his disruptive on-set behavior.
In a letter obtained by TMZ, Warner Bros. highlighted the issues with Sheen, including his “dangerously self-destructive conduct,” poor physical appearance, and inability to work creatively with the team. The studio also cited Sheen’s “inflammatory comments” as damaging to the show’s working environment.
Sheen’s Response: A Rant for the Ages
Sheen’s reaction to being fired was as dramatic as expected. In a statement, he sarcastically celebrated the news, saying, “This is very good news. It’s a big day of gladness at the Sober Valley Lodge because now I can take all the bazillions and never have to put on those silly shirts again.” He later vented to Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush, claiming he was fired via text message and blasting Warner Bros. as “yellow cockroaches.”
Despite the drama, Two and a Half Men continued with Kutcher until its series finale, and Sheen’s career took a turbulent path afterward. Meanwhile, The Big Bang Theory thrived, airing for 12 seasons and becoming one of the most successful sitcoms in television history.
Today, fans can stream Two and a Half Men on Peacock, while The Big Bang Theory is available on Max.
