Why Charlie Sheen Keeps Winning and Lindsay Lohan Keeps Losing

Mar 18th 2011 01:00PMEmail This
At first glance the similarities between Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen seem to trump their differences. Both were wildly successful in their own rights -- she in teen flicks, he in sitcoms. Both have addiction and relationship dramas, both have daddy issues and both screw up. A lot.

But while Sheen seems to be encased in kryptonic armor protecting him and his bank account from all of his misdeeds, Lohan can't even keep a movie gig, and no one wants to pay her to do much of anything, even sell tights.

What gives? Is it a male/female thing? The age difference? I don't think so. Sheen has simply made better personal branding choices. He gives America the product they want.
Bret Easton Ellis wrote in Newsweek this week that Sheen simply gets modern celebrity. A modern celebrity is one that doesn't give a crap about what the public thinks about them. They are going to do it their way, whether you like it or not. The irony is that you do like it and you will end up paying good money for more of it. Using that construction, Lohan's problem is that she cares much too much. She desperately wants everyone to like her. She proves that she becomes offended when anyone, say the cast of 'Glee,' pokes fun at her expense.

How would Sheen respond in such a situation? We imagine if New Directions started in on the actor he would be the first one to come on the show to sing his latest anthem, 'Duh, Winning, in A Minor,' and he would demand $1 million to do it. Ryan Murphy wouldn't know why he was doing it, but he'd be signing that check.

Sheen has created a brand out of screwing up. He embraces what one of my favorite business coaches, Suzanne Evans, says: "Make your mess your message," when it comes to developing your personal brand. Sheen has become the king of this idiom. In fact his messy path has become his hero's journey.

Lohan hasn't been able to commit to a message, whether messy or otherwise in the past five years. She was almost in a lesbian relationship with DJ Sam Ronson, but never fully committed to the homosexual lifestyle. She posed nude for New York magazine, but has never committed to being a sex kitten. Her multiple rehabs haven't worked, yet she has never fully embraced her bad girl persona either. She never seemed to enjoy her benders very much. Not like Sheen.

Lohan is a commodity without a brand message and that is her problem. It's also why the American public doesn't know what to make of her. We know what Charlie Sheen is. He's crazy like a fox, and he has been bringing that crazy to everything he has done in the past three weeks. Each new Sheen's Korner is crazier than the last. His live show promises to be one of the craziest nights of one-man performance since Gallagher stopped smashing watermelons.

Because Lohan hasn't embraced any single brand message, she has become unlikable. Seriously unlikeable. In 2004, Lohan had a brand awareness of only 20 percent. Her positive Q score (a score advertisers and brands use to determine how well-liked a celebrity asset is) was a 19, and her negative was a 20. By last year 84 percent of those polled were familiar with Lohan. Her positive rating reached a low of 9, and her negative rating hovered at 52. More than five times more people despised Lohan than liked her.

Meanwhile, Charlie Sheen has never been more adored. They're both messy, but Charlie's decision to embrace his mess will prove to be the best business decision he has ever made. We never thought we'd say it, but Lindsay could learn something from the warlock.Follow Jo on Twitter

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CBS Want Charlie Sheen Back?

CBS WANT CHARLIE SHEEN BACK?
Charlie Sheen's former bosses at CBS are desperately trying to convince him to return to ''Two and a Half Men,'' according to reports.

The 45-year-old actor - who was fired from the sitcom earlier this month for insulting producers and for his general wild drug-fueled behavior - is reportedly being pursued by chief staff at the TV network which makes the show because they want him back.

Although Charlie is involved in a public feud with program creator Chuck Lorre - calling him "Chucky Cheeseball" and "s**tbrain" - CBS president and CEO Les Moonves has now intervened.

A source told RadarOnline.com: "Moonves told Chuck Lorre that he should 'let us handle Charlie.'"

However, getting the series back on track could be difficult as Charlie recently blasted his co-star Jon Cryer in the mistaken belief he has issued a statement against him.

He said: "Like I said, you're with me, or you're with the trolls. Jon has not called me. He's a turncoat, a traitor, a troll. Clearly he's a troll. He issued a statement. Is it gonna take me calling him a 'traitor, juvenile and scared' for him to get it?"

"What's there to say? I'll tell him, 'You're a little late. Goodbye, troll.' When I'm starring in multimillion-dollar films and he's begging me for a supporting role I'll say, 'You left me out in the cold with all of your guilt and stupidity.'"

Meanwhile, Charlie reportedly had a meeting with CBS rival FOX recently where a group including Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment for FOX and Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment for FOX Networks Group, discussed possible projects for Charlie, including a late night show.

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Charlie Sheen Offered Gig in New Porn, 'Two and a Half Women'

Charlie Sheen is #Winning the world right now -- at least in his book -- and although the actor was recently fired from his award-winning CBS TV series 'Two and a Half Men,' the man isn't hurting for job offers. Aside from recently nabbing a few Twitter endorsement deals, the porn gurus at adult film empire Vivid Entertainment are trying to bank on the 'Wall Street' star's reputation for booze, drugs and parties with porn stars. They want to put the headline-making actor to work in one of their new movies.

Vivid's founder and co-chairman, Steven Hirsch, sent the troubled actor a letter on March 3 asking him to direct a soon-to-be-made parody of Sheen's sitcom dubbed, 'Two and a Half Women.' "We think it would be great if you would come in and direct the movie," Hirsch wrote. "You pick the scenarios, positions, etc. The fact that you are the ultimate connoisseur of adult films would definitely work to your advantage."

Hirsch's plea tries to appeal to Sheen's bank account, also stating, "Based on all the publicity you have been getting, I am sure the sales will be outrageous." Sheen's resident goddesses shouldn't feel left out either. Porn actress Bree Olson and model Natalie Kenly are also invited to participate by "jump[ing] in the scene."

Meanwhile, a quick look at Sheen's filmography practically writes a history of titles that could be porn flicks without changing a single word. 'Deeper Than Deep,' 'Rated X,' 'The Big Bounce,' 'Loaded Weapon,' 'Men at Work' 'Hot Shots!' and 'No Man's Land' are all serious contenders for a sleazy XXX version. Will Sheen make the transition from TV has-been to porn director? As Hirsch writes, "The set is yours ... The whole world will be watching." They already are.

[via: Marquee Blog]

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Without 'Men,' is Charlie Sheen winning or losing? (AP)

LOS ANGELES – Consider two parallel universes: Charlie Sheen is destined to hit rock bottom after being fired from the best job he'll ever have; Charlie Sheen has been freed to blaze a new path to dazzling fame and riches.

Speculation about the dueling scenarios swelled after Warner Bros. Television said Monday that Sheen's services on "Two and a Half Men" had been terminated, effective immediately, following "careful consideration."

The studio said it's yet to decide the fate of TV's top-rated comedy which, under protest from Sheen, halted production for the season to allow the hard-partying actor to seek treatment for admitted drug use.

During his bitter tug-of-war with the studio, attention focused on whether he was on the verge of killing his career. Imperiling a hit show and a job that paid a reported $1.8 million an episode — or earning him north of $43 million a year — must be Sheen's undoing, observers said.

Not so fast, say others.

"At this point, all bets are off regarding where his career goes from here," said Paul Levinson, a Fordham University media professor. "Although nothing is certain where fame and celerity are concerned, Sheen's ubiquity in the past few weeks suggest that he could indeed go on to become a bigger superstar than (the sitcom) could ever had made him."

Opportunity already may have come knocking.

Sheen, 45, met with executives at Live Nation Entertainment on Monday and is considering a series of stage shows, celebrity website RadarOnline said. Calls and e-mails to the concert promotion company weren't returned Monday.

The road beckoned another performer who clashed publicly with his employer: Conan O'Brien went on a nationwide concert tour after exiting NBC's "Tonight" over network plans to move the show.

Sheen also intends to sell a line of merchandise, including T-shirts, hats and mugs, emblazoned with his catch phrases, the website said. It's aimed at displacing what he called the "posers and bootleggers" making money off "Winning," "Adonis DNA" and his other memorable utterances, RadarOnline reported.

Before Sheen's firing, billionaire Mark Cuban said he'd contacted him about collaborating on a project that Cuban called a unique opportunity but declined to detail. It would let the actor "be himself and have some fun," Cuban, who owns the HDNet cable network, told ESPN.

As comedian Norm MacDonald tweeted before Sheen was kicked off "Men": "I pray that someone can help (at sign)CharlieSheen before he becomes even more successful, richer and happier."

In texts to The Associated Press after Warner's decision, Sheen dismissed his bosses with the F-word, saying "they lose" and calling them "trolls." Asked if he planned to sue, Sheen texted back: "Big." As for his next move, Sheen texted, "A big one."

A call to his attorney, Marty Singer, for comment was not returned Monday. CBS declined to comment.

The firing capped a rarely open, raging battle between a Hollywood star and those who employ him, with Sheen claiming the right to live as he pleased — including the acknowledged use of illegal drugs, although he's said he is currently clean — as long as he showed up sober and ready to work.

"Two and a Half Men," which debuted in 2003, stars Sheen as womanizing bachelor Charlie Harper, who creates an ad hoc family with his neurotic brother, the divorced Alan (Jon Cryer) and Alan's son, Jake (Angus T. Jones).

Sheen's life has long been rocky but — either despite of that or because of it — viewers embraced him.

The show was co-created by veteran producer Chuck Lorre, who contributes two other comedies to the top-rated CBS lineup, "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mike & Molly." Like "Men," both are produced with Warner.

Sheen focused many of his attacks on Lorre, and in the end the studio "went with the hit-maker," said media industry analyst Shari Anne Brill.

The immediate question for Warner and CBS is whether to keep the show alive by bringing in a new cast member to join Cryer and Jones — the one-and-a-half men left.

"They didn't say the show was canceled. They said he was canceled," said Brill. "So the door is still open for another season."

Shows have replaced stars before and survived. When Valerie Harper left "Valerie" after the 1986-87 season in a dispute with producers, the show was renamed "The Hogan Family," Sandy Duncan was brought in to play a new character and the sitcom continued until 1991.

Drew Carey, who starred in and co-created "The Drew Carey Show," was asked about the possibility before Sheen's firing.

"All you have to do is bring in someone you can plug into a Charlie Sheen-like character and deliver those kinds of lines. There are 100 actors who could do it," said Carey, host of "The Price Is Right."

Carey said he wasn't dismissing Sheen's comedic talent and acknowledged that ratings might suffer if viewers are reluctant to accept a new actor in a new role. Holland Taylor, who plays Sheen's mother, called him "the brand of the show" in an interview last summer.

The studio could save money by paying the substitute far less than Sheen's salary and extend the life of the lucrative series by another season or two.

Warner and CBS had long faced a balancing act with Sheen as he underwent rehab and two ugly splits from wives No. 2 (Denise Richards) and No. 3 (Brooke Mueller Sheen). On one side was the wayward star, on the other was TV's most successful and highly lucrative sitcom, anchoring Monday for CBS and making hundreds of millions of dollars for Warner.

Last month, Warner canceled the remaining eight episodes of what was intended to be a 24-episode season of "Men," citing Sheen's public behavior and rants against Lorre.

In a series of interviews, including with ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today" show, Sheen boasted about his "epic" partying, said he's fueled by "violent hatred" of his bosses and called his home "Sober Valley Lodge."

There was public fascination with the gloves-off battle. When Sheen added Twitter to the arsenal, he gained 1 million followers in just 25 hours, leading Guinness World Records to establish a new category and crown him the champion. He now has well over 2 million followers.

But Sheen's professional conflict devolved into a custody battle over his 23-month-old twin sons with estranged wife Mueller Sheen. She used his public remarks, as well as conduct she claimed was threatening and violent, to seek a court order removing the children from his home last week.

CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves, interviewed at an investors' conference Monday morning, sidestepped the Sheen controversy when it was brought up by Deutsche Bank analyst Doug Mitchelson.

When Moonves discussed controlling series' costs by making "adjustments," such as "let's say, not renewing some high-priced actors," Mitchelson asked if Moonves had ever successfully replaced a show's lead actor before. Moonves remained silent, and the analyst apologized and said he'd promised "no Charlie Sheen questions."

CBS is owned by CBS Corp., whose shares were up 6 cents at $23.68 in after-hours trading Monday after closing down 34 cents, or 1.4 percent, at $23.62 in the regular session. Shares of Warner Bros. parent Time Warner Inc. were down a penny at $36.77 in the extended session after losing 47 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $36.78.

The market had closed before the statement about Sheen's firing was released by Warner.

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AP Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney and AP Business Writer Ryan Nakashima contributed to this report.

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Charlie Sheen sacked from hit TV series (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Charlie Sheen has been sacked from the hit TV series "Two and a Half Men" after slamming its producers in outbursts described as evidence of the troubled actor's "self-inflicted disintegration."

Warner Brothers said it was forced into the move by the 45-year-old's "dangerously self-destructive conduct," according to a 10-page letter from Warners' lawyers which said Sheen appeared very ill.

"After careful consideration, Warner Bros. Television has terminated Charlie Sheen's services on 'Two and a Half Men' effective immediately," the studio said in a terse one-line statement.

The show -- in which Sheen plays a hedonistic bachelor -- had already been canceled for the rest of the season following Sheen's repeated verbal attack on its producer, Chuck Lorre, two weeks ago.

Sheen drew accusations of anti-Semitism after referring to Lorre by the Hebrew translation of his name, but persisted with a series of rambling TV interviews last week, prompting his spokesman to quit.

The star also started his own Twitter feed which immediately became an Internet sensation, and over the weekend launched a live-streamed online talk show, dubbed "Sheen?s Korner."

But a letter from Warner Brothers lawyers at the firm Munger, Tolles and Olson, published Monday by celebrity website TMZ said: "Let us state the obvious: (Sheen) has been engaged in dangerously self-destructive conduct and appears to be very ill.

"For months before the suspension of production, Mr. Sheen's erratic behavior escalated while his condition deteriorated. His declining condition undermined the production in numerous and significant ways.

"Now, the entire world knows Mr. Sheen's condition from his alarming outbursts over just the last few weeks," it said, lamenting "the public spectacle of his self-inflicted disintegration."

Sheen, who has threatened to sue for up to $2 million dollars an episode he would miss out on, welcomed the announcement in typically colorful language.

"This is very good news. They continue to be in breach, like so many whales. It is a big day of gladness at the Sober Valley Lodge," he said according to TMZ, using the ironic name he has given to his home outside Los Angeles.

"Now I can take all of the bazillions... again and I never have to put on those silly shirts for as long as this warlock exists in the terrestrial dimension," he added, apparently referring to Lorre.

The lawyers' letter listed various incidents involving the notorious wildman actor, including in New York hotel in October, and a marathon party at his Los Angeles home in late January which left him hospitalized.

Justifying Sheen's dismissal specifically, they said there was a clause in his contract allowing them to fire anyone who commits "a felony offense involving moral turpitude."

"There is ample evidence supporting Warner Bros. reasonable good faith opinion that Mr. Sheen has committed felony offenses involving moral turpitude (including but not limited to furnishing of cocaine to others ..." it said.

And it insisted the show's producers had done all they could to try to help the actor.

"Warner executives and Mr. Lorre could see that Mr. Sheen's drug and alcohol abuse was not only affecting his ability to work on the show, but endangering his life," it said.

"Two and a Half Men," about hedonistic jingle writer Charlie Harper, has been a hit since it was launched in 2003 and has been nominated for numerous awards, including nods for Sheen at the Emmys and Golden Globes.

In November, the star filed for divorce from his wife, Brooke Mueller, of two years, days after being taken to the hospital following the reported drunken incident at a luxury New York hotel involving a porn star.

In addition to his reported substance abuse, Sheen had several run-ins with the law in the 1990s in cases related to drugs, domestic violence and prostitution.

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Sheen files: A crazy week for NBC's Jeff Rossen (AP)

NEW YORK – Here's something for Jeff Rossen to ponder after a crazy week: Is being called a "rock star" by Charlie Sheen good or bad for his career in television journalism?

Rossen, an NBC News correspondent who works chiefly for the "Today" show, played a prominent role in the actor's bizarre media tour to bash his bosses for suspending "Two and a Half Men," and explain a lifestyle of drugs and "goddesses." Andrea Canning of ABC News, CNN's Piers Morgan and radio star Howard Stern also spent extensive time with Sheen.

It was Rossen, however, whom Sheen later described as a "rock star" whose interview was "pure gold." Sheen told Morgan live on CNN that Rossen was awesome and should be a guest on his show.

"I think what he meant by calling me a rock star is that I kept my word to him," said Rossen, who joined NBC News in 2008 after working for seven years at ABC's New York City station.

Rossen had been trying to get Sheen to come on the "Today" show since shortly after the actor trashed a room in New York's Plaza Hotel last fall. He said he spoke frequently with Sheen's management team and met the actor on the "Two and a Half Men" set in November. Sheen subsequently spoke to Rossen for background on other stories, but didn't go on camera until last weekend.

Besides taped interviews that appeared on "Today" Monday and Tuesday of last week, Rossen convinced the actor to get up — or stay up — for a 4:30 a.m. PT live interview the morning after he lost custody of his twins.

Rossen didn't pull punches. He asked Sheen about his drug use and whether he provided a healthy home environment for his children and his role in making the future of television's most popular sitcom shaky.

"I told him from the very beginning (that) I'll make no agreements," Rossen said. "I'm going to ask you whatever I want to ask you. The questions will be tough. Sometimes they will be uncomfortable. What I promise to you in return is that I will keep your answers in context. I'm not going to have any clever, tricky endings. I'm going to let you explain."

Rossen's boss, "Today" show executive producer Jim Bell, called him a versatile and relentless reporter.

"Literal and figurative doors were slammed in his face along the way but he simply wouldn't take `no' for an answer," Bell said. "His work on this story is consistent with the many stories he covers for `Today,' from comprehensive investigative pieces to breaking news."

Sheen's interviews were a brilliant piece of performance art or evidence he's off his rocker, or some combination of the two. He probably set a record for inserting more catchphrases into the public lexicon in the shortest amount of time. The more he talked, the more excruciating it became.

Rossen said Sheen told him that he wanted to upstage the Academy Awards.

Is he nuts? "It's tough to tell," Rossen said.

"I've been given a very limited snapshot of Charlie Sheen," Rossen said. "I've spent about 10 hours with him over the course of several days, sometimes with cameras and sometimes without cameras. You can't judge a person fully on the basis of 10 hours. I would hope nobody would judge me that way."

Clearly, Sheen is at a crossroads in his life and struggling with that, he said.

How much the "rock star" line sticks with Rossen is an interesting question. Journalists usually look with suspicion at praise from interview subjects, perhaps seeing it as evidence that not enough tough questions were asked.

"It makes me uncomfortable," said Suzanne Lysak, a professor of broadcasting at Rossen's alma mater, Syracuse University. "But this whole situation is just so crazy."

The more important issue is the media's role in giving Sheen a platform. James Rainey of The Los Angeles Times wrote that news outlets are Sheen enablers and, in the case of ABC and NBC, "aiding and abetting the epic meltdown of a celebrity who happens to be the biggest star on the biggest comedy hit at rival CBS."

Networks have swiftly responded to the market. Morgan's interview with Sheen did so well in the ratings CNN reran it Friday. After Canning's "20/20" interview proved a big draw, Rossen put together a "Dateline NBC" special Friday. Celebrity substance abuse expert Dr. Drew Pinsky is doing a VH1 special on Sheen and even Spike TV can't resist, ordering a countdown of Sheen's most outlandish moments illustrated with Taiwanese animation.

"I don't know how you don't cover it," said Richard Wald, a Columbia University professor and former executive at ABC and NBC News.

"It's a bit like (O.J. Simpson's) White Bronco," Wald said. "It has little or no meaning, but it's fascinating: Are you taking advantage of Sheen? Are you helping him or hurting him? These are interesting questions, but I don't know if they are questions for journalists. I don't know how as a television producer you can ignore this. It's the human equivalent of a train collision."

Rossen also disagrees with critics who say the media should have turned its back on Charlie Sheen.

"This is a public figure," he said. "He's in the throes of a life crisis. As we would for a politician, as we would with a celebrity, as we would with any public figure that the public is interested in hearing from, we are telling their story. What better way to tell someone's story than with that person?

"If that person is making himself accessible to you," he said, "I would argue that it would be irresponsible not to talk to him."

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Online:

http://www.today.com

___

EDITOR'S NOTE — David Bauder can be reached at dbauder(at)ap.org

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Charlie Sheen latest: 'I'm Jewish, off to Haiti' (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Troubled US actor Charlie Sheen rounded off a rollercoaster week by claiming that he couldn't be anti-Semitic because he is Jewish -- and saying he is off to Haiti, to help out there.

Sheen, whose children were taken away from him a week after the hit TV series in which he stars was cancelled, said he should have mentioned his Jewishness when he was accused of anti-Semitism last week.

"My mom is Jewish. Here?s where it gets confusing -- we don?t know who her father was," he told the TV show Access Hollywood Live. "But she is, in fact, Jewish. So, I guess that would make me Jewish, and my children Jewish.

"And Brooke, my ex-wife is Jewish. So, I guess I should?ve rolled all that out too," he added.

Challenged about why he didn't mention this earlier, he added: "I know, I know -- stupid me .. I just got caught sleeping. Caught napping. Which is rare for me."

The comments came a week after hit TV show "Two and a Half Men" was canceled for the rest of the season following Sheen's repeated attack on its producer, Chuck Lorre.

Sheen notably referred to Lorre by the Hebrew translation of his name, Chaim Levine, drawing condemnation from the Anti Defamation League lobby group which described it as "borderline anti-Semitism."

After TV network CBS pulled the plug, the actor took to the airwaves in a series of rambling TV interviews this week, prompting his spokesman to quit.

Then on Wednesday he revealed that his twin two-year-old sons Max and Bob had been taken away by police, after their mother had filed a restraining order, alledging that Sheen had made death threats.

At the same time he launched his own Twitter feed, which was an immediate sensation, and by the end of the week had more than 1.6 million followers on the micro-blogging site.

In his latest interview Friday, Sheen revealed that he plans to travel to quake- and disease-wracked Haiti, with actor friend Sean Penn. "We?re going to do a couple things first and then it looks like we?re heading down," he said.

"I?m excited as hell because, you know, if I can bring the attention of the world down there, then clearly this tsunami keeps cresting," he added.

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Charlie Sheen reaches two million Twitter followers (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Winning, indeed.

On Monday, Charlie Sheen reached two million followers on Twitter -- less than one week after launching his account.

"Another record shattered," the actor, 45, Tweeted Monday. "We gobbled the soft target that was 2.0 mil, like a bag of a troll-house zombie chow."

Later, he added, "hey Guinness, might wanna start writing them in pencil, #checkit; you've been warned."

Last week, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sheen will soon be Tweeting endorsements.

Lady Gaga currently has the most followers -- more than 8.6 million -- followed by Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and President Barack Obama.

Sheen is catching up, though.

Not only is he thriving on Twitter, he is heating up other parts of the web: On Saturday, he hosted a live webcast and attracted more than 100,000 viewers. He showed off a new tattoo on his left wrist that reads "winning."

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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'SNL' Skewers Charlie Sheen With 'Duh! Winning!'

Making an ass of yourself on camera isn't just a specialty of Charlie Sheen's, although after his epic run of motormouth rants and erratic interviews, he's definitely captain of the team these days.

Maybe that's why Sheen, as impersonated by Bill Heder in the opening of this weekend's 'Saturday Night Live,' is the ideal host for a new talk show giving airtime to "winners" like himself. His special guests? Christina Aguilera, John Galliano, Muammar Qaddafi and "longtime guest of the winner's circle," Lindsay Lohan (played by 'SNL' host Miley Cyrus).

'Duh! Winning!' is sponsored by both Tiger Blood and clean baby urine, and features a set with its own defibrillators to revive Sheen as needed. Trolls go home; winners, deal with this:

And if you're only happy when you're "bi-winning," after the jump is another choice sendup of the catchphrase rockstar. The new self-help book concocted by Joel McHale and 'The Soup' team -- titled 'Charlie Sheen's Guide to, Duh, Winning' -- is full of wisdom for the losers in your life.

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'Real Housewives of Orange County' Say Charlie Sheen 'Needs Help'

No one can escape the blitz that is Charlie Sheen -- not even 'The Real Housewives of Orange County.'

"He needs help," Vicki Gunvalson tells PopEater.

"It's very sad and I think he's self-destructing," Tamra Barney adds of the situation.

But these 'Housewives' also know something of being in the media spotlight during a challenging time -- after all, their dirty laundry is aired for the world to see.

Tamra, who split from husband Simon Barney back in January, admits she sometimes regrets having her personal life on display.

"It's been very difficult for me, going through a divorce and having small children," she says.

Don't expect the latest season of the original 'Housewives' to be a downer though. "I think this year is focused on fun," new "wife" Peggy Tanous explains.

Check out the rest of our chat with Vicki, Tamra, Peggy, Gretchen and Alexis after the jump!

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Let's Make Another 'Major League' Happen for Charlie Sheen

The stars seem to be aligning to move Charlie Sheen off our computer screens and back onto the big screen for a fourth installment of the screwball baseball comedy that is now a cult classic, 'Major League.'

Until last week we thought that Sheen's turn as Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn, the four-eyed bad boy pitcher in the first two movies in the series, was as good as he was going to get. His recent one-liners and continued ability to turn a phrase around "tiger blood," "duh" and "winning" proved us wrong. Sheen has gotten better with age; for better or worse.

The original 'Major League,' released in 1989, grossed just under $50 million at the box office, which is about $85 million today. "Major League 2," released in 1994, made $30 million at the domestic box office.

But none of that matters, since Charlie Sheen in 1989 and 1994 wasn't the one-man publicity team he is today. The actor's ability to set a world record by gaining more than a million Twitter followers in a single day proves there's an audience for all things Sheen.

And if there's concern about whether he will show up for work and cost a potential movie project money when and if he embarks on another bender, Charlie made an excellent point in several of last week's interviews. He may have missed a day of work on the set of "Two and a Half Men," but never a day that actually mattered.

Charlie told TMZ last month that he was ready and willing to star in a new installment of the series. A couple days later, David S. Ward, who directed and wrote the original, told The Hollywood Reporter that he had a script, in which Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn would mentor a young relief pitcher.

CNBC's sports business reporter Darren Rovell tweeted on Saturday that more than two-thirds of the fans he polled were itching for the "Wild Thing," to make a comeback.

Sheen has said he wants this film to be 'Major League 3,' despite the fact that it would actually be the fourth installment in the series. A Sheen-less, 'Major League 3: Back to the Minors,' was released in 1998. It's probably fair to discount that effort as we choose to discount 'Mean Girls 2,' 'The Next Karate Kid' and 'Teen Wolf Too' (Sorry Jason Bateman).

There are so many reasons this film needs to happen. Charlie Sheen needs it. With his 'Men' payday kaput, five kids to feed and a harem of women to keep in cars, negligees and peroxide, Sheen needs a new income stream.

America needs it. There has been a dearth of sports comedies over the past decade since they've been replaced by the more sensitive bromance. Let's bring back some vulgar, crotch-grabbing grandiosity.

The pieces are all in place for this masterpiece to actually happen. What it needs is continued fan support.

Want to help? Join our Facebook event to show your support for another 'Major League'!

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Charlie Sheen Officially Fired From 'Two and a Half Men'

Charlie Sheen may be winning, but he just lost his contract with Warner Bros Television.

"After careful consideration, Warner Bros. Television has terminated Charlie Sheen's services on 'Two and a Half Men' effective immediately,' a statement from the company read (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Sheen himself responded to TMZ, in typical Sheen fashion. "This is very good news. They continue to be in breach, like so many whales. It is a big day of gladness at the Sober Valley Lodge because now I can take all of the bazillions, never have to look at whatshisc--k again and I never have to put on those silly shirts for as long as this warlock exists in the terrestrial dimension."

Update: TMZ just obtained a copy of the termination letter sent to Sheen's attorney by Warner Bros.. The letter stated the actor was fired because he committed a felony involving "moral turpitude." The 11-page letter also said: "Your client has been engaged in dangerously self-destructive conduct and appears to be very ill."

As for the absolute reason why Sheen was fired, the letter states it was due to Sheen selling "cocaine to others as part of the self-destructive lifestyle he has described publicly... that have 'interfere[d] with his ability to fully and completely render all material services required' under the agreement."

Sheen told TMZ that he's not buying it and plans to sue Lorre and Warner Bros. He believes they fired him because he insulted Lorre--which they technically can't do.

According to TMZ, the decision to cancel the series entirely, or bring it back in the fall, has not been made.

This is just another twist and turn in the Sheen saga that has erupted over the past few weeks. After his hospitalization led to a postponement of taping 'Men,' the troubled actor went on several radio shows to vent his displeasure -- ultimately insulting his boss Chuck Lorre, prompting CBS and Warner Bros. to cancel the rest of the season.

Then Charlie continued his media blitz with appearances on '20/20,' 'The Today Show' and even a live chat with TMZ and made several quotable quips about warlocks, Adonis DNA, tiger's blood and winning.

During this time, Sheen also turned to Twitter, becoming the fastest person to ever earn 1 million followers, and even set up an Internet chat with UStream, naming his show 'Sheen's Korner.'

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Charlie Sheen: I'm Going to Haiti With Sean Penn

Mar 5th 2011 08:00AMEmail ThisWhat a week it's been for Charlie Sheen. Nevermind his media rants, boasts of tiger blood, new Twitter account, drug tests, flaunting of "goddesses" and latest custody crisis. Now, Sheen has announced a whole new agenda: helping others.

Sheen, 45, told Access Hollywood on Friday that he's making plans to travel to Haiti with Sean Penn, one of Hollywood's most active providers of assistance ever since the nation's devastating January 2010 earthquake.

"We're going to do a couple things first, and then it looks like we're heading down [to Haiti]," Sheen confirmed during his call-in interview. "And I'm excited as hell because, you know, if I can bring the attention of the world down there, then clearly, this tsunami keeps cresting."

Penn spends time in Haiti frequently as his foundation, J/P Haitian Relief Organization, continues charitible efforts on the ground. The Oscar winner's rep initally denied Sheen's claim. But then Penn spoke up late Friday about Sheen helping Haitians.
In a statement, Penn says, "I think his energies, intelligence and passion could be both of service and servicing to him, as it is to all who are touched by the struggle of the Haitian people....Charlie is one of the very few public people who cannot be accused of using the media to his own benefit."

"I would very much like to show my old friend the world of needs on the ground in Haiti, and introduce him and his tremendous wit to our hard working Haitian staff," Penn adds. "If he chooses to give support, I'll trust it."

No word yet on whether the goddesses, a.k.a. Sheen's girlfriends (Rachel Oberlin and Natalie Kenly) will pack their bags and travel to Haiti, too. They may have time on their hands now that they're no longer helping care for Sheen's 2-year-old sons, the adorable twins who appeared on a 20/20 profile filmed inside Sheen's mansion. The boys were abruptly removed from their father's care this week.

Sheen, Oberlin and Kenly recently returned from a vacation in the Bahamas, where the TV star was kicking back on a break from 'Two and a Half Men' (a hiatus the network demanded along with drug rehab for Sheen), when he inexplicably picked up the phone and began his streak of self-destructive rants. His radio chat with Alex Jones included calling his CBS boss Chuck Lorre "Chaim Levine," a nickname that incensed anti-defamation organizations.

But there's a twist: Sheen now reveals that he's Jewish. And he remains concerned that fans not label him anti-Semitic.

Sheen, born Carlos Irwin Estevez, told Access Hollywood, "My mom [Janet Templeton] is Jewish. Here's where it gets confusing: We don't know who her father was....But she is, in fact, Jewish. So, I guess that would make me Jewish, and my children Jewish. And Brooke [Mueller], my ex-wife, is Jewish. So, I guess I should've rolled all that out, too....Stupid me, I just got caught sleeping, caught napping. Which is rare for me....But, I'm proud of it. There you have it."


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Charlie Sheen: Life After "Two and a Half Men"

Fresh off of being fired from his hit comedy, Charlie Sheen stepped out with 'goddess' Natalie Kenly in Beverly Hills, California on Monday afternoon (March 7).

Seemingly not having a care in the world, the 45-year-old actor puffed a cigarette and wrapped his arm around his lady while visiting a local office building for a business meeting.

As for being let go from "Two and a Half Men", a letter from a Warner Bros. legal staffer told Sheen's attorney that his client should "focus your energies on what no one so far has been able to do: get your client the sustained, rigorous and effective treatment he so urgently needs. It is clear that [Sheen] has no intention of agreeing to the intensive evaluation and treatment that his condition require. It is also clear he does not believe he has a problem and that he will continue to conduct himself in a destructive manner."

In response to the dismissal notice, Charlie's legal eagle, Marty Singer, told THR, "We will sue. It’s a matter of when. It could be this week, it could be in a little while. We’re in no rush. But we will sue.”

Singer continued, “Their position is absolutely ridiculous. Warner Bros. had no objection to my client pleading guilty to a felony while they were actively negotiating his new deal—they did his deal before his plea bargain!”

“From January 2010, even after my client was arrested and then charged with a felony and misdemeanor charges, Warner Bros. did not suspend my client. Instead it wanted my client to agree to commit to do additional seasons of [Men]. Warner Bros. confirmed that it would continue to employ Mr. Sheen even if he pleaded guilty to a felony as long as he did not serve jail time that would interfere with the production schedule."

Sheen's lawyer finished by stating, “This is nothing but Warner Bros. acting on behalf of Chuck Lorre."

Enjoy the pictures of Charlie Sheen out with Natalie Kenly in Beverly Hills (March 7).

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Charlie Sheen Officially Fired from "Two and a Half Men"

Deciding to sever ties altogether, Charlie Sheen has officially been axed from the CBS comedy "Two and a Half Men".

Producer of the show, Warner Bros. TV, released a statement on Monday (March 7) reading: "After careful consideration, Warner Bros. Television has terminated Charlie Sheen’s services on Two and a Half Men effective immediately."

Meanwhile, it's still up in the air as to whether or not a replacement will be sought to continue the long-running series.

On another note, Sheen is dealing with more drama with ex wife Brooke Mueller - as the latest reports tell that the former couple are yet to reach a custody agreement because she reportedly doesn't want their sons, Max and Bob, around his girlfriends, Natalie Kenly and porn star Rachel Oberlin.

Custody of the twin boys became an issue last week after Brooke filed a temporary restraining order against him.

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Charlie Sheen to Join Sean Penn on Haiti Charity Trip

CHARLIE SHEEN TO JOIN SEAN PENN ON HAITI CHARITY TRIP
Charlie Sheen will join his pal Sean Penn on a charity trip to Haiti.

Charlie Sheen and Sean Penn The troubled "Two and a Half Men" actor - whose public attack on show creator Chuck Lorre has led to production on the hit series being halted - has revealed plans to visit the Caribbean island, which was devastated by two earthquakes in January 2010, to help Sean who has been undertaking charity work in Haiti since the disaster.

Charlie told Access Hollywood Live: "We're going to do a couple things first and then it looks like we're heading down [to Haiti]. And I'm excited as hell because, you know, if I can bring the attention of the world down there, then clearly this tsunami keeps cresting."

In a recent interview with US GQ magazine Sean defended his friend, revealing he believes Charlie simply wants the world to "lighten" up.

He said: "When you divorce the moral judgments, which I prefer to do, I see a guy who has a clearer view of the nature of the world around him than is sometimes comfortable to have. Those are the sort of people who have a tendency to find altered states."

"But he's a very ironic character. He's got pretension in the crosshairs of his wit. I think to a large degree he's saying, 'Guys, we're only going to be here once, so lighten the f**k up.'"

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David Arquette Injured in Accident, Tweets Charlie Sheen Joke From Hospital

From PopEater: Just hours after getting into a head-on collision in Los Angeles, David Arquette took to his Twitter page to let friends and fans know that he was doing okay.

Showing that his sense of humor was still intact as well, Arquette's Tweet included a Charlie Sheen reference: "I got into a car accident but I'm fine. Luckily I have dragon's blood running through my veins. Haha Thank you for all your concern." He then added, "Remember to wear your seatbelt-wish I was."

An eyewittness told the site that a car in front of Arquette suddenly stopped, forcing him to steer into traffic and causing the accident.

Although Arquette was seen lying on the ground bleeding, before being taken to the hospital, his rep told UsMagazine.com that the actor is okay. "He's fine," says the rep. "He is on his way to be treated."

David was on his way to the Burbank airport to fly to Las Vegas to attend an event hosted by Kim Kardashian.

Original post written by Tracey Harrington McCoy.

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Sheen seduces 1.3 million Twitter fans in two days (AFP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Troubled American actor Charlie Sheen was Thursday reveling in the fact that his new Twitter account had attracted some 1.3 million followers in just two days.

"In all sincerity... Thank you Twitter community for the warm reception & the followers that helped get me to 1M in 24 hours!!!" he said in a tweet posted late Wednesday.

By Thursday though the number of his followers had swelled to 1.3 million, who had to be satisfied with a mere 21 tweets, accompanied by a couple of pictures, posted by Sheen on the micro-blogging social network.

Most of his messages were not too coherent, although he did ask: "Pardon my absence.... My first concern is my kids... Back soon..!"

Sheen, 45, said on Wednesday that police had taken his twin two-year-old sons, Max and Bob, away overnight after his estranged wife expressed concern for their welfare.

But Sheen has disputed allegations that his wild lifestyle, including drug-addled binges and sharing his home with two girlfriends he called "goddesses," is anything other than a nurturing environment for his children.

Producers last week canceled the actor's hit television show, "Two and a Half Men" in mid-season, after he gave several rambling interviews, some of which included abusive statements toward his employers at CBS television.

He is also battling allegations of anti-Semitism and claims of death threats against his estranged wife, Brooke Mueller, the mother of the twins, who, like Sheen, is said to be battling drug abuse.

The @charliesheen feed was started Tuesday, and his first tweet was a cheeky photo showing Sheen with one of his new girlfriends holding a bottle of "Naked" brand juice.

"Winning...! Choose your Vice..." the tweet said, adding a link to the picture of him sporting a backwards baseball cap and holding a healthy milk drink.

But despite his new-found Twitter stardom, Sheen is still trailing far behind singer Lady Gaga who has some 8.5 million followers.

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Charlie Sheen Custody Negotiations: Deal On, Then Off

After reports started circulating about a possible hearing on Monday concerning custody of his twin sons, Charlie Sheen took to his new Twitter page to clear the air. The 'Two and a Half Men' actor tweeted, "not sure what all the legal noise is about ... just verbally reached a deal with B. no court mon. yay."

"Yet the opposition felt it necessary to still harass me with old gibberish .... odd? perhaps. transparent? you betcha'!" he added.

Sheen hasn't said anymore about the negotiations but a source close to Mueller's family confirmed to PEOPLE that the pair have been talking. "Brooke is thinking over Charlie's offer and has not decided if she will take it," the source said. "Brooke is very fragile right now."

UPDATE: TMZ.com reports Mueller called the deal off.

And while it's been reported Mueller didn't want Sheen's girlfriends (aka goddesses) around the twins, sources tell TMZ.com that she's not concerned about that at all. Their negotiations apparently allow the goddesses to continue being around the twins.

Muller's lawyer got a temporary restraining order against Sheen, prohibiting him from going near her. The judge also ordered Sheen to surrender the twins while the restraining order remained in effect.

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Charlie Sheen Shares Bed With Two Girlfriends

CHARLIE SHEEN SHARES BED WITH TWO GIRLFRIENDS
Charlie Sheen shares a bed with his two girlfriends.

The 45-year-old actor lives with 24-year-old porn star Bree Olsen and former nanny Natalie Kenley in a Los Angeles mansion, and the women have explained they all take turns sleeping in the middle of one bed - but do have the option of going to another one if they need sleep.

Asked if the group have sex together, Bree said: "We do whatever Charlie wants us to. This is the type of lifestyle I've always wanted and I'm thrilled with it."

Natalie added: "Our bed is big enough for all three of us, and we take turns sleeping in the middle. If someone is really tired, there's always a place for them to sleep in peace."

The pair - who refer to their relationship using the US football term "The Wedge" - also believe they are "looking out" for the troubled star, who recently lost custody of his 23-month-old twin sons Bob and Max after allegedly threatening to "cut off" their mother Brooke Mueller's head.

Bree told the New York Post newspaper: "It's an unconventional family. Charlie is the man with the ball and we're on either side looking out for him."

"All three of us are in a relationship, and if Charlie ever wants to go outside 'The Wedge' and act out on his sexual desires, that's fine with Natty and me. We're laid back."

She also claims she is happy with the state of their relationship because the troubled star is being honest about what he wants rather than being a "hypocrite."

Bree added: "In my experience, most guys are hypocrites - they will say one thing and think another. Charlie is living it up. Men are programmed to want to reproduce. They are genetically engineered to try and have sex with as many women as they can."

Charlie has recently joined twitter - gaining one million followers in 24 hours - and he has used the site to highlight his concern for his kids.

Writing after a three-hour break from posting, he said: "Pardon my absence.... My first concern is my kids... Back soon..!(sic)"

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