For those who thought Charlie Sheen's acting career could be over, don't count the warlock down for the count: He's got 'tiger blood'. The actor's proving his mettle in a brand-new TV show sitcom slated for fall 2012. 'Anger Management' is the actor's answer to being ousted from "Two and a Half Men"--when he kissed $2 million per episode goodbye. Say 'hello' to Sheen who may bring in millions again, quickly, through syndication.
It's been four months since Charlie Sheen was cut from CBS' "Two and a Half Men" -- but that's a short span for the actor who's already got his sights on a comeback and a smart syndication deal: Charlie Sheen has officially announced, July 18, new plans to star in "Anger Management". It's a sitcom based on the 2003 movie. Well, kind of based on the film anyway. Sheen will be adding his own spin -- slated to play the doc famous for some unique therapy.
If there could be a perfect fit for the actor who's had some troubling issues with at least one type of management, 'Anger Management' may be it. There's beauty and sheer genius in the idea that Sheen won't even need to push the boundaries in acting. Or, as Charlie Sheen puts it: "I chose 'Anger Management' because, while it might be a big stretch for me to play a guy with serious anger management issues, I think it is a great concept""
The actor's ensured "a significant ownership stake" in the new 'Anger Management' television show -- with TV show producers that will include former Walt Disney Studios chairman Joe Roth and Lionsgate Television.
Fortunately for Sheen, this time the actor's working with someone he seems to actually like -- a lot: "It ['Anger Management' tv show] also provides me with real ownership in the series...and the chance to be back in business with one of my favorite movie producers of all time, Joe Roth."
Some knew Sheen had been working on negotiations related to the TV show, but the rest is details -- which haven't quite been worked out yet. There's no word on when 'Anger Management' filming will start, who will play the roles of co-stars, who will play the writers -- or even which network will air the new show.
What is known: The pilot of Charlie Sheen's new show is headed for televisions by fall 2012. All will be good -- as long as Charlie Sheen can get the tv show picked up by a network.
Debmar-Mercury, the company responsible for syndicating hits like "The Wendy Williams Show," has got a plan that's nearly as unusual as the former "Two and a Half Men" star himself. Instead of utilizing the industry's traditional method -- where TV producers develop a pilot and then try to get the go-ahead for a series order from a network -- the approach for 'Anger Management' will be very different, and perhaps even more profitable: One network partner will be required to order a limited number of the show's episodes in advance. That number could be less than a dozen -- even as low as 10.
And the next part is smart. Very smart.
If the network likes the show, there's going to be an obligation -- one that could work out well for everyone. If the initial 'Anger Management' episodes do well and deliver good ratings, the network that first orders the TV show will hold the obligation to order 90 more episodes of 'Anger Management'. That additional order of 90 episodescould bring big bucks to all involved: 100 is a magic number — allowing a syndicator to more easily sell reruns to local stations that could be worth big cash.
Debmar-Mercury has used the same business plan, successfully, for other TV shows like Tyler Perry sitcoms on TBS including "House of Payne," "Meet the Browns" and "Are We There Yet?"
Now Charlie Sheen's just got to wrangle himself a network with that 'tiger blood'. NBC's suspected reaction is a thumbs-down for the 'Anger Management' sitcom. Then there's CBS. That one's probably out of the question.