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Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn. It aired on CBS for 12 seasons from 2003 to 2015 and originally focused on the lives of brothers Charlie and Alan Harper and Alan’s son Jake.

Premise

The sitcom centres on Charlie Harper, a hedonistic jingle writer, whose life changes when his brother Alan and Alan’s son Jake move in with him. Later episodes continue the story after Charlie’s departure, with Walden Schmidt becoming a major character.

Cast and characters

The best-known cast members include Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, Jon Cryer as Alan Harper, and Angus T. Jones as Jake Harper. Supporting and later prominent roles included Holland Taylor, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, Melanie Lynskey, and Ashton Kutcher.

Broadcast history

Two and a Half Men aired on CBS across 12 seasons from 2003 to 2015. The series became one of the network’s long-running sitcoms and completed its run with 262 episodes.

Reception and impact

The show became a major television comedy hit and remained widely discussed for its popularity, cast changes, and off-colour humour. It is also notable for the high salaries reported for Charlie Sheen during its run.

Key facts

  • The series was created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn.
  • It premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003, and ended on February 19, 2015.
  • The original main cast included Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones.
  • After Charlie Sheen left, Ashton Kutcher joined the cast as Walden Schmidt.
  • The series ran for 12 seasons and 262 episodes.
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Canadian context

The series aired in Canada through standard North American television distribution and remains familiar to Canadian audiences as a long-running U.S. network sitcom.

Frequently asked questions

What is Two and a Half Men?
It is an American sitcom about two brothers and a nephew living together in Malibu.
Who created Two and a Half Men?
The series was created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn.
When did Two and a Half Men air?
It aired on CBS from September 22, 2003, to February 19, 2015.
How many seasons did it have?
The series ran for 12 seasons.
Who were the original main stars?
The original lead trio was Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_and_a_Half_Men
    Supports: Creator names, premise, original cast, number of seasons, episode count, and original run
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369179/
    Supports: Release date, country of origin, alternate title, and series premise
  3. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/two-and-a-half-men
    Supports: Series synopsis, later cast context, and network/original language metadata