Ashton Kutcher nails ‘Two and Half Men’ debut, Charlie Sheen brags

With Charlie Sheen now disowned by the bosses, last night’s taping of ‘Two and a Half Men’ featuring Ashton Kutcher as his replacement is reported to have been an unfettered success.

Sources who attended the taping say the exit of Charlie Harper was handled in a way that leaves Sheen no possible avenue that allows his return. Ashton, meanwhile, was a huge hit with the fans.

Spies say the 33-year old replacement had excellent chemistry with both Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones. He also made efforts to interact with the audience – even leaving the set at one point to give one fan a back rub, much to that lady’s surprise and delight.

However other audience members said Kutcher’s performance seemed ‘dry’ compared to Sheen’s, and he didn’t appear fully versed with the Mark Zuckerberg-styled character, Walden Schmidt yet.

Among the guest stars were John Stamos, who was once considered as Sheen’s replacement, and Jenny McCarthy as one of Harper’s ex-lovers.

There was no sign of Demi Moore or Chuck Lorre, but show staff say it’s very likely Lorre was there to ensure Ashton ascended Sheen’s throne and thus ended any opportunity for Charlie to even suggest he’d return.

But the discarded star seems unruffled by such impellent removal;

“I’ll be watching my fake funeral, attended by my fake ex-girlfriends, from my very, very real movie theater, with my very real hotties in tow,” he proudly claimed yesterday.

CBS refused to confirm reports of a funeral storyline but they are known to have built a funeral set for the show, which even features Charlie Harper’s famous bowling shirt.

[TMZ]