Actor Charlie Sheen, seen in a police photo handout, was arrested in Aspen, Colo., Dec. 25, 2009, after police responded to a domestic violence call. Sheen was placed under arrest for second degree assault. UPI/Aspen Police Department |
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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- CBS has ordered extra episodes of two shows to work around scheduling problems resulting from U.S. actor Charlie Sheen's troubles, The Hollywood Reporter said.
Citing sources, the trade publication reported Monday the network has ordered two extra episodes of "Mike and Molly" and "Rules of Engagement" to help patch holes in the schedule while the top-rated comedy "Two and a Half Men" remains out of production and Sheen, 45, pursues rehab for addiction.
The Web site TMZ has reported Sheen will not be unable to work for three months. Media reports Monday said the actor, who was hospitalized last week following a well-publicized party at his home, was pursuing a rehab program with an addiction expert, but Sheen's publicist, Stan Rosenfield, told The Hollywood Reporter he could not comment on those reports.
"In compliance with the national health privacy laws (HIPPA), no further information relating to Charlie Sheen's health or his rehab experience will be released without his written permission," Rosenfield said. "I can say that all of us who know Charlie care about him very much. We will support him in any we can in this journey, beginning by respecting his privacy."
There has been speculation that Sheen's absence from "Two and a Half Men" could cost CBS millions of dollars but the network said in a statement "any ratings declines will be more than offset by the reduced programming costs for episodes lost this season," the Reporter reported. The network said its schedule is "strong and deep with hit series" and Sheen's show "has always performed well in repeats."
The show was shut down briefly early in 2010 after Sheen was arrested following an altercation with his wife in Colorado.
