End is near for 'Men'

I don't normally delve far into pop culture in this column; I like to keep it local. But humor me for just 370 words (or tune in next week when I revert to the norm.)

I like TV. I don't like it enough to invest in cable for my house or splurge for DVR at my Local's house, but I do like it. Up until recently, "Two and a Half Men" was a favorite in the house -- the one with cable.

I have to admit, though, this year I haven't been as enthusiastic about the "Odd Couple"-esque comedy on CBS.

I felt the routine was getting old. I thought the boy was only there because they couldn't kill him off, and I didn't bite on the attempts at new plot directions like Charlie Sheen's character, also named Charlie, admitting his love for Rose.

So when I saw in the news that Sheen had flown off the handle, I had a feeling that was the end.

It's been a fun ride and even the destruction of the show has been amusing. I wonder if CBS can somehow cash in on all the air time Sheen's comments have gotten?

A story in today's SE Live details the different directions the show's creators can take, but I believe no matter what they do from here, the show's days are numbered. Not just because Sheen is gone, though when television historians look back, they'll no doubt give the incident major credit, but because it's been on for eight years and is getting old.

Not many sitcoms last past nine or 10 seasons, and many of those were from the 1990s and early 2000s.

"Seinfeld" was only on for nine. "Friends" does come in at 10. "The Simpsons" is still running with more than 20 seasons, but it's animated and able to change character voices whenever it needs to.

Whether "Two and Half Men" lasts another three years as other sitcoms seem to do or it stops after one, we're all better for it. Another mindless comedy will fill that 30-minute spot, or, better yet, we'll turn off the television and get out on the town for entertainment.