Angus T. Jones and Moonves: CBS CEO Indicates Future on 'Two and a Half Men' in Doubt (VIDEOS)
Angus T. Jones has appeared to have upset Les Moonves, the CEO of CBS, the network that runs "Two and a Half Men" with his recent comments on a YouTube video post that labeled the show "filth" and that he no longer wanted to be part of it.
In the aftermath of Jones' comments most people connected with the show, as well as the network, remained quiet about the situation. Following the Charlie Sheen meltdown the show's bosses might have thought it best to let things play out and remain silent. However, it now appears as though Moonves, who is known for being very hands-on and not afraid to air his opinions, has spoken out about the new controversy surrounding the show.
Moonves seemed to indicate that the future of Jones on the show was uncertain, and appeared to indicate he thought was going down a similar path of other past child stars who had gotten ahead of themselves. He said at a breakfast hosted by Wall Street Journal Tuesday, "We took this boy who started with us when he was eight years old and it seems to be what happens with child stars over the course of time."
"He's now making over $300,000 per week, which is not a bad salary for a 19-year-old kid," Moonves said, "and he went on a religious channel and urged people not to watch the show because it was filth."
He quickly added, "By the way, he's still collecting his $300,000 per week."
Indicating that Jones' spot as the "Half Man" on the show was in question, Moonves said, "I don't know what our status is with him."
Although putting Jones' comments in context compared to the Charlie Sheen episode, he added, "After going through what we went through with Charlie Sheen, it's been a piece of cake."
Jones, 19, had indicated in his comments that he had felt conflicted after converting to Christianity. He said growing up on the show had been difficult sometimes with the content filmed in the show, which often is of a sexual nature.
He has, however, already apologized for urging people to stop watching the show, and said he was sorry to have upset all those connected with the show, who he said had helped raise him and be around him since a child.
"I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed," Jones said in the statement, ABC News reports. "I never intended that."
Jones, who stars as Jake Harper - the underachieving son of Alan Harper, played by Jon Cryer, said, "Please stop watching it," in a video posted by the Forerunner Chronicles in Seale, Ala., Monday. "Please stop filling your head with filth."
He also said, "People say it's just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you'll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch."
In addition, on his 19th birthday last month, Jones spoke on a radio broadcast called "The Voice of Prophecy," which was recorded for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In that interview, Jones admitted that he was a virgin that never drank alcohol and explained further why he was uncomfortable with appearing on "Two and a Half Men."
He said, "It's very weird that I'm on a television show, especially now that I am trying to walk with God. My television show has nothing to do with God and doesn't want anything to do with God."
Meanwhile ex-member on the show, Charlie Sheen, has also weighed in on the matter.
Speaking about Jones' video to People magazine, Sheen said: "With Angus's Hale-Bopp-like meltdown, it is radically clear to me that the show is cursed."
Sheen's comments about a "Hale-Bopp-like meltdown" seemingly a reference to the infamous Heaven's Gate cult.
In another interview with ABC News, Sheen also said, "My former nephew is welcome at the Goodson 'Anger Management' home anytime," referring to the surname of his therapist alter-ego on the series.
Here are the two videos that sparked the controversy: