Should CBS Trade Charlie Sheen For Other Actor(s)?

Now that the Sheen has hit the fan for CBS' CBS most popular comedy, what should the leading television network do next?

Ultimately, CBS must (and will) replace Charlie Sheen. It would be foolish to cancel the show without at least trying to move forward. But if the producers can't come up with a brilliant plan, cancellation will be inevitable.

There is, however, one intriguing solution that could produce enough hype to sustain the show's ratings: replace Charlie Sheen with not one but several different actors/comedians – one per week, to be exact.

(Cue the negative responses…)

Sheen Fan: “Huh!?

CBS Exec: “Are you crazy!?”

Perhaps I am crazy. But if so, I can assure you that I am no crazier than the man who says that he is high on himself.

Charlie Sheen might feel encouraged by his million+ Twitter followers. He might even think that this validates his claim that he is worth $3 million an episode. But let's not kid ourselves: while some of his followers are genuine fans who are determined to stick by the actor, the rest are only in search of a laugh. And until Mr. Sheen settles down (every storm runs its course), the laughs will keep on coming.

Thus, CBS needs to counter Charlie Sheen with its own brand of crazy.

Week 1: Matthew Perry
Do Viewers Like Him?: Yes. Having starred as one of the most prominent characters on the hit TV series Friends, Matthew Perry is extremely well known and extremely well liked.
Is He Profitable?: With more than 18 million viewers for the premiere episode of NBC's CMCSA Studio 60, and more than 10 million viewers for the premiere of ABC's DIS Mr. Sunshine, Matthew Perry is one of the most bankable men in television.
Can He Do The Job?: Yes, but not long-term. While viewers rush to see his new shows upon their premieres, the quality has made it hard to return. (In his defense, Perry is not the creator or writer of Studio 60 or Mr. Sunshine. And though it's still a flawed show, Mr. Sunshine is getting better.)

Week 2: Brad Garrett
Do Viewers Like Him?: Yes. The Everybody Loves Raymond star may not have been popular enough to turn the atrocious ‘Til Death into TV gold, but he is still a very popular actor.
Is He Profitable?: Despite ‘Til Death's lackluster ratings, Garrett managed to keep the show on the air for a few years. That's more than we can say for most sitcoms, which are lucky if they survive just one season.
Can He Do The Job?: Absolutely. Garrett is no stranger to the concept of replacing a huge star. When Jay Leno received a gag order from the judge of the 2005 Michael Jackson trial, Garrett stepped in to tell the jokes that Leno was not allowed to perform. It was a smart move that created enough laughs – and enough buzz – to convince the judge to lift the gag order.

Week 3: Dennis Miller
Do Viewers Like Him?: The staunch conservative may not win over every viewer, but his brilliant humor and impressive vocabulary could be of great use to CBS.
Is He Profitable?: That's hard to say. Miller had some success with his half-hour talk show on HBO TWX. But on a long-term basis, he doesn't appear to be bankable on primetime. As a one-week replacement for Charlie Sheen, however, Miller would be spectacular.
Can He Do The Job?: Without question. Miller has what it takes to bring in the masses and create tons of Internet buzz – especially if he is allowed to write some of his own material

Week 4: Bill Maher
Do Viewers Like Him?: Like Dennis Miller, Maher may not resonate with every Two and a Half Men viewer. But even people who don't like him still watch his show(s) and/or guest appearances on other talk shows.
Is He Profitable?: At best, Maher is only moderately more profitable than Dennis Miller. But if CBS would like a one-two punch of buzz-building controversy, Maher is the man.
Can He Do The Job?: Who better to replace the most controversial man in primetime than the most controversial man in late-night television?

With these four men in the Fall 2011 lineup, Two and a Half Men would be on its way to a great season. After that, CBS' only dilemma would be this: who should replace Charlie Sheen next?