Chuck Lorre couldn't resist, writing a disclaimer about Charlie Sheen's antics on Two and a Half Men.
Chuck Lorre was behind several successful television shows. As it turns out, he was having some extra fun behind the scenes, planting hidden notes at the end of episodes. That was the case on The Big Bang Theory as Lorre planted a hidden message during the final episode. In the following, we're going to reveal what that was, and the other messages he wrote throughout his time on several other TV shows.
One in particular seemed to be a shot at Charlie Sheen. We're going to take a closer look at what the hidden message said. In addition, we'll reveal Lorre and Sheen's rocky history with Two and a Half Men. According to Lorre, just watching the show back was a task in itself following its abrupt end.
Chuck Lorre Is Known For Writing Subtle Notes At The End Of Episodes
Chuck Lorre had a unique Easter egg hidden at the end of several TV shows. Throughout his career, Lorre would feature a quick flashing cue card for every episode of his shows, which included The Big Bang Theory, Grace Under Fire, Two and a Half Men, Mike & Molly and Dharma & Greg.
Among his first cue cards ever written included a hilarious message after a Dharma & Greg episode. The message would typically flash for a second after the end credits. It said, "Thanks for videotaping Dharma & Greg and for freeze framing on my video card."
Lorre feared that the network wouldn't be pleased with these messages and that perhaps he might lose his job over it, but that was not meant to be.
Lorre took an emotional approach following The Big Bang Theory's final episode, writing, "The End." For the most part, fans figured that the small writing after the end credits was another disclaimer by the network or studio. However, it was Lorre having some fun and as it turns out, he also took that opportunity to poke fun at others, including none other than Charlie Sheen.
Chuck Lorre Poked Fun At Charlie Sheen's Lifestyle In A Hidden Message After The Credits![Charlie Sheen at German Comic Con]()
It is not a secret, Charlie Sheen and Chuck Lorre had a hard time dealing with one another during Two and a Half Men, particularly during Sheen's final seasons on the series. It's a shame that the two could not come to terms, at the very least for a final episode. It wasn't meant to be, while Lorre also took a shot at Sheen by having him killed off.
However, it seems like long before that, Lorre wasn't afraid to poke fun at his lead man. In one particular cue card, the showrunner advised viewers not to replicate Sheen's 'unhealthy' acts from the show, claiming that the actor was a trained professional.
The card writes, "Do not attempt to replicate what you saw in tonight's episode of Two and a Half Men. Despite the seeming lack of serious consequences and regardless of the hilarity that ensued, this is extremely dangerous behaviour that could result in injury or death. Please keep in mind that we employ a highly-paid Hollywood professional who has years of experience with putting his life at risk. And sadly, no, I'm not talking about our stunt man."
Surely, Charlie Sheen himself smiled after reading this particular note. Although times were good at one point, it would later change and Lorre revealed just watching the show back was a task in itself.
Chuck Lorre Admits Watching Two And A Half Men Back Was A Difficult Process
Nowadays, Lorre is completely fine with watching Two and a Half Men back. However, the reality was different at the start. Once the show wrapped up, Lorre struggled to connect with the show given all the controversy and headaches that had taken place over the years.
Lorre revealed, "It is really gratifying that what we made still works on some level. Time has passed and the episodes with Charlie are a joy to watch. There were a couple of years there where I couldn’t watch it. It was too hurtful."
"I can enjoy them all now. You know, he did a brilliant job. And the chemistry between him and Jon [Cryer] and Angus and Holland Taylor and, oh my goodness, Conchata Ferrell, who has passed away. It was a beautiful cast."
As for Charlie Sheen, he regretted the way the situation was handled, admitting he wasn't in the right mind space at the time of his exit.
"There was 55 different ways for me to handle that situation, and I chose number 56. And so, you know, I think the growth for me post-meltdown or melt forward or melt somewhere — however you want to label it — it has to start with absolute ownership of my role in all of it," he said. "And it was desperately juvenile."
Fans were ultimately the ones that suffered the most as Sheen did not return.