In this May 18, 2011 file publicity image released by CBS, the cast of "Two and a Half Men," from left, Jon Cryer, Ashton Kutcher, and Angus T. Jones are shown during their presentation at CBS' Upfronts (AP) (©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved)
The official ratings are out and Ashton Kutcher’s debut on “Two and a Half Men” brought in big numbers for the show.
Kutcher’s debut nearly doubled last year’s premiere numbers, bringing in 27.8 million viewers, according to a report from USA Today.
Earlier this summer, Moonves boasted that he was hearing talk of “huge numbers,” even “AFC championship-type” numbers for the Kutcher-led premiere, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The premiere followed Charlie Sheen’s Sunday televised well-wishes for the cast at the Emmy Awards.
While presenting the award for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Comedy Series, Sheen said: “From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season. We spent eight wonderful years together and I know you will continue to make great television.”
It was a far cry from Sheen’s earlier characterizations of co-star Jon Cryer, when he labeled him a “turncoat and a troll.”
Comedy Central’s Roast of Sheen also aired Monday night, and the embattled actor toured the talk-show circuit promoting it, stopping by “The Wendy Williams Show” Monday and “The Today Show” last week.
Kutcher's debut was met with mostly positive reviews, but in a FOX411 poll, 39 percent of respondents said they missed Charlie Sheen, while 32 percent who thought Kutcher was a good replacement. Twenty-nine percent said it was too soon to tell.
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