Angus T. Jones starred as Jake Harper in Two and a Half Men's best episodes had Jake as a big part of the story, so his exit from the sitcom was notable. Jones' departure changed the source of Lorre's larger plan, which had already been scuppered by other behind-the-scenes factors.
The chemistry between Jones and his older cast mates was a huge part of what gave the show such a broad appeal. The young star's comic timing and charismatic acting style made him shine in a cast already bursting with talent. Watching Jake take things like Jake's first and last lines in Two and a Half Men, and a lot of that was documented in the sitcom's canon as well as in the real-world press.
Angus T. Jones Publicly Criticized Two And A Half Men In 2012
Jones' views were made available on a Christian YouTube channel
Jones grew up onscreen playing Jake Harper after making his debut on Two and a Half Men in 2003. Despite being involved with the show from around the age of 10, Jones turned on Two and a Half Men in 2012 and openly lambasted the sitcom. His comments were made public on YouTube due to an interview with a Christian group, the Forerunner Chronicles. The video was made available while Two and Half Men season 10 was on the air, and Jones didn't return to make the following run of episodes.
The then-teenager made it clear in the Forerunner Chronicles video footage that he wasn't on board with Two and a Half Men's comedic themes.
The then-teenager made it clear in the Forerunner Chronicles video footage that he wasn't on board with Two and a Half Men's comedic themes. He branded the show as "filth" and begged those watching to "stop filling your head with filth." He made several comments that suggested it was his Christian faith that caused him to speak out about how much he disliked being part of the show. He even went as far as suggesting Two and a Half Men is part of the Devil's plan - although he referred to the being behind said plan as "the enemy."
Two And A Half Men's Highest-Rated Episodes Perfectly Explain What Went Wrong With The 12-Season Sitcom
There isn't a single Ashton Kutcher episode in Two and a Half Men's top 10 on IMDb, proving the show should've ended after Charlie Sheen left.
Jones' comments were understandable but perhaps a little unfair. Although certain Two and a Half Men characters (especially Charlie Sheen's Charlie Harper) do make countless comments and take many actions that could be deemed inappropriate and offensive, Two and a Half Men isn't unique in that respect. There are many sitcoms that don't align themselves with traditional Christian values and use sex as an area of comedy, and Two and a Half Men does so in a way that's exaggerated and self-aware.
Jake Was Supposed To Have A Recurrent Role In Season 11 But Didn’t Appear At All
Jones didn't appear as part of Two and a Half Men's main cast ever again
Jake shares an emotional moment with Alan (Jon Cryer) in the Two and a Half Men season 10 finale, and it foreshadows Angus' character ceasing to be a series regular. He was originally intended to come back for Two and a Half Men season 11. However, the actor's change of heart and public criticism of the show's message meant Jones left the cast and didn't appear at all in season 11.
Jones didn't immediately retire from acting after leaving Two and a Half Men in 2015. Instead, he snagged a role in one episode as Horace the 9th in a short-lived Louis C.K. web series called Horace & Pete. Given the comedic stylings of the creative mind behind Horace & Pete, it makes Jones' decision to leave Two and a Half Men a little confusing. Louis C.K. isn't especially known for getting his laughs from wholesome subject matters. That being said, Jones' connection to Horace & Pete was far more fleeting.
How Two And A Half Men Replaced Jake For Seasons 11 & 12
Jake's military career and the introduction of Charlie's daughter combined to fill in for Jones' exit
Without Jake, the show's title didn't make any sense. Although Charlie Sheen had already been replaced with Ashton Kutcher's Walden Schmidt at the start of Two and a Half Men season 9, the sitcom still only had two men as the main stars due to Jones' exit. So, while Jake's absence was explained by his military career that had started in season 6, Two and a Half Men season 11 also introduced Amber Tamblyn as Jenny Harper, the late Charlie Harper's daughter.
Two And A Half Men's 5 Highest-Rated Episodes On IMDb |
|||
Season |
Episode |
Title |
IMDb Score |
2 |
23 |
"Squab, Squab, Squab, Squab, Squab" |
8.7/10 |
6 |
19 |
"The Two Finger Rule" |
8.7/10 |
1 |
12 |
"Camel Filters and Pheromones" |
8.6/10 |
4 |
11 |
"Walnuts and Demerol" |
8.6/10 |
5 |
17 |
"Fish in a Drawer" |
8.6/10 |
Tamblyn's character was every inch the womanizer Charlie was. So, although she was brought in to for Jake's departure, it was far more like having Sheen's character back as part of the show. That being said, her mother is never named, so the storyline misses a chance to learn a little more about Jenny's father too. Although Tamblyn remained as a series regular throughout Two and a Half Men season 11, she appeared in just three episodes of the next run - which turned out to be the sitcom's swan song.
Angus T. Jones Reprised His Role As Jake For The Two And A Half Men Finale
Jake's eventual comeback was only a few minutes long
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Angus T. Jones apologized to Two and Half Men's cast and crew shortly after the YouTube video that featured him demonizing the show went viral. He stated that he "never intended" his words to be interpreted as disrespect or indifference when it came to the "extraordinary opportunity" that the sitcom had afforded him. Although this didn't result in him getting his spot back among the main cast, he was invited for a cameo in Two and a Half Men's final episode. He slips back into the role effortlessly, revealing Jake is married with kids.
The Best Episode Of Two And A Half Men Confirmed Who The Show's Real Main Character Was
The highest-rated episode of Two and a Half Men on IMDb proves that it was never Charlie or Alan's show — Jake was the true main character.
Jones was temporarily tempted out of retirement by former boss Chuck Lorre in 2023. He had a brief cameo alongside Charlie Sheen in an episode of How to Be a Bookie. The installment is a love letter to Two and a Half Men. It's filled with coy nods and Easter Eggs relating to the sitcom, and Jones' presence at the poker table in How to a Bookie is a wink to a specific moment from one of Jones' earliest appearances as Jake in Two and a Half Men.
Sources: YouTube, Hollywood Reporter, IMDb
Two and a Half Men
- Release Date
- 2003 - 2015-00-00
- Network
- CBS
- Showrunner
- Chuck Lorre
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- James Widdoes
- Writers
- Chuck Lorre, Jim Patterson, Eddie Gorodetsky, Lee Aronsohn
- Creator(s)
- Chuck Lorre, Lee Aronsohn
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