2.5 Men's Angus T. Jones Slams His Own Show

[KeithE4]

Another Kirk Cameron, perhaps?

Who's Kirk Cameron??

;D

Who's Angus T. Jones? :

We're not exactly talking about Robert DiNiro or Brad Pitt here. We're talking about a semi-obscure kid-actor who's show jumped the shark years ago.

He can believe whatever he likes, but I don't have to care about it, or him. He can join the (probably) soon-to-be-unemployed Tim Tebow in a ministry somewhere in the Congo for all I care.

 

[landtuna]

I thought the first six seasons of the show were a riot. Adult humor to be sure but funny and with a cast that few other shows can beat. As far as I am concerned, Cryer carried the show along with the rest of the ensamble.

The seventh season was when Sheen started his ranting against Lorre and you can tell from his acting he wasn't happy (for whatever reason or maybe just for no reason). Then they replaced Sheen with Kutcher and killed the show completely. The rest of the characters rarely appeared or had any lines and the show went into the crapper. I quit watching and have only seen snippets since.

Jones' contribution was definitely in the early years when he was the cute little kid. He could have disappeared shortly after that and never been missed although he was the "reason" that the Alan and Judith characters were tied together.

I've seen background descriptions of Jones before and he has been described as a quiet and studious person who is very attached to his mom and doesn't run with the crowds typical of Hollywood. If he is getting advice or direction now to bite the hand that feeds him it is very poor advice because it will kill any chance he has of furthering his acting career. If he truly doesn't like the direction of his show he should just resign and keep his mouth shut or use the old excuse that he wants to further his education as did Jonathan Taylor Thomas on 'Home Improvement'.

He is following Sheen's example of bad-mouthing his show and whether it is true or not it will not end well for him.

 

[justpassingthough]

One does not need to belong to any religion to have faith. Hell I can go on the internet today and become an ordained minister by filling out some forms and paying a fee.

As for Jones urging people not to watch the show then why doesn't he back up his words with action and just quit?

It is hypocritical of Jones on one hand to call the program "filth" but then accept the $300,000 a year he's getting paid to appear. Let's also not forget the money he's making with the show's reruns.

Just to clarify, its reported he makes $350,000 an episode- so he grosses $7.7 million for a 22 episode season. He may not be Brad Pitt or Robert DeNiro but he takes home more cash than 99.5% of the actors in Hollywood.

 

[quadraphonic]

I don't think its devotion to any particular faith that most people take exception to, but when someone renounces all that they have seemingly stood for and/or profited off of that people take exception. Its a personal choice to have faith or not, and to be devout isn't intrinsically a bad thing. However, when any religion forces someone to take such a hard line against something that they had no problem with before, I think it leads many people to believe that there is a certain level of impropriety within that church.

Then many people do not understand faith, conversion, transformation, free speech, and probably dozens of other topics that Angus T. Jones' statements (or Tim Tebow's or Kurt Warner's or Patricia Heaton's or whoever does it) bring into play.
That lack of understanding makes a lot of people take exception to all of religion when people make public statements. They would rather things stay the same as they were, no one following anything, but blindly absorbing (and, actually, "following") the things that they "had no problem with before."
Part of that lack of understanding is what makes people blame a child actor for going along with what they had no problem with before, and then when they get to a different understanding, they are willing to call a child a 'hypocrite' because he's coming to a different conclusion.

If faith doesn't change you, how you view the world, then what's the point?

 

[Braves2005]

Angus Jones is not exactly what you call teen idol material either like David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman, Kirk Cameron or Michael J. Fox so what other things could he do besides just existing on Two And A Half Men earning $300,000 an episode just for saying 2 lines at least or going on his Seventh Day Aventist journey or anything associated with his church. He will probably get out of acting once he quits his show or it gets cancelled.

But hey, I would like to have $7.7 million a year myself just for saying a line in a show. That would set me up for the rest of my life.

 

[landtuna]

Part of that lack of understanding is what makes people blame a child actor for going along with what they had no problem with before, and then when they get to a different understanding, they are willing to call a child a 'hypocrite' because he's coming to a different conclusion.

If faith doesn't change you, how you view the world, then what's the point?

The reason people are calling him a hypocrite is because he is bad-mouthing the show yet has not resigned or returned the money he received from it.

No one is questioning that he has had a change of heart but if it is truly his decision that the show is now "filth" and does not comply with his new-found religious beliefs he should not take from both sides of the fence. That is the very definition of hypocrite.

Of course, being a hypocrite is not unusual in religious circles. Especially those hypocrites on TV.

 

[justpassingthough]

I wasn't saying faith isn't or shouldn't be transformative in how one thinks or how one views the world. I feel exactly the opposite.

However, when a child actor is paid a hefty sum for a job that isn't important in the grand scheme of things, then wants to turn around and call what he does 'filth', he comes across as potentially hypocritical at worst, and disingenous at best.

As people have pointed out, rather than denouncing what he does, the mature thing to do was to make a video where he tells about his conversion and his religion, how he has reached an agreement to leave his job because it conflicts with his beliefs, and maybe even go so far as to donate a portion of the money he has made to a good cause.

There are plenty of people in this world who suffer, and could probably be helped by faith, if not certainly by the money that Jones has made during the course of his career. The way in which he handled this situation seemed immature and is a giant distraction to his message, though.

As far as understanding free speech, I think we are all exercising are right to free speech when we critique Jones and his religion. Its important to reminder, regardless of your religion, freedom of religion in America also includes freedom from religion, and the right to criticize those who believe.

 

[fairchild]

At this rate 2 1/2 Men could end up being just called "Men" or could (and in my opinion should) be cancelled after next season.

It's been getting worse for a while, but still draws huge ratings for CBS. It's not going anywhere until Kutcher and Cryer decide to leave.

 

[Markxxx]

I don't necessarily see anything hypocritical. How many of us have had jobs or have jobs now that we hate for companies that suck.

The kid may or may not renew his contract. This is especially true since the show is so different now. They really needed to spin this season off and make it a new show, much the way they did Archie Bunker's Place and Mayberry RFD.

People's values and views change over time and especially as a teenager. He wouldn't be the first actor to do things for the cash. And how many of us continue in jobs because we know we will never make as much anywhere else?

CBS is milking this show for all it's worth, so it's hardly fair to single this kid out for doing the same thing, if he is doing this.

In the end too many shows are ruined and no one is doing anyone any favors by sticking around. Look at the last few years of Happy Days or the California days of Laverne and Shirley. Those are almost unwatchable in reruns.

And maybe he doesn't want to act. Look at the girl who played Vickie the robot on Small Wonder. She's a psychiatric nurse and quite happy. The girl who play on Square Pegs opposite SJP said she found out after that show ended, she didn't really care for the "business." In other words she liked to act but not the hassles that go with it.

Both Dawn Wells and Cathy "Sissy" Garver (Of "Family Affair") have been able to work steadily in acting and voice overs. Sure they don't have huge fame, but they can make a living off of it, do it when they like, teach, and they do just fine.

You don't have to be rich and famous to be a success either. Indeed look at Whitney Houston. A drop dead good looking woman with a voice that was just as gorgeous. What did she get for her success? She wound up a coke head who couldn't stay sober long enough to take a bath.

In fact what this kid says largely echos what most people think. In the end he may be doing everyone a favor. Now maybe they'll give Kelso his own show

 

[KeithE4]

I don't necessarily see anything hypocritical. How many of us have had jobs or have jobs now that we hate for companies that suck.

How many of us have jobs, badmouth the company and/or its products, and still keep that job? My guess is "few" to "none." Trashing your employer in public or to customers (after all, advertisers, aka "CBS's paying customers" heard about his screed just as much as we did) is one of the easiest ways to get fired.

 

[Mark Giardina]

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...two-and-half-men-report-says/?intcmp=features

The hammer has already dropped for Angus bad mouthing the show.

 

[landtuna]

Young Angus is using all the code words he has been programmed to speak criticizing the show and television in general - the general talking points of the religious right.

It's a good thing he has already earned enough money to finance the rest of his life because now he will be in the position of putting his money where his mouth is. There is no road back once you dump on an employer who has been very, very good to you. Lorre must be wondering what he did to Charlie and Angus to turn them into complete idiots.

He is immature and has made a very grave mistake if he intended on a long-term acting career. OTOH, perhaps he could become a religious zealot, join Focus On The Family and make videos about all the nasty crap coming out of Hollywood to be shown at Sunday schools all over America. I'm sure his audience will far eclipse that of "Two and a Half Men"......or not.

 

[RicoGregg]

Maybe as a reaching of an understanding of sorts, they can have Angus do a one-minute insert on the telephone at the end of each episode just as "Three's Company" did with Suzanne Somers.

 

[kenglish]

I'd have more respect for him, if he just admitted that the show is totally escapist fiction, that he's being paid to play a buffoon-like character, and that it's all make-believe.

He could educate the kids a bit there, on what the magic box really is all about, maybe saving some from doing the kind of stuff that Jake and Eldon did...."Don't try this at home....or, in real life".
The show has always been a farcical piece, where Charlie played the guy that many men wish they could be...but only for a day.
Alan was the poor schmuck who always "nearly" made it. Jake was the slacker kid who never applied himself.
They all gave us laughs, while making us thankful we were not really in their shoes.

(I haven't figured out the new version of the show yet. Sorry.)

 

[quadraphonic]

Part of that lack of understanding is what makes people blame a child actor for going along with what they had no problem with before, and then when they get to a different understanding, they are willing to call a child a 'hypocrite' because he's coming to a different conclusion.

If faith doesn't change you, how you view the world, then what's the point?

The reason people are calling him a hypocrite is because he is bad-mouthing the show yet has not resigned or returned the money he received from it.

No one is questioning that he has had a change of heart but if it is truly his decision that the show is now "filth" and does not comply with his new-found religious beliefs he should not take from both sides of the fence. That is the very definition of hypocrite.

Of course, being a hypocrite is not unusual in religious circles. Especially those hypocrites on TV.

Plenty of people are questioning whether he had a change of heart, assuming he's been brainwashed.
And who's given him time to respond to anything, produce a video in response to this one video, or whatever, before saying "Hypocrite."
Most people are willing to throw out 'hypocrite' because it's the knee-jerk reaction, not because they know anything except for what they've seen on TMZ or the internet news sites.

Additionally, being a hypocrite is not at all unusual in irreligious and non-religious and anti-religious circles either. Don't let your myopia get the best o' ya.

 

[quadraphonic]

I'd have more respect for him, if he just admitted that the show is totally escapist fiction, that he's being paid to play a buffoon-like character, and that it's all make-believe.

He could educate the kids a bit there, on what the magic box really is all about, maybe saving some from doing the kind of stuff that Jake and Eldon did...."Don't try this at home....or, in real life".
The show has always been a farcical piece, where Charlie played the guy that many men wish they could be...but only for a day.
Alan was the poor schmuck who always "nearly" made it. Jake was the slacker kid who never applied himself.
They all gave us laughs, while making us thankful we were not really in their shoes.

(I haven't figured out the new version of the show yet. Sorry.)

Undoubtedly, his responses could have been better-phrased, or more comprehensive, or something that would tell the world more about his conclusions, rather than being shallow and limited, and thereby making people who feel the need to jump to conclusions jump to conclusions.
Maybe one day more will be revealed.

But even if it's 'make-believe' it still gets added to the American culture, and many people think it's not.
Who was it, I forget exactly who, it might have been the president or a politician, but in the past year, a prominent person in the marriage protection amendment referenda issues used "Will and Grace" as a turning point for changing the way people think about gay marriage. And that was completely fictional too.

 

[landtuna]

Plenty of people are questioning whether he had a change of heart, assuming he's been brainwashed.

A change of heart is fine and dandy - I didn't criticize him for that. I criticized him for being totally unprofessional about his announcement. And if he did, in fact, have a sincere change of heart he is a hypocrite for continuing to act in the show and take their money. You cannot have it both ways.

And who's given him time to respond to anything, produce a video in response to this one video, or whatever, before saying "Hypocrite." Most people are willing to throw out 'hypocrite' because it's the knee-jerk reaction, not because they know anything except for what they've seen on TMZ or the internet news sites.

We are responding to what we know now. That is all we can do. If Jones wanted to make a detailed statement of why he felt the way he does and that he is quitting the show and/or returning the money etc., then he had the opportunity to do so up front. After all, the video was produced with assistance from the church so his statement is not solely the work of a dumb 19-year old.

Don't let your myopia get the best o' ya.

I could easily rip off two dozen formally popular TV preachers who have diddled the help or helped themselves to the offering boxes while they begged for funds to help the needy but I think you already know their names. Hippocracy at its best.

 

[landtuna]

Angus' mea culpa is forthcoming:

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/angus-t-jones-breaks-silence-controversial-two-half-005621180.html

This is just as much BS as his video. He better get away from that nutball preacher and whoever else is trying to "guide" him. Couple more days and he'll be in the same fruit basket as Charlie.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

At this rate 2 1/2 Men could end up being just called "Men" or could (and in my opinion should) be cancelled after next season.

It's been getting worse for a while, but still draws huge ratings for CBS. It's not going anywhere until Kutcher and Cryer decide to leave.

no one pulls a Seinfeld anyone where they decide to end before they jump the shark

 

[LKellerIII]

Part of that lack of understanding is what makes people blame a child actor for going along with what they had no problem with before, and then when they get to a different understanding, they are willing to call a child a 'hypocrite' because he's coming to a different conclusion.

If faith doesn't change you, how you view the world, then what's the point?

The reason people are calling him a hypocrite is because he is bad-mouthing the show yet has not resigned or returned the money he received from it.

No one is questioning that he has had a change of heart but if it is truly his decision that the show is now "filth" and does not comply with his new-found religious beliefs he should not take from both sides of the fence. That is the very definition of hypocrite.

Of course, being a hypocrite is not unusual in religious circles. Especially those hypocrites on TV.

Agreed. If the show could survive the departure of their major star - Charlie Sheen - and still maintain boffo ratings, they could certainly survive the departure of Angus Jones. I'm guessing he doesn't want to give up the money he's making, and I can't blame him for that. But in my opinion, he should keep his mouth shut until his conscience dictates that he actually asks to leave.

I haven't watched the show in about 3 or 4 years, before Sheen's departure. I found it very funny at first, and I don't consider myself a prude by any means, but 4 or 5 seasons of constant sex jokes and scatological humor were enough for me.

BTW - NPR had an interesting profile and interview of producer Chuck Lorre yesterday (on All Things Considered, IIRC). It's probably on line if you want to check it out.