Television network CBS might have to write episodes of "Two and a Half Men" that do not include Charlie Sheen if the show's star does not get out of rehab quickly, the New York Post reported Monday.
CBS has about six weeks to figure what to do with the show. Two unaired episodes of the series -- TV's No. 1-rated comedy -- are in the can, according to the show's producer, Warner Bros.
Repeats, including Monday night's episode, will be inevitable, and there were rumors that the show's writers were preparing a few episodes without Sheen's girl-crazy character, TV insiders said.
The 45 year old was hospitalized Thursday, reportedly suffering from a hiatal hernia in his stomach following a party with a bevy of women during which he allegedly consumed large quantities of alcohol and cocaine.
If his absence dragged on past mid-March, CBS would have to put another show in its place -- at least temporarily. On paper, "Men" has six more episodes to finish this year and 24 new ones next year.
TMZ reported Monday that the star would remain in a rehab facility for the next three months, derailing the next eight episodes of the show.
During the past summer, Sheen signed a new deal -- at $1.25 million per episode -- that keeps him on the show through the end of next season.
By Newscore