After 24 hours of strange and awkward silence, Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones is finally breaking the silence. The young actor has issued a statement in which he discusses his spiritual awakening and semi-apologizes for biting the hand that feeds him (Chuck Lorre’s).
Maybe it was the news that he was potentially in violation of his contract . Perhaps it was Chuck Lorre’s vanity card response to Angus’ video testimonial. It could have been the report alleging that producers have excused Angus from the Two and a Half Men set for upcoming episodes . Maybe he just doesn’t want to lose his $350,000-per-episode paycheck, or maybe he’s sad that he let Charlie Sheen down with his “cult-ish” behavior.
Whatever his reasons, Angus T. Jones issued a statement clarifying his controversial damning of the show he has called home for nearly 10 seasons. Along the way, he makes sure to praise the showrunners, producers, and creator Chuck Lorre, thanking them profusely for giving him the role on Men .
Here’s the full statement, via TMZ :
“I have been the subject of much discussion, speculation and commentary over the past 24 hours.
While I cannot address everything that has been said or right every misstatement or misunderstanding, there is one thing I want to make clear. Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and Half Men with whom I have worked and over the past ten years who have become an extension of my family.
Chuck Lorre, Peter Roth and many others at Warner Bros. and CBS are responsible for what has been one of the most significant experiences in my life to date. I thank them for the opportunity they have given and continue to give me and the help and guidance I have and expect to continue to receive from them.
I also want all of the crew and cast on our show to know how much I personally care for them and appreciate their support, guidance and love over the years. I grew up around them and know that the time they spent with me was in many instances more than with their own families. I learned life lessons from so many of them and will never forget how much positive impact they have had on my life.
I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed. I never intended that.”
And here’s the original quote that got the ball rolling :
“I’m on Two and a Half Men and I don’t want to be on it.”
“Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. People say it’s just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television and especially with what you watch on television … it’s bad news.
“If I am doing any harm, I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be contributing to the enemy’s plan … You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can’t. I’m not OK with what I’m learning, what the bible says and being on that television show.”
So how does Angus T. Jones go from sounding like he’s being imprisoned on the set of Two and a Half Men against his will to suddenly praising the show’s creators and being grateful for his job? Is it about the money? Are we being Punk’d?
The only real question here (which he did not answer in his statement) is: What the heck was tha t all about, kid?