CBS has yet to formally confirm a Charlie Sheen appearance for the “Two and a Half Men” finale, but it definitely wants viewers to think he will be appearing.
The hourlong February 19 finale is titled “Of Course He’s Dead – Part One and Part Two.” And in a press alert for the episode, CBS explicitly links the episode’s title and focus to Sheen’s Charlie Harper.
“‘Of Course He’s Dead – Part One and Part Two'” – Charlie Harper is alive. Or is he? The one-hour series finale of TWO AND A HALF MEN will be broadcast Thursday, Feb. 19 (9:00-10:00PM, ET/PT),” says the official CBS note.
Not content to stop there, the network also confirms that “surprise guest stars” will appear in the series finale. Since most key characters continue to make occasional appearances on the show, the only visitors capable of representing meaningful surprises would be departed originals Charlie Sheen and Angus T. Jones (Jake Harper).
CBS, in theory, could present random celebrity cameos as “surprise guest” visits, but the overall framing of the press release certainly builds anticipation for a Sheen return.
To provide a storyline explanation for Sheen’s departure from the series, the Charlie Harper character was declared dead. But insofar as the show’s universe learned of his fate from the unreliable Rose, “Men” would certainly be able to claim that he never actually passed away.
