David Letterman had his fair share of uncomfortable interviews during his time as the host of the Late Late Show on CBS. This includes an interview with Jessica Alba that simply didn't age well and one where he relentlessly questioned Donald Turmp's real net worth right to his face. Regardless of what one may think of his interviewing style, there's no doubt that he remains one of the most iconic figures in late-night.
Given the power that Letterman's position on The Late Late Show wielded in the entertainment industry, it's really no surprise that the show found itself right smack dab in the middle of the famous Charlie Sheen controversy. However, Letterman may just have made Sheen's exit from Two and a Half Men and subsequent lawsuit with creator Chuck Lorre just that much worse...
Why Did Charlie Sheen Feud With Two And A Half Men Creator Chuck Lorre?
It's downright shocking that Charlie Sheen and Chuck Lorre are reuniting for a new comedy given how bitter and public their 2011 Two and a Half Men feud was. Of course, Sheen portrayed Charlie Harper on the iconic CBS sitcom from 2003 until 2011 when he was fired for an array of questionable behavior. Sheen's actions were so controversial and disturbing that the network sent the actor's attorney an 11-page letter detailing why he was being fired.
"At the outset, let us state the obvious: Your client has been engaged in dangerously self-destructive conduct and appears to be very ill," the letter stated, according to TMZ. "[Mr. Sheen] committed an act which constitutes a felony offense involving moral turpitude under federal, state or local laws, or is indicted or convicted of any such offense."
After his extremely public dismissal from Two and a Half Men, Sheen decided to sue series creator Chuck Lorre for allegedly interfering with his contract. Around the same time, Sheen went through his notorious "tiger blood" phase, where he constantly attacked Lorre and the Two and a Half Men team in public.
Sheen was also formally killed off of Two and a Half Men and replaced with Ashton Kutcher, much to the chagrin of many fans.
As for Sheen and Lorre's $100 million lawsuit, it was reportedly settled, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While reports claim that both parties were happy with the settlement, no numbers have been released to the press.
Sometime after, Lorre and Sheen started to repair their relationship. At least, they got to a point of forgiveness that allowed them to mend a few bridges and work together again.
But when Sheen appeared on David Letterman in 2013, he was very much still in the fight against the Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory creator.
Did David Letterman Make Charlie Sheen And Chuck Lorre's Feud Worse?
The main thing one needs to know about Charlie Sheen's January 14th appearance on The Late Show in 2013 is the fact that both the talk show and Two and a Half Men are owned by CBS. So, Letterman was essentially interviewing a man who was on the bad side of his bosses. But that didn't stop the comedian from stirring the pot. And Sheen certainly enjoyed it...
After Letterman greeted Sheen and claimed they hadn't seen each other for a while, he launched right into it...
"I know for a while you were banned from being on this network," Letterman said.
"It's nice to be back in the CBS family," Sheen responded. "Even as a foster child."
While Letterman tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, Sheen quickly brought it back to the feud...
"They're nice until they fire you," Sheen said to Letterman on CBS about the very network.
After some talk about Sheen's grandkids, Letterman asked him about his controversial press tour where Sheen spouted a number of fiery and strange comments.
"The meltdown," Sheen responded.
Letterman then questioned Sheen about his history of substance use. Given the fact that Sheen used this topic as a launch pad for some of his wilder interviews post the Two and a Half Men firing, there's no doubt it was dangerous territory for the talk show host to wade into. Especially given the fact that he was doing so on the very network that Sheen had such an issue with.
But the Platoon star answered Letterman's questions completely honestly and with subtle charm. He didn't shy away from talking about the substances he took and how over the top he sounded. As well as how the whole experience changed his life.
"But do you have any money?" Letterman then asked Sheen, opening up the door to the lawsuit discussion.
"I actually do. That's what I was fighting [Chuck Lorre] so hard for, was that back end [on Two and a Half Men]," Charlie Sheen replied.
"Now, there was a lawsuit. $100 million. You against Warner Brothers. You against CBS," Letterman started.
"They never made it to deposition because they knew they had nothing," Sheen interjected. "So, I got a little something out of it. ...Thank you, Warner Brothers. Thank you, Chuck Lorre."
Sheen continued by saying that his infamous breakdown was fueled mostly by 'anger" at the production company and at Chuck Lorre for firing him from Two and a Half Men.
"Are you a different person now than you were?" Letterman asked.
"I am, yes," Sheen responded.
"The anger is gone?"
"It is, yeah. I mean, not all of the anger. You got to maintain... I always call it 'passion' not 'anger'."
Then Sheen skillfully took a direct shot at Lorre after claiming that he wanted to reappear in the finale of Two and a Half Men despite the fact that he was killed off.
"I am dead, but so is the show."