Two and a half men was arguably the most successful and longest running reality show on television. Given this, the intense interest in Charlie Sheen isn’t surprising; and neither is the similarity between the two Charlies, Harper on screen and Sheen in life.
The difference is that the real Charlie is taking things further than prime time TV would ever have allowed. Perhaps he’s living out his vision for where the character needed to go? The next step could be a move to Jersey Shore, maybe even with the kids.
All joking aside, the situation does raise a couple of more serious questions that, were he to suffer some serious harm during this period of scrutiny, would be hotly debated.
Firstly is our own appetite for unreal reality unhealthy – both for the person we are following and the many impressionable minds who see the Charlie Sheens of the world as role models and think this behaviour is a perk of the fame game? Secondly doesn’t the media have a responsibility to protect people from themselves if they lack the skills or judgement to do so themselves?
The answers can be quite simple – if it happens we have a “right” to know, then the individual has a right to respond. When discussing this with a media friend, I was reminded that everyone has a right to be heard. Mister Sheen would have been unfairly denied that right had he not been granted the access to media and therefore his publics. What’s more, if one media outlet didn’t cover it another one would.
But let’s finish were we started – reality. People are naturally interested in the lives of others, especially if they are exceptional in some way. Why not sit back enjoy the show and see what you can learn along the way? If nothing else, Sheen has offered a classic study in over-exposure.
If you watched 