Playing Charlie Harper, Sheen (Spin City) seems sharp, confident and relaxed. But while his easygoing acting deserves kudos, series creators’ laid-back moral attitudes aren’t as agreeable. They infuse the series with off-color language, heavy drinking and sexual horseplay. Foremost among Two and a Half Men’s flaws is Charlie’s reputation for sexual commitments that last about as long as his jingles. Worse, he’s not the least bit conflicted about his behavior. When Jake finds a bra in the living room, Charlie launches into a droll explanation about the benefits of two adults having a “casual sexual relationship.” Of course, an obvious downside would be one former lover’s periodic appearances as a stalker (a serious subject reduced to one-liners).

In other areas, this fledgling series does better. Charlie doesn’t know the first thing about disciplining a child, and his laissez-faire approach prompts some big laughs. But he’s learning. He consistently fails to back up Alan when he punishes Jake (played by Angus T. Jones, that cute kid from The Rookie and Bringing Down the House). Charlie lets the boy watch TV and stay up late despite his dad’s admonitions—until he realizes the knife cuts both ways. (As many parents have learned the hard way, lazy leniency in one area almost always impacts others.) Then, instead of working at applying tough love, he simply shuts Jake out. Being ignored in return frustrates Charlie, who asks Alan where he went wrong. Alan wisely responds, “You punish him. You take away his computer, his TV, his toys. ... But you don’t take away your love.”