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Although he basically lost his job because of his various problems, that hasn't stopped Sheen's latest media blitz to salvage what's presumably left of his reputation and career. The man seems to be everywhere lately, from CNN, to TMZ. He's taken to Twitter rants, and '20/20.' I coulda sworn I saw him in CVS last night running his mouth, but I might be wrong.
If Sheen's ordeal has definitively proven anything, it's that as long as you can make other people money, you'll always be needed. As the star of one of TV's top rated shows, 'Two and a Half Men,' Sheen pulled in a cool $1.8 million per episode. If the producers of the show were willing to put up with his behavior and still pay him that much money, it's fair to say they're getting a fair return on their investment. So, even after making some insulting comments about the show's Jewish producer, Sheen didn't get canned. CBS and Warner Bros. merely canceled the remainder of the current season. In short, if Sheen gets his act together, there's a good chance everyone will just kiss and make up, and the show will go on next fall. They want to keep making money off him if they can. Need I remind you that Hollywood is always, I repeat, always, about the bottom line.
Given all the media attention surrounding a guy who really doesn't do anything of consequence, I've naturally wondered whether the perception of Sheen would be different if he was black. Would he be treated with less sympathy? That's unlikely, because this guy's been absolutely dogged. Yes, he's brought most, okay, all of this on himself, but the sheer volume of attention given to a guy who doesn't write legislation or do anything meaningful that effects the lives of most Americans is staggering. I can't say he's gotten any better treatment than Mike Vick did during his infamous dog fighting scandal.
Media scrutiny aside, I'm sure many of you are saying that if a brother found himself in this much hot water, he'd probably be homeless right now. I'm not so sure I agree. Need I remind anyone of R. Kelly's outlandish, years long legal saga? If you were able to look past all those allegations because you just looooved "The Ignition Remix", then you can probably understand why Sheen appears to be getting a free pass. Again, as long as there's a dollar (or two) to be made off your efforts, someone's going to give you a second, or third, or 19th chance.
Sheen's chicanery proves that in general, despite what your flaws are or what your skin color is, it's all about the money. I don't think a money-making black star would be treated any differently. A chump change-making b-lister on the other hand... who knows?
Jay Anderson is a freelance writer from Washington, DC, whose work has been featured in the Washington Post and on NPR. When he's not busy talking smack here, he runs the award-winning blog AverageBro.com. Follow him via Twitter @AverageBro.
Comments: (29)
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By: olanzo38 on 3/02/2011 10:13AM
BV THIS IS ALL OUT DISTASTEFUL. WHY ARE YOU COMPARING R. KELLY TO THIS MAN. AND WHO HAS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE HOW MANY TIMES A PERSON CAN BE FORGIVEN? TO ME THIS BLOG SHOWS JUST HOW DESTRUCTIVE WE AS BLACKS OR AA ARE TO OURSELVES!
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By: kieraht on 3/02/2011 10:35AM
No Black man would get the chances Charlie Sheen has had.
He has been a drig addict and alcoholic unapologetically since his early career.
He has always been seen in the company of porn starts and hookers.
He shot Kelly Preston (John Travolta's wife) in the arm when they were dating. Yes, shot! With a gun!!
Recently trashed a hotel room in one of the most prestigious hotel properties in the world with a naked scared hooker trapped in the bathroom.
Has shown up to work so hungover that his marks had to be changed so he could lean on something.
Put a knife to his wife's neck over the holidays.
Wrecked at least 2 cars by leaving the engines running at his home and letting the cars fall into a nearby ravine.
AIN'T NO BLACK PERSON COMING BACK FROM ALL THIS!!
Bringing up those other Black people accused of wrongdoing is like an anthill to Mt. Kilamanjaro.
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By: Mitch on 3/02/2011 10:57AM
HELL NO, whit get separate treatment for crimes Robert Downing, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton 2 hour in Jail…Kardishian 12 min in Jail ….. WE NEED TO WAKE UP as black people and demand equal time … Tavis ,Tom Joyner , Steve Harvey, Russell , , don’t want to talk on it because they do not like rapper to get them who steal the spot light from them Lil Kim , Foxy Brown , Mike Vick and NOW Barry Bonds WAKE black America
Wesley Snipe offer to pay his IRS debt PLUS the Penalty like every other American but the judge said” I’m making you an example “.. White folk mess up on taxes pay a penalty and there free WAKE UP BLACK AMERICA I passed this to black America they don’t care Hidden racism in broad daylight .. COME BACK JOHHNY Cochran REV JACKSON / Sharpton March
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By: everett552 on 3/02/2011 2:03PM
Nope
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By: dml48Long on 3/02/2011 2:05PM
What young blacks of the current generation ( born after 1960)is starting to realize is what blacks of my generation have always known.We have always known and protected ourselves from being victimized by the white-media and whites in general who believe in and practice the white supremacy doctrine. Blackwomen have abandoned blackpeople issues in support of the white-women's agenda(to disenfranchize blackmen's advancements ahead of whites ). Blackwomen don't see themselves as minorities, they think they fall under the women's label and share co-equal status with their white sisters.The truth is whitewomen know that blackwomen do not pose a serious threat to white supremacy, but blackmen do . So,the fallacy of men ( blackmen included )that are paid more than women for the same job. This only applies to white men in corporate America. These are some of the examples of why the current generation of blacks is under seige. White America in general has always and always will treat blacks different than their race. History has always showed this to be the case past and present, which is a good indicator of the future.They still lynch blacks today,shoot blacks and imprison them for unjust causes.Wake-up blacks you need more blacks as Governors,Senators,Policechiefs,and media heads. Last;blacks( men&women) must come together in defense of individuals like Chris Brown and not be divided into women against male abuse which is Two different issues. My generation advanced because we as blacks could not be divided,a lesson learned well by other groups.Blacks are divided along generations,genda/sex, and social status. "Charlie Sheen is family" blacks are not seen in the same light, "RACE IS STILL A DETERMINANT IN HOW YOU WILL BE TREATED OR MISTREATED IN AMERICA". AMERICA
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By: LA on 3/02/2011 2:46PM
As a Black male in this society, I can honesty say, I have been given more than one chance to redeem myself in life. Sad to say, the ones who have helped me rebuild my business and slowly my name are not Black, but white. With individuals, its a matter of patience and preserverance. We cannot blame white America for helping a fellow white American. We must first look into our own foundation, our own families, our own skin to help each other. We must help our own, instead of being crabs in a bucket.
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By: Robert on 3/02/2011 3:02PM
Hell No! And lets not forget they let Robert Downey out of jail to do a movie. And anyone that thinks that black man would get the same treatment as Charlie is getting is crazy or white!!!
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By: NDEGEOCELLO on 3/08/2011 11:50AM
come back Johnny Cochran, please we need someone to help the misguided, ignorant kneegrows that think we live in a fair and just world. Y we care so much about this sheen dude, he makes the most money for the network. It wasnt until he started calling the creater names and going on radio shows being disrespectful that they took notice and put a stop to his foolishness. I guess he made a fool out of the dude, so CBS stood up FINALLY and showed they had the BALLS to silence this dumb ass. ENTITLEMENT--- sheen feels he is god, he is delusional and a danger to his kids. I hope they take his kids from him. The mom of the twins is just as much a junkie as he is. KEEP WATCHING THIS TRAIN WRECK. I GUESS HE IS TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF.
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By: innovatoor09 on 3/02/2011 3:47PM
Why our we even asking this questions. We live in a very racist society, and there are two sets of rules for blacks and whites. Charlie Sheen makes alot of money for CBS,and will continue to make money off of him, regardless if the show goes back on air. Isiah Washington does that ring a bell. He made a comment about gay people, and they pretty much blackballed him from hollywood. Black people quit trying so hard to be accepted, and let's create our own. This is what we did, before we were brainwashed. "Miseducation of the Black Negro" Great book, and a must read.
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By: M.G on 3/02/2011 4:03PM
Winning...! Lmbo! Just glad its not one of us:)
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