The eleventh season of Two and a Half Men premiered on CBS on September 26, 2013, and
concluded on May 8, 2014.
Like the ninth season, this season marks another major change in the series as Amber Tamblyn
joins the cast as Jenny Harper, Charlie's illegitimate daughter.
Tamblyn was promoted to series regular on October 2, 2013.
This season is also the first to not star Angus T. Jones, who portrayed Jake Harper
during the first ten seasons.
Production Angus T. Jones was originally downgraded to
a recurring cast member this season while he attended college; however on March 18,
2014, Jones officially confirmed that he would not return for season 11.
His place on the series has been replaced by Amber Tamblyn, who portrays Jenny, the
illegitimate, lesbian daughter of Charlie Harper.
Tamblyn's addition to the cast was confirmed on August 7, 2013, and made her first appearance
in the season premiere.
Although the role was initially announced as a series regular, it later was announced
to be recurring role with the option to become a series regular later.
On October 2, 2013, Tamblyn was promoted to series regular.
Holland Taylor, who only appeared in one episode last season, appears in more episodes this
season.
This is also the first season not to feature an opening sequence with the three leads singing
along to the theme song "Manly Men".
Instead, the opening titles features the shortened version of the theme with the show's title
against a black background.
Lynda Carter guest starred in the episode "Justice in Star-Spangled Hot Pants", playing
herself.
The episode's plot was inspired by a meeting Carter had with Jon Cryer, who is a fan of
her.
Country singer Brad Paisley, along with his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley appeared in
the season finale.
Cast
Special guest appearances Lynda Carter as herself
Brian Stepanek as Arthur Melanie Lynskey as Rose
Mimi Rogers as Robin Schmidt Marion Ross as Margaret, Jeff Probst's grandmother
Tim Conway as Tim Steve Lawrence as Steve
Garry Marshall as Garry Mila Kunis as Vivian
Jane Lynch as Dr. Linda Freeman Diedrich Bader as Dirk
Brad Paisley as Derek Episodes
Critical reception Reviews for this season, and Amber Tamblyn
were generally positive, with critics praising her performance.
Sam Moore of Yahoo said: "Despite the criticisms and cast breakdowns, Two and a Half Men keeps
surviving, and in my opinion, the show right now is the best it has ever been.
Amber Tamblyn has helped breathe life into a show that always seems on the verge of the
guillotine and her impact on the show, for me, has been huge and much welcomed."
Due to Tamblyn's character being gay, the show received praise from the LGBT community
who said "The folks who produce Two and a Half Men should be applauded for their efforts
to raise some LGBT awareness amidst the often-madcap goings-on in their shows" and that "it keeps
getting better and better".
The Gazette gave a positive review, especially for Kutcher, saying "I think Ashton Kutcher
is doing a great job on Two and a Half Men."
They also praised the "new LGBT angles the show has added."
Overall they said the show " has never been better."
They later praised the "new and contemporary directions the show is taking".
They felt that this season could be remembered as "its finest", they also said it was "one
of few shows that makes me laugh nowadays", and they hoped that the show gets renewed
for another season.
They said that "Two and a Half Men is brilliant, in a silly sort of way."
The Canadian online edition of TV Guide noted after the season finale only that the series
had "come a long way" and that the series was no longer the reviewer's "cup of tea."
Ratings U.S. Nielsen and DVR ratings
References