Angus T. Jones Deserves A Second Chance After Apologizing For His Harsh Criticism of TWO AND A HALF MEN

     Mistakes are made in life; and sometimes it takes a bit of growing up until one learns from those blunders.  Hopefully a degree of maturity has come to Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones as today he apologized for his YouTube rant earlier this week; whereby he described the CBS sitcom as "filth" and begged viewers to stop watching the show.

     In a statement released by his publicist, Jones said, "I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed.  I never intended that."  The 19-year old actor, who plays Jake Harper, the fun-loving and sex-crazed son of Jon Cryer went

on to say that "I have been the subject of much discussion, speculation and commentary over the past 24 hours.  While I cannot address everything that has been said, or right every misstatement or misunderstanding, there is one thing I want to make clear.  Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and a Half Men with whom I have worked; and over the past ten years who have become an extension of my family."

     CBS, Warner Bros. and the Two and a Half Men production company have not commented on how Jones' remarks could affect the show overall, but it has been reported that the series is shooting only two more episodes before going on hiatus for the upcoming holidays and that Jones will not appear in either program.  Reportedly, the scripts for both episodes were written prior to Jones' bitterly disturbing criticism of Two and a Half Men.





      In his apology today, Jones did not detail what  motivated him to make his comments in the online interview, but in the video tirade itself, Jones had implied that the message of Two and a Half Men conflicted with his personal and religious beliefs as a Christian.  "I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it," Jones said.  "You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that.  I know I can't.  I'm not okay with what I'm learning, what the Bible says, and being on that television show.  You go all or nothing."

     Jones' comments come nearly two years after Charlie Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men; after he verbally attacked
executive producer Chuck Lorre

in a public rage.  Today, the 47-year old star of the FX comedy, Anger Management responded to his former on-screen nephew's offensive outburst and said, "It is radically clear to me that the show (Two and a Half Men) is cursed."  Sheen then laid out a welcome mat to Jones at the "Anger Management home anytime."

     Jones reportedly is paid $350,000 for each episode of Two and a Half Men; thus earning him an annual salary of 8.4 million dollars.  As he made an effort to atone for his recent gaff and lack of judgment, Jones reached out to Chuck Lorre, Warner Bros. Television president Peter Roth

and others at both Warner Bros. and CBS by crediting them with being "responsible for what has been one of the most significant experiences in my life to date.  I thank them for the opportunity they have given and continue to give me, and the help and guidance I have and expect to continue to receive from them."

     It would be a shame to see a talented young actor have his entire career destroyed by a stupid mistake.  Obviously, Angus T. Jones' words were unkind, hurtful and insulting.  But hey...we all deserve a second chance.  And in some cases...even a third, fourth or fifth.  Jones needs to be given his second chance...and hopefully he'll get it.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

Angus T. Jones Labels TWO AND A HALF MEN As "Filth"

     Angus T. Jones, who plays Jon Cryer's son, Jake Harper in the CBS comedy, Two and a Half Men, is calling his show "filth."  In a recorded interview, which was posted Monday, November 26, 2012 on YouTube, the 19-year old actor implores viewers to not tune in to the show.  He urges the TV audience to change the channel and to not watch the program that features his character as a fun-loving, sex-crazed teenager.  Jones says, "I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it.  Please stop watching it.  Please stop filling your head with filth.  Please.  People say it's just entertainment.  Do some research on the effects of television and your brain - and I promise you - you'll have a decision to make when it comes to the television; and especially with what you watch on television.  It's bad news. I don't know if it means anymore coming from me, but you might not have heard it otherwise."

 

     Jones, who has been portraying Jake Harper since Two and a Half Men debuted in 2003, makes reference to his religious experience when bashing the sitcom that reportedly pays him $350,000 an episode; a total of 8.4 million dollars each season, which makes him the highest paid young actor on television.  He focuses on "the enemy's" deception, presumably meaning Satan; and Jones assures viewers that "there's no playing around when it comes to eternity" and says he doesn't want to contribute "to the enemy's plan."  Jones insists that people may view actors such as himself and think, "Oh I can be a Christian and be on a show like Two and a Half Men.  You can't.  You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that.  I know I can't.  I'm not okay with what I'm learning, what the Bible says, and being on that television show.  You go all or nothing."

 

     It's obvious to me that young Angus T. Jones - although not that young - is quite immature.  I sometimes wonder why certain celebrities - whether younger or older - take to a public forum and bite the hands that feed them.  Where were his agent, manager and publicist when Jones did the aforementioned interview?  Where are the people who he pays to advise him?  Maybe they made their suggestions and Jones told them he didn't care.  I don't know.  But... after 9 years, Jones should have taken a more respectful pathway and met privately with the show's producers and perhaps executives of CBS and Warner Bros. and politely informed them that

 

because of his religious beliefs he disagrees with the  message of Two and a Half Men.  Why couldn't Jones have requested a closed-door meeting with executive producer Chuck Lorre and asked him to

 

write Jake out of the show over the course of the next season or until Jones' contract has been honored completely?  After he left the series, then if Jones wanted to go on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Extra, on the Internet or elsewhere and go in to more detail to explain his reasons for leaving Two and a Half Men, I don't think he would have received the flack he is getting today by critics and fans throughout the country. 

 

     I know it's easy to say, "Think before you speak," but Jones' remarks were not blurted out by mistake out of anger.  It's obvious this was a prepared statement that he wanted to discuss and make known at this time.  In the interview, Jones argued that "Jake from Two and a Half Men means nothing.  He's a nonexistent character."  I will agree that his part has been cut back quite a bit since Charlie Sheen left the show and Ashton Kutcher joined the cast, but that's no reason to perform in a childish fashion and behave in a way that made him

 

come across in such a poor light.  I hope that his YouTube rant doesn't destroy his career for good.  People make mistakes in judgment; and this I think was a big one for Angus T. Jones.  Representatives from CBS, Warner Bros. and the show's production company have made no comment on Jones' criticism of Two and a Half Men.

 

     As for those people who have reportedly stated that Jones is a hypocrite if he doesn't give back (or give to charity) all the millions of dollars he's earned from playing Jake on Two and a Half Men, that's a bunch of bunk.  Angus T. Jones worked very hard for his money and he deserves to keep it.  This is the United States of America and I defend his right to speak out.  I just think he should have done it in a more courteous, thoughtful and gracious way.

 

     And that's The Controversy for today.

 

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

 

 

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Will Santa Claus Be Making An Appearance On The 4th Of July?

     Why do America's retail businesses believe holiday shopping and Christmas displays need to begin earlier and earlier every year?  Traditionally, in the past, the day after Thanksgiving was the first day department stores, discount establishments and other retail outlets would commence promoting sales for the Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa season.

     This year, on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 - which was the day after Labor Day - I personally witnessed an entire "Christmas Center" - filled with trees, ornaments, lights, tinsel and all the other merchandise to decorate their customers' homes - in a major American emporium.

     This morning, Monday, November 26, 2012, I happened to catch a television news story which reported that some national retailers are already planning their marketing strategies for next year; and intend to begin their Christmas promotions and store displays in July 2013.  Who wants to be thinking of "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" and "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" when it's 80, 90 or even 100 degrees outside; and all anyone wants to do is go swimming?

     I can just imagine Santa Claus making his first appearance of the year at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in New York City instead of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

     Why must we rush everything?  Americans - at least some - are these days becoming more and more impatient with everything.  But come on... give me a break.  Christmas in July?

     I like the holiday season just as much as the next guy; and I embrace and endorse as much Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa spirit as anyone else - but during the late autumn and early winter - not over the summer.

     A beautiful Christmas Nativity scene, an elegant menorah candelabrum and a stunning kinara display are charming sights of the season; and they and other holiday decorative objects give me a warm and fuzzy feeling with memories of being with old friends and family.  But...can't we wait until after the fireworks, after the trick or treaters, and after we've "gobbled" up all the turkey before we start hearing "Silent Night" and "Jingle Bells" in our retail stores? 

     Don't be surprised if by 2014, you see the Easter Bunny

hitching a ride to your local Easter Egg Hunt 

on a sleigh being pulled by 8 flying reindeer.

    

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

     

Enough Is Enough! President Obama Was Born In The United States And IS An American Citizen.

     I was sitting in the kitchen of my sister and brother-in-law's home on Friday afternoon, November 23, 2012 when the telephone rang.  My sister placed the call on speaker so everyone in the room could hear what was being said.  It was a robocall from a conservative group that apparently will not give up on its despicable accusation that President Barack Obama

was not born in the United States and, therefore, is illegally President, according to our nation's Constitution.  The caller I.D. showed that the call came from a Washington, D.C. telephone number - (202) 558-3148. 

     The recorded male voice spewed disgraceful and outlandish claims that President Obama's birth certificate is

"computer generated" and is not an actual document from the State of Hawaii.  The caller maintained that Mr. Obama's birth certificate is a forgery and that his true birthplace is Kenya.  The voice asked for a donation of $3 to help "expose President Obama as a fake" and to prove that he is not an American citizen.  The caller also declared  that, as a result of the alleged phony birth certificate, Mr. Obama is "an illegal alien" and, therefore, this group is demanding that the President be impeached.  "Our only recourse," the caller stated "is to move forward with the full impeachment of President Obama.  We suspect that Obama is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and that there may be grounds for impeachment as is laid out in the Constitution."

     The caller goes on to say, "Further, he may not even be a U.S. citizen because nobody - I mean no one - has seen an actual physical copy of his birth certificate.  Impeachment is our only option."

     This is insane; totally and absolutely insane.  I have heard others over the last four years - many of whom insist they are patriotic Americans who love this country - fabricate stories filled with untruths and hatred about the President of the United States.  It's time to put a grinding halt to bashing President Obama.  Those of you who are responsible for these electronic attacks of the President are disrespectful, detestable and disgusting.  Your claims and your calls are offensive; and you are beyond contempt. 

     Why won't these lunatics give it up already?  Enough Is enough! President Obama was born in the United States and IS an American citizen.  Can't these so-called "birthers" go away and stop with the nonsense that President Obama is not a natural born citizen of the U.S.A.?  These people are radical racists who are nothing but horrible haters.  These vile, vicious and vindictive voices must be ignored; and I hope anyone reading this commentary will share my views with others and that you will disregard the deplorable and reprehensible actions of those who clearly want nothing more but to destroy our great country and the President who has now twice been legally elected.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

My Tribute To A First Class, Grand Gentleman and A Heck Of A Nice Guy: LARRY HAGMAN, star of "Dallas" and "I Dream Of Jeannie"

     I was truly saddened this morning - Saturday, November 24, 2012 - when I learned of the death of the magnificent Larry Hagman. 

His family says the actor, who is famous for playing the cunning oil baron, J.R. Ewing on the CBS megahit, Dallas and astronaut, Major Tony Nelson in the NBC comedy hit, I Dream Of Jeannie

died Friday afternoon, November 23, 2012 due to complications from cancer.  He was 81.

     It was July 12, 2002 when I had the great pleasure of spending several hours with Larry as he was my first guest on my nationally syndicated radio program, Gary B. Duglin Talks With The Stars (July 2002 - September 2009).  Of my 202 hour-long episodes, I couldn't have asked for a better star to launch my series.  Larry and I enjoyed each other's company for more than four hours that summer afternoon and he was an absolute joy.  He was extremely kind to me and very generous with his time.  If I may say so myself, Larry was wonderfully complimentary to me after I introduced him to the listening audience.  "That's the best introduction I ever had in my life," Larry graciously told me with a huge, gleaming smile.  We truly had a blast hanging out together; just a whole lot of fun; and I will forever be grateful to him.

     J.R. Ewing was the scheming Texas oil tycoon in Dallas from 1978 to 1991.  Although the Dallas series was a genius creation of veteran writer/producer David Jacobs, Larry Hagman masterfully developed the role of J.R. Ewing; and with his sparkling grin and his devilish laugh, J.R. was the most charming, yet treacherous villain ever to appear on screen.  In my 2002 interview, Larry said of his "delicious part," that he "couldn't wait to go to work everyday."  He spoke of his cast mates as "friends" saying "there wasn't one single person that was delinquent in being kind and good to each other." 

     Of course we remember the March 21, 1980 cliffhanger episode when J.R. Ewing is shot that catapulted Dallas in to the megahit status and "shot" (no pun intended) Larry Hagman to super stardom.  More than 350 million viewers from all around the world tuned in on November 21, 1980 to find out "Who Shot J.R.?" and to discover that Kristin Shepherd (Sue Ellen's sister), played by Mary Crosby, had pulled the trigger. 

     The "Who Shot J.R.?" episode remains one of the most watched entertainment programs in television history with 41 million viewers in the United States alone; trailing behind only the M*A*S*H series finale in 1983, which had 50 million viewers.

     During my interview with Larry Hagman, I asked if there was one particular Dallas episode that was his favorite.  "There were many," he told me, but one of his favorites was "when I picked up my child (John Ross Ewing) for the first time.  It had a very tender moment and I remember trying to make that where I showed humanity to J.R.  I really liked that," he said.

     I am a huge fan of Larry's, of the original Dallas television series and the new Dallas

series that premiered in June 2012.  Wearing his trademark cowboy  hat, Larry's portrayal of the delightfully evil J.R. Ewing was beyond brilliant; and I was glued to the television set for every episode of 13 years and was thrilled to no end when the new Dallas aired this past summer.  It lives up to its predecessor and Larry will be sorely missed when the revival series returns in January 2013. 

     When the original Dallas would air, I would watch the show in my home; and during the commercial breaks, my mom, at her home, and I would call each other on the telephone and talk about what J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen, Pam, Cliff, Jock, Miss Ellie and the rest of the Dallas clan would do next at Ewing Oil and at Southfork.  We did the same thing over the summer during episodes of the new Dallas.  Unfortunately, Larry's battle with cancer ended Friday afternoon when he passed away at a Dallas, Texas hospital - reportedly with his Dallas co-stars Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing) at his side. 

According to a statement posted Saturday morning on Larry's official web site, "Larry was back in his beloved Dallas, re-enacting the iconic role he loved most.  Larry's family and close friends had joined him in Dallas for the Thanksgiving holiday.  When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones.  It was a peaceful passing; just as he had wished for."

     In July 1995, after a malignant tumor was discovered, Larry received a liver transplant.  It was thought that he beat cancer.  However, in October 2011, Larry revealed that he had been once again diagnosed with "a very common and treatable form" of the disease.  He said last year, "As J.R., I could get away with anything - bribery, blackmail and adultery.  (But as Larry), I got caught by cancer."

     Larry said he would be "receiving treatment while working on the new Dallas series.  I could not think of a better place to be than working on a show I love, with people I love.  Besides, as we all know, you can't keep J.R. down!" 

     Larry filmed 10 episodes of the new Dallas for last summer and had already shot 6 of the 15 episodes for Season 2, which is scheduled to return to TNT on January 28, 2013.  TNT and production studio Warner Bros. have not yet commented on how the series will deal with the loss of Larry Hagman and J.R. Ewing.  I would guess they will have to go with the truth; with the death of Larry Hagman brings an obvious death to J.R. Ewing.

     Not far from Dallas, Larry Hagman was born in Fort Worth, Texas on September 21, 1931.  His dad was attorney Ben Hagman and his mom was the Broadway superstar Mary Martin.

     We all know that J.R. Ewing was a conniving businessman who lied to anyone and everyone; and was as corrupt as corrupt can be.  Although married to Sue Ellen (during certain seasons), J.R. was a faithless, cheating husband who we loathed, but still loved.  In real life, Larry Hagman shared a beautiful marriage with his wife, Maj, for 58 years.  They have a daughter Heidi and a son, Preston plus 5 grandchildren.  My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family and his friends for their terrible loss.

     In a statement on Friday night about her old friend, Linda Gray wrote, "Larry was the pied piper of life and he brought joy to everyone he knew.  He was creative, generous, funny, loving and talented; and I will miss him enormously.  He was an original and lived life to the fullest.  The world was a brighter place because of him."

                          Patrick Duffy described Larry as "My

best friend in the world.  The relationship that Larry and I have came fully blossomed the first day we met. That's what makes me believe in past lives.  I don't know how I could be a best friend with someone when I shook their hand for the first time meeting them.  That's what happened with Larry.  That's what made it so much fun to shoot those scenes where I grabbed his shirt collar and threw him against the wall, because inside I was laughing.  This is my best friend."

     As I concluded my interview with Larry back in 2002, I asked him to describe his life in one word.  He replied, "Lucky."  Well, Larry...it is I who have been lucky to have known you...and as Larry's Dallas co-star Victoria Principal (Pamela Barnes Ewing) reminisced, "He was bigger than life - on screen and off.  He is unforgettable and irreplaceable to millions of fans around the world and in the hearts of each of us who was lucky enough to know and love him."  We will always treasure you and applaud you, Larry, for your outstanding performances for more than half a century.

 

     Larry's co-star from I Dream Of Jeannie, Barbara Eden - who also appeared during one season in Dallas - released a statement Friday night about her longtime pal and wrote, "I can honestly say that we've lost not just a great actor, not just a television icon, but an element of pure Americana.  Goodbye Larry.  There was no one like you before and there will never be anyone like you again." 

     I couldn't agree more.  Larry Hagman was one of the best.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

IS COLLEGE ALWAYS NECESSARY TO BECOME RICH, FAMOUS AND POWERFUL? OBVIOUSLY NOT.

     What do Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates, Dell Computers founder Michael Dell, vacuum cleaner giant David Oreck, Beanie Baby king Ty Warner and the late, great CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite - once named "The Most Trusted  Man in America" - all have in common?  None of them have a master's degree.

  

     In fact, numerous corporate CEOs, journalists and other successful businessmen don't have MBAs or masters in any field of study.  Better yet - Dell, Gates, Oreck, Warner and Cronkite don't even have bachelor's degrees.

                                                      That's right.  None of them have a graduate or undergraduate diploma.  Both Walter Cronkite and Michael Dell attended the University of Texas at Austin, but neither finished.  Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard.  David Oreck never went to college; and Ty Warner spent only a year at Kalamazoo College in Michigan.

     Besides them, billionaire Dennis Albaugh - who made

his fortune from pesticides - has only an associate's degree from an Iowa community college, Vulcan

chairman and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen dropped out of Washington State College,

Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson has no college degree, show business and broadcasting mogul Barry Diller - who throughout his career was chairman of Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox - and who is the media executive responsible for the creation of the Fox Television Network - had enough of higher education after spending only three weeks at U.C.L.A; and the list goes on and on.

     But not having a degree didn't stop many magnates from being a "big name on campus."  One example is the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State  University.                                                                                       

     Another corporate guru, whose name is stamped on millions of Americans' automobiles, not only didn't go to college, but Henry Ford never completed high school.  At 16, Ford left home to apprentice as a machinist.  He later began the Ford Motor Company - and in addition to manufacturing cars - Ford created assembly line production, which revolutionized the automaking industry.

      
     Obviously though, just because these people and others have made it big without a college degree doesn't mean everyone can.  Then again, a college education doesn't guarantee a career with power and wealth.  That being said, the next time you hear a teenager with an entrepreneurial mind saying it's not necessary for him or her to go to college because they've got an "idea" - you may want to listen.  It's quite possible your son or daughter could someday become one of the richest persons in the world.  If you have any doubts - just ask retired attorney William Gates.  He's Bill's Dad.

     And that's The Controversy for today. 

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.

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