How the Hell is Charlie Sheen Still on Top?

It seems Charlie Sheen just cannot do wrong with fans. He certainly tried his hardest last year in a very public meltdown, but his antics instead scored him a highly successful new television show, ironically titled Anger Management.

The FX show has been breaking records left and right. The first episode was the highest-rated premiere ever on FX with 5.5 million viewers. The second episode bested the record with 5.7 viewers. It is clear – people still want to watch Charlie.

The show features Charlie playing a version of himself and some of his past movie characters. His character, Charlie Goodson, is a former minor league baseball player who had a reputation for being hotheaded. He is now an anger management therapist who uses very unique and untraditional therapy methods. The idea for the series is derived from the 2003 film of the same name that starred Jack Nicholson.

Due to Anger Management’s initial success, the show will be renewed for 90 more episodes. A 100-episode contract is uncommon for a show only halfway through its first season, but I guess untraditional is what you get when you hire Charlie Sheen to star in your sitcom.

Understandably, the media has been eager to inquire about Charlie’s stability and dependability as an actor, as he was fired from his last hit television show, Two and A Half Men for his erratic behavior. He followed up the firing up with a series of disastrous public appearances.

Addressing his behavior last year, Charlie recently told the media, "It was a crazy time, like a dream I couldn't wake up from or a train I couldn't get off, except I was the conductor. It's something that could never happen again. I learned a lot, I learned, 'Stick to what you know,' I learned, 'Don't go on a one-man show with no act' ... [Laughs.] Now that I'm not insane anymore, I'm accountable, most of the time."

Anger Management’s creator Bruce Helford also recently came to Charlie’s defense, blaming his downfall on Two and A Half Men on the fact that Charlie wasn’t given enough creative input (yeah, that was it…).

"…Charlie didn't have a voice on [Two and a Half Men] as a creative input -- it wasn't built that way and it didn't grow into that," Helford said. "[On this show] we're truly partners, we take full responsibility for all things, full blame for all things. When Charlie's on the stage, that's his stage. You look forward to going to work because you have a say ... When you don't control your destiny things get screwed up in your head, I'd imagine. This is a very freeing experience for everyone; FX truly understands how to work with talent. Charlie's had the room to move, so I think it's been a really different experience."

I for one am eager to see where Anger Management goes, and if Charlie can hold it together long enough to reach the 100-episode mark. The thing about Charlie is that whether he makes it or not, he’s guaranteed to be entertaining.