5:12 PM PST 11/27/2012 by Kimberly Nordyke , Sophie A. Schillaci
Two and a Half Men star Angus T. Jones has issued a statement regarding his recent comments against the show, in which he called the comedy "filth" and begged viewers to "please stop watching."
"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," he said in a statement Tuesday. "I never intended that."
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Jones, 19, also praised the cast and crew of the show as well as CBS and producer Warner Bros. Television.
"Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and Half Men with whom I have worked and over the past 10 years who have become an extension of my family," he added.
Jones made headlines Monday after a YouTube video went viral in which he discussed his newfound Christian faith in great detail.
In the clip, published by Forerunner and featuring the organization’s controversial leader Christopher Hudson, Jones suggested that Two and a Half Men was promoting the word of Satan.
"A lot of people don't like to think about how deceptive the enemy is," said Jones. "There's no playing around when it comes to eternity ... People will see us and be like, '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."
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In his speech, Jones also said: “If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching Two and a Half Men. I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. 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 television, especially with what you watch."
On Tuesday, former Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen also chimed in. In a statement to People, he zinged, “With Angus’ Hale-Bopp-like meltdown, it is radically clear to me that the show is cursed.” The comment references the 1997 group suicide in which 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult killed themselves in an effort to reach what they presumed to be an alien spacecraft following Comet Hale-Bopp.
Sheen was infamously fired from the show last year after lashing out at co-creator Chuck Lorre and producers in a public tirade. Shortly thereafter, Ashton Kutcher stepped in to join Jones and Jon Cryer on the series.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday that Jones’ character, Jake, will not appear in the next two episodes that are being filmed -- airing in the new year -- but that his absence is purely coincidental and has nothing to do with his comments.
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WBTV has declined comment.
Jones' full statement is below:
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 Half Men with whom I have worked and over the past 10 years who have become an extension of my family.
Chuck Lorre, Peter Roth and many others at Warner Bros. and CBS are 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.
I also want all of the crew and cast on our show to know how much I personally care for them and appreciate their support, guidance and love over the years. I grew up around them and know that the time they spent with me was in many instances more than with their own families. I learned life lessons from so many of them and will never forget how much positive impact they have had on my life.
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.
