What were you worried about? Charlie Sheen 's new sitcom 'Anger Management' pulled in 5.5 million viewers on Thursday (June 28, 2012), making it the most-watched cable sitcom premiere ever. A second episode drew 5.7 million viewers, leaving it a foregone conclusion that FX will place a bulk order for the show and make Sheen millions in the process.
Nevertheless, 'Anger Management' drew considerably less than the 15 million viewers who were watching Sheen at the end of his run on 'Two and a Half Men' in 2011. His new show also helped other FX series 'Wilfred' and 'Louie', which picked up 2.5 million and 1.4 million respectively after airing after 'Management'. The show moves to its regularly scheduled time period of Thursdays at 9.30pm beginning this week, though FX will repeat the pilot episode and second episode directly before the third instalment. Back in October 2011, FX picked up an initial ten episodes of Sheen's show, but reportedly promised to order an additional 90 episodes should it be successful - in a syndication model used on other shows such as Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns and Tyler Perry's House of Payne on Tbs.
For years, Sheen was recognized as the highest paid actor in American television, reportedly receiving around $1.4 million per episode on 'Two and a Half Men'. A lengthy spell on 'Anger Management' could see him retain that crown, currently thought to be held by his 'Men' replacement ASHTON KUTCHER.