Sheen out of hospital, back in rehab

LOS ANGELES

For the second year in a row, TV’s most-watched comedy is suffering a production halt as star Charlie Sheen checked himself back into an undisclosed rehab facility.

What was supposed to be the tail end of a scheduled hiatus on CBS’ “Two and a Half Men” quickly spiraled into a public relations nightmare Friday, with no word on when or if the hit show would return this season. CBS has aired 14 episodes, with two more already filmed; that would leave eight episodes in jeopardy.

The 45-year-old actor was rushed to a Cedars Sinai hospital Thursday morning with severe abdominal pains, later described by Sheen’s publicist, Stan Rosenfield, as stemming from a hernia condition. He was released Thursday night and was initially expected to return to the set of the hit comedy series on Tuesday.

But by midday Friday, Rosenfield issued a statement saying the actor had entered rehab.

“He is most grateful to all who have expressed their concern,” Rosenfield said. “Mr. Sheen asks that his privacy be respected at this time and that no additional information will be provided.”