Ashton Kutcher Explains Why It Was Time to End The Ranch, Takes a Swipe at Two and a Half Men
Ashton Kutcher is opening up about the decision to close up shop on The Ranch.
The star and executive producer of the recently ended Netflix comedy was a guest on Monday’s episode of the WTF With Marc Maron podcast. During the interview, he suggested that the Colorado-set series had reached its natural conclusion, and there was no incentive to keep it going.
“The story [of The Ranch] was told,” he said. “I love everything that we did. Everybody there was still highly in love with each other… We got to the point where we were able to let everybody know [that] this was the last season, and that we were going to wrap it up, so everybody had time to find their next gig.
“Netflix owns the show,” he added, “so it’s not like there was this big syndication boon that’s going to come if we shoot two more seasons.”
While rationalizing the decision to call it quits, Kutcher insinuated that his last sitcom, CBS’ Two and a Half Men, ended later than it should have.
“I’ve been on shows where you keep going, and you keep going,” he said. “And then you’ve got a brother who’s a gorilla.”
Interestingly enough, Kutcher was referring to one of the earliest episodes from his Two and a Half Men tenure, Season 9’s “One False Move, Zimbabwe!,” wherein Walden’s primatologist mother Robin (played by Mimi Rogers) revealed to her son that he had been raised alongside a gorilla, whom he always thought was an imaginary childhood friend. The episode culminated in Kutcher being tickled by a man in a gorilla suit.
During the Q&A, Kutcher also revealed that the character of Walden wasn’t what he signed up for when he agreed to replace original series star Charlie Sheen.
“I went and met with [series co-creator] Chuck Lorre and he seemed like a really smart guy, and he had an idea for this character that I thought was really interesting, which wasn’t the character that I wound up [playing],” Kutcher said. “I got the script and was, like, ‘Well, that’s not what we talked about.’ But he had an idea for this character that I thought was interesting.”
The That ’70s Show alum ultimately did four seasons of Two and a Half Men and “had a really good time,” despite his creative concerns. “I actually went through a divorce [with Demi Moore] when I was on that show, which is a really hard thing to do. Having a family while going through that, I needed that. And those people were all there for me and supported me… and it was phenomenal.”
Do you agree with Kutcher about ending The Ranch? Or his remarks on Two and a Half Men‘s life span? Drop your thoughts in a comment below.
How on earth did Two and a Half Men go on for so long? It seems like everyone involved with the show hated it lol
Money
Yeah, Ashton probably wasn’t too upset with 100million he earned from 2.5Men. 1 mill per ep for 4 years, combined with his cut of syndication, adds up to essentially 100million. That show funded his venture capital forays.
Same reason any show stays on. Ratings.
Okay but for real!
Like maybe it was because I was younger during it’s hey day, but I BARELY remembered Two and Half Men. And it’s not like anyone still talks about it. So how did it last so long and get considered a classic (I’m pretty sure they have a studio named after then).
Because it was so popular for so long and it’s still on TV everyday.
I’m 59 years old and still watch 2 1/2 men everyday and have been for years now , my girlfriend (48 years old) and i never get sick of it . We’ve must of restarted it on Netflix over a dozen times and it’s still on Fox network every night at 6pm to 7pm , 2 episodes It’s awesome!!
My favorite show is the Ranch . You suck Ashton.
I just got done watching the last episode witch i didn’t realize was the last episode. I cried and cried. I never would have imagine the emotional ride this show took me on being a black man. It made me feel as if I lived in garrisons co. Tanka’s to the entire cast for this show and thanks to Ashton
We did live this. Lost it all, land that had been in the family a hundred years! I can tell you, the writing was so dead on. Seeing those kinds of problems, brought so much back. Details weren’t all the same, but the challenges were. Pipeline money makes you too optimistic about buying more land. Keeping water flowing is a constant battle, the fires coming through. Laughed a lot during this series, but sure cried some too. I want to thank everyone for an excellent series too!
I grew up on the family’s 5 generation WT Ranch in NE Texas. Cows, horses, hay bailing, broken down equipment, pipelines, power lines, fence squabbles with neighbors and I’d swear Sam Elliot had done an in-depth case study of my father right down to the handle bar mustache. Letting this series go has almost been like reliving the loss of our family all over again for me and my older sister.
I agree it had moments where you can’t quit laughing at the same time as a parent who lost children I found myself tearing up also I don’t think it matters what color we are it goes to the nature of knowing what it feels like when we see people we love and care about hurt has got to be one of the worst feelings in life
Yes the Ranch is my favorite show too. I can’t believe there won’t be any more seasons. Sucks
I totally agree . The Ranch was the best show EVER . Ashton.. Why did you do that ???
I agree with Ashton series ended at a good point we would all love to see season 9 but when series go on too long then they become trash it’s happened multiple times and I think it’s a good call on his part cheers
Just watched the season 8 finale of The Ranch. It was so good but I really missed the hug I thought would finally come, but didn’t. Wow what an ending!
Rewatch the last episode; you must’ve missed the hug and it was a must see tear-jerker. What a perfect role for Sam Elliott!
I really enjoyed The Ranch and wish it had more seasons. When something is this good, you always want more. Best of luck to the cast and crew.
Wish he would have made a season 9 with the return of rooster he was my favorite ❤❤
Me too!
I wish there would be a season 9 as well. I thought for sure that Rooster killed Nick & would reappear in series. Too bad he’s a rapist in real life!
So was Kobe Bryant but I don’t see you bad mouthing him. I guess because that rapist is dead.
I sure love that show The Ranch I just found it recently because I never had Netflix and I was really getting into it I’m so sorry it’s gone
He has not been convicted. Your slaying his name. In America you are innocent until proven guilty. It’s people like you who spread bad gossip before knowing the facts. I guess you also are not aware of how many people DNA got set free, in some cases it was too late
Amen April
Exactly
Wait what
I loved Rooster too. I love that show
rooster was MY least liked character……to him is his…..
Me too! I really thought he was going to show up. Great show.
The Ranch is extremely repetitive, I mean how many times can they almost lose the ranch? Once you can see the ropes they’re at the end of the line. This was a very limited concept in itself. I understand the need of rubbing the belly of Trump’s middle America but Tim Allen does it way better with more interesting characters. And having Kutcher diving into this bunch of rednecks is miscasting at best.
That’s the way of Hollywood I guess lol How many times did they almost get rescued on Giliigan’s Island or Bo & Luke almost die in a crash or almost get locked up forever. Oh well
Ranching as a way of life, it is very much year to year for most small/family owned ranchers. I understand that this was an entertainment show, not a documentary, but it’s a real struggle for a non-corprate ranches.
I appreciate The Ranch for showing family/small ranch struggles, & I like to see a 9th season, but I believe The Ranch ended it well.
Please shoot the Ranch!!!! It deserves to die a quick death!
This has been the only show my husband and I can watch together. I really hope it continues! Follow the life of abby and colt or something. Bring back rooster and have them start a ranch together. This show is addicting and I am almost at the end. The best show ever!!! I laughed and cried.
Couldn’t agree more!!
Yellowstone is a close 2nd to the ranch. I hope it doesn’t end either my husband and I watched both of these shows together and really enjoy both.
I agree!
I really miss the show, and I too was upset that they got rid of Danny Masterson so quickly…..the accusations STILL haven’t been proven !
Especially now, would be a good time for a TV show with lots of fun/more funny & entertaining craziness, along with what it takes and means to get along (strong lessons for a country not currently getting along….funny per the show ways for people to “agree to disagree”…done with comedy of course) create the “good life”, with ROOSTER! How ‘bout this: the next season back, all is well and happy like Amanda Silva said above, season ending …Rooster gets nominated for City Council by a nearby Rancher who Rooster drunkenly-haphazardly helped through a crisis! It’s crazy, but big-laughs potential. We really need some good, funny, and “real” (but NOT “reality show”) TV.
AMEN!
The Jeffs agree! : )
I work in the industry, enjoyed the show.
Good show! Great cast!
Thanks and “all the best” in the New Year to all uh yiz,
🌴Jeff 😉
Ya I guess shows that show true family meaning suck ,,,Dude we need more show’s like this it warms the heart
Two and a Half Men should have ended when Jake became a teen.
I would watch the ranch I wish they would not end it I love the show I love all the characters I feel like they’re all part of my family I would love to see more
I so agree
I agree wholeheartedly ❤
Agreed! Make more of “The Ranch”!!!
Absolutely love ❤️ it & want more please
We defintely need a season 9 of the ranch, to see if Colt and Abby succeed with their own Ranch and to see how Bo and his new bride like Spain. Love the show and really gonna miss it!!
I truly agree the way S8 ended left us all hanging
I so agree the ranch is awesome felt like I was there the entire time
I so agree, i felt connected to all the characters, like they were family, and I would love to see more of the ranch, its sad that there’s no more, but id love to see how colt and Abby ranch goes, and the trip to Spain, and how Newman’s Hill decides to play things, I’m gonna miss this show
I wonder the Walden Chuck Lorre pitched to Kutcher looked like and why the character was changed.
But then again, as long as you enjoy working with your colleagues. The cast never has to watch the result of their work.
It was reported years ago that the original idea was for Ashton to be a Hollywood actor type with an entourage and all of that but when Chuck met Ashton he was all interest in tech companies and changed his character to incorporate that side of him into the character.
And yet he had no problem cashing the significant checks for 3 seasons. Hmmm
Yes it wasnt the same after they killed Rooster off….miss Danny Masterson…
I did too. Was still hoping thry”d bring him back
You’re right it wasn’t the same. He was so funny. But I still watched it after Rooster left. Best show ever
Many would say That 70’s Show ran well past its prime too…
Many or you? I thought it was great up until Ashton and Topher Grace left after season 7.
Most if not all
I watched Two and a Half Men live the night it premiered in 2003 and I watched it live the night it ended in 2015. I don’t care what anyone says, the show was still hilarious without Charlie. I loved the show with him but I also love the show without him. Remember when you all said it wouldn’t last 6 episodes without Sheen? Then it was it won’t last a full season without sheen. LMFAO. the show went on for four more seasons while you were scratching your skin off in anger.
Agree. Even in reruns today it is a blast. That show had some great secondary characters and guest characters. The CSI-production Teddy death ep is a classic.
Perfect timing and actors who could carry anything off. I didn’t like The Alan of the Walden years but I loved the season with Zoey
When you have a cast and producers who executing a family, real life show where watches feel as though lessons are learned, relationships are shared, time is essence … WHY remove such loved entertainment?
The Ranch is a good old school comedy. This family could be any one in the U.S., sarcasm, edgy topics, poking fun at life and it ups and downs.
Usually the topic of ” Did you see…” that episode.
Keep it going…just enjoy the characters and the laughs
We love The Ranch..i wish yall would keep it goin .its funny as crap n it hits home..
No they keep going when it get good.
I’m sorry but I still don’t really know who killed Rooster or if he is even really suppose to be dead.
Taking Rooster off the show was the true ending. I waited for him to return.
Every time some one makes a lot of money or gets in the news people come out of the woodwork to try and get a free ride. (Oh 50 years ago this guy brushed by me and touched my butt with his, I want $20 million even though I’m on welfare).
Love the humor, love the cast and wish The Ranch would continue.
Watched Longmire also and would like to see more of it.
The ranch is That 70s Show in Colorado. Too many if the same actors.
It did have some of the same actors from That 70’s show but playing completely different characters. It was not even close to being That 70’s Show in Colorado. Come on, admit it, you never really even watched the show.
So sad it’s over. Maybe a special at some point????Great showfor sure.
Keep the ranch going there is alot to do more shows
Ashton Kutcher is a very savvy producer and smart businessman. I think the ranch ended beautifully and very fulfilling. I know I’m a happy endings kind of junkie but give me a break I’m 73 and I’d like something happy to watch. I just wish Danny Masterson could have returned for the finale. He was a big part of the show
and I don’t think he got a fair break. He just got caught up in the frenzy
The ranch is a great show always makes me laugh the only show i want to watch over and over again would love to see it go on a little longer
No I was not ready for the show to end.
We were just getting to know a new character, and I can think of many things they could have done, with the show.
It would of been better of you brought back the character of Roaster. That would of ended the show the right way. Nick was dead, so there was no reason why Roaster couldn’t come
Hated to see it end. Thought there was a lot more story to be told. Beau and Joanne dealing with her disease. Colt and abby possibly with another baby. Luke and mary and her addiction. Rooster could be brought back because colt was hallucinating while pinned and freezing. There’s lots more story to tell.
I agree with you, I loved the show and felt like there was a few more things that could have been done with the show.
Totally agree with everything you have said, there were so many more things that could have been done, Cole helping his dad but, with them trading ideas to make it more profitable, his cousin taking a bigger role in his ranch because of the help he has been getting from the VA, By the way, I know there was much more story to be told by Dax Shepperd’s Character
And if I hadn’t seen the whole show, I did now. Talk about spoil alert
No I do not agree with him on ending the ranch. It was a great show all the characters work great with each other. I would love to see the ranch go on for more seasons.
Couldn’t agree more!!
Ok here it is! I want more of The Ranch.
The ranch was one of the best shows I’ve seen in very long time, and I think it’s absolutely horrible that it’s ending. With all the crappy reality shows there’s nothing good left they cancel (or end) all the good ones!
Loved the Ranch, but totally agree that it is time!