'Two and a Half Men' stars 'will not get pay rise'

Ashton Kutcher and Jon Cryer will not be offered a pay rise to stay on Two and a Half Men, it has been claimed.

Show insiders have told The Hollywood Reporter that neither actor has been offered more money as part of current contract negotiations with broadcaster CBS.


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CBS and producers Warner Bros Television hope to persuade Kutcher and Cryer to commit to a further two seasons of the comedy.

Kutcher is thought to be the highest paid actor in TV comedy, with estimates of his salary per episode placed at $700,000 (£440,050). Cryer's salary is thought to be slightly smaller.

One source claims that neither the two stars nor showrunner Chuck Lorre are keen to sign up for two more seasons and are currently of the opinion that Two and a Half Men should conclude after its tenth season.

However, the insider says that if the idea of a pay increase is entertained, the trio would be more likely to agree to an 11th season of the programme.

It was reported earlier this week that Kutcher had begun talks with CBS about a potential tenth season of the show.

CBS has declined to comment on the negotiations or associated speculation.