Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
The sitcom Two and a Half Men is one of the most popular TV shows in the world. The show features two adult brothers who live together. One likes to party, and one is uptight. The uptight brother has a teenaged son, and he worries that the partying brother might be a bad influence.
Originally, the two brothers were played by Jon Cryer and Charlie Sheen. Sheen left the show after some scandals involving drug use and other bad behavior. Now Ashton Kutcher has joined the cast. Find out what Amanda and Jeff think about the new cast in this television English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Amanda: You know what’s really bothering me about Two and a Half Men lately? The newest season?
Jeff: Man, I haven’t watched it in awhile. What’s up?
Amanda: Well, I really miss having Charlie Sheen as the lead! I don’t really care about his drug problem or any of his shenanigans, but Ashton Kutcher as a replacement? I don’t know.
Jeff: Is it not hilarious enough for you, or…
Amanda: Well, you compare the two actors, right? One actually has some talent, and one is just a pretty face.
Jeff: Well, I know in real life Charlie Sheen’s pretty hilarious.
Amanda: Exactly. And since he left the show for whatever reason, it’s just kind of gone down the tank.
Jeff: Alright, alright, so you don’t like Kutcher. He’s not as good as Sheen.
Amanda: No, I mean, the concept of the show is good, it’s solid.
Jeff: Is it still the same? With the new actor?
Amanda: It’s supposed to be. Exactly. So it’s two grown men who are brothers and haven’t quite grown up, so to speak. One of the brothers, Jon Cryer, has his son full-time. And then the other brother, who was Charlie Sheen but is now Ashton Kutcher is supposed to be this uncle who is teaching him all the wrong ways to live.
Jeff: I have a few of those uncles.
Amanda: Oh really? Don’t we all.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Amanda is annoyed at the new season of Two and a Half Men. She liked it when Charlie Sheen was in the cast, but now that Ashton Kutcher has replaced him, she thinks the show’s gone down the tank.
Jeff wonders if it’s because Kutcher isn’t as funny as Sheen. Amanda thinks it’s mainly because Sheen is a good actor, but Kutcher just tries to get by on his good looks.
The basic idea of the show is still the same, though. Sheen and Kutcher are like the uncle who may be a bit of a bad influence on Jon Cryer’s teenaged son. Those uncles may be a bad influence, but they may also be fun!
Do you watch Two and a Half Men? Who do you like better, Charlie Sheen or Ashton Kutcher? Do you have an uncle or another relative who is a bad influence?
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