Jon Cryer said of new costar Ashton Kutcher, "His presence will be an asset to our show." / PETER KRAMER/Associated Press
Jon Cryer said he was grateful and proud of the work he and costar Charlie Sheen did over the past eight seasons, but is "jazzed" that Ashton Kutcher ("That '70s Show") has signed on to replace the troubled Sheen, who was fired in March.
"Ashton is an extraordinarily talented guy, and his presence will be an asset to our show," Cryer said in a statement, according to USA TODAY.
Sheen, who responded to the casting news with a somewhat sarcastic comment Friday, including hints that the show will tank in the ratings, quickly changed his tune via his Twitter feed: "#Winning Congrats to the cast and crew...CBS & WB..! My best to @aplusk !! The show must go on... You got the right guy!"
And Kutcher, in response to Sheen's tweet, gave a sloppy virtual hug: "#2.5 @charliesheen Thank man. Always been a fan, always will be! BTW you were 'born big.' "
No word yet on how Kutcher exactly will fit into the "Men" mix, but that should change on Wednesday when CBS is to present its 2011-12 broadcast schedule in New York.
Royce, Eminem making noise
Eminem and Royce da 5'9" -- under the moniker Bad Meets Evil -- spent part of the weekend in Detroit shooting a music video for their single, "Fast Lane."MTV's Swa y, according to images posted to rapradar.com and a short story on mtv.com, also was in the D to talk to the dynamic duo. A big announcement is expected today. The Bad Meets Evil EP is scheduled to drop June 14.
Shriver thankful for support
Maria Shriver wanted to let her fans know that she's thankful for everyone's thoughts following last week's news that she and Arnold Schwarzenegger were separating after 25 years of marriage."Thank you for all the kindness, support and compassion," she wrote to her Twitter feed. "I am humbled by the love. Thank you."
This is the first time Shriver, 55, has commented publicly.
Briefly
• Robert De Niro will star as Ponzi scheme king Bernie Madoff in an upcoming HBO biopic, deadline.com reports. The film will be based on the book "The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust," by New York Times writer Diana Henriques.• NBC said Sunday that the network picked up another edition of "Celebrity Apprentice" and if their big cheese, Donald Trump, elects to run for president they'll replace him as the show's host. Milford native Dax Shepard's show, "Parenthood," also will be back for another season, NBC said.
• Katie Couric will leave her "CBS Evening News" post on Thursday, officials from the network said. Scott Pelley will take over as the anchor on June 6.
• Mariah Carey, 42, may be a new mommy to twins (born April 30), but she plans to release a new album this year, said her husband, Nick Cannon, according to the New York Daily News.
Weekend box office
1. "Thor," $34.5 million.2. "Bridesmaids," $24.4 million.
3. "Fast Five," $19.5 million.
4. "Priest," $14.5 million.
5. "Rio," $8 million.
6. "Jumping the Broom," $7.3 million.
7. "Something Borrowed," $7 million.
8. "Water for Elephants," $4.1 million.
9. "Madea's Big Happy Family," $2.2 million.
10. "Soul Surfer," $1.8 million.