AngerManagement

Television is a business. Some days, it feels like 95 percent of television exists to remind us of that.

Many shows are made for cynical reasons, by cynical people, in order to rake in the cash that props up multinational corporations. So much of the time, making money is the name of the game and creativity and originality are afterthoughts, if that.

But I've staked my career on the idea that television is more than a business, that it can be an art as well. Those of us who approach this gig with that belief -- with anything other than a cynical attitude, that is -- are liable to get blindsided by pointed reminders that cynicism and opportunism are the standard operating modes in Hollywood.

Yesterday, we got one of those reminders. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised that FX got into business with Charlie Sheen via his new show, 'Anger Management,' but it was hard not to feel disappointment.

Is Charlie Sheen's winning streak back on? The former 'Two and a Half Men' star just got a new job.

Sheen will return to TV next summer in 'Anger Management' -- a small-screen adaptation of the Adam Sandler/Jack Nicholson comedy from 2003 -- FX Networks president John Landgraf announced today.

FX has ordered 10 episodes of sitcom 'Anger Management,' with production set to begin in early 2012. Writer-producer Bruce Helford will act as executive producer and showrunner.

But we're not just talking about one season -- if the show is a hit, FX will pick up an additional 90 episodes under a unique syndication model crafted by Lionsgate-owned distributor Debmar-Mercury for multiple Tyler Perry sitcoms and Revolution's and Ice Cube's 'Are We There Yet?' The series will air exclusively on FX until the off-network episodes start airing in broadcast syndication in fall 2014.

"We think that Bruce Helford, Joe Roth and Charlie Sheen have come up with a wonderful, hilarious vehicle for Charlie's acting talents -- and a character we are very much looking forward to seeing him play," said Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. "'Two and a Half Men' has been an outstanding component of FX's schedule for the past 14 months, and we have every confidence that 'Anger Management' will soon be as well."

Charlie Sheen's return to TV could be in a role very familiar to movie audiences. According to TMZ, Sheen will star in a TV version of Joe Roth's 'Anger Management,' playing the role Jack Nicholson took on in the film.

Sheen will reportedly play an ex-athlete who gets his master's in social work during the off-season and is a counselor to people in the criminal justice system who have anger management problems. Sheen's character will also have anger issues of his own.

Sounds like this formula would allow for a parade of Sheen's famous friends to stop by and visit his anger management counselor.

Despite previous reports, the deal with Lionsgate is not done and there's not network in place for the series.