The 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sept. 23, 2012, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Here is what this Emmy winner said backstage in the Emmy Awards press room.
JON CRYER
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy
Congratulations on your Emmy Award.
Thank you. I am as shocked as you people. That’s why speech sucked.
What has it been like on the set of “Two and a Half Men” in the show’s the first year without Charlie Sheen?
The biggest challenge of this year was just relaunching the show. The biggest thing was, “Can this thing continue?” That it has is amazing to begin with, and then that this [he points to his Emmy Award] happened is ridiculous.
You won an Emmy for supporting actor for “Two and a Half Men.” Now you’ve won an Emmy for lead actor for “Two and a Half Men.” Should you have been submitted as a lead actor before this year?
No. When Charlie and I were doing the show together, the show really rested on Charlie. He was in practically every scene. The show was really structured around his character, so it always felt silly for me to be in the lead category when that was the situation. Obviously, that situation changed. They’ve changed the show into more of a partnership. And it’s been a blast.
What did you think of Melissa McCarthy’s introduction of you tonight?
That woman can do no wrong. She makes me howl with laughter, so I’ll take it.
You said you didn’t have a speech ready, so who did you think was going to win?
I thought Jim Parsons [from “The Big Bang Theory”] was going to win again. Clearly, “Big Bang” is at the top of its game right now. And he, unfortunately, has not gotten any worse. He’s still wonderful, and I really thought that this would go to him. I just did not think for a minute that this was going to happen, so I apologize for my speech.
How do you compare the chemistry between you and Charlie Sheen and the chemistry between you and Ashton Kutcher?
Clearly, it’s totally different. They’re totally different characters. With Charlie, it was automatic. We never had to think about it. With Ashton, [he] and I are always working on it and always coming up with new stuff. And that’s really fun. It’s a different way of working. We rehearse a little more, but show night goes great. Show nights go incredibly fast now. And it’s a blast.
Are you going to change now that you’re considered a leading man?
[He says jokingly] I will be impossible to live with. I will be brandishing this.
What was going through your mind when your name was called as the winner?
After that introduction, I thought, “Melissa’s pulling something here.” You mind goes back and forth and you say, “Did I just hear a name similar to mine? Like Don Cheadle. Jon Cryer. It’s close. You sort of can’t believe that it’s happening. And then you don’t want to trip on the stairs. And then you don’t want to get up to the microphone before the applause dies out, because that’s just embarrassing. But that’s all the stuff. But mostly, I was just in enormous shock. Clearly.
What do you watch on TV that might be surprising to people?
Porn, but I don’t think that’s surprising. I still watch “NCIS.” I still love “NCIS.” I have a beautiful son, who’s 12. I have a beautiful daughter, who’s 3. And thus, I never get to watch anything that I actually want to watch. I’m watching “Octonauts” on the Disney Channel. That would probably surprise you a little. “Dinosaur Train.” I’m learning a lot from “Dinosaur Train.” I think some old “Blue’s Clues.” That Steve guy is a genius on that show. That’s what I watch now.
How are you feeling after your bike crash?
I am actually shoulder-to-foot in bandages. To celebrate Emmy day, I put on fresh bandages. I’m getting better. I’ve done something to my shoulder, but thankfully, it’s not fractured. I had an X-ray. Everything hurts still, but I found an old Vicodin in my medicine chest, and I hit that on the car on the way here, and I’m about to get drunk. I was hoping I’d have enough time to get drunk before I presented, and I could just go on a rambling, incoherent rant. That would’ve been entertaining. That would’ve been a YouTube sensation. But sadly, it was too soon in the broadcast.
What is it like to work with “Two and a Half Men” creator/executive producer Chuck Lorre?
We have, from the very first time that I auditioned for him … Interestingly, [CBS Corp. president/CEO] Les Moonves did not want to hire me, because he wanted to have Charlie Sheen and a new face. And my face is old, apparently. And so the second I got in the room with Chuck, and we were working with Charlie, Chuck just started laughing, and he and I exactly knew who this guy was. And it’s been a beautiful experience ever since. As an actor, you hope you get to work with writers who get you and get what you can do, and clearly have so much talent to bring to a show.
How has it been working with Miley Cyrus?
We shot one [episode] with Miley. She plays kind of a motormouth character. So they gave her page-long monologues, which you’ll see if you see the show. And all week, she was on book with them, which is understandable. You’re rehearsing, and they change them. But even when we go within two hours of the show, she was still on book. And we thought, “Uh-oh, Miley better bring it!” And then, we did it in front of the audience. Miley brought it. Miley was just on fire, did fantastic. And then I remembered, “Oh yes, she was actually in the Disney labs in Burbank.”
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For more info: Emmy Awards website
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