Actually I always thought Jon Cryer and Conchata Ferrel (Berta) and Holland Taylor (Mom) were the funnniest characters on this show.
That being said, I think the character of Charlie worked better for the premise, but I think Ashton Kutcher is doing an admirably funny job, although he’s just a little too pretty for my taste. I think I would have chosen John Stamos or Judd Nelson (except that he was already another character, the ex-husband of Alan’s girlfriend). Judd Nelson was a hoot on Suddenly Susan (if anyone remembers that show) The writing on 2 and Half Men is still hilarious.
Side note, I liked the old Mediterranean style of the house better