CBS Will Not Take Action After Ashton Kutcher's 'Two and a Half Men' Plugs

UPDATED: The actor gave free publicity to several tech companies -- in which he holds personal investments -- during Monday’s CBS broadcast.
CBS provided several tech companies with free product placement during their most recent broadcast.
PHOTOS: Chuck Lorre & His TV Empire
On the series' Sept. 26 episode, Ashton Kutcher’s character -- Internet billionaire Walden Schmidt -- was seen working on a laptop, which was covered in stickers promoting Foursquare, Flipboard, Hipmunk, GroupMe and Chegg. Coincidentally, these are companies which the actor holds personal investments in.
PHOTOS: Fall TV's 12 Most Anticipated Shows
Following the broadcast, reports surfaced that the network was seeking compensation for the free plugs, and would be blurring the decals from future episodes should the companies refuse to pay. A spokesperson for CBS tells The Hollywood Reporter that said reports are untrue, and that it is CBS' policy to disclose any financial interests, such as Kutcher's, at the end of the broadcast.
Given the nature of Kutcher's character, the decorative stickers appear to be an organic addition to his laid-back and tech-savvy personality.
PHOTOS: Ashton Kutcher's Career Through the Years
“Check out @aplusk showing some @foursquare & @GroupMe laptop-sticker love on Two & a Half Men,” tweeted Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley, along with a screenshot from the show, which reached 20 million viewers.
THR's Daily Must Feeds
-
Anderson Cooper Boots 'Barbie Mom' Off Show
-
Donna Summer's Funeral Packed with Music Legends
-
'Transformers 3' Injured Extra Gets $18 Million Settlement
-
Bret Michaels Talks Summer Tour, Health Issues
-
Beastie Boy Discusses MCA's Death For First Time
-
Robert Pattinson For 'Hunger Games' Sequel?
-
Minka Kelly Cast As Jackie Kennedy
-
Glee Recap: The End Is an Afterthought
In This Week's Magazine
Social & Mobile
- MOST SHARED
- MOST POPULAR
- 1
'American Idol' Champion Phillip Phillips Had 8 Surgeries During Season 11
- 2
Leaked Memo: 'Community' Studio Tells Cast How to Address Dan Harmon Firing
- 3
Warner Bros. Prepping Top Secret Sci-Fi Project 'The Wind' (Exclusive)
- 4
Box Office Preview: 'Men in Black 3' Set to Dethrone 'Avengers' With $200 Million Worldwide Bow
- 5
Gangs of Wasseypur: Cannes Review
- 6
Cannes Film Festival 2012
- 7
Fox, CBS, NBC Sue Dish Network Over AutoHop Ad-Skipper
- 8
'X Factor': First Official Look at Britney Spears and Demi Lovato at the Judges' Table (Photo)
- 9
Cannes Day 9: 'The Paperboy' Premiere, AmfAR Gala
- 10
'X Factor' Judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato Clash in First Critiques
From our partners
- Juliet Jeske: Travolta, Gay Or Not Gay... Why Should We Care?
- Mike Ragogna: Driving Towards The Daylight to Noise In My Head: A Conversation with Joe Bonamassa and DarkDriveClinic's "Litmus Heart"
- Catherine McKenzie: The Bachelorette Games
- Maureen Ryan: 'Grimm' And 'Person Of Interest' Finale Reactions, Plus Podcast News

