Ashton Kutcher, Chuck Lorre and their 'Men' - USA TODAY

Here's something you wouldn't have heard last year from producer Chuck Lorre about Two and a Half Men: He's enjoying himself.

"It's been fun," says Lorre. "It's been terrifying, but we've laughed a lot and in the end, it's been fun. And we're grateful this guy came along and kept the lights on."

"This guy," of course, is Ashton Kutcher. Lorre says when Charlie Sheen left, he had assumed the show would have to end -- and it would have, if Kutcher had n ot come along.

"It just seemed like an impossible and slightly ridiculous thing to do," says Lorre. "But at some point we just went, 'why not try?' What's the point in not trying? If we failed, no one would be physically harmed. ... And it seemed like just a terrible way to end."

Thanks to Kutcher, it didn't. But as much as Lorre may enjoy working with Kutcher, the actor is only committed to the show for one year. So will he be back?

His deal, Kutcher says, was "kind of a test deal" -- and so far, it's passing the test. "I think that people are responding to it. For me, having a show that people like and people want more of, that will dictate my decision. I have a couple of features that I'm going to do during my hiatus, and right now I'm thinking of it as a hiatus." There's no deal yet, but Kutcher says he's interested in coming back "if we can work that out."

Many were surprised when Kutcher took the role, on the assumption he'd rather be doing films. But Kutcher says he wanted to come back to television because he enjoys the kind of work it provides.

"I've had a blast. Since I stopped doing the '70s Show, I always wanted to go back and do television. ... The best thing for me, other than the amazing job and the great company of these people, is being able to act a lot. It is a lot of fun. ... We rehearse every day and we get to be on the stage every day and exercise our craft. ... Being able to work on that craft every day is really exciting."

As for Sheen, the actor Kutcher replaced, Lorre says, "I wish him well, I really do. I'm glad he's sober and I hope he's happy."

And now for some news that may make many of Kutcher's fans happy: He has cut his hair. As for why he did it, Kutcher says it's show-related, and you'll have to wait until the episode airs for the answer.

"Tune in Monday."

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