Ashton Kutcher has replaced Charlie Sheen as the highest-paid actor on television, bringing in $700,000 per episode of "Two and a Half Men," reports TV Guide Magazine.
In its annual "Who Earns What" issue, the magazine says that Kutcher's salary — which equates to $16.8 million for a standard 24-episode order — is actually $500,000 less per episode than what Sheen made last season, before departing in ignominy earlier this year. (Sheen has said his full payment per episode was closer to $2 million, presumably including syndication royalties and other payouts.)
Other surprises from the issue:
Ted Danson will receive $225,000 for each episode of "CSI," which is $125,000 less than what Laurence Fishburne made. But it's on par with other established stars, as both Kiefer Sutherland and Tim Allen will make $225,000 for their respective shows, "Touch" and "Last Man Standing."
Both Scott Pelley and Piers Morgan receive less than a third of what their predecessors Katie Couric and Larry King made, and Regis Philbin left "Live! With Regis and Kelly" rather than accept a cut from his $15 million annual salary.
Anderson Cooper will make around $11 million this year combined with his CNN salary and his syndication haul.
