• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, March 1, 2011

CBS CEO Leslie Moonves was circumspect Tuesday in comments about the future of "Two and a Half Men," saying he wants it to return, although not offering any particular optimism.

"You know, I hope it's back -- we'll see," he said, acknowledging the show's ability to help launch new comedies.

But series star Charlie Sheen continues to make offbeat comments, some criticizing Moonves.

"Going down the road, I honestly -- and I'm not going to comment a lot on it -- I don't know what's going to happen," Moonves said at an investor event. "You know [Sheen is] on the air quite a bit these days. I wish he would have worked this hard to promote himself for an Emmy."

CBS and studio Warner Bros. have canceled production on the show. In the near term, CBS, which Moonves said brings in more than $4 billion a year in revenue, stands to make more money with "Two and a Half Men" repeats, since costs go down.

"Two and a Half Men" ratings continue to be strong deep into its life cycle, and it has helped launch "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mike & Molly" as they have run in the half hour after it aired.