Ashton Kutcher Plugs Tech Startups On 'Two And A Half Men'

Ashton Kutcher isn't just a tech investor--he also plays one on TV.

Kutcher, who replaced Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men" as Internet billionaire Walden Schmidt, subtly showed off some real-world startups -- several of which the actor has invested in -- in the latest episode of the sitcom.

According to a tweet from Foursquare co-founder and CEO Dennis Crowley, in one scene on the show, Kutcher was shown using a laptop computer covered with stickers from several startups.

The startups that got a shout-out on the show include group text messaging service GroupMe, which was recently acquired by Skype, location-based service Foursquare, online textbook rental company Chegg, Flipboard, an iPad news reader, and Hipmunk, a flight search startup. Two additional stickers made a cameo on Kutcher's laptop, but we can't identify them (Can you? Let us know in the comments below). Check out a photo of Kutcher's startup sticker-studded computer here, which was posted to Instagram by Crowley.

Kutcher is an investor in a number of the companies he plugged on the show, including Flipboard, Foursquare, and Hipmunk.

He came under fire earlier this year over allegations that he did not properly disclose his investments when he guest-edited an issue of Details magazine that prominently featured several startups in which Kutcher has a financial interest. Though the FTC ultimately decided not to probe Kutcher's failure to more openly highlight his stakes in the startups, the New York Times' Nick Bilton noted, "The special issue, called 'The Social Issue,' showcases some fast-growing technology start-ups without making it clear that Mr. Kutcher is an investor in a majority of them, including Foursquare, Flipboard and Airbnb."

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Comments

[vicki romero]

10:39 PM on 10/04/2011

This is not Ashton fault, they are making him sound stupid. He does not write the lines. They did not make Charlie sound stupid. This show is not going to make it if they don't do something very fast. THIS IS THE WRITERS FAULT.

[BillyBlastoff]

02:23 PM on 09/28/2011

I hope he is a better investor than actor. The first two episodes of Sheen-Less "2 1/2 Men" were painfully bad. The show is just plain awful.

[RighteousNotRightWing]

02:05 PM on 09/28/2011

Sounds like Mr Kutcher is a savvy investor in real life. Hope his investments are successful.

[clematisvine]

04:57 AM on 09/28/2011

"Men" is great with Kutcher. He & Cryer are a great, genius team! He can plug whatever he wants.

[Seral]

10:05 AM on 09/28/2011

I guess you are not really watching the show. It is not that funny anymore. Even the show that comes after it has more laughs in it.

Continuing with the same setting is the main problem, everything so far looks quite artificial.

[clematisvine]

02:29 PM on 09/28/2011

Excuse me! I am watching the show. To each his own. I, along with millions of others, think it's funny. Bye! Bye!

[falco1998]

04:14 AM on 09/28/2011

Well, I saw the second two and half men and I probably will not watch it again. There isn't any chemistry, no flowing conversation. I could see Jon Cryer trying so hard but he and Charlie were a good team. I think if they're going to have any success they need to make Kutcher "grow up" fast and I'm not even sure that will work.

[NoSillyName]

03:32 AM on 09/28/2011

I missed it. Had it set to record, but some tech glitch happened. Oh, well.

[Sherry526]

03:33 AM on 09/28/2011

You didn't miss much.

[NoSillyName]

04:40 AM on 09/28/2011

Apparently not,

[Sherry526]

03:31 AM on 09/28/2011

I thought maybe I was too quick to judge last week so I tuned in this week. It was forced, and the jokes were weak so my initial opinion is confirmed. Men has Jumped The Shark. The premise of a billionaire being completely soft and naive is too big a stretch. A lot the Men's humor was juvenile but was balanced with Sheen's smooth, clever timing. Kutcher plays Schmidt stiffly, and makes him such a dim bulb that it's awful. He delivers a lot of his lines so slowly that I can't tell if it's technique or he's just buying time to remember his next line. Schmidt is Kelso (dumb) but without Kelso's charm and wit. Chuck Lorre is admittedly in a funk and writing a tell all book according to this week's Vanity Card. Mr. Lorre, just admit you screwed up and move on. You all were fine with Sheen for what, 8 years, while you raked in millions off his talent. I wish you would have done an intervention or anything besides fire the guy. Now I have a free half hour between Mike and Molly, and The Big Bang Theory. BTW Hylander6, you're right that Big Bang Theory premiere was not up to par. Hey Mr. Lorre, stop putting all your effort into a personal grudge feeding book and get back to the funny stuff. It's too late for Men, but you've got some other shows worth your attention.

[lgtaper]

02:53 AM on 09/28/2011

no good, Kutcher is a idiot. cancel the show, save your money. I rather dance to the News

[JohnnyRivers]

02:53 AM on 09/28/2011

The show sucks without Tiger Blood. It's time to accept defeat and let it die.

[themoonhorn]

02:02 AM on 09/28/2011

I watched Two and a half when i had the chance, last week i missed the show because of work but last night i watched, in my opinion... No funny at all, i visited their Facebok page and as this one i see most of the comments are on a negative way, i was just curious about seeing the new show with the new guy but i am not givinga second chance to Two and a half, it was funny with Charlie, but not with that guy. Good night!

[Teri67]

12:57 AM on 09/28/2011

Why is called Two In a Half Men Still. the kid Jake Wasn't hardly even on the first 2 episodes and he makes 300.000 for each one.. They better step it up or Bring Charlie back from the dead!!! It had its funny moments byt it isn't the same...

[Sherry526]

03:34 AM on 09/28/2011

I missed the kid too.

[Hylander6]

12:40 AM on 09/28/2011

I'm very disappointed in the new show. But I think Chuck L. is having problems. The new season of Big Bang Therory also dropped a bit. The scene with Howard and Raj was sickening with the remote kissing devices.

[marifaith]

12:34 AM on 09/28/2011

Funny he makes the negative comments about the Zune in the first episode and then promotes Skype and Flipboard (Skype which was just aquired by Microsoft and Flipboard which was created by the Tellme CEO which Microsoft bought out around 2001.

[mgroteii]

11:48 PM on 09/27/2011

It really won't matter who or what he endorses if the show continues on its current trajectory. If it doesn't dramatically improve by the next episode, I doubt it will survive into another season.

[dbannigan]

11:47 PM on 09/27/2011

This show is doomed! Did they change the writers? The script and chemistry with the actors is horrible. Its like watching the an adult version of the Disney Channel with the goofy silly humor. So far it has been done in very poor taste. Charlie Sheen's character needs to come back from the dead if they think this sit-com is worth saving. At least there are 8 seasons of re-runs to enjoy.

[NoSillyName]

03:35 AM on 09/28/2011

I didn't see it so I can't say anything about "poor taste except that IMO, Charlie (Sheen and the character) are the epitome of "poor taste".

[Sherry526]

03:41 AM on 09/28/2011

They did so many jokes trashing Charlie Harper that you could feel the hurt feelings behind the scenes just oozing through. Charlie Harper was always funny and lovable in spite of his shortcomings, but to watch the show now you'd think that character was an axe murderer or something. What a difference between the reruns and this season. I'm with you--I'm glad I can see the reruns.