Ashton Kutcher's new look.
LOS ANGELES - Ashton Kutcher shaved his beard and cut his long hair before facing TV critics Wednesday at their winter tour.Is the "Two and a Half Men" star eager to impress us. Nah. The new look is part of a storyline in the sitcom that will be explained on Monday's episode.

Kutcher said he's having a blast and hopes it can be worked out so he can return next year. The ratings have never been better for the series, despite the departure of Charlie Sheen.

"I always wanted to go back to do TV," Kutcher said. "Back when I was doing 'That '70s Show,' Robin Williams came to the set to visit Kurtwood Smith. He said, 'I wish I could go back and do a sitcom. I never forgot that."

Executive producer Chuck Lorre went out of his way to praise Kutcher. "We're real grateful this guy came so we could keep the lights on," he said. He also said he wished Sheen well and that he's glad he's sober and healthy. Sheen said Sunday night at a critics' party that he'd eventually like to talk to Lorre for "closure."