Chuck Lorre

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- The "King of Sitcoms" is coming to SUNY Potsdam on Monday, Sept. 23, and seats are still available.

Chuck Lorre, a Plainview, New York native, attended SUNY Potsdam for two years before dropping out to pursue a career as a songwriter.

Eventually, Lorre carved out a career as a writer in Hollywood, beginning with the show "Heathcliff" in 1984.

Numerous hits followed with "My Little Pony 'n Friends," "Defenders of the Earth," "Charles in Charge" and "Roseanne."

It wasn't until "Frannie's Turn" in 1992 that Lorre assumed the role of creator and showrunner, along with writer and executive producer on one show.

Lorre shot to superstardom as a shower runner and creator with a string of hits in the 1990's, including "Grace Under Fire," "Cybill," and "Dharma and Greg."

In 2003, Lorre reached new heights with the massive hit show "Two and a Half Men" on CBS, which starred Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer as brothers Charlie and Alan Harper who lived together at Charlie's beachfront Malibu home after Alan's divorce.

The sitcom ran for 12 seasons and a total of 262 episodes.

Building on the success of "Two and a Half Men," Lorre launched what would be his biggest hit to date with "The Big Bang Theory" in 2007, another CBS hit that would last for 12 seasons and 279 episodes.

Lorre later went on to release "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in 2008, "Mike & Molly" starring Mellisa McCarthy in 2010, "Mom" starring Allison Janney and Anna Ferris in 2013 and "Disjointed" starring Kathy Bates in 2017.

Building on the success of "The Big Bang Theory," Lorre launched "Young Sheldon" in 2017, recently concluding the show's run earlier this year.

In a departure from his traditional multi-camera sitcom shows, Lorre launched "The Kominsky Method" in 2018, a Netflix series starring Oscar winners Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin.

The comedy-drama series follows Douglas' character Sandy Kosinski, a once successful actor working as a revered acting coach in Hollywood, as he and his best friend and agent Norman Newlander, played by Arlin, are left to question their existence following the death of Newlander's wife.

The series would go on to win numerous awards, including Golden Globes in 2019 for Best Television Series- Musical or Comedy, as well as a Best Actor- Television Series Musical or Comedy for Douglas.

The series would also be Arkin's final performances before his passing on June 23, 2023 at the age of 89.

To his credit, Lorre won BMI Television Music Awards in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 for "Two and a Half Men."

On March 12, 2009, Lorre also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Three months later, he received an honorary degree from SUNY Potsdam, serving as the keynote speaker at graduation.

In 2012, Lorre was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Along with his Golden Globe for "The Kominsky Method," Lorre has also won Golden Globes for Roseanne and Cybill.

He was also awarded the Critics' Choice Award for Creative Achievement in 2019.

The free public discussion will be offered on Monday, Sept. 23, from noon to 1 p.m., in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall, located in SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.

This is a public event, and free refreshments will be available.

Free tickets are required, due to limited seating. You can reserve a free ticket online at https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SUNYPotsdam/events/suny-potsdam-welcomes-chuck-lorre.