Charlie Sheen keen on rehab? No, no, no

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

While in Hollywood for a quick weekend trip, I got some scoop on Charlie Sheen and his reluctant decision to again seek help and go into rehab. A source from his “Two and a Half Men” show shared a number of key points with me:

† “Charlie does not truly believe he needs to be in rehab. He is still in denial about his drug and alcohol use and his addiction to hookers and wild partying, and believes all of this is totally blown out of proportion. He only did this due to major pressure from the network, his family and his team [of advisors].”

That seemed to jibe with Sheen’s own curt text message sent Friday to Radar Online: “I’m fine. People don’t seem to get it. Can’t a guy have a great time and do his job also?”

† Sheen’s actual departure for rehab didn’t occur until Saturday (and not earlier, as widely reported). The actor’s manager told People that Sheen was approached by numerous facilities bidding to snare him — and the big bucks he’d pay for treatment — but ultimately entered an undisclosed site suggested by close friends and family members.

† Another source close to his father, actor Martin Sheen, says the former “West Wing” star “is deeply worried about Charlie and continues to try and make him see that he has to face up to his problems, or else Marty will soon be attending his son’s funeral.”

† While much has been made of Sheen basically “playing himself” on his top-rated CBS sitcom, my source stressed that “except for rescheduling issues — caused by Charlie’s crazy life and issues — when he comes to the set, he’s great to work with. … The crew and cast love him, and he treats everyone beautifully and with total professionalism.”

That said, the current suspension of “Two and a Half Men” tapings has the sitcom’s team concerned about the future of the show. “We just pray Charlie gets the help he needs, comes back to work and stays on an even keel,” added the show source.

† Another factor convincing Sheen he had to enter rehab now was a chat with ex-wife Denise Richards, who told him “he had to do this both for himself and for his children,” said a close Richards pal.

OUT OF REHAB: As tipped here last week, Disney star Demi Lovato has checked out of the Timberline facility in suburban Lemont. ... Also, David Arquette’s rep confirmed his client has left the rehab center he entered on New Year’s Day to work on alcohol addiction and other issues.

GOING HOLLYWOOD: Not only is Chicagoan Shelley Farley thrilled about son Hayes Mac­Ar­thur’s new “Perfect Couples” sitcom on NBC, but she’s also excited that second son Scott Mac­Ar­thur’s short film “The Bare Show,” premieres in L.A. Tuesday — backed by a live orchestra playing music composed by Scott’s Dartmouth pal Henry Wolfe, Meryl Streep’s son.

FIT TO A T: Not surprisingly, the local improv community was buzzing after Tina Fey sported an iO T-shirt on “30 Rock” Thursday night — a nice homage to the star’s roots in Chicago improv and iO Theatre.

POIGNANT TALE: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grieving and Recovery hits bookstores Tuesday, featuring Chicago author Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow’s story “The Red Pen” — about her sister Ivy, who died in a plane crash with her father.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Star-watchers have had plenty to see at RL the past few days. On Thursday — after taping “Oprah” — Oscar winners Holly Hunter and Sissy Spacek, plus Spacek’s daughter and fellow actress Schuyler Fisk, late-lunched, as did rockers Linkin Park, just before space hero Jim Lovell slipped in for an early dinner. … Other recent RL sightings include Amy Smart and (separately) funnyman Jeff Garlin, dining with his mom. … “Shameless” cast members Emmy Rossum, Emma Kenney, Shanola Hampton and Ethan Cutkosky all were seen busily tweeting at Sunda — not far from Blackhawks Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Viktor Stahlberg. … Bears Chester Taylor and Devon Aromashodu joined Viking Fred Evans at JBar, where the Orlando Magic’s Gilbert Arenas showed with a half-dozen pals . … It was quite the Who’s Who crowd at Ernie Banks’ big early 80th birthday bash Saturday, including Gov. Quinn, mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel, Jerry Azumah, Richard Dent, ex-White Soxer Ron Kittle, former Cubs Milt Pappas and Dave Otto, actor Joel Murray, Desiree and John Rogers, and politicos Dan Rutherford, Brendan Reilly and Mike Quigley — all loving noted violinist Dave Yonan’s renditions of “Happy Birthday.”