(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ashton Kutcher is "extremely popular" on the set of Two and a Half Men and received a standing ovation after filming his first episode.

The 33-year-old actor has joined the American TV show after Charlie Sheen was fired earlier this year. Ashton plays internet billionaire Walden Schmidt and is winning over the cast and crew, despite initially ruffling a few feathers by reportedly having a huge trailer.

"Ashton is quickly becoming extremely popular on set," a source told TMZ. "Everything so far is smooth. A little too soon to tell, but Ashton seems very likable and professional. We're all very happy to be working with him."

Ashton filmed his first scenes for the show on Friday. He admitted he was feeling slightly anxious about unveiling his new character in front of a live audience.

"Preparing to tape the first ep of 2.5. Little nervous. All will be revealed!" Ashton Tweeted.

Despite his worries, Ashton was a huge hit with the audience who rose to their feet wildly clapping after the episode was taped. Earlier in the evening, he had helped to win over the crowd by giving one lucky woman a back massage during takes.

The first episode of the new series will see the cast attend the funeral of Sheen's character Charlie Harper. There have been reports that producer Chuck Lorre had decided that Harper would die by driving his car off a cliff. However, TMZ are now suggesting that after Harper eloped to Paris with his stalker neighbour Rose, he slipped' off a subway platform and was hit by a train. The script implies that Rose pushed him and during her eulogy at the funeral, Rose reportedly describes the accident as a "meat explosion".

The first episode of the new season of Two and a Half Men will be broadcast in the US on September 19. (C) Cover Media