Forget storyline spoilers or season finale scoop. For Two and a Half Men at its PaleyFest Q&A last night, the topic kept coming back to one man: Ashton Kutcher.

Will he return for a second season?

"I'm adoring the time I'm having," the actor said of his of his situation and contract, which only runs for one year, adding of his future: "I haven't heard from the powers that be yet."

At this, executive producer Chuck Lorre laughed and said he isn't the "power," while making it clear it's basically Ashton or bust for the sitcom.

"I don't see any reason to continue without him," Lorre said. "He's a delight, he's a really nice man and he's a really easy-going guy, he's very relaxed and very professional. He shows up and he's ready to work, he's prepared and he brings it."

Fellow producer Lee Aronsohn agreed.

"He's been willing to try anything and he brings a lot of smarts to the character and he's a complete professional. I've got nothing but great things to say about him."

What about that ex-star? The one who forced executives to check TMZ every morning, as Aronsohn joked. Lorre didn't direct any insults at Charlie Sheen, but merely expressed shock at where the program has ended up.

"A year ago today I know we thought the show was over," he said. "And it was hurtful and heartbreaking. There was no closure. It was just a very, very dark time. And to have the show be reborn like this and have fun doing it... it's been a great year."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.