Because I love guitarists...

... and Eddie Van Halen has always been near the top of my list of all time favorites, I am SO looking forward to the season premier of Two and a Half Men (CBS, Sept 21 , 9pm Eastern).

Edddie is reportedly a big fan of the show, and one of the producers approached him to do the cameo.

Eddie Van Halen revealed to Rolling Stone that he is recovering from delicate hand surgery due to a bone spur, a twisted tendon, and a cyst in the joint of his left thumb. He explained that the hand problems first popped up during VAN HALEN's last tour, saying, "During the last leg of our tour, I started developing pain in my thumb and my pinky. I didn't think much of it at the time. It got progressively worse to the point that about three months ago I wasn't able to play at all. My pinky and my thumb were totally locked up and felt like there was something broken."

He sought help from hand specialists in Dusseldorf, Germany, who at first were treating him for arthritis before further examinations showed the extent of the problem: "They said the only way to fix it was surgery, which of course scared the shit out of me, but I was told it was the only way to fix it. Surgery was a success, now I just have to let it heal. I am totally jazzed that they found the problem, fixed it and in about four months my hand will feel like I am 18 again. Thank God."

The stitches came out within a few days, and so far Van Halen's hand has regained its full reach. His recovery will be complete in four-to-six months. "In the meantime I am able to write a bit, but cannot overexert my hand because it needs to heal properly," he said.

Even better? Van Halen (featuring brothers Eddie and Alex, Eddie's son Wolfgang, and David Lee Roth) are expected to record a new album and tour sometime in 2010.

How much fun would that be? Call DLR a man-slut if you must (because admit, he SO was) but he was also one HELL of a frontman.

Anyway. Eddie. CBS. Sept 21. Monday. Be there.

~ Hath