Sheen calm and sober in 'Today' interview

Charlie Sheen says his life's a lot calmer now.

The actor and former star of CBS' "Two and a Half Men" told NBC's Matt Lauer that he didn't really know what happened this spring when he was fired from the show and began a manic round of media appearances talking about his "tiger blood" and "winning."

Lauer's interview will air on the "Today" show Friday, and NBC released excerpts Wednesday, The Associated Press reports.

"It was one of those things where the planets were aligned, perfectly or imperfectly. I said some stuff and then it caught such traction globally and instantly that I couldn't really put out the fire," Sheen said. "I had to keep fueling it."

Sheen said the experience "was like being shot out of a cannon into another cannon and then being just shot out of that one. It was like from one moment to the next I didn't know what was going to happen. It was pretty exciting."

The actor said he is sober but couldn't tell Lauer the last time he took drugs or drank.

Sheen is also appearing Thursday night on the "Tonight" show.