Ashton-Demi Split: An Elaborate Publicity Stunt for 'Two and a Half Men' Premiere?

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are hitting the headlines on a daily basis, with news reports stating that the six-year marriage between Moore and Kutcher - speculated to have been quietly separated a few months ago - may have hit rock bottom.

Kutcher allegedly cheated on Moore with a 23-year-old woman, identified as Sara Leal, three weeks back on the eve of their sixth wedding anniversary. The one-night stand in San Diego was made public when The Dirty published an e-mail on Sept. 26 from someone who said she was a friend of the alleged mistress. It claimed that Kutcher, following a night of debauchery with three naked women in a hotel room, hooked up with Leal.

Kutcher and Moore were in the news this week for certain other reasons too, which were overhyped due to the breakup rumors. Kutcher's Two and a Half Men aired during the same time slot as Moore's directorial venture Five premiered on Lifetime, Monday night.

The ratings looked good for Kutcher, who send a friendly tweet to Moore: Big night for TV #twoandahalfmen Bears vs Lions and @mrskutcher's 5. My tivo might explode.

Kutcher then tweeted another message of support to his wife: good luck tonight! you should be proud.

Last week the couple was spotted together for religious services at the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles with Kutcher greeting his wife with a warm hug. They were seen walking out with arms wrapped around their waists, a gesture usually rare among estranged couple during their bitter moments.

The couple was again spotted together, Monday, building a campfire at Cachuma Lake, near Santa Barbara, Calif., accompanied by their Kabbalah instructor and a friend. When did the separated couple on the verge of divorce start enjoying the great outdoors together?

It is a little odd that neither of the pair's publicists has responded for comment about the status of their relationship, even after three weeks of rumors mills working tirelessly, churning out speculation about the couple's marriage. The couple's Twitter feed has also been exceptionally silent over the media frenzy.

Silence is not exactly their style. A similar allegation against Kutcher was made by 21-year-old Brittney Jones, who said she hooked up with the actor in July last year. She also released a sex tape with Kutcher's name on its cover, which reportedly angered the actor, who threatened to take legal action for defamation. Kutcher and Moore had tweeted furiously threatening lawsuit against Star magazine for publishing fiction in the name of freedom of press. But this time Kutcher's lawyers aren't taking notice of the speculation.

Are the couple breaking up for real, or is it just an elaborate, wonderfully orchestrated publicity stunt?