It's official: Hit sitcoms "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory" will remain on CBS for several years to come.
Eye and Warner Bros. TV announced the mega-order on Wednesday, although the deal had been rumored for some time. Under the new pact, "Two and a Half Men" has been given a three-season pickup, keeping the show on CBS through the 2011-2012 season, while "Big Bang Theory" has scored two more seasons, which will keep it on the Eye through 2010-2011.
News of the deal first leaked out earlier this month (Daily Variety, March 3). But before both sides could officially announce the pickup, CBS and Warner Bros. TV had to hammer out a resolution to their legal spat over the cost of "Two and a Half Men."
Warner Bros. filed a $49 million suit against CBS in December, arguing that CBS refused to pay sums it had agreed to hand over to the studio if "Two and a Half Men" turned into a hit.
Terms of a settlement haven't been revealed -- but it's likely the huge renewal is a direct result of the skirmish.
Such lengthy renewals are rare -- but then again, "Two and a Half Men" and "Big Bang Theory" are about as rare as they come: Multi-camera comedy smashes.
Thanks in part to the two shows, which hold down the 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. tentpoles on CBS' Monday night laffer lineup, that two-hour comedy block is up 13% this season in viewers and 9% with adults 18-49.
"Our collaboration with Warner Bros. and Chuck Lorre for these two series has led to great entertainment for television audiences and has been very good business for CBS," said CBS Entertainment prexy Nina Tassler. "With these shows firmly in place, CBS is well-positioned for more comedy success in the years ahead."
Warner Bros. TV prexy Peter Roth thanked the net "for the support and long-term commitment they have made."
"We look forward to many more years of continued mutual success," Roth said.
"Two and a Half Men," which stars Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell and Holland Taylor, is TV's top-rated comedy, averaging 15.1 million viewers and a 5.1 rating/11 share with adults 18-49.
Lorre, Lee Aronsohn, Eric Tannenbaum, Kim Tannenbaum, Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Don Foster, Eddie Gorodetsky, Susan Beavers and Mark Roberts exec produce.
As for "Bang," which stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, show is averaging 10.1 million viewers and a 3.7/10 with adults 18-49. Lorre, Aronsohn and Bill Prady exec produce.
Source: Variety
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