In this image released by CBS, Mayim Bialik, from left, Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco appear in a scene from "The Big Bang Theory." (Darren Michaels/CBs via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) --
CBS says it has reached a deal with producers of "The Big Bang Theory" to keep the show on the air for two more years.
The network said Monday it agreed with Warner Brothers Television to extend the show that debuted in 2007. Along with the drama "NCIS," it is consistently one of the two most popular shows on television when original episodes are aired.
No details about the agreement were released. Producers have agreements with actors Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar to continue for two more years, and are negotiating similar deals with Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.
CBS will also premiere a prequel, "Young Sheldon," next year about the character as a 9-year-old. Parsons will help narrate the series.
This image released by Adult Swim shows the animated superhero Space Ghost, voiced by George Lowe, in a scene from the series “Space Ghost Coast to Coast." (Adult Swim via AP)
By JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
George Lowe, the voice behind the irreverent animated superhero on Adult Swim's "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," has died. He was 67.
He died Sunday in Lakeland, Florida, two of his business representatives said. Lowe had been struggling to recover from elective heart surgery in November, his family said in a statement. "Over the past few months, his family and friends have been by his side in support and care for him," the statement said.
Lowe's booming voice and off-the-wall humor turned "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" into a cult classic among young adults and teens.
The show debuted in 1994 and aired for more than a decade on Cartoon Network as part of its Adult Swim nighttime programming block. It was Cartoon Network's first original production and set the foundation for several other original series including "The Powerpuff Girls," "Courage the Cowardly Dog" and "Johnny Bravo."
On "Space Ghost Coast to Coast," Lowe played the role of cartoon superhero Space Ghost, who hosted a talk show and interviewed real celebrities. While the interviews with the likes of William Shatner, Conan O'Brien and Donny Osmond were pre-recorded, Lowe would later add wacky and rambling digressions, such as asking guests if they were getting enough oxygen.
"Insanity became en vogue, thanks to us," Lowe told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2004.
Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen said the show proved the network could find success with its own productions.
"You all knew him as Space Ghost (and all his other characters), but we knew him as himself, a true character in his own right, one that left an indelible mark on all of us at Adult Swim," he said.
