Bad news for fans of 'The Big Bang Theory', whoever you are - the comedy series will end after the next season.
The hugely successful show, which followed the fortunes of two physicists and their group of geeky friends, has been running for 11 seasons and has been enormously successful since debuting in 2007. It was once the most-watched shows on TV and its actors have become amongst the highest-paid on television.
Now - despite CBS's Head of Entertainment discussing the possibility of the show being renewed in recent weeks - CBS, Warner Bros. and Chuck Lorre Productions have released a joint statement revealing that the upcoming 12th season, due to air in 2019, will be its last.
“We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The Big Bang Theory during the past twelve seasons," it read. "We, along with the cast, writers and crew, are extremely appreciative of the show’s success and aim to deliver a final season, and series finale, that will bring The Big Bang Theory to an epic creative close.”
Star Johnny Galecki, meanwhile, said that he was "comfortable" with it ending at this point. "The only way we’ve discussed wrapping the show is we’re all going to be very sad when that day comes,” he said. “I think at this point everyone is very comfortable with 12 seasons being a good time to go home and see our families.”
The news has been met with an... ahem... mixed reaction...
“We are forever grateful to our fans for their support of The #BigBangTheory during the past twelve seasons..." pic.twitter.com/OWIHsICi6e
— The Big Bang Theory (@bigbangtheory) August 22, 2018
Me hearing that the big bang theory is ending next season pic.twitter.com/Z5TelbrehF
— Josh (@fuentez94) August 22, 2018
hey be sure to call all your friends that have a bad sense of humor and tell them sorry for their loss. big bang theory is ending and that's gonna hit them pretty hard
— ryan (@yeetztweetz) August 22, 2018
Big Bang theory is finally ending. God is real y’all. God is real.
— NigglyPuff (@_AshTheStampede) August 22, 2018
I am miserable today but I saw the Big Bang Theory was cancelled and that made me happy because that show is garbage
— Katie Duddy (@katiedudd) August 22, 2018
Big Bang Theory lasting 12 seasons and absolutely crushing in ratings for most of them tells you everything you need to know about the country right now.
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) August 22, 2018
the big bang theory announcing its ending today of all days confirms what ive thought for easily a decade: paul manafort is the head writer of the big bang theory
— andi (@captaintrash) August 22, 2018
The Big Bang Theory has been canceled, which opens a vacancy for the title of worst fucking thing ever.
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) August 23, 2018
When you find out the Big Bang Theory is finally ending. https://t.co/SS4FDhd3z4 pic.twitter.com/Q4Tx7xBfEn
— Prequel Memes Droid (@PrequelMemesBot) August 23, 2018