LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Fox and Carsey-Werner-Mandabach will keep "That 70s Show" on the air through the 2004-05 season, Daily Variety reported Friday.
All the central cast members, including Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, are locked in for the length of the new deal, marking the show's seventh season.
"The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" are both picked up for next season, so the "'70s" deal means the network has three major comedies locked in for what promises to be a pivotal season in the TV ratings race.
NBC's "Friends" and, very likely, "Frasier," will both be gone, while there's a smaller chance CBS will be without "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Fox Entertainment President Gail Berman said the "'70s Show" has been "unbelievable" in its performance.
"It performs wherever we put it, whether it's in originals or repeats," Berman said. "And creatively, it's as strong as it's ever been. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say the first five episodes of this season are the best the show has ever done."
