Byron Cohen/FOXJuice up those pager batteries now—the good doctor is on-call for at least one more year.
Fox has once again saved us from the need to cultivate any semblance of a social life on Monday nights, announcing today after often tense and lengthy negotiations that House has been renewed for an eighth season.
Now, let's take a role call: Hugh Laurie is obviously back. But what about the rest of Princeton Plainsboro?
"Over the past seven seasons, House has redefined the medical drama and has given us one of television's most compelling and iconic characters," Fox's Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said. "From the producers to the incredible writers to the unbelievably talented cast and crew, the House team is fearless in its creativity and I can't wait to see what they have in store next year."
Or who they have in store for next year.
According to Variety, in addition to Laurie, Omar Epps has signed a new deal to return to the show, and the ever-elusive Thirteen, er, Olivia Wilde has also had her option picked up for the new season.
But what of Robert Sean Leonard, who's possible departure has been the subject of some speculation? Fear not, bromancers. Wilson will return, as RSL has also signed a brand spanking new deal.
Announcements on the fate of Jesse Spencer, Lisa Edelstein and Peter Jacobson have yet to be made. Edelstein's rep had no news for E! News when asked if Cuddy had signed a deal to return, and Spencer and Jacobson's reps have yet to comment publicly.
But don't assume a bad prognosis just yet: Sources tell E! News that supporting cast deals are still being hammered out.
It's the final piece of the puzzle for the months-long negotiation process, which hinged on who, exactly—either Fox or Universal Media Studios—would foot the bill for the world's most popular TV show.
The hitch: Universal wanted to keep the payment plan as-is, while Fox wanted to pony up 20 percent less than usual—the two groups reportedly met somewhere in the middle, though the deal is good for just one yea, and if House joins the TV elite that makes it to a ninth season, a new deal will have to be hammered out.
In the meantime, the announcement came with just two new episodes left in the current seventh season.
The season finale, airing May 23, sees guest star extraordinaire Shohreh Aghdashloo admitted to the hospital as a famous performance artist whose injuries at least seem to have been self-inflicted for the purposes of a documentary. As with any good season finale, however, the real drama will revolve around the regular cast, with House making a rather unexpected move that may permanently change his relationships with both Cuddy and Wilson.
We wouldn't have it any other way.