Fox picks up Bones for eighth season

LOS ANGELES— Fox announced Thursday that it is bringing back TV show Bones for an eighth season.

The veteran crime dramedy’s renewal marks the network’s first official order for the 2012-13 season.

Series creator Hart Hanson on Thursday tweeted about the news: “Bones picked up for an 8th season! What a great tribute to cast and crew.”

At least star David Boreanaz, who plays spe- cial agent Seeley Booth, didn’t let it out of the bag prematurely like he did last May.

The show’s current season, its seventh, was reduced and split because Emily Deschanel, who plays lead Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, had a baby.

Also this year, its spinoff The Finder premiered — originally in Bones’ former Thursday slot, before moving to Fridays — but its ratings haven’t found steady ground.

Bones, meanwhile, returns from its winter hiatus on a new night and time on Monday.