Young Sheldon is not just an extension of The Big Bang Theory, it’s a fantastic sitcom. But what makes this show more inviting than its predecessor?
When Young Sheldon first appeared back in 2017, many viewers thought that the show would be a simple spin-off of The Big Bang Theory, complete with the same one-liners and character profiles. Yet, this sitcom has completely transformed the protagonist and has grown into an iconic show in its own right. Though The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons and was crowned one of the most popular sitcoms of the 21st century, Young Sheldon has garnered the same level of acclaim in just a few seasons.
Whether it’s Mary’s overbearing traditional manners or Missy’s sassy attitude, every character within Young Sheldon has something to show for themselves and no longer has to hide in the shadow of Sheldon’s intelligence, like his peers in The Big Bang Theory. Plus, these storylines transport viewers back to a much simpler time and offer them a charming sense of nostalgia. But what exactly makes Young Sheldon superior to its original show?
How Are Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory Linked?
Sheldon Cooper’s Notable Family Members
The Big Bang Theory introduced viewers to renowned physicist Dr. Sheldon Cooper and his group of friends, Leonard, Howard, Raj, and Penny. The show focused on the group’s ups and downs and how they learned to cope with Sheldon’s obsessive quirks. Over time, the show welcomed a ton of memorable secondary characters, including Sheldon’s wife, Amy, and Howard’s partner Bernadette. Alongside their love of science, the group shared tender moments together and learned to spend quality time as a unit and bond over key aspects of nerd culture.
Despite its complex themes and scientific humor, The Big Bang Theory became an instant hit, even creating a number of iconic catchphrases, such as “bazinga.” The show also scooped up a ton of awards, including a People’s Choice Award as well as an Emmy. When the show concluded in 2019, fans celebrated a series of happy endings, like Penny’s pregnancy and Stuart moving in with his girlfriend. Yet, many viewers felt that the ending left a lot to be desired and were keen to see their favorite group of geeks blossom once again.
Instead of extending The Big Bang Theory into the future, the writers felt it was best to take viewers back to Sheldon’s childhood to uncover how he became the man they know and love. Thus, Young Sheldon takes place between 1989 and 1994 and showcases how this tender and sensitive little boy grew to become one of the world’s greatest scientists. But this show doesn’t just focus on Sheldon and offers fans the chance to fall in love with his parents and siblings.
Young Sheldon Is a Lot More Relatable to the Average Viewer
Though The Big Bang Theory was teeming with humorous moments, some of its jokes were a bit too clever for the average viewer. Thus, characters were sometimes forced to explain the scientific principles behind the punchlines. Fortunately, Young Sheldon doesn’t feel the need to mimic this strategy and can present jokes that are funny to the average viewer. Take, for example, Season 5, Episode 6, “Money Laundering and a Cascade of Hormones,” where Missy has a ton of questions about sex after hearing about it at Sunday School. While many viewers may not have a broad understanding of quantum physics, a lot of fans will relate to Missy’s constant questioning and find it quite entertaining. This is especially true for those who grew up in very religious households, like the Coopers. Thus, Young Sheldon seems to focus on the funny side of childhood and doesn’t hesitate to show Missy’s innocence as a normal part of growing up.
In Season 3, Episode 6, “A Parasol and a Hell of an Arm,” Missy expresses her frustration about not being allowed on the baseball team because she’s a girl. Every girl has experienced this type of sexism at some point in their life, so it is a relatable concept for most fans. Plus, The Big Bang Theory was a very male-dominated sitcom, with women rarely being the center of attention unless it’s via the male gaze. So, by giving Missy her own character arc, fans of the show can experience a different perspective without feeling disillusioned.
The Spin-off Has a Much Bigger Heart Than The Big Bang Theory
5 Fun Facts About Young Sheldon
- Zoe Perry, who plays Mary Cooper, is the real-life daughter of Laurie Metcalf, who plays Sheldon’s mother on The Big Bang Theory.
- Steve Burns from Blue’s Clues wrote the theme song for the show.
- Sheldon mentions his phone number on the show; if called, the number will direct callers straight to his answer phone.
- Zoe Perry and Iain Armitage are distant cousins with relatives dating back to the 1500s.
- Sheldon once had a nightmare about a pool monster that was voiced by Kaley Cuoco, who plays Penny.
Since Young Sheldon is a typical family sitcom, it’s not surprising that the show is littered with heartwarming and touching moments. Not only do these scenes help to subvert the cold version of Sheldon seen in The Big Bang Theory, but it makes the entire show a lot easier to watch. A prime example of this is in Season 2, Episode 8, “An 8-Bit Princess and a Flat Tire,” when Sheldon and Connie become addicted to completing a gory video game. The fact that Sheldon’s adorable MeeMaw was once obsessed with a video game is funny in itself, but she uses this passion to draw closer to her grandson. As such, Sheldon may have felt isolated throughout his life due to his intelligence, but it’s clear that he could always rely on Connie for support.
Connie’s devotion to her grandchildren is seen again in Season 3, Episode 21, “A Secret Letter and a Lowly Disc of Processed Meat.” Here, fans witness Georgie and Connie throwing eggs at Dale’s house after he fired Georgie from his part-time job. Connie’s reckless attitude in this episode perfectly contrasts Mary’s uptight nature. Thus, the Cooper children are free to rebel against authority and gain revenge. In addition, Connie’s dedication to defending her grandson is admirable and offers this homely sitcom the chance to show just how much these characters care for each other.
