Young Sheldon (article)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 13 November 2025

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular sitcoms, and indeed television series in general, of all time. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that it spawned a spin-off prequel series centring on Sheldon Cooper’s childhood. As filming takes place on fourth series Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, we take a look at how this secondary series manages to stand on its own two feet.

Young Sheldon focuses on the titular boy genius from the ages of nine to 14 and is set from 1989 to 1994. Jim Parsons reprises his role as the brilliant manchild to narrate on his character’s younger days. Sheldon is a child prodigy and an Atheist aspiring scientist living with his Catholic religious family in East Texas. This family includes his churchgoing mother Mary, heavily drinking football coach father George, his unintelligent and girls-obsessed older brother Georgie, his outspoken twin sister Missy and his mischievous “Meemaw” Connie.

First of all, Young Sheldon survives on its own by featuring many differences to its parent show. It is filmed using a single-camera setup and doesn't use a laugh track in comparison to Big Bang’s multi-camera setup which uses one. Furthermore, it is set in conservative Texas rather than its parent’s location of liberal California. Also, it is formatted as a family sitcom as opposed to following a group of friends. Plus, Young Sheldon branches out to hone in on other characters too, whereas The Big Bang Theory keeps the focus on the main group.

The series begins with Sheldon starting high school, with him later going to college and eventually leaving Texas to go to Caltech in California. It is through his education that he meets physics professor Dr. John Sturgis. Sheldon feels Dr. Sturgis is the only person who truly understands him and they find each other to be enjoyable company for intellectual conversation. Therefore, Sheldon is thrilled when he shows romantic interest in Connie and attempts to encourage the relationship. Sheldon also meets Dr. Grant Linkletter, who finds Sheldon to be annoying and persistent like his high school teachers do. Dr. Linkletter also expresses romantic interest in Connie, providing much comedy. Another hilarious element is the way the two elderly professors have a bitter rivalry with each other.

George and Mary’s marriage is strained, though not to the extent suggested in The Big Bang Theory. Tired of his excessive drinking and laziness, along with losing his coaching job, Mary grows frustrated with him and finds herself with a crush upon the youthful Pastor Jeff… and the feelings appear mutual. Subsequently, this also drives George into the arms of Brenda, though he never actually cheats. Many of the violent tales told in the parent show don’t align with the characteristics seen in Young Sheldon. In fact, George is often shown as a loving and caring parent, notably when he protects Missy from the tornado in the Season 6 finale. Upon George’s death of a heart attack, the family are all devastated and weren’t even fighting prior to this. This makes older Mary’s badmouthing in Big Bang somewhat unfair. It appears the franchise have made a major retcon decision here, though this probably makes for more enjoyable viewing of the prequel.

The twins’ older brother experiences particular character growth throughout the series. Georgie starts off as a typical immature teenager and crushes on several girls. He initially likes Veronica, though she converts to Christianity upon learning of the evil of lust, making it harder for Georgie to win her over. A notable moment from this is when she punches him at their double baptism when he tries to kiss her. He later dates Jana, though they break up when he drops out of school. However, he isn’t work shy and works in Connie’s partner Dale’s shop and shows he has a knack with tyres (he later owns a successful tyre shop as an adult). He also works in Connie’s laundrette and video store, which act as a front for the illegal gambling room, where he meets weather girl Mandy, 12 years his senior. He lies about his age and gets her pregnant, something which is not well received by all, but once tensions die down, he then stands by her and steps up to the plate, effectively becoming an adult taking responsibility for his actions. This storyline is continued in a spin-off sequel called Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which feels ultimately unnecessary.

Arguably the biggest character outside of the family is Pastor Jeff, the friendly and upbeat pastor of the local church. Sheldon debates religion with him and there are many funny moments at Sunday school. Pastor Jeff is joined by administrative assistant Pam, a no-nonsense chainsmoker with a croaky voice and a hacking cough that hilariously occurs almost every time she appears on screen. A particular highlight of the cheery clergyman is when he does a sermon on greed, only to later be unable to resist a toaster oven, confessing his weakness to God. Later in the series, Pastor Jeff enters a new relationship and is hilariously in a rush to get married as he and his bride-to-be can’t keep their hands off each other. However, things take a darker turn in this element of the show when the church turns their back on Mary and the Coopers for Georgie having a child out of wedlock. It is disappointing that a once kind and caring figure can become so unsupportive when a difficult decision clashes with his religious beliefs.

One of the funniest characters of the series is neighbour kid Billy Sparks. Dim-witted but good-natured, Billy is the king of the one-liners that stun all those around him and his facial expressions are comedy gold too. The Sparks family have a chicken coop, which served as a spot where George could both hide with Herschel and have secret conversations with Brenda, and Billy torments Sheldon with his pet chickens, though not actually on purpose. Furthermore, he has a crush on Missy and, while the feelings are certainly not reciprocated, it does bring out Missy’s more caring side, particularly when she informs Billy that he is being pranked by a cheerleader and offers to go to the movies with him.

With a mix of comedy and drama as well as featuring many entertaining characters, Young Sheldon is a successful sitcom in its own right to its parent show, all while serving as a respectful ode to Big Bang. Live long and prosper!