Young Sheldon Development Discussion Thread

[camelliayao]

@April So well said! I totally agree with you.

I think it'll be really hard for the writers to write any sort of character development for Sheldon in the spin off, because like you said, they need to end up with Sheldon how he was when TBBT started, which means Sheldon needs to be more socially awkward than he was when he first met Leonard. I don't even know if that's possible. 

Unless, you know, they decide to write a story about how Sheldon grows from a cute, normal genius boy into a robotic man who can barely look other people in the eyes when talking because of all the childhood traumas he goes through. But that would be horrible.

Edited November 8, 2016 by camelliayao

[Jonny]

Well they aren't just going to cancel the show and then replace it with this cheap spinoff, you would think that's pretty much guaranteed. They will want to have this running alongside the current show and then if it's successful (I have a hard time believing it will) then they axe this current show and have this in its place in terms of keeping the 'brand' going.

Might be just me and I have no evidence whatsoever to back this up but the talk of a multi season deal to me sounds pretty remote. If anything with this prequel being in the works it could be a Season 11 and that's all she wrote. 

 

[April]

7 minutes ago, Jonny said:

Well they aren't just going to cancel the show and then replace it with this cheap spinoff, you would think that's pretty much guaranteed. They will want to have this running alongside the current show and then if it's successful (I have a hard time believing it will) then they axe this current show and have this in its place in terms of keeping the 'brand' going.

Might be just me and I have no evidence whatsoever to back this up but the talk of a multi season deal to me sounds pretty remote. If anything with this prequel being in the works it could be a Season 11 and that's all she wrote. 

I wouldn't panic just yet.

What seems obvious right now is that CBS needs to think about what happens after TBBT and how long do they have? I wouldn't be surprised if amidst negotiations all sorts of crackpot ideas get thrown around. And maybe even that particular one got leaked to see if there's any demand in the first place. The reactions don't seem to be too encouraging though. So if CBS want they can put out a statement saying it was just a rumour and we can all pretend this never happened. LOL

[3ku11]

The thing with BBT, it is rare to get such a perfectly casted show. Right cast, right timeslot, right network e.t.c. Just like with Friends, Two and a half men. It all came together. Lots of shows and spinoffs do not work. Because they lack these components. It is like with Joey Friends, they deconstructed Joey's character. Casting is a major issue. How are they going to write and portray such a character who has evolved so much. Sheldon's character is so unique. I just don't see how they can do this. Being a comedy, it is the characters that make Sheldon who he is, because it makes him grounded.

Being a comedy like TBBT, which is light hearted and fluffy. The show other then Proton, does not deal with death, or serious issues. I don't see how a young Sheldon dealing with life, coming home to see his dad cheating. His religeous mother e.t.c. Is going to work. Do we find out young Sheldon actually slept with someone? Their is too many gray areas, problems that could exist. You have an 18 year old Sheldon who we presume was more socially awkward then he is now. So I agree how would they develop that? It has taken ten years for Sheldon to even hold a girls hand lol.

I just don't know how they would do that. It is just not worth it imo. We know he had problems when he was a child, problems Leonard would of loved LOL. His Mothers love, did he say he got a dirtbike. the horror!! He got into Uni when he was 18, if I recall. Exploring these issues. Like his Father cheating e.t.c. Is not something I want to see. Apart from him already dominating screen time on the actual show. You can then tune into to see a young Shelly walking in on daddy dearest with his PA. Yayyyy .

Edited November 8, 2016 by 3ku11

[veejay]

20 minutes ago, April said:

I wouldn't panic just yet.

What seems obvious right now is that CBS needs to think about what happens after TBBT and how long do they have? I wouldn't be surprised if amidst negotiations all sorts of crackpot ideas get thrown around. And maybe even that particular one got leaked to see if there's any demand in the first place. The reactions don't seem to be too encouraging though. So if CBS want they can put out a statement saying it was just a rumour and we can all pretend this never happened. LOL

That's also my opinion. Maybe the TPTB consider their announcement as a secret survey to research the public-opinion in internet-posts about their "new and refresh“ idea. 

[Jonny]

54 minutes ago, April said:

I wouldn't panic just yet.

What seems obvious right now is that CBS needs to think about what happens after TBBT and how long do they have? I wouldn't be surprised if amidst negotiations all sorts of crackpot ideas get thrown around. And maybe even that particular one got leaked to see if there's any demand in the first place. The reactions don't seem to be too encouraging though. So if CBS want they can put out a statement saying it was just a rumour and we can all pretend this never happened. LOL

Not panicking just yet, I seem to be finding the idea more annoying than anything.

I get it makes sense from a tv exec perspective, if they can replace a show set in the same universe that pulls in big numbers and at a fraction of the cost you do it or try to do it if you see an opportunity. It's a business at the end of the day, they are out to make money and if they can entertain and put out some high quality content at the same time as making that money then that's a bonus.

We heard a lot of talk in the past couple of months about 'preserving the legacy of the show' iirc from cast members actually mentioning that. Wonder if it's something to do with this development or they knew this was on the cards. It seems likely to me that this concept is more likely to damage its legacy rather than enhance it.

Hope you are right, they are just floating the idea out there to see the response. On the whole I haven't seen much positive reception to it, even a lot of professional TV critics think it could be a bad idea.

Edited November 8, 2016 by Jonny

[spidergirl]

In my case I won't panic at all, as imo It is a question of choice of watching the spinoff or not or of giving a try to watch for checking if it was good or not.

I am board to all seasons of tbbt they could manage for us and enjoying what I most like in the characters as I have been doing so far.

Surely I will be a bit disapointed if the creativity, or lack of , of the spinoff could ruin the legacy of the show. This is one of my favourites shows ever and I really hope it can end oneday in such perfect and fitting way for all characters. I will always remember about them tenderly , even some things migth not end like I am hoping they must end in last season.

Now I am too much  focused on gushing over shamy goodness and sexyness,  lenny living by themselves as a married couple and also about Bernie and Howard's baby. Living what is going on the show intensely and passionately  

 

 

Edited November 8, 2016 by spidergirl

[karyshamy]

Wow, honestly, I didn't expect to see all these negative reactions here. When I found out about it last night I was really excited about it. So many possibilities to explore, even more if they find an actor kid who does a good job, and they can explore not only comedy, but drama as well. I find Sheldon's life very interesting, and it can start discussions about supersmart children and how to deal with them... I also thought that it would be great to see all the stories that are just weirdly described in the show through side comments come to life. 

When I first read about it, I thought about "Everybody hates Chris" show. Not that I want it to be similar, but it was a great and funny show, and I imagined Jim narrating the story, or Amy and him having dinner one night and he starts to tell her his stories from the past... I don't know why, but I can't think of this project as something bad.

[No Regrets]

I just asked myself whether or not I'd want to see the childhood of Leonard (cause I wondered whether me disliking the idea of a Sheldon spinoff was just my bias talking), and I can honestly say: hell no. For pretty much the same reasons some Sheldon fans don't want a Sheldon spinoff. Leonard had an awful childhood, one that I can't imagine anyone could find humor in. And I agree with those who say there's the danger of them completely re-writing canon. 

I get that they wanna keep making money with TBBT, but the idea is just as bad as "Joey" (Friends). 

[wowbagger]

I'm a little puzzled by the thought process here. I mean, I suppose it could turn out all right - I like the 'X-Men: First Class' films (mostly), and I have liked some comic book origin stories - which is basically what this is.

But - I mean, comic book origin stories are working towards solving a conflict or an enigma. What put two friends on opposite sides of a war? Why does the angry loner have metal claws and no memory? That sort of thing. What is the central mystery they're solving with Sheldon? Hand on heart, do people really think you can sustain a show with explanations for every one of Sheldon's existing foibles? They already blew their wad with the Tragic Origins of the Triple Knock (hang on a sec, let me pick up my eyes. They rolled all the way across the Atlantic). Do they really think they can spin gold out of 'The One Where Sheldon's Thing About Brunch Is Explained', 'The One Where Sheldon's Relative Relaxation About Thursday Is Explained' and so on?

Not to mention: as @April already pointed out, the actual circumstances of Sheldon's childhood sound...pretty grim. Parental infidelity, bullying and isolation? Such larks! Not to mention trying to thread the needle of the show's already.....relaxed....attitude towards continuity. So then you're left with two choices: try to wring laughs from some pretty dark stuff (not exactly 'CBS Family Friendly') or ignore a lot of continuity, and risk pissing off the people who followed you to watch the story of How Sheldon Became Sheldon, Or At Least The Sheldon Of Season One.

Which is another point: who exactly is the audience supposed to be here? The people who like TBBT (and Sheldon) enough to be drawn to a Sheldon origin story, but not so much that they'd be bothered by a change in tone or a complete overhaul of continuity? I'm sure they exist, and maybe even in large numbers. But it seems like an unnecessarily high level of difficulty.

I'm guessing it was just an easier sell for risk-averse network executives? 'Young Sheldon!' makes for a punchier pitch than 'spectrum-y boy genius growing up in Bible Belt'. But then: aren't TV show spinoffs notorious for ignominious early deaths? 'Frasier' is an honourable exception, of course, and even that wasn't a prequel.

Yeah, I... I dunno.

 

ETA: Plus, can you imagine the episodes where Li'l Sheldon meets Li'l Leonard or Li'l Amy? Shudder.

Edited November 8, 2016 by wowbagger

[SRAM]

I agree, I'm not interested in seeing the childhood of any of these guys.   And concerning the girls, we have only to watch the dating my teenage daughter to get an idea of Penny's because it sounds like it was a lot like Bridget's.  I imagine that the guys lives were depressing, no friends, being picked on, girls being mean, their parents not understanding, and things like that, which are not funny to me.  Plus I don't like shows were kids are the main characters, that is for the Disney channel.

[Zhalen565]

When you've got fed up of Sheldon being pushed in your face in a supposed ensemble show, what are the chances of the disaffected, like me, actually  watching this show. In my case a figure approaching zero as to be statistically indistinguishable from zero.

[jenafan]

After reading everyone's posts and thinking more on this, although I love Sheldon, the thought of a prequel series doesn't sit well with me.

I agree that the rest of the cast and JP's acting is what has made Sheldon appealing to me. I've enjoyed seeing his evolution on TBBT.

I cannot see how they can go back to his childhood without creating a lot of inconsistencies. How can they make comedy out of the drama from his background and make us care and want to tune in every week given what we have now?

As a Shamy, the idea of a Shamy spin-off after TBBT ends definately has my vote. However, I'd be willing to sacrifice even that if it means more TBBT with Shamy and Lenny.

[Lina78]

Spin-off is a very very very bad idea. Don't do it people!!!

[shamyyellow]

3 hours ago, jenafan said:

I cannot see how they can go back to his childhood without creating a lot of inconsistencies. How can they make comedy out of the drama from his background and make us care and want to tune in every week given what we have now?
 

Everybody keeps talking about Sheldon's heartbreaking childhood and asking how they could make a comedy out of the drama... but haven't they already done that with TBBT? Every single story he's told has been met with a laugh -- even this season when he revealed why he knocks 3 times. You know, "the first one is traditional; two and three are for people to get their pants on." Almost everything about all of these characters is tragic and if you wrote it down without comedic styling, this show would be dark.

Tuning in every week knowing what we know now would be for those who like a success story, right? Despite everything Sheldon has gone through, he's a beloved character who has grown leaps and bounds in directions nobody would've imagined. I said this before, but if they were to air side-by-side, I think it would be fantastic if every episode of the spinoff shares a theme with TBBT. Young Sheldon struggles to make friends vs. Sheldon having a fun time with the friends we all know and love. Or young Sheldon proclaiming that love is a joke because of the example his parents have set vs. a sweet Shamy episode. 

It obviously won't be everybody's cup of tea.

[rice sheldon]

They compared this spinoff idea to Malcolm in the Middle. I LOVE Malcolm in the Middle. That's probably one of my favorite shows of all time... And it really isn't that much of a stretch. Child in a dysfunctional household with really shitty siblings ends up being a boy genius. And Malcolm could get pretty damn dark... They were constantly dealing with financial problems and Francis in military school, etc. 

But the Sheldon prequel will be missing some of the key elements that made Malcolm in the Middle work for me. We already know that, towards the end at least, the relationship between Mary and George Cooper was pretty loveless. Hal and Lois were a super-couple. They had their dysfunctions, but they were so in love that it didn't matter.

Malcolm may have been small and smart, but he was also witty and sarcastic, and knew how to play people to his advantage. I can't imagine watching a show where Malcolm is sad all the time and has no friends (aka, a show where Malcolm is Sheldon). 

Another thing missing is that Malcolm, Dewey, and Reese have their issues, but they all get along at the end of the day, because they are all linked by the fact that they all are rowdy boys and like to do stupid shit. What do Missy, Sheldon, and George Jr. even share? He seems to have no fondness for them.

For these reasons, I think that striving to make the Sheldon prequel like Malcolm in the Middle is impossible, unless you change Sheldon and his whole family. Yikes. 

Also, I REALLY have no desire to see sad little Sheldon dealing with life, wishing that his Pop Pop were still there... It's sad enough to hear him talk about that. 

But, if this spin-off becomes a reality, will I watch it? You bet your butt I will. I don't know if I will continue to watch it (I'm reminded of the Disney spinoff of Boy Meets World that I abandoned because it just wasn't the same) but I'll at least give it a shot. 

[Tensor]

Remember, comment all you want about what you think of the idea of the prequel, do not tell others how to post or negatively comment on other members posts.  Such as referring  to other posts as closed minded or complaining people are negative about the current show.   Posters are allowed to be negative, just as posters are allowed to be positive about the show.  If you think post violates our rules, report it, don't comment on it.  Posts have been edited and hidden.  

[Ranger Rosa]

FANCAST TIME:

Who should play the young Sheldon?

Younger Meemaw?

Pop-pop?

George (his father)?

Young Missy and Young George Jr.?

 

All I could think when I read these news was: "omg it will look like 'The Middle' soooo damn much!"

 

[April]

23 minutes ago, Ranger Rosa said:

FANCAST TIME:

Who should play the young Sheldon?

Younger Meemaw?

Pop-pop?

George (his father)?

Young Missy and Young George Jr.?

Unless they go with toddler!Sheldon Pop-pop would already be dead.

Edited November 8, 2016 by April

[shamyyellow]

Just now, April said:

Unlike they go with toddler!Sheldon Pop-pop would already be dead.

They could still include him in flashbacks. 

[Ranger Rosa]

26 minutes ago, April said:

Unless they go with toddler!Sheldon Pop-pop would already be dead.

OH...that's a problem

25 minutes ago, shamyyellow said:

They could still include him in flashbacks. 

OH...that's a solution

Still, I'd like to hear your bets. The only boy I can see playing young Sheldon is Jacob Tremblay, because IMO he is the only A+ male infant actor that I know. Plus, his mouth even is kinda simillar to Jim's...

And then someone from Disney or Nickelodeon to teenager Sheldon. Don't worry, they always have someone  

[BigBangEnthusiast]

2 hours ago, Ranger Rosa said:

OH...that's a problem

OH...that's a solution

Still, I'd like to hear your bets. The only boy I can see playing young Sheldon is Jacob Tremblay, because IMO he is the only A+ male infant actor that I know. Plus, his mouth even is kinda simillar to Jim's...

And then someone from Disney or Nickelodeon to teenager Sheldon. Don't worry, they always have someone  

I had to look up Jacob Tremblay. I think he could pull off the look of a young Sheldon. I don't think I've seen him in anything, so not sure how he'd do acting-wise.

[Ranger Rosa]

25 minutes ago, BigBangEnthusiast said:

I had to look up Jacob Tremblay. I think he could pull off the look of a young Sheldon. I don't think I've seen him in anything, so not sure how he'd do acting-wise.

Watch "Room". Omg, that little boy is so cute and brilliant! <3

[Lady in Red]

I'm thinking that the Sheldon Show could be told each week as a separate flashback, perhaps narrated by Jim Parsons.  Sort of like The Waltons, which was framed as stories of his childhood by John Boy.

You would not need to tell the stories in chronological order.  You could have several different young actors playing Sheldon.  A very young one for his potty-training journals.  Another for stories about his birthday parties and driving with his dad.  Another for his years as a young student at university.  All beginning with narration by present-day Sheldon to set the scene.  "I'd like to tell you about our family cat, Lucky."  And, so on.

Could be fun.

[SRAM]

1 hour ago, Lady in Red said:

I'm thinking that the Sheldon Show could be told each week as a separate flashback, perhaps narrated by Jim Parsons.  Sort of like The Waltons, which was framed as stories of his childhood by John Boy.

You would not need to tell the stories in chronological order.  You could have several different young actors playing Sheldon.  A very young one for his potty-training journals.  Another for stories about his birthday parties and driving with his dad.  Another for his years as a young student at university.  All beginning with narration by present-day Sheldon to set the scene.  "I'd like to tell you about our family cat, Lucky."  And, so on.

Could be fun.

That might work, I'd probably watch the Snowball episode.