Summary
Weeks after it ended, Meemaw actor’s criticism overYoung Sheldon’s cancelation is proven by new data from CBS. On the heels of the dual strikes of 2023 and the delayed start of the whole TV year, it was announced thatYoung Sheldonwould be ending with a shortened seventh season. Rumbles about the show wrapping up, however, started even before theYoung Sheldonseason 6 finale, as the prequel reached the point in the timeline where Sheldon was supposed to leave Texas and move to California. Despite that, however, the confirmation about the show ending didn’t come until several months later.
After significantly fewer episodes, theYoung Sheldonfinaledelivered an emotional send-off for the Coopers. Tackling the aftermath of George’s tragic death, the first half of the series-capper was devoted to his funeral. After that, the prequel shifted its storytelling to ending Sheldon’s story in Texas and transitioning him into his new life at Caltech. The ending was objectively good, especially in light of several disappointing finales. That said, there has been an argument thatYoung Sheldonshouldn’t have ended with season 7. Potts has echoed that sentiment and a fresh update proves she is correct.
CBS Proves Annie Potts' Young Sheldon’s Cancelation Problem
Young Sheldon Ended Being TV’s Number 1 Comedy
Before the show entered its final month,Potts openly criticizedYoung Sheldon’s cancelation, citing how it was a bad business move, considering how popular the series was. She also revealed that they were ambushed by the decision to endThe Big Bang Theoryprequel. Several weeks after the project officially wrapped up its run, the official viewership data from the shortened 2023-2024 TV season confirms her claims, withYoung Sheldonbeing the most-watched comedy of the year(viaTV Line). Overall, it posted 9.3 million weekly viewers, a far cry from the second place,Ghost, with 8.2 million.
SinceThe Big Bang Theoryendedin 2019, its spinoff took over its place as TV’s number 1 comedy. By the timeYoung Sheldonwrapped up, it had won that accolade five years in a row, which is a testament to its consistency. Even as the series evolved beyond its original premise and transitioned to become more like an ensemble show, it was able to maintain its success and viewership. Looking at these numbers, it’s difficult not to agree with Potts' sentiments.
Young Sheldon Finale Theory Suggests George Actor’s Secret Funeral Character Is The Missing Cooper
Lance Barber played a secret character during George’s funeral and a theory suggests that she may be the missing Cooper in the Young Sheldon finale.
How Young Sheldon Could Have Continued After Sheldon’s Move
CBS Didn’t Have To Launch A New Show To Continue The Coopers' Story
CBS is continuing the Coopers' story in Texas afterYoung SheldonviaGeorgie and Mandy’s spinoff,Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriage. That said, there was actually a more seamless way to move the family forward without launching a new show that would have a different format. For context, the sequel will have a multi-cam set-up compared to its parent show being a single-cam comedy. By a slight rebranding toThe Coopers, which would accurately reflect the project’s storytelling anyway, CBS would have been able to keep the remainder of the cast after Sheldon moved to California andGeorge’s death.
InGeorgie And Mandy’s First Marriage, none of the other Cooper family members will be returning as series regulars aside from Montana Jordan and Emily Osment. This means that despite the storytelling potential for Meemaw and Missy, their stories will likely never fully play out on the screen. The pair and Mary may pop in as guest stars, which is something that the creatives behind the new show have previously alluded to. That said, they won’t be the focal point of a major storyline afterYoung Sheldonagain. That’s disappointing, considering that all of them are fan favorites.
What Young Sheldon May Have Looked Like After Losing Sheldon And George
Young Sheldon Left So Many Stories Unexplored
It may be odd forYoung Sheldonto rebrand toThe Coopersafter Sheldon left, but ABC transforming Roseanne toThe Connersis a perfect example of why this can actually work. If anything, the proposed CBS show has a better chance of succeeding, considering that the shift won’t involve any behind-the-scenes drama. Besides that, there’s also a wealth of stories that The Coopers can tell following this major break in storytelling. Since diversifying its narratives,Young Sheldongradually made each family member equally importantto the show, hence why Georgie and Mandy’s romance started.
Had CBS gone down this creative route, Georgie and Mandy’s arc could have continued within The Coopers. There won’t be a change in format, which is a good thing, considering that it could maintain the tone thatYoung Sheldonset. Meanwhile,Meemaw and Dale’s love story can also flourish, especially sinceThe Big Bang Theoryprequel left them finally getting used to living together. It would also be great to see what becomes of the rest of Connie’s community service penalty.
While Georgie moves forward with his new responsibility and Sheldon focuses on his studies at Caltech, the mother and daughter are left to simply pick up where they left off.
Finally, and perhaps the most intriguing part ofThe Coopers, are the individual and collective stories of Mary and Missy. While Georgie moves forward with his new responsibility and Sheldon focuses on his studies at Caltech, the mother and daughter are left to simply pick up where they left off. Only now, George is dead, and the house is almost empty.The Big Bang Theorypreviewed their continued strained relationship — something thatThe Cooperscould have developed properly if given the chance to bring both characters on a full-time basis.
1 Cooper Family Member Absence At George’s Funeral Makes Young Sheldon’s Ending Sadder
Friends and colleagues join the Coopers for George’s funeral, but one family member’s absence makes the Young Sheldon finale more heartbreaking.
Sheldon’s Exit Would Have Time-Proofed Young Sheldon
After Sheldon’s Departure, Young Sheldon Could Have Continued Indefinitely
There’s no denying thatIain Armitage was so great in the role of Sheldon. He made the character his own while also honoring the legacy of Jim Parsons. That said, Sheldon was the reason whyYoung Sheldonwas forced to end. Had it not been for his established timeline inThe Big Bang Theory, the project could have continued. Ideally, he would be part of the show’s full run, butYoung Sheldonhad long outgrown its original premise. It wouldn’t have been difficult to move forward with the prequel without the boy genius.
Once Sheldon left, however, CBS could have continued the Coopers' story inYoung Sheldonindefinitely because not much was known about their life in Texas without Sheldon. As previously laid out, there’s no scarcity of storylines that they can explore, especially as the family continues to grapple with the unexpected death of George. There’s stillabout a decade before Sheldon meets Leonard in Caltech, as established inThe Big Bang Theory, allowing him to still regularly come home to his family and be a recurring guest star.
Georgie And Mandy’s First Marriagewill premiere as part of CBS' 2024-2025 TV schedule.
Young Sheldon
Cast
A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.
