Young Sheldon EP Says ‘Conversations’ Have Begun About Whether Big Bang Prequel Will End With Season 7
It doesn’t take a genius to see that Young Sheldon is closer to the end than it is the beginning. [pmc_inline_gallery]
The Big Bang Theory spinoff, currently in Season 6, is two years into a three-season renewal, which culminates in Season 7. And according to executive producer Steve Holland, preliminary talks have begun, at least internally, about whether Season 7 will be its last.
“We’ve certainly started to talk about it,” he tells TVLine. “When you’re in the middle of a season, it’s such a grind that we haven’t had too many in-depth conversations. But now, as we’re getting to the end [of Season 6], we’ve started to talk about it more.”
Assuming the prequel’s narrative keeps at a steady pace, Sheldon will turn 14 during Season 7 — the age where, per Big Bang‘s previously established timeline, the future Nobel Prize winner moves from Medford, Texas, to Pasadena, Calif., to begin his graduate studies at CalTech University. That same year, Sheldon’s father George dies and older brother Georgie marries for the first time.
“There are certainly things we know we want to hit next season, and there are certain things where, if it’s the end versus if it’s just [another season], those things might be different. It’s not my decision to make. I don’t think we’ll know for a while, but I don’t think it will effect the first half of [Season 7]; I think it will play out the same either way. But as we get near the end, I think it will play out differently depending on whether this is, or is not, the final season.”
Another factor that could determine the outcome is a potential writers’ strike. Amid rumblings of the Writers Guild of America’s first possible work stoppage since 2007-08 — a strike that interrupted Big Bang in its first season, resulting in a shortened freshman run of 17 episodes — Holland can foresee a scenario where an eighth season is necessary to bring the spinoff to a satisfactory close.
“That’s certainly another thing that throws a wrench into it — if [a strike] happens, how long it goes on, and how many episodes this next season will end up being,” he explains. “Those are questions we can’t even answer; we’d just be speculating. So we certainly have a plan in place of where we’re aiming [to get] next season with some understanding, and some flexibility, that this may or may not be the end.”
For its part, CBS will no doubt want to keep the Young Sheldon train chugging along beyond Season 7. Season to date, the show is averaging 9.3 million total viewers and a 0.9 demo rating (with Live+7 playback), up a smidgen in viewers from last season while down just a tenth in the demo. Among all TV comedies, it is the most-watched and trails only its lead-out, Ghosts, in the demo.
Do you think Young Sheldon should wrap things up in Season 7? Or would you like to see the series continue for many years to come? Sound off in Comments.
I also thought at fourteen, Sheldon spends some considerable time in Germany. I forget if his father has died because I believe Mary, is there at least for part of it. But yeah, I would think there is only so much slowing down they can do as we get to what we know that eventually becomes Sheldon life. It’s not like BBT that can go on for twelve years.
At the rate Armitage is growing, they’re going to have to stop soon anyway.
I have not enjoyed Young Sheldon –too much serious drama (the pregnancy, the near adultry, etc) These themes are taking it away from the enjoyable comedy of TBBT, and I don’t even watch it most of the time.
So don’t watch. The show is brilliantly done and many of us appreciate what they have done with the story, if painful.
Agree 100 percent. Best sitcom on TV today. By far. Nothing else even comes close.
I stopped watching when it started to lose the comedy and became a soap opera. Too serious and I like the kids younger. Changed to much.
It should end.
Sorry. Life is a soap opera and even Big Bang dealt with serious subjects on occasion. And if you don’t watch Sheldon it’s your choice and your loss. It’s a great show and the ratings reflect that.
Agreed!
I agree. Comedies jump the shark when they begin having “very special episodes.” They are watched for the laughs not the tears.
i would like to see it go on and center around the whole family and not just Sheldon. If the time line follows TBBT, Sheldon goes to Cal Tech after his Dad died, so let him go to Cal Tech and concentrate on the rest of the family.
I thought he was teaching calculus at 14. (That may be one of the jokes they’ve decided to ignore. It doesn’t appear he’s even taken it yet.)
Calculus is a first year requirement for physics majors. Physics requires so many math courses that they graduate with at least a minor in mathematics, and often a double major.
If it’s going to end, how about a spin-off focusing on Georgie and Mandy starting life together as young parents while we see Georgie make inroads at the tire shop. Especially if Connie/MeeMaw was a regular. The supporting cast is there, too, with Mandy’s parents…
The Coopers
To be honest, I am tired of Sheldon. We have seen him for 12 seasons on TBBT and now 6 seasons here. To me, he is the least interesting and entertaining part of the show. I have found Georgie, Meemaw and Missy to be more interesting for a couple seasons now and Mandy has fit in very well. I could watch a show focusing on them, with Mary as a recurring character.
Totally agree with you! Would love a spin-off.
The Misadventures of the Cooper Family.
I was just thinking exactly the same thing. And if someone could wave a magic wand and include George in this, my cup would run over!
Agreed, I find the supporting cast more interesting. Especially Georgie and Missy.
I would actually love to see that continue. Georgie and Mandy’s story needs to be told all the way to understand how he actually got into her dad’s business.
I don’t see how that will work. Wasn’t Georgie married three times? There was no mention of a happily married point in time at all. It sounded very much as if Georgie continuously tried and failed at Love so he put all his energy into his car dealerships.
Sheldon’s memories can’t be relayed upon. Proven in a wedding episode on BBT when Sheldon and Georgie have completely different recollections of the same events.
I like this idea because I really enjoy Georgie, Mandy and MeeMaw more than Sheldon anyway. We really enjoy the show and hate too see it end but at some point Sheldon has to move to California. The kids are outgrowing their on screen ages.
Fantastic idea, couldn’t agree more!
As much as I love the show, it has run its course. Sheldon is no longer a kid, and the show has switched from a “fish out of water” comedy about the brainy Sheldon to a family drama. I don’t want to watch George die and Mary wrestle with her grief and guilt.
I wouldn’t mind a spin-off about Georgie or Me-Maw though.
I agree. If not for the baby story line, this year is not interesting. Don’t even care about the Mary/George story. But I do love Me-Maw. She carries every scene she is in!
I so agree with Grace. !
I agree. I don’t want to see a painful family drama or a soap opera. I want to see a family comedy. I agree with many that Meemaw and Missy are the scene stealers. The episode when Meemaw and the coach buy the slot machines and that guy tries to blackmail them and Meemaw slashes his tires so they can escape. More of that please.
I think it should… the young Sheldon cuteness has worn off in puberty. He was beyond annoying in the last episode. However, a Georgie Mandy spinoff with MeeMaw would be fun.
Sheldon became my least favorite character on TBBT (the show could have continued without him, IMO). He is now my least favorite character on his own show.
I wasn’t a big Sheldon fan and I disagree he and Leonard were central to show. Penny too
CBS would be dumb to let Young Sheldon end so soon. A spinoff seems like a good idea. It could be an alternate universe…🤣🤣🤣
Series have been milked long past their expiration date when the ratings are good. It is very rare that a series ends on a high note, with great ratings.
I don’t think Sheldon is ending anytime soon.
As for George and his life ending heart attack, it would somehow seem appropriate if he walked in on Mary and Rob while they were being intimate, and then have George clutch his chest and have his final heart attack.
That twist could be so interesting.
Mary dove head-first into religion when she had complications with Missy’s birth. She became so preoccupied with her religious beliefs that it could cost her, her marriage. And if my scenario played out, George’s life.
That result could cause Mary to re-evaluate her religious beliefs.
1. Don’t leave out Missy! She’s the smartest one in the whole bunch.
2. What complications did Mary have with Missy’s birth? So that means Sheldon is the older twin?
Missy is a brat – I’m tired of her. Actually. I’m tired of all of them. This sit-com series has lost its sparkle, and I would not miss it if it ended tomorrow. With Jim Parsons not acting in it, it is no longer funny. I also suspect the original TBBT writers are not doing it anymore and whoever took their place has misplaced that thing called continuity. Fortunately, we have collected all of the TBBT DVD’s and will just be happy with the purist versions of the series.
Agreed, Missy deserves a Grown-ish type spinoff.
Oh yes, that’s comedy gold. No one wants to watch that.
Better would be if he died in flagrante with Brenda.
I agree. I thought that was how they explained George’s death on TBBT. I know it’s why Sheldon always knocks three times.
The Big Bang Theory DID end on a high note, and it should have been left there. Young Sheldon is a giant fail, IMO. I can hardly stand to watch it.
I would like it to continue beyond season 7. Most sitcoms go on and drag out episodes which make them stale. Love Young Sheldon hope they can continue for a few more years.
It can end after Season 7 (or 8 if there’s a writer’s strike) as long as it turns into The Coopers after that. I mean the last episode just got an 0.7 in the preliminaries…no scripted show gets that anymore. And Ghosts doesn’t beat YS in the demo every week.
I know the title Young Sheldon but the show could continue with the rest of the family and what their future holds. I would watch Georgia and Missy to further into adulthood and Connie and Dale, not to mention what Mary does after George passes. I don’t want George to pass but I think it is inevitable. I think it could go for several more seasons. plus, Sheldon could be seen at college too.
I would love to see this continue WITHOUT Sheldon. IDK if it’s the actor’s interpretation of Sheldon or just poor acting skills, but he is barely watchable.
It’s because Sheldon is, and always has been, obnoxious! They jumped the shark with the first episode and his parents just allowing him to act that way toward everyone.
I”m all for The Coopers spin off or, as she’s my favourite character, a Missy spin off as we basically know nothing about her except she visitis Sheldon and has a couple of kids with an ex-husband from the BBT. So much room to do whatever with the most interesting character in my opinion.
I do agree that Sheldon can move to California now, he’s just annonying.
The show would be SO much better if Sheldon was written out. The storyline with his character is over. Missy and Georgie so much more interesting, than whi er always getting what he wants.
They need to establish that “Young Sheldon” takes place in a parallel universe and show Sheldon visiting the BBT universe and witnessing the Death and Funeral of His father and then return to the “Young Sheldon” universe with a Greater love and appreciation for his father ( then George Cooper can live for ten or twenty more years
Too late. It’s been well-established as a prequel. They can’t “Ha ha! Psych!” their way out of that.
In truth, they need to do something and soon. It I s loosing intrest, and story lines come so fast and end without really ant conclusions. I am getting bored.
I’ve been hoping that they’d let Sheldon leave for college but keep a rebranded show going with the rest of the family. At this point his family is more entertaining than Sheldon.
Seven years is a good run. It’s time.
Top comedy on tv? But They Conners fanboys keep sawing theirs is the most watched, despite being less than half the audience size- less is more in their world???
Ha, no. The Conners barely draws 5 million viewers with L+7 (and a 0.7 demo rating). –Mgmt.
Who on earth is claiming that?
I love the show and look forward to watching it. I would like it to keep running for as long as it can
I stopped watching Young Sheldon 2 years ago. It’s not cute anymore and it’s not funny anymore. I hate hate hate when serious stuff shows up in comedies. So this should be the last season. It’s time to wrap it up!
SO agree!!!
Just because he’ll be turning 14 in S7, it doesn’t mean it has to end shortly thereafter. His dad could easily die if it’s close to Sheldon’s 15th birthday but isn’t quite there. Having George die like the day or two before his birthday could easily explain why Sheldon doesn’t like celebrating his birthday.
We already know why Sheldon doesn’t like celebrating his birthday. Missy tricked him into thinking Batman was coming to his birthday.
I along with others (1 million) enjoy young shelton. We dont want this show to follow the story line of Big Bang..we would like this show to develop independently. George should not die,He is a good father and this needs to continue. We need good family shows. If George dies We will no longer watch the show. Georgie Is also a better person. Again let this show continue to develop into a good show. Please no divorce,no cheating.This is not big bang.
Young Sheldon is a terrific show. I watch it every week & I certainly don’t want it to come to an end. Every actor does a superb job. Please don’t end this great show!
I hope it goes on. I love all the characters, but Missy is my favorite. I love how Georgie has grown up and taken responsibility.
Oh, look another series broadcast will run into the ground and retcon multiple times to continue to milk the cow until she bleeds. S7 should be the last, but broadcast doesn’t believe in ending anything on a high note like cable.
Young Sheldon has run its course as far as the series being all about Sheldon. There are however endless ways a spin-off could happen. For example Georgie’s life, Missy’s life those would be equally funny and entertaining as young Sheldon. Cast of characters are well suited to more building on their life and circumstances. It’d be a shame to not have Mee-Maw to look forward to each week. Just my two cents worth
The absolute best part of Young Sheldon has to be Wallace Shawn. Any scene with him brings a smile to my face.