I would watch the BBT prequel if Laurie Metcalf continued her role as Sheldon's mother.
2
Oh good grief. I look forward to this show about like I yearn for another root canal.
I have a challenge for Mr. Lorre. How about a show where you don't trash mothers.
I have a challenge for Mr. Lorre. How about a show where you don't trash mothers.
3
Here's a fun fact: Ian Armitage's father, Euan Morton, is currently on Broadway playing King George in "Hamilton."
3
Love BBT and even watch the reruns all the time (my wife and I quote lines at each other). Not sure if this will work; what kid growing up in E. Texas (or any part of Texas for that matter) would wear a bow-tie to public school? "Grown" Sheldon does not usually wear a tie, why wear one as a child? Maybe I quibble, but I wish the very talented creators had come up with a fresh idea and characters.
1
In one episode of BBT, Sheldon offers to fix Penny's toilet because "when one spend much of his childhood with his head in the toilet, one learns a few things about if. And by the way, calling one's self one is a surefire way to have one's head in a toilet." Curious to see whether incidents like that are in the show.
1
Yawn!
"The Big Bang Theory" as really interesting and really funny for the first few years.
But lost its mojo a long, long time ago, and "Young Sheldon?"
How about reviving "Six Feet Under", Netflix? Or "Louie?"
"The Big Bang Theory" as really interesting and really funny for the first few years.
But lost its mojo a long, long time ago, and "Young Sheldon?"
How about reviving "Six Feet Under", Netflix? Or "Louie?"
3
Watched a few scenes of Big Bang episodes, however never interested enough to ever watch the show. Saw a preview of Sheldon, laughed and thought I need to try that show. Doubt it will last long, I am not the demographic TV executives wish to reach.
Gee, thanks for letting us know. Bazinga!
1
From the previews that I have seen, "Young Sheldon" appears to contradict some of the things revealed in "The Big Bang Theory," for example mention was made on BBT of the family living in a mobile home, yet the house shown on YS promos is considerably nicer. Maybe they had a reversal of fortune, but I don't think so. Maybe Mr. Lorre and his writers have changed things to make the new show more palatable and that's why the character of Young Sheldon himself seems to be nicer than older Sheldon
2
The thing that worries me about "Young Sheldon" is that Iain Armitage will take on the personality of the character he portrays, if he hasn't done so already.
I am shure, this show will handle mental health very tastefully... With nuance and kindnes, just like the jokes in the big bang theory...
2
I started watching TBBT about two years ago (reruns). I think it's one of the funniest sitcoms ever aired. And it certainly is unique. Not sure if I'll watch this. Prequels and sequels tend to be pretty bad.
3
It's Doogie Howser MD. But nobody remembers that show under the age of 40, so it doesn't count.
5
I can only speak for myself and my circle of friends, but we are under 40 and remember it quite well.
1
I really don't hold out hope for this new show (but then, I've never been a fan of its parent show). That said, if by some fortune this thing succeeeds, how many good seasons can it be looking at? My God, the young actor will outgrow his cuteness within two or three years!
2
Fred Savage managed to stay adorable on The Wonder Years for five seasons.
3
Surprised that Mr. Koblin did not include Mr. Armitage's wonderful series of live theater reviews on YouTube called "Iain Loves Theatre." They are adorable, funny, informative and rather a kick in the pants for "the adults" to get to live theater. Oh, and precocious...did I mention precocious? A perfect choice for young Sheldon.
5
Since the election of Donald Trump, I have absolutely no faith in the predictive abilities of the NYTimes' readers, reviewers or columnists. They're awful. This will undoubtedly be a smash since so many here are turning their noses up at it.
7
I have absolutely no faith whatsoever In Donald Trump ... he's worse than awful. Most Americans turn up their noses at him, his wife and his god-awful kids.
3
Because of "The Big Bang Theory," we already know what Sheldon was like as a child. In fact, we seem to know everything about him as a youth. He was not popular. He was not likable. He was not friendly. He was arrogant. He was smug. He was supercilious. Making young Sheldon the opposite of these attributes is wrong and goes against the very nature of the character.
Why not do something daring? Something different? Actually make him a rude, unlovable snot. A lot of non-network comedies have an edge. "Young Sheldon" should have one as well.
Why not do something daring? Something different? Actually make him a rude, unlovable snot. A lot of non-network comedies have an edge. "Young Sheldon" should have one as well.
8
Something different? Ha! It is network television, after all.
Sheldon was all those things you say. However, he also was a genius, and he also was a kid. I'm sure as a kid he was hurt by other kids, which probably contributed to the lack of emotion in his personality. As that genius, he probably outwitted many adults around him, which could be funny. A classic formula for humor is the sane man in the insane world or vice versa. From Sheldon's perspective, it's the former. From everyone else's, it's the latter. Either way, it has potential.
Sheldon was all those things you say. However, he also was a genius, and he also was a kid. I'm sure as a kid he was hurt by other kids, which probably contributed to the lack of emotion in his personality. As that genius, he probably outwitted many adults around him, which could be funny. A classic formula for humor is the sane man in the insane world or vice versa. From Sheldon's perspective, it's the former. From everyone else's, it's the latter. Either way, it has potential.
1
Gee, I feel like a cultural moron; I still like BBT, although I am not in the coveted age 18-54 demographic. Juvenile Sheldon Show sounds dreadful--I predict a quick death!
1
They had a good run. In general good writing combined with good professional acting plus some rehearsal time almost always works. This is obvious to almost everyone except the people who make the programming decisions. It's been true since "The Addams Family." "Big Bang" slipped through the executive-nitwit screen because of "Two and a Half Men" (the episodes prior to the awful continuation). One key to both shows is that a single joke is not overburdened with comebacks (a temptation for writers), unless of course the comeback is the joke.
2
cbs has dumbed down spectacularly, especially lately. at least put this new dog on early when children who are still up may like it, instead of inserting it as 'prime time 9pm est'.
6
Something new please. Big Bang Theory seems to have been on since primal particles were attracting...and now a "prequel" no one asked for. Network TV is like a shambling zombie: dead, but still moving.
4
Big Bang is the least funny show I ever saw. If it wasn't for its ubiquitous laff track there would be no laughs at all.
9
I guess you never saw "George Lopez."
1
I love this show and was introduced to it ages ago by my now 18 year old cousin. It's the only show beloved by my whole family, including senior citizens--one with Alzheimer's, baby boomers, millennials and a dog. It's not the same kind of humor, but it reminds me how as a kid, our whole family loved to laugh at any and all those shows Lucy, Phil Silvers and Jackie Gleason were in.
And, Mike, I feel about most of the tv comedies the way you feel about Big Bang Theory. I have a feeling we are going to need more not fewer comedies in 2018, so here's hoping this one works out. The kid playing Young Sheldon was terrific in the HBO short series, Big Little Lies.
And, Mike, I feel about most of the tv comedies the way you feel about Big Bang Theory. I have a feeling we are going to need more not fewer comedies in 2018, so here's hoping this one works out. The kid playing Young Sheldon was terrific in the HBO short series, Big Little Lies.
I am one who is not looking forward to "Young Sheldon." TBBT has been nothing if not pure, sheer genius, as was Mel Brooks's "Young Frankenstein." (I do believe the latter was half the inspiration for the name of the former.) Of course I will, out of curiosity to see if it can be pulled off, watch it until it proves itself, one way or the other. But, lord, will I miss Penny.
3
It is bizarrely disingenuous that Chuck Lorre, one of the most successful TV impressarios of our time, would feign ignorance about the differences between multi camera and single camera filming.
4
Aspergers is not a superpower. Aspies will hyper focus on one thing. I have seen children obsessed with prime numbers, old school phones, or the second season of Spongebob. You don't get to choose. It is not an adaptive mind and they handle transitions and changes very poorly. These children border on tragic and need tons of care.
6
The Big Band Theory is unwatchable. Not only is it pretentious and sophomoric, but the laugh track is so intrusive I found myself paying more attention to it than to what apparently passes as entertainment for way too many people. The dumbing down of America is alive and well and exists within the confines of shows just like this.
6
You can compare it to Veep and Master of None, but one runs on HBO and the other on Netflix. Creating a smart, single camera comedy on CBS is a whole other thing. But, then, will it actually be smart?
2
A prequel to a painfully unfunny show. I give it a month.
2
Been a fan of BBT since it's inception - was part of a test audience in Las Vegas before it premiered (there was another Penny then even I think). There is some well-founded criticism of the show/science/topics , but honestly I just like "hanging out" with the characters the same way I did with Friends.
All being said - I have no interest in this show which is too bad since creators seem to be intent on trying to migrate their BBT audience over now that it seems to be winding down, everyone is married/kids/etc which is usually where these things end up.
All being said - I have no interest in this show which is too bad since creators seem to be intent on trying to migrate their BBT audience over now that it seems to be winding down, everyone is married/kids/etc which is usually where these things end up.
2
The Big Bang Theory became tedious and monotonous long ago. Fail to see how or why this spinoff was ever hatched, but then again I have underestimated the viewing public before...
7
After watching Big Little Lies I'm really interested in seeing Iain Armitage in this show - he's a very talented kid. His theater critique on You Tube is really something. Hoping the show will be enjoyable and a success.
4
What is the concept of this new show, if the Big Bang Theory is in part about adults acting like children? If this show ignores the bullying, the humiliation, that a kid like that would face in the real world for carrying a briefcase and wearing a bowtie, then it's going to be short-lived, because it wont be believeable at all. Or funny, either.
Chuck Lorre's shows stick out because they're uniformly terrible and popular. I expect this show to be no different. There's no accounting for taste on CBS.
7
I love Big Bang, and I'll probably watch at least the first episode of Young Sheldon, but I'll reserve judgement until then. Almost every show with kids as crucial characters make them so obnoxious and unpleasant that I lose interest. For example, Modern Family has been like that for a while. I watch it for the adults, because the kids are just too conceited and annoying.
3
Comparing this to "The Wonder Years" seems odd. With "The Wonder Years", it was the context of Vietnam that made the show interesting (and it didn't hurt that the show's target audience was Kevin's age during the war). But maybe the comparison is apt: "Wonder" lost steam after three or four seasons. This show may do the same...
1
Watch the trailer. There isn't going to be a season 2.
I have watched Big Bang Theory since the beginning, and like Sheldon.
However, the concept of Sheldon as a child does not interest me at all.
I will probably not be watching this new fall addition.
However, the concept of Sheldon as a child does not interest me at all.
I will probably not be watching this new fall addition.
8
Although I enjoy The Big Bang Theory, they have made the Sheldon character more human and likeable over the seasons, a reality that would NOT be true in real life. And then to present a show in which the child is charming rather than obnoxious, is so unrealistic. And I know this from experience step-parenting.
1
I actually feel sad for knowing this because it means I was sucked into this endlessly derivative universe and couldn't escape, but the BBT takes its cues from the Star Trek franchise, where each series had to have a character that became more "human" over time, as if that was axiomatically for the best. The original series had Spock, then Data in "Generations", Odo in "Deep Space Nine" and The Doctor in "Voyager". If the BBT continues, it's inevitable that Sheldon will become a father and then it's kaput.
1
There are a lot of shows out there about geniuses with no social skills. Too many, probably.
I predict an early death for this one, though who knows?
I predict an early death for this one, though who knows?
13