Producers: Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, Jim Parsons, Todd Spiewak
Starring: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Raegan Revord, Montana Jordan, Annie Potts, with voice-overs by Jim Parsons
Intentionally following the recent trend, CBS’ spinoff of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ sticks its landing with impeccable casting, sharply funny dialogue and a distinctly different vibe than the long-running mother ship.
The fall season’s best new comedy, set in the fictional East Texas town of Medford 1989, has its own charm and a breakout kid star in Iain Armitage as brainy, pernickety nine-year-old high school freshman Sheldon Cooper. He’s very winningly assisted by former child actor Zoe Perry (Laurie Metcalf’s daughter) as his nurturing mom Mary.
This is executive producer Chuck Lorre’s first and so far only “single-cam” comedy without either a laugh track or “live studio audience” component. He says it’s been a tough transition for him after creating and producing a string of “multi-cam” sitcom hits, including ‘Big Bang’, ‘Two and a Half Men’ & ‘Mom’. But there’s no indication of that in Young Sheldon’s first episode, which begins with narrator and ‘Big Bang’ fame Jim Parsons telling viewers that “I’ve always loved trains” while his pre-teen self plays with one.
Sheldon also is very fond of bow ties and Radio Shack (subject of a terrific episode-ending joke), has a germ phobia at the family dinner table and is fastidious about adhering to his high school’s official dress and conduct codes.
“Lord, look after my son. Don’t let him get stuffed in a gym bag,” mom says under her breath while driving Sheldon to his first day of class.
Here we see, Sheldon has an older brother who just wishes he’d go away. His name is Georgie (Montana Jordan) and he’s named after his football coach father (Lance Barber). A second antagonist is Sheldon’s tart-tongued twin sister Missy (Raegan Revord), who assures him he’s going to get his “ass kicked” at his new school, where poor Georgie has to share classes with him. He vents his pent-up frustrations on the football field in one of the first episode’s occasional serious moments.
Look closely and you’ll also see a cameo by Bob Newhart, who’s guested on ‘Big Bang’ as one of Sheldon’s childhood heroes, “Professor Proton”. New series regular Annie Potts isn’t in the pilot, but has been added as what CBS publicity materials describe as Sheldon’s beloved Meemaw, his “foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Texas grandmother.”
She supposedly appreciates her grandson’s “unique gifts”, but East Texas as a whole does not. “The only Newtons they cared about were Wayne — and fig”, narrator Parsons sniffs at the start after referencing famed physicist Isaac Newton. Let’s subtract a point or two for condescension, although it quickly passes.
Sheldon’s dad may not know an isotope from a Popsicle, but he’s not a dick-head, either. Barber’s George Sr. instead is a decent sort who tries to relate to his younger, brainy son and contributes his own warm moment near episode’s end. All in all, this is the most appealing new set of TV parents since a long time.
‘Young Sheldon’ ends up having a mind of its own, even if it’s a prequel to a long-established hit. Armitage and Perry in particular are a perfect pair as precocious son and protective but not overbearing mom.
My Verdict
My Ratings
4
There’s an awful lot to like here, with high expectations not only met but exceeded.
