Comparing The Big Bang Theory Characters Between Young Sheldon and their Original Show: A Comprehensive Analysis

Article Overview

CBS maintains that The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon coexist within the same fictional universe, despite occasional discrepancies in the storyline. This alignment presents challenges in terms of Young Sheldon's narrative coherence and conclusion.

In The Big Bang Theory, the adult counterparts of characters like Sheldon, Mary, George, Missy, and Meemaw are portrayed as inferior compared to their versions in Young Sheldon.

On the other hand, Young Sheldon's portrayal of Tam and the Pasadena gang (Amy, Howard, and Sheldon's friends) is considered to be subpar when compared to their depictions in The Big Bang Theory. Tam is depicted as more cruel, while the appearances of the Pasadena gang are too short-lived to leave a lasting impression.

Despite the differing portrayals of the characters, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon coexist in the same universe. While there's no denying the numerous plot inconsistencies between the shows, it would be preferable to establish them in separate realities. Nevertheless, CBS maintains their connection. This poses challenges for Young Sheldon's storytelling, as adhering to the existing canon requires tackling complex storylines and wrapping up earlier than desired.

Insisting on the shared universe between Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory not only impacts the future of Young Sheldon but also diminishes the quality of the nerd-centric sitcom. The two shows feature several characters, each depicted in contrasting ways. Some characters shine in Young Sheldon, while others are more successful in the original series.

8. Better In Young Sheldon: Sheldon

Inspired by the popularity of Jim Parsons' Sheldon, it makes sense that CBS expanded The Big Bang Theory universe with a show focusing on the character. Young Sheldon serves as the origins story of the socially inept genius, placing a significant amount of emphasis on him (especially in the initial seasons). Consequently, it is evident that the portrayal of the character in Young Sheldon surpasses that of his adult counterpart. Unlike Parsons' rendition, Iain Armitage's portrayal is more serene and exhibits an enhanced level of consideration. He demonstrates greater emotional intelligence and genuinely displays concern for others without any external coercion.

7. Better In Young Sheldon: Mary

Apart from Sheldon, Mary Cooper has made the most frequent appearances in The Big Bang Theory. Her regular visits to Pasadena to keep an eye on her son meant that the Pasadena group spent considerable time with her. In terms of her overall presence in The Big Bang Theory, there is no doubt that she shines even more in Young Sheldon. While Mary in The Big Bang Theory tends to be impolite and judgmental, often using her faith as an excuse for her unfavorable behavior, her counterpart in the prequel is still devout but not as harsh or offensive.

6. Better In Young Sheldon: George

Young Sheldon originated from Sheldon's desire to narrate tales from his childhood. Alongside disclosing his enthralling experiences as a prodigious young Texan, he often centered his anecdotes around his father. Regrettably, a majority of these stories painted George in a negative light. Due to George's absence in The Big Bang Theory, he was unable to refute Sheldon's claims of being an inadequate father. This disparity between the two series remains one of the most significant inconsistencies in Young Sheldon, as it challenges George's portrayal. While it is true that George is not without his faults, there should be no uncertainty regarding his unwavering commitment to his family.

5. Better In Young Sheldon: Missy

In contrast to Mary, Missy had limited screen time on The Big Bang Theory, but she quickly captivated viewers. However, it was Young Sheldon that truly expanded upon her character. As the prequel delved into her story, Missy emerged as one of the most beloved characters on the show. Time and again, she has proven herself to be the finest Cooper. Not only is she charming and clever, but she also possesses unwavering loyalty and emotional maturity beyond her years. Although she has faced her fair share of challenges, it is not uncommon for a teenager to feel unseen by those they hold dear.

4. Better In Young Sheldon: Georgie

Due to a falling out, Georgie didn't make an appearance on The Big Bang Theory until season 11, just prior to Sheldon's wedding to Amy. By that time, he had already achieved success as a business owner, mirroring his portrayal in Young Sheldon. However, adult Georgie's personality differed greatly from his younger counterpart. He exuded arrogance and even had a reputation as a playboy, which was quite disheartening given his remarkable support during Mandy's unexpected pregnancy.

3. Better In Young Sheldon: Meemaw

While the portrayal of Georgie has sparked extensive discussion, Meemaw's depiction has been largely overlooked. Sheldon's affection for his grandmother was widely known on The Big Bang Theory, but even his portrayal didn't align with June Squibb's snooty and mean version of the character. However, Young Sheldon presents a more tender and endearing depiction of Meemaw, who refuses to be taken advantage of by anyone.

2. Worse In Young Sheldon: Tam

During the final season of The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon was already in its second year. With the realization that the era of the nerd-centric sitcom was drawing to a close, CBS developed a strategy to solidify its connection to the prequel. Many years before the memorable Young Sheldon crossover, where Sheldon watched a videotape of his father delivering a motivational speech to his football players, The Big Bang Theory's twelfth season introduced Tam - Sheldon's childhood best friend. Until then, Tam had never been mentioned due to their falling out. While Young Sheldon's Tam exhibited naivety and even cruelty, the portrayal of the character in the main series was much more subdued and mature.

1. Worse In Young Sheldon: The Pasadena Gang

Only Amy and Howard have made voice cameos in Young Sheldon. Sheldon has enlisted his wife's help twice now for the prequel's voice-over. During Amy's first guest appearance, she and Sheldon revealed that they have a son named Leonard Cooper. In her second cameo, they openly discussed the dynamics of their marriage. Meanwhile, Howard was brought in to shed light on the true source of Sheldon's disdain for engineers and engineering. These moments featuring them in Young Sheldon are particularly significant because they occurred after The Big Bang Theory came to an end. However, they were unfortunately too brief to leave a lasting impression.

In the Young Sheldon season 2 finale, the rest of the Pasadena gang made their respective appearances as a tribute to The Big Bang Theory's ending. They only appeared briefly towards the end of the episode, during Sheldon's emotional Nobel Prize listening party. While Sheldon sat alone in the Coopers' garage awaiting the announcement of the winners, CBS showed what his friends were doing. However, instead of the original cast, young actors were cast to portray them. Although it was heartwarming, it didn't fully capture the personalities of the Pasadena gang.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of The Big Bang Theory, I was excited to hear about the prequel series, Young Sheldon. I was curious to see how the show would portray the characters I had come to know and love as children. Overall, I think Young Sheldon does a good job of capturing the essence of the characters, but there are some notable differences.

One of the biggest differences I noticed is in the portrayal of Sheldon himself. In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon is often seen as a quirky and socially awkward genius. However, in Young Sheldon, he is shown to be more compassionate and understanding. This is likely due to the fact that Young Sheldon is set in a smaller town, where Sheldon is more likely to be accepted for who he is.

Another difference I noticed is in the portrayal of Mary Cooper, Sheldon's mother. In The Big Bang Theory, Mary is often seen as a overbearing and religious woman. However, in Young Sheldon, she is shown to be more loving and supportive. This is likely due to the fact that Young Sheldon is set in a time when religion was more prevalent and accepted.

Overall, I think Young Sheldon is a great show that does a good job of capturing the essence of the characters from The Big Bang Theory. However, there are some notable differences between the two shows, which is to be expected since they are set in different times and places.