Summary
Young Sheldon's fate hangs in the balance as the writers determine whether season 7 will be its last due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Despite the filming delay, CBS is making efforts to have new episodes prepared for broadcast as soon as the strike is over. The timeline and aging of the cast pose difficulties for Young Sheldon's future beyond season 7, but CBS is considering the possibility of spin-offs or alternate storylines to sustain the show.
Young Sheldon's future hangs in the balance as the decision whether season 7 will be its final season is currently being made. Like many other scripted series, the Big Bang Theory spin-off has been indefinitely postponed due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes. While Young Sheldon should have already returned from its summer hiatus, the show's comeback remains uncertain due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Consequently, the entire cast is unable to resume filming and produce new episodes for season 7. Nevertheless, with the resolution of the Writers Guild of America strike, the writers' room for Young Sheldon is now operational once again.
Despite filming for Young Sheldon still being on hold, having the writers back at work allows CBS to prepare a number of episodes in advance, ready to be aired as soon as the SAG-AFTRA strike concludes. This ensures that the Big Bang Theory prequel can swiftly release fresh episodes. As the Coopers' story continues on the small screen, the writers face the dual challenges of concluding the unresolved storylines from the Young Sheldon season 6 finale and determining the longevity of the series.
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Why Writers Will Decide If Young Sheldon Season 7 Will Be Its Last
The announcement of The Big Bang Theory's conclusion in 2018 came as a surprise to many, considering its ongoing popularity and the recent wedding of Sheldon and Amy in season 10. CBS had expressed its intention to extend the show with a few more seasons, given its high ratings. However, the departure of Jim Parsons, who portrayed Sheldon, ultimately led to the unanimous decision to bring the series to an end. Recognizing Sheldon as the true lead of the show, it was deemed best to conclude it rather than continue with an incomplete cast.
Why Young Sheldon Season 7 Is Currently Poised To Be The Last One
: In contrast, Young Sheldon sets itself apart due to the commitment of its main actors, who have expressed their desire to continue their roles for the foreseeable future. The show's ability to function as an ensemble series, despite the focus being on a single character, allows it to progress smoothly even if cast members decide to leave. As a result, the likelihood of the main cast remaining intact for future seasons of Young Sheldon is high. Given its immense popularity, CBS is heavily motivated to prolong its presence on television. However, all of these factors become irrelevant if the writers ultimately choose a storyline for the seventh season of Young Sheldon that effectively concludes the show.
The primary reason for ending Young Sheldon after its seventh season is its timeline. As a prequel, the comedy series is bound by the established canon of The Big Bang Theory. While there may be numerous inconsistencies in the storyline between the spin-off and its parent show, it cannot disregard the fact that Sheldon is nearing the age when he is expected to complete his college education, relocate from Texas to Pasadena, California, and commence his post-graduate studies at Caltech. Following his return from studying abroad in Germany, his final year at East Texas Tech will form the central focus of his personal journey.
Will Young Sheldon Season 7 Really Be Its Last?
Furthermore, the seventh season of Young Sheldon marks the end of the guaranteed run for the family comedy. CBS, in an unprecedented move, renewed The Big Bang Theory prequel for an additional three years during its third season in 2021. This renewal ensures that the show will continue until its seventh season. However, beyond that point, negotiations for new contracts will need to take place among all those involved in the production. Given the show's place in the established timeline, there is an argument that it would be more favorable to conclude the series in season 7 rather than navigate the complexities of the business side of things.In the ever-expanding landscape of broadcasting platforms today, it has become quite commonplace for shows to be canceled. Rarely do TV shows have the luxury of concluding their stories on their own terms. However, when it comes to Young Sheldon, ending the series is far from a simple and effortless decision. Initially, the prequel served as supplementary content for fans seeking more of The Big Bang Theory. CBS selected the most captivating member of the Pasadena gang and placed them at the core of this prequel. Since then, Young Sheldon has undergone significant growth, transforming from being solely about Sheldon's journey to encompassing the individual storylines of the entire family.
How Young Sheldon Can Continue Beyond Season 7
Given this, it might appear strange that Young Sheldon is coming to an end simply because one character is departing. Numerous shows have withstood the departure of cast members and, in some cases, even thrived as a result. Although the show's main focus is on Sheldon, it has grown far beyond him. Young Sheldon has become the top-rated comedy on TV, achieving record-breaking ratings in its sixth season. This indicates that it is currently at its peak. If CBS can find a way to prolong its storyline, they will likely be more than eager to order several more seasons.
Given the child actors in Young Sheldon are outgrowing their roles and The Big Bang Theory's established canon, extending the show's narrative beyond season 7 poses a challenge. CBS has previously employed tactics to slow down the aging process of the young cast, in order to prolong the comedic series. However, this approach is no longer feasible as Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord, who play the younger characters, have noticeably aged. CBS now faces two options: either create another spin-off or completely disregard the existing canon.
The first option involves a straightforward approach. In this option, Young Sheldon stays consistent with the storyline of The Big Bang Theory. The seventh season concludes with Sheldon moving to California, and the show undergoes a rebranding as The Coopers. This new version of the series mainly focuses on Missy, Georgie, and the rest of the family as they navigate life in Texas.
On the other hand, the second option suggests a different approach. CBS has the opportunity to completely distinguish Young Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory by placing it in an alternative universe. By doing so, the show can maintain its original cast in Texas, without the need for Sheldon to move or George to pass away.