The Undeniable Impact: 5 Sitcoms That Inspired Young Sheldon's Genius

Summary

Young Sheldon is a departure from The Big Bang Theory, adopting a single-camera setup and a more nostalgic, family sitcom atmosphere.

The spinoff tackles more complex and morally ambiguous plotlines, including the death of Sheldon's father and his mother's unfaithfulness. Young Sheldon takes inspiration from popular shows like Malcolm in the Middle, Reba, That '70s Show, Happy Days, and The Goldbergs, incorporating elements from each while carving out its own unique narrative.

Young Sheldon, a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, draws inspiration from more than just its predecessor. While it shares its origins with The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon takes a significant departure from the original show's format. Unlike its predecessor, which followed a traditional sitcom setup with multiple cameras and a laugh track, Young Sheldon embraces a nostalgic family sitcom feel with a single-camera setup and a narrator. This shift in aesthetics allows the spinoff to explore more dramatic storylines, adding depth and complexity not seen in The Big Bang Theory.

As Young Sheldon approaches its seventh season, it remains uncertain how it will handle the weightier subjects of Sheldon's father's death and his mother's decision to cheat. These plotlines alone venture into darker and morally complex territories, surpassing anything previously seen in the original series. Unlike The Big Bang Theory, which leaned towards light-hearted silliness, Young Sheldon aligns more with creator Chuck Lorre's earlier successes in shows like Dharma and Greg and Two and a Half Men. Lorre took a bold approach when developing the spinoff, deviating from his proven sitcom formula and drawing inspiration from various classic comedies along the way.

5 The Big Bang Theory

Young Sheldon drew inspiration from The Big Bang Theory for its main character, but its influence goes beyond that. The relationships between Sheldon and his siblings, Missy and Georgie, as well as the depiction of their mother Mary, were also established in the original show. To maintain a sense of authenticity, the casting for Mary Cooper in Young Sheldon even brought in Laurie Metcalf's real-life daughter, Zoe Perry, to portray the younger version of the character. This decision proved to be wise, as Young Sheldon frequently deviates from The Big Bang Theory's established storyline in various aspects.

While Young Sheldon maintains Sheldon's love/hate dynamic with his sister Missy, it presents a different image of his father. In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon's father, George Sr., was portrayed as a disloyal alcoholic who had passed away long before the events of the show. However, Young Sheldon portrays George Sr. as a kind-hearted and relatable figure, with his occasional flaws being no more significant than those of his family members. Given the emphasis on Leonard and Penny's relationship in The Big Bang Theory, it remains to be seen how Young Sheldon will handle the upcoming canonical death of George Sr., which will undoubtedly have emotional consequences.

4 Malcolm in the Middle

The often overlooked Malcolm in the Middle, a show that perpetually did not receive the recognition it deserved, had already delved into the concept of a child prodigy maneuvering through the challenges of preteen and teen life within a dysfunctional yet affectionate family of outcasts in a small town. This was years before Young Sheldon came into the picture. Despite Young Sheldon's initial seasons featuring storylines in which Sheldon was mistakenly labeled as a Communist and engaged in feuds with the local Pastor, The Big Bang Theory spinoff still deviated from the unique aspect that set Malcolm in the Middle apart as a sitcom on network television. The show prominently highlighted the financial struggles of its working-class protagonists, while Young Sheldon, although occasionally referencing monetary issues, barely touches upon the theme of social class.

3 Reba

While Malcolm in the Middle's central family shared similarities with the Coopers, Reba's dysfunctional Texan clan bore an even stronger resemblance due to their shared home state, the protagonist's husband's infidelity, and one of her children unexpectedly becoming a teenage parent. Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman, who both appeared in Reba, also had roles in Young Sheldon, with Peterman portraying "the other woman" in both shows. However, there is one significant distinction between Reba and Young Sheldon; as the title suggests, Reba centered around its single-mother protagonist, whereas Young Sheldon is undeniably Sheldon's show, as evident from cameos by The Big Bang Theory's future heroes and the show's name itself.

2 Happy Days

Both That '70s Show and its spiritual predecessor Happy Days discovered that centering a sitcom around a time period approximately 20 years before the show aired created a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. Young Sheldon utilized this same technique, as the spinoff takes place in the late '80s and early '90s. This decision was not only a matter of necessity, considering Sheldon's childhood occurred during this era, but also a deliberate choice to explore the decade rather than moving forward in time, following the example set by The Big Bang Theory's first spinoff. This decision stems from a notable phenomenon that has contributed to the success of other shows.

Happy Days, despite not being set in the present, achieved tremendous popularity during the 1970s. While the show's endearing characters and well-written scripts deserve credit for its widespread appeal, much of its success can also be attributed to its ability to evoke nostalgia. After all, the essence of Happy Days was deeply rooted in its 1950s setting. Recognizing the effectiveness of this nostalgic approach, the creators of Young Sheldon cleverly capitalized on the trend. Thus, the series chose to adopt the same strategy employed by That '70s Show and Happy Days, focusing on a sitcom protagonist who grew up during a time period that viewers now wistfully remember.

1 The Goldbergs

Speaking of nostalgia, The Goldbergs was a network sitcom that focused on an endearing young nerd, who received both guidance and torment from his well-intentioned but reckless older brother. It also captured the essence of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, solidifying its position as a significant influence on Young Sheldon. Fortunately, the creators of The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff were able to highlight distinct differences between the two shows. Firstly, Young Sheldon did not excessively fixate on its time period like The Goldbergs did with the 1980s.

Furthermore, while The Goldbergs remained firmly rooted in the ‘80s, Young Sheldon progressed into the ‘90s. Nevertheless, Young Sheldon’s most popular episodes serve as evidence that the show drew considerable inspiration from The Goldbergs. Sheldon’s first Comic-Con mirrored Adam’s preoccupation with nerd culture, Young Sheldon’s well-intentioned but indolent George Sr was reminiscent of the earlier show’s stern father figure, Murray, and both shows showcased affectionate yet unhinged mothers who were fiercely protective. Fortunately, The Goldbergs concluded before Young Sheldon, enabling The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff to establish its own identity.