Summary
Young Sheldon has introduced several new characters that were never mentioned in The Big Bang Theory, creating plot inconsistencies between the two shows.
Mandy, who is Georgie's girlfriend and got pregnant, became a significant character in the show. Interestingly, Sheldon never acknowledged her existence in TBBT, which could be attributed to his estrangement from Georgie. Similarly, characters like Paige, Pastor Jeff, and Dr. Sturgis were also excluded from any mentions in TBBT, likely due to conflicts or changes in their relationships with Sheldon.
Several characters from Young Sheldon were completely ignored in The Big Bang Theory, each with their own intriguing reasons. Despite existing in the same reality, there are numerous inconsistencies between Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory, leading to the argument that they should not be connected. This would allow CBS to freely extend the prequel series beyond the established canon. While this idea is alluring, the network insists that Young Sheldon serves as the origin story for The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon.
However, in recent years, Young Sheldon's storytelling has evolved. Instead of solely focusing on Sheldon's journey, the show has begun to diversify its narratives, resulting in a more well-rounded comedy with multiple intersecting storylines. This expansion of the prequel means introducing additional characters who have a significant impact on the Cooper family's daily lives. The issue is that despite Sheldon's eidetic memory and his tendency to share childhood anecdotes, he never mentioned some of these characters in The Big Bang Theory.
10 Mandy
9 Baby Cece
Georgie and Mandy's relationship on Young Sheldon was initially intended to be a short-term affair. However, when they unexpectedly became pregnant, Mandy's presence on the show became integral. It's strange that Sheldon never mentioned her in The Big Bang Theory, especially considering that Mandy and Georgie are now engaged to be married. If their wedding does take place, it's important to note that the socially awkward genius did mention his brother's first wife, who would be Mandy. Perhaps Sheldon's falling out with Georgie is why he never discussed Mandy in the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory.
The Coopers, Georgie and Mandy, faced sorrow and challenges due to an unexpected pregnancy. These difficulties escalated to the extent that Mary was ostracized by her church community. However, all their struggles evaporated when Mandy gave birth to Baby Cece in season 6 of Young Sheldon. This momentous occasion marked the arrival of George and Mary's first grandchild, which should have been significant for Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory. After all, Sheldon had even returned home to assist in the delivery of Missy's firstborn. Nevertheless, akin to his strained relationship with his brother, it is probable that Sheldon had little to no interaction with Cece during the early years of The Big Bang Theory.
8 Paige Swanson
In Young Sheldon season 2, Sheldon's fellow child prodigy, Paige Swanson, was introduced. While she has never become a series regular, the comedy brings her back every season, allowing the show to continuously develop her own storyline. Due to her parents' divorce, Paige dropped out of school and is now rebellious. The future outcome for her remains uncertain, but it is intriguing why she wasn't mentioned in The Big Bang Theory, especially considering Sheldon and Missy's connection to her narrative. Perhaps Sheldon purposely chose not to discuss her due to their childhood rivalry, or it may be because Paige's story concludes on a somber note.
7 Pastor Jeff
In Young Sheldon, Mary's church is portrayed as the true antagonist, a fact that becomes evident in season 6. Under the guidance of Pastor Jeff, the congregation once played a significant role in the Coopers' lives until they were ostracized. Even though the family no longer attends church, Pastor Jeff maintains a connection with them due to his proximity as their neighbor. Despite his involvement in Sheldon's trip to Germany and the potential for his inclusion in the Pasadena gang's discussions, he is never mentioned. It is possible that Sheldon chooses not to talk about Pastor Jeff in The Big Bang Theory because of Mary's return to church, which coincided with her becoming more judgmental.
6 Dr. Sturgis
As the initial mentor of Sheldon, Dr. Sturgis played a crucial role in inspiring the socially awkward prodigy to pursue theoretical physics as his main focus at Caltech, eventually leading to his esteemed Nobel Prize in the same field. Their interaction, as depicted in Young Sheldon, showcases a remarkable synergy between the two. Interestingly, Dr. Sturgis was also romantically linked to Meemaw at one point, making it perplexing that Sheldon never mentioned his formative mentor to his friends in Pasadena when discussing their respective careers. It seems implausible that there was never a single instance where Sheldon referred to his original mentor, unless there was a falling out between them.
5 Dr. Linkletter
Although Sheldon regards Dr. Linkletter as a mentor, their relationship falls short of the strong bond he shares with Dr. Sturgis. Nonetheless, Sheldon has collaborated closely with Dr. Linkletter since his college days, partnering on various projects. However, their disagreement in Young Sheldon season 6 regarding Sheldon's grant database may explain why he never mentions Dr. Sturgis in The Big Bang Theory.
4 Dale Ballard
After ending her relationship with Dr. Sturgis, Meemaw started dating Dale. Their relationship has been tumultuous in recent years, but in the season 6 finale of Young Sheldon, it appears that they are still together. In addition to that, both Georgie and George also worked at Dale's shop to earn extra money. Therefore, the fact that The Big Bang Theory ignores him should not be a major concern. While Meemaw and other family members regularly interact with him, Sheldon rarely comes into contact with him.
3 Brenda Sparks
In The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon mentions Billy Sparks, but his description of the character contradicts what is portrayed in Young Sheldon. Surprisingly, the show never reveals the name of Billy's mother, Brenda, despite her close connection to the Coopers and Sheldon's own relationship with his parents. It seems odd that Brenda is never mentioned, especially since Mary often visits Pasadena and could have easily brought her up in conversation with Sheldon.
2 Pastor Rob
Introduced in season 5 of Young Sheldon, Rob joined as the new Youth Pastor at Mary's church. Initially, his interactions mainly revolved around Missy and Sheldon. However, the show's storyline shifted towards exploring a potential romantic relationship between Rob and Mary. Despite making limited appearances, Rob's complex connection with Mary remains one of the major unresolved plotlines in the prequel. Since Sheldon remains unaware of the impact Rob's presence had on his parents' relationship in Young Sheldon, there is no reason for him to mention Rob in The Big Bang Theory. Moreover, it is highly unlikely for Mary to bring up Rob either.
1 President Hagemeyer
Aside from his relationship with Dr. Sturgis, Sheldon's connections at East Texas Tech are not noteworthy. Surprisingly, Sheldon never mentions his interactions with the school's president, Linda Hagemeyer, in The Big Bang Theory. There could be various reasons for this. Firstly, Sheldon might have purposely kept his college days a secret from his adult friends, a topic that he seldom discussed even in the main series. Consequently, it is understandable that he never brought up his association with Haegemeyer since it is solely related to East Texas Tech. Secondly, Haegemeyer attempted to sabotage Sheldon's grant database in Young Sheldon season 6, and as Sheldon dislikes discussing his failures, he probably avoided mentioning her altogether.