"The Big Bang Theory's" Sheldon Prequel Series in the Works at CBS
by Lesley Goldberg
11/7/16


CBS is looking to keep TV's No. 1 comedy series going — with a twist. The network is developing a spin-off of "The Big Bang Theory", The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Sources say the comedy, from "Big Bang" co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and overseen by showrunner Steve Molaro, will center around the young version of Emmy winner Jim Parsons' Dr. Sheldon Cooper. Insiders describe the project as "Malcolm in the Middle" but with a young and potentially teenage version of Sheldon.

None of "The Big Bang Theory" cast are said to be involved in the potential prequel series outside of Parsons, who will exec produce.





The project, which is said to have landed at CBS with a sizable penalty attached, will be a single-camera comedy — a shift from"Big Bang's" traditional multi-cam format.

Additional details about the project are being kept under wraps.





The spin-off news comes as "Big Bang" is in its 10th season and has not yet been renewed beyond that.

CBS and "Big Bang" producers Warner Bros. Television declined comment.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-bang-theory-sheldon-prequel-series-works-at-cbs-944826

Oh please no. The Big Bang Theory is already awful and needs to end already. We don't need a spinoff.

Oh please no. The Big Bang Theory is already awful and needs to end already. We don't need a spinoff.

Especially since it's being described as being similar to Malcolm in the Middle, haha.

You know as much as I hate to say that the show is tiresome sometimes and the characters annyoing especially Sheldon and while I'm not saying that Jim Parsons is irreplaceable but he basically embodies the character of Sheldon.

Just like Henry Winkler as Fonzie and Jaleel White as Steve Urkel these are TV characters closely associated with their actors that you can't just replace with a younger version hoping to recapture that magic, the audience is a lot smarter than what TV execs think.

I for one don't really care but if it comes to fuition I hope it bombs big time.

If they stay true to the character, it's going to be a sad sitcom. And, short.

Meet Young Sheldon
by Michael Ausiello
March 2, 2017


Sheldon Cooper, meet thy younger self.

Iain Armitage — one of the breakout child stars of HBO’s "Big Little Lies" — is nearing a deal to play Jim Parsons’ pubescent doppelganger in CBS’ in-the-works prequel of "The Big Bang Theory", TVLine has learned.





It’s worth noting that CBS has yet to formally place a pilot order for the untitled spin-off, which would center on a young Sheldon growing up in Texas. Parsons will executive-produce, along with "Big Bang" co-creator Chuck Lorre and current showrunner Steve Molaro.

The news comes as CBS and Warner Bros. are hammering out a new two-year renewal deal for "The Big Bang Theory", a process reportedly being stymied by a contract stalemate involving supporting players Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch.

Warner Bros. and CBS declined to comment or confirm Armitage’s casting.

http://tvline.com/2017/03/02/big-bang-theory-spinoff-young-sheldon-iain-armitage-cast/









Laurie Metcalf's Daughter Zoe Perry to Play Mom to Young Sheldon in "Big Bang Theory" Prequel
by Michael Ausiello
March 2, 2017


Talk about putting the meta in metaphysics. Laurie Metcalf’s real-life actress-daughter Zoe Perry is nearing a deal to play the mother of Young Sheldon in CBS’ in-the-works "Big Bang Theory" prequel .

Metcalf, as you know, currently recurs on "Big Bang" as the mother of Adult Sheldon (Jim Parsons).

Warner Bros. and CBS declined to comment or confirm Perry’s casting.

http://tvline.com/2017/03/02/big-bang-theory-spinoff-zoe-perry-mother-young-sheldon-prequel/

"The Big Bang Theory" Spin-off "Young Sheldon" Gets CBS Series Order, Rounds Out Cast; Jon Favreau Set to Direct
by Nellie Andreeva
March 13, 2017


"Young Sheldon" is officially a go. CBS has closed a deal for a straight-to-series order to the single-camera comedy spin-off from the network’s blockbuster multi-camera comedy "The Big Bang Theory" for the 2017-2018 season.

Jon Favreau has come on board to direct and executive produce the first episode of the series, created by "Big Bang" co-creator/executive producer Chuck Lorre & executive produce/showrunner Steven Molaro.

The series will be narrated by Jim Parsons as his "Big Bang" character, adult Sheldon, and is described as being in the vein of "Malcolm in the Middle". It follows Sheldon Cooper (Iain Armitage) at the age of 9, living with his family in East Texas and going to high school.





Lance Barber will play Sheldon’s father, and Raegan Revord and Montana Jordan will play his siblings, joining previously cast Armitage and Zoe Perry, who plays Sheldon’s mom.

At an investor conference last week, CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves said "Young Sheldon" will likely air behind "Big Bang" next season. That, of course, is contingent on securing the pending two-season renewal, which Moonves said was “on the two yard line.”





On "Big Bang", there have been clues about Sheldon’s childhood in Galveston, TX, with his older brother George; fraternal twin sister Missy; their mother Mary Cooper, an overtly devout Evangelical Christian played by Laurie Metcalf whose daughter Perry will portray her in the prequel; and father George Cooper, an alcoholic who was never around.

Parsons, who had the initial idea that led to "Young Sheldon", Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Todd Spiewak will serve as executive producers of the series, from Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television.

http://deadline.com/2017/03/young-sheldon-spinoff-prequel-the-big-bang-theory-cbs-series-order-cast-jon-favreau-chuck-lorre-steven-molaro-1202042417/

I'm sure that it will get every consideration, since it will provide a good opportunity to mock people who aren't from New York or California.
Of course. How else would it get on network television? I'm sure his mother's religion will be a frequent target since she is Christian. Lorre wouldn't have it any other way.

This could be interesting.

You know how there are people annoyed by Sheldon and just wish to punch him in the face, I wonder how punching out a 9 year old may seem?

It sounds kind of like el-stinko.

You know how there are people annoyed by Sheldon and just wish to punch him in the face, I wonder how punching out a 9 year old may seem?
I don't want to know.

I just don't see this show working. It is sort of a prequel. Maybe Jim Person's new deal included a great time slot and a minimum amount of episodes to be shown so it may last a season or two. With people burned out on TBBT it will be interesting to see if the audience transfers.

with a young and potentially teenage version of Sheldon.



Only if the show lasted over four years, but I don't see this lasting beyond the first season. Jim Parsons is Sheldon Cooper; no one else can take his place let alone a child actor.

Sneak preview Monday, Sept. 25, then Thursday at 8:30/7:30c after Thursday Night Football concludes.


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CBS Says "Young Sheldon" Trailer Tops 22 Million Views
by Denise Petski
May 23, 2017


CBS’ trailer for the new fall comedy series "Young Sheldon" has been racking up views since its debut at the network’s Upfront presentation in New York City on May 17. The trailer for "The Big Bang Theory" spinoff has been viewed more than 22 million times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube combined, the network says.

"Young Sheldon" premieres in a special time period on Monday, September 25 (8:30-9 PM, ET/PT). It will move to its regular Thursday time slot following "The Big Bang Theory" on November 2 (8:30-9 PM, ET/PT).



The anticipated new comedy follows 9-year-old genius Sheldon Cooper (Iain Armitage) growing up in East Texas with his parents, older brother and twin sister, and going to high school.

The series also stars Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Raegan Revord and Montana Jordan. BBT star Jim Parsons narrates.

http://deadline.com/2017/05/young-sheldon-trailer-big-bang-theory-spinoff-tops-22-million-views-cbs-1202100845/