Young Sheldon

I was surprised how many people dislike the pilot. I thought it was an interesting idea done well. And now that I've watched six episodes, I feel fully justified in saying this is terrific television.

The show centers on the childhood of The Big Bang Theory's high- functioning autistic genius Sheldon Cooper. Sheldon is a quirky savant in a very ordinary family with a religious mom and a puzzled dad. Too smart for his peers, the 9-year-old Sheldon is boosted to high school, where he promptly alienates everyone.

Some people complain that Sheldon is too annoying, but why would you want a series about a young Sheldon if you didn't want to see someone annoying? I find the kid version less irritating, primarily because he is powerless and thus is not, like his adult counterpart, bullying and browbeating and insulting his friends to get his way. Young Sheldon is just trying to survive and, more importantly, learn.

In fact, my main concern is that Sheldon seems a little too normal. He's got some funny habits and is a bit obsessive, but I would have expected someone far *more* obnoxious and weird. He really just seems precocious and socially clueless.

I wasn't surprised that Sheldon is socially inept or sometimes rude - if you are, then once again I have to ask why on earth you watched this show. I was surprised at the sweetness of the series. Sheldon's mom is wonderfully understanding and supportive, and even his dad has occasional moments of rough, loving insight.

Some people have said there aren't any jokes in this series, but it's actually very funny. No, there aren't any Catskills comics material, but if you think there are no jokes I think you just need the BBT's laugh track.

Sitcoms give me ulcers, yet TBBT is enjoyable despite the detestable canned laughter, hence Young Sheldon is an immediate improvement, though the beauty is more than skin deep. Initially it rides in tandem with its elder sibling, but has blossomed beyond its roots into an independent exploration of family dynamics, tackling everyday issues with empathy and humour.

Iain Armitage and especially Reagan Revord as twins Sheldon & Missy, are fabulous offering sensitivity, scope for growth and comedic opportunity not possible in TBBT.

It took until episode 5 of season 2 for me to realise that this has no laugh track, yet it is much funner than the show it spins off from, The Big Bang Theory. Don't get me wrong I have been watching TBBT from day one and will continue to watch it, but Young Sheldon is much much funnier.

Like another reviewer stated, it must have been a huge chore trying to find a child to play Young Sheldon, but they have done a fantastic job. For me the whole cast does a brilliant job, but my favourite is Montana Jordan as Georgie, closely followed by Annie Potts as his Grandmother and Lance Barber as his dad.

Excellent show and one I look forward to watching each week.

While I agree with the criticisms other reviewers have said about young Sheldon , I enjoy the supporting cast very much especially MeeMaw and Georgie . I'm guessing the creators couldn't manage to snag Laurie Metcalf for her iconic role as Mary Cooper , which makes for the very big shoes to fill (her real life daughter does however, do a good job) .... Anyway , good clean family viewing is very far and few in between so I'm grateful for this show .

I have a problem with the reviewers complaining about how Sheldon is such a brat and at the same time say they watch TBBT. If they watch that show then they must know Sheldon is a brat. In this show, though, we have a 9 year old version of a bratty Sheldon. In both cases he isn't bratty because he's spoiled or mean hearted. He's bratty because he's a genius and a social simpleton. That's the point. I Iiked the show right off but I can also say that it has improved as these brief, less than 30 minute, episodes are able to develop the characters and relationships more. One reviewer complained about the lack of character development after only watching the first show! I also think the actor playing young Sheldon is doing a great job. As with the adult Sheldon the young Sheldon is sincere, wants to be good, knows his own mind but also knows that he doesn't understand social norms and so listens to those close to him although he reserves the right to not accept those norms. I enjoy the family dynamic and the situations that arise because he's special. This family is much more realistic than the Malcom in the Middle family, a show one reviewer touted as being at a level this show couldn't come up to. The characters in MITM were ridiculously stupid. The characters in Young Sheldon each ha ve a unique personality and do things that you have seen others do or can imagine others doing, like Sheldon's brother trying chewing tobacco, repeatedly spitting it out in disgust then saying "I must be doing something wrong". The writing warms the heart as we watch a family moving past disagreements and difficulties caused by their special Sheldon - all realizing that they love him and he's family which is more important than those disagreements and difficulties.