‘Young Sheldon’ Review: Light And Promising With Zoe Perry

Fans of “The Big Bang Theory” can now have a little bit more of Sheldon Cooper. CBS has released its pilot-preview of “Young Sheldon,” starring young actor Iain Armitage as high schooler Sheldon and Zoe Perry as Momma Cooper. Jim Parsons, who plays Shelly in TBBT, is also part of the flashback show as narrator. Fun fact: Young Sheldon’s dad is played by Lance Barber, who has guested on TBBT as Jimmy Speckerman, someone who always bullied Leonard (Johnny Galecki) in high school.

‘I’m not crazy. My mother had me tested.’

It makes sense for TBBT creator Chuck Lorre to collaborate with TBBT showrunner Steven Molaro to create a world for Sheldon Cooper’s life as a nine-year-old high school kid. First, Sheldon would always bring up his family members in casual conversations. They always sound like funny, relatable, interesting characters who deserve screentime on TBBT.

Secondly, Momma Cooper (Laurie Metcalf) has become one of the most adorable recurring guests on TBBT. The woman has gone through a lot just by being a mom to Sheldon. It would be fun to see how she managed the household in her youth. In present day (spoiler alert if you are not a fan of TBBT), she is widowed and dating. Last season, Sheldon was afraid Leonard’s dad (Judd Hirsch) would be his stepfather. (That possibility has yet to be dismissed.) Third, Sheldon’s fans know how he would respond to accusations that he is crazy. It is normal for fans to wonder: How was his life really like? So, why not have a show about him?

Third, everyone who knew Sheldon knows how he would respond to accusations that he is crazy. Sheldon is a big, complex character from a seemingly normal family. Why not have a show about him?

Review: Like A Light Family Drama

Despite being a prequel to a critically-acclaimed sitcom, “Young Sheldon” is not strictly comedy. Or, at least the pilot was not. The preview looked and felt like a light family dramedy, somewhere under the same genre as NBC’s “This Is Us” (although YS is lighter by about five points). It was filmed like a movie in a single camera set-up, without a live audience and laugh tracks, or some truly hilarious LOL-worthy lines.

What this prequel series has is Sheldon’s mom trying to keep up with her genius son and helping him navigate the world the best way she could. There is a lot of room for drama in that kind of relationship, so viewers are hoping that writers would deliver more of the funny stuff to balance the potential for waterworks. Perhaps things will get better once Meemaw is introduced.

Also in the pilot are Raegan Revord as Sheldon’s twin sister Missy, and Montana Jordan as George Cooper, Jr., the twins’ older brother. Missy was the funniest and snarkiest among the kids. George was struggling with issues linked to having a genius brother. Sheldon’s dad was fired from a coaching job for upholding honesty and integrity among the players. Sheldon made sure his dad knew he was on his side.

Fans of Sheldon Cooper are expected to tune in for more of “Young Sheldon” just because they know the character so well. For the uninitiated, the show has enough family moments that could be endearing, if not oddly addictive. Hopefully, there would be perkier and crispier quotes to catch in the next episodes.

Zoe Perry As Mrs Cooper

Meanwhile, the big winner of the pilot episode is Zoe Perry. Her nuances, timing and delivery all jump out of screen, showing her heart to viewers. She is simply compelling as a loving and feisty mom to young Sheldon.

Viewers from the Philippines can follow “Young Sheldon” on Warner TV — channel 235 on Cignal and channel 34 on SkyCable. The series returns on Nov. 3, Friday, for its regular broadcast schedule.