The Big Bang Theory VS Young Sheldon
Round #1: How They Use Their Ensemble Cast
Top 10 Young Sheldon Easter Eggs Only Big Bang Theory Fans Will Get
In the earlier seasons of “The Big Bang Theory,” the core group consisted of Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Howard, and Raj. Even so, it’s very clear that this is the Sheldon, Leonard, and Penny story. Nevertheless, we still largely felt that this was an ensemble sitcom. When Amy and Bernadette joined, things changed. Suddenly, there were more stories to tell and characters to follow. Yet, as the series progressed, the balance wavered, leaving some characters overshadowed. Amidst the chaos, their shared love for takeout meals seemed to be the only activity holding them together. By the end, it was as if the stage was being set for the Sheldon-centric prequel. While the prequel’s title suggests it will focus on just one character, it actually features a strong ensemble cast. The Coopers (and Meemaw) quickly break free from being mere side characters in Sheldon’s story, instead becoming beloved figures with their own captivating tales. These aren’t just time-filling extra plot points either; they’re well-developed, engaging stories that make the family feel real and relatable. Not everything revolves around Sheldon, either. Sometimes, he’s the supporting character and other times, he’s not even there! Throughout the series, we’ve gotten to know and love each character in their own right. How else could a Georgie and Mandy spin-off possibly work? We love “The Big Bang Theory” gang but “Young Sheldon” gives us more opportunity to love the cast as an ensemble as well as individuals, so “Young Sheldon” gets our vote this time. WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 0/ Young Sheldon 1
Round #2: Their Supporting Casts
Top 10 Questions We Have About The Big Bang Theory After Watching Young Sheldon
“The Big Bang Theory” wouldn’t be complete without these integral side characters. Each adds their own humor and depth to the show. For instance, the quick-witted Leslie Winkle, obnoxious Barry Kripke, and the ever-sardonic Professor Proton all leave their mark. What about the parents? From the Koothrappalis to the sharp-tongued Beverly Hofstadter and the well-intentioned Mary Cooper. Even Mrs. Wolowitz, though unseen, won our hearts. Sheldon’s friendly rival, Wil Wheaton, and Penny’s charming yet clueless ex-boyfriend, Zack, also add their own layer of hilarity. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten Stuart! Even though the others might overlook him sometimes, to us, he’s still a key member of their extended circle. When you've got such a stellar ensemble cast like in “Young Sheldon,” there isn't necessarily much need for supporting players. Nevertheless, where would the show be without characters like Dr. Linkletter and Dr. Sturgis, who provide companionship for Sheldon or vy for Connie's heart? Then there's Dale and his ex-wife, June, perfect sparring partners for the quick-witted Meemaw. Pastors Jeff and Rob also weave into The Coopers’ lives, along with the Sparks next door. While they all add to the mix, their main job is to push the main crew's story forward. The only exception might be Paige, who gets a deeper backstory beyond just being Sheldon's intellectual rival. While “Young Sheldon’s” wider circle provides plenty of memorable moments, the side characters are the expansion “The Big Bang Theory” needed. WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 1/ Young Sheldon 1
Round #3 The Format & Plot
UK Office VS US Office Round 2
One of the best aspects of “The Big Bang Theory” is how most of its storylines wrap up neatly within a single episode, meaning you could pop in and out as you please and still be able to follow. While there are overarching plots that span multiple episodes or seasons, viewers could generally count on antics being resolved within the 20-or-so-minute runtime. However, this also means that some plot points were left frustratingly unresolved. It also means they mostly only skimmed the surface of deeper or more serious topics. As the series went on, it seemed like the writers were losing steam, and we felt like we were slogging along with them until the end. Coming from the same minds behind “TBBT,” you might expect “Young Sheldon” to follow this format too, but no. Sure, you could easily become a casual viewer. However, you may miss key details and find yourself scrambling for answers online during breaks, especially deeper into the series. With the focus on a family this time, it’s natural to get invested in their lives, kind of like catching up with old friends. These stories feel more fleshed out and real, and the familial dynamics can feel rather familiar. Even the darker or more serious stuff gets more screen time, which helps us build genuine interest and empathy for the characters. Much like some of its storylines and characters, this is where “The Big Bang Theory” falls into the cracks, so we’re going with “Young Sheldon” this time. WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 1/ Young Sheldon 2
Round #4: Their Humor
Top 10 Things About Young Sheldon That Make No Sense to a The Big Bang Theory Fan
Look, you don’t get to be a 12-year-long sitcom with critical acclaim and numerous accolades without doing something right. However, looking back, much of the parent series’ humor has not aged well. Many of the series’ gags rely on offensive tropes that we doubt they could get away with if they were writing it today. That isn’t to say that all of the series’ humor should be dismissed or that we can’t still find plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. We just mean that if it wasn’t for the laughter track, some of these jokes would probably now be met with an uncomfortable silence. Perhaps Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady learned from the past, or maybe making a series focused on a kid genius simply calls for a completely different style of comedy. Either way, the humor on “Young Sheldon” is far more wholesome. Sheldon’s tongue, of course, still has its sharp sting. Meanwhile, Connie is the queen of sass, and Missy is the resident savage. Yet, the core of the humor lies in the family’s dynamics and their interactions with their circles. Most importantly, the humor doesn’t feel forced; rather, it flows naturally, perfectly suiting the characters and circumstances. These jokes don’t need a laugh track to tell us they’re funny. This one goes to “The Big Bang Theory,” Bazinga! “Young Sheldon” takes the round. WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 1/ Young Sheldon 3
Round #5: Running Gags
Top 10 Funniest Young Sheldon Running Gags
“The Big Bang Theory” is renowned for its recurring gags, which have become a cornerstone of the sitcom’s charm. Sheldon alone has many memorable ones, like trying to understand sarcasm, his spot, his three knocks, “Soft Kitty,” etc. Meanwhile, Leonard gets mocked for his lactose intolerance, Howard gets teased for not having a Ph.D., and “Emily or Cinnamon” speaks for itself. Amy’s girl crush on Penny, Penny’s love of wine, and Bernadette sounding like Howard’s mom add to the comedic mix. Honestly, there are just too many to list here, but they’re some of the best parts of the series. “Young Sheldon” doesn't quite have the same signature running jokes as its predecessor. While there are a few, like Missy’s sharp wit, Georgie’s money-making schemes, and plenty of funny family dinner scenes, the series mostly builds on the groundwork laid by “The Big Bang Theory.” It either maintains the already established jokes or explains the origins of Sheldon’s quirks, as seen in adulthood. Still, it is fun to see some of our favorite recurring jokes pop up again in the prequel. To be fair, it's tough to match the original series, which did a fantastic job of creating jokes that are now part of pop culture. So for that reason *knock knock knock* “The Big Bang Theory” wins this time *knock knock knock* “The Big Bang Theory” wins this time *knock knock knock* “The Big Bang Theory” wins this time WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 2/ Young Sheldon 3
Round #6: Pop Culture References
Top 10 Big Bang Theory Questions That Got Answered in Young Sheldon
Love it or hate it, “The Big Bang Theory” played a sizeable role in bringing nerd culture into the mainstream. Fans of “Star Trek,” “Harry Potter,” “Indiana Jones,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Game of Thrones,” and more saw themselves represented to some extent in the show. These pop culture moments are deeply woven into the characters’ personalities, from comic books to video games to the latest “Star Wars” movie. We’ve watched them bake Death Star cakes, collect all sorts of props (some larger than life), and even visit Skywalker Ranch. These references not only define the series but also encapsulate the spirit of its time. “Young Sheldon” is like a time machine to the late 80s and early to mid-90s. While Sheldon plays (now) retro video games, Georgie and Missy groove to Bon Jovi, George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, and Madonna, who would’ve been at the height of their fame back then. Missy’s also into Joey from “Blossom” and shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which premiered in 1990, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which first aired in 1987. Want a big dose of nostalgia? Check out the titles in the family’s video store. After six seasons, we finally got the “Princess Bride” shoutout we'd been waiting for since Dr. Sturgis, a.k.a. Vizzini, first appeared. While both present nostalgic time capsules of their eras, we’re saying “talk to the hand” to “The Big Bang Theory” since “Young Sheldon” simply covers more ground and reaches a wider audience appeal WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 2/ Young Sheldon 4
Round #7: Guest Stars
Top 20 Best Young Sheldon Guest Stars
“The Big Bang Theory” had lots of famous guest stars and cameos throughout its 12 seasons. The guys rubbed shoulders with luminaries like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Steve Wozniak, and Stephen Hawking. In one episode, astronaut Buzz Aldrin even makes a brief cameo! Sheldon teams up with James Earl Jones for some hilarious antics, like pranking Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher. Speaking of “Star Wars,” Mark Hamill, a.k.a Luke Skywalker, officiates Sheldon and Amy’s wedding. We also get a short, albeit Marvel-ous cameo from the Stan Lee. Sarah Michelle Gellar even shows up in the final episode! It really is a who’s who of famous faces. “Young Sheldon” also had a great lineup of guest stars, like Jason Alexander as drama teacher Gene Lundy, Steve Burns as Nathan, and a fun cameo from Cyndi Lauper. Dave Foley pops in as a misguided and infuriating investor, while Penn & Teller play personified zit and pus. Meanwhile, Melanie Lynskey nails it as the professor who sends Sheldon into an existential crisis. Also, did we mention that Dale’'s ex-wife June is played by Reba freakin McEntire! Anyway, “The Big Bang Theory” fans were thrilled by voice cameos from Simon Helberg and Mayim Bialik, reprising Howard and Amy, respectively. Did you also recognize Kaley Cuoco’'s voice creating a splash as Sheldon's nightmare pool? The force may be with “The Big Bang Theory” on this one, but “Young Sheldon” is our overall winner. WINNER: The Big Bang Theory 3/ Young Sheldon 4 Does our winner have validity? Let us know in the comments.
