It's no secret that TV is having a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Between cable and streaming service, there is a wealth of fantastic content being produced, prompting film stars to make their way to the small screen. As such, basic network TV has had to really up their game in order to compete. Luckily for CBS, it managed to do just that with its Big Bang Theory spinoff Young Sheldon. Focusing on Jim Parsons' signature character, the series shows Sheldon as a child genius, and explains some of the quirks we've seen play out in the original series. And it appears that CBS is very happy with Young Sheldon, as it's just been renewed for Season 2.
News of Young Sheldon's renewal, which comes to us from EW, should not serve as much of a surprise. The new sitcom has been accruing massive numbers since it debuted in September, consistently scoring around 12 million viewers for each new episode. And with numbers that high, there is no way CBS is going to let the spinoff slip out of its hands anytime soon.
Of course, this type of viewership is aided by the massive success of The Big Bang Theory. That series is very much CBS' flagpole, and is one of the most popular shows on television. Currently in the midst of its whopping 11th season in the air, Big Bang is just as widely viewed as it was in the early seasons. The fandom was all too happy to adopt another show into its weekly schedule, especially one that contains Sheldon Cooper. Young Sheldon also airs on the same nights as Big Bang, giving it some built in viewership with even casual fans.
Young Sheldon, while a spinoff of Big Bang, is a decidedly different series than its predecessor. It's not shot like a typical single camera sitcom, instead appearing more like a typical multi-camera drama. This gives the series a more cinematic feel, and sets it apart from Big Bang Theory. Young Sheldon also has a ton of heart, especially with its focus on Sheldon and his mother.
It should be interesting to see how Young Sheldon's renewal affects HBO's Big Little Lies. Young Sheldon's title character is played by child actor Iain Armitage, but earlier in the year he captured the hearts of many when starring as Ziggy in the acclaimed HBO drama. Big Little Lies was just renewed for a second season, and it's unclear if Armitage will have time for both projects. TV filming schedules are notoriously grueling, and it's hard enough to lead one series at the age of 9. But if CBS won't allow him to appear in both shows at the same time, then BLL may have to do some creative writing or recasting in order to continue the show's narrative.
Young Sheldon airs new episodes Thursdays on CBS. Be sure to check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch, and our cancellation list to see if your favorite show got the chop last year.
