The Big Bang Theory’s Steve Molaro has attempted to explain why Sheldon Cooper isn’t as “annoying” in the show’s prequel series.
Since Young Sheldon debuted in 2017, fans of the original show have been quick to point that the smaller version of the nerdy scientist is much more agreeable that the one they learned to love over 12 years.
Now, the executive producer has revealed that it was a conscious decision to have the youngster be significantly less acerbic than his grown-up counterpart.
“When we were writing that pilot we didn’t want to just write him as adult Sheldon and have a kid just say it,” Molaro – who created Young Sheldon along with Big Bang Theory showrunner Chuck Lorre – recalled during a recent appearance on the I Saw That Years Ago Podcast.
“As annoying as adult Sheldon can be, he can get away with it so we decided he’s not this person yet – we made him a lot more naive.”
It’s worth noting that, as he’s only nine-years-old, Sheldon (Iain Armitage) is constantly being held to account for any bad or snobbish behaviour by his mother Mary Cooper, and grandmother, Meemaw too – unlike when he’s surrounded by his Big Bang pals, who tend to tiptoe around his hypersensitivity, sarcastic quips and seemingly complete lack of empathy.
Young Sheldon’s interpretations of Mary and Meemaw are different to the ones in the series, which is another thing viewers have pointed out since the show began.
In May, Moralo told fans of the spin-off that the cast and crew preferred to unravel a “slick” story over maintaining continuity any day.
“Any time you make a shift in a show, it’s a little daunting. I had been through it so many times on Big Bang Theory, but if you don’t make those changes and you don’t go for it, I think the bigger risk is stagnating,” he told TV Line.
“If it’s going to hurt the show, I’m willing to get a little creative with it, but in this case, I think it was time. We were all ready to do it. Creatively, it’ll be good to get him in a new environment, so [there’s] not too much fear about that.”
