Although The Big Bang Theory’s upcoming spinoff plan has its appeal, it is still too soon for the sitcom franchise to pull off the best idea for a follow-up. The Big Bang Theory’s finale didn’t leave a lot of room for a sequel, most likely because the hit sitcom had already spawned a prequel by the time it ended. The Big Bang Theory’s cast of characters all ended up fairly content save for Raj and, although Kunal Nayyar’s supporting character was still searching for love, this wasn’t enough plot to sustain an entire spinoff.
By Young Sheldon’s finale, a followup to The Big Bang Theory seemed even less necessary. The show’s ending jumped into the future to offer viewers a glimpse of Sheldon and Amy’s later life, confirming that the pair had children and Sheldon remained comically self-centered despite this new responsibility. Since Young Sheldon’s ending proved that the world of The Big Bang Theory remained the same as it was when viewers left it, it was something of a surprise when The Big Bang Theory’s upcoming spinoff was announced in late 2024.
The Big Bang Theory’s Upcoming Spinoff Won’t Center On The Gang’s Children
The Show Will Focus On Supporting Stars From The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff will focus on the original show’s comic book store owner Stuart, his partner Denise, and the geologist Bert Kibbler. Not a lot is known about the show beyond this basic outline, but it is already clear that The Big Bang Theory’s follow-up will most likely still take place in Pasadena, since this is where Stuart’s comic book store was located. Furthermore, the fact that the spinoff will take place near where the gang lives means it will be difficult for The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff to avoid bringing back the original heroes.
The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff idea would have avoided this issue, but it is too soon for this show to come to fruition. A spinoff of The Big Bang Theory would ideally focus on the gang’s children in their 20s, as this would allow the series to bring back the original cast while still introducing a whole new lineup who felt innately linked to them. If the spinoff’s heroes were the daughters of The Big Bang Theory’s Howard and Bernadette or the children of the original show’s Sheldon, then it would feel like the series was a proper continuation.
The Big Bang Theory’s Spinoff Will Need Original Cast Cameos
The Pasadena Gang’s Absence Will Be Impossible To Ignore
As it is, The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff focusing on the original show’s supporting stars feels like a retread of the original show, particularly when Stuart, Bert, and Denise weren’t all that different from Raj, Sheldon, Leonard, and Howard. Stuart shared Leonard’s sweet but meek nerdy personality, while Bert had Sheldon’s blunt obstinacy and lack of social graces. There were plenty of differences between these supporting stars and the show’s heroes, but not enough for The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff to feel like a unique, original new series.
Furthermore, it is clear from the new show’s setting that The Big Bang Theory’s follow-up doesn’t want to be a totally original new series. The Big Bang Theory’s spinoff will focus on the Pasadena gang’s friends and contemporaries, Stuart, Denise, and Bert. Stuart and Denise work in one of the gang’s favorite hang-out spots, the comic book store, while Bert works in CalTech. In this context, it is hard to see how the spinoff could possibly justify original characters like Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, Penny, Bernadette, Amy, and Howard not showing up.
A Next-Generation Spinoff Would Be Better, But It’s Too Soon For It
The Big Bang Theory Ended 6 Years Ago In 2019
One of The Big Bang Theory’s greatest tragedies was that the series ended before viewers saw how the later lives of the heroes panned out. Like Friends before it, the hang-out show eventually had to come to a close and, unlike its contemporary How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory couldn’t simply jump ahead into the future to tell viewers what happened to everyone. If the creators wait a few more years, a next-generation spinoff could have clued viewers into the fates of The Big Bang Theory gang while introducing their children.
However, it is too soon for this show to arrive now. The Big Bang Theory’s finale aired in 2019 and the spinoff was announced in 2024, meaning a next-generation series like That ‘70s Show’s spinoff That ‘90s Show wouldn’t have made sense. Since this spinoff is not distanced by time or location from the original show, The Big Bang Theory’s follow-up now has no excuse for the absence of the original heroes.
Stuart, Denise, and Bert’s show is sure to feel incomplete without the Pasadena gang around.
A next-generation spinoff would have relied less on The Big Bang Theory cast cameos, as evidenced when That ‘90s Show barely featured the cast of That ‘70s Show. The Netflix spinoff had a story of its own to tell, whereas Stuart, Denise, and Bert’s show is sure to feel incomplete without the Pasadena gang around. While some stars from The Big Bang Theory are happy to reprise their roles, this isn’t the primary problem with the spinoff. The main issue is that it is too soon for an update on the show’s heroes.
The Big Bang Theory’s Best Sequel Could Still Happen
Young Sheldon’s Finale Already Set Up A Perfect Followup
Fortunately, it is not too late for The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff to still happen, although it won’t be the series starring Denise, Bert, and Stuart. Already, Young Sheldon’s finale proved that a sequel series focusing on the original gang’s children would be fun when Amy reminded Sheldon that he would be late for his son’s hockey game. The revelation that Sheldon has a sports-mad kid is already full of potential, as the rest of the gang’s children could be equally unlike their parents.
The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff would still be a next-generation show about the kids of the original heroes, rather than a series about their acquaintances.
Similarly, Sheldon complaining about Penny passing her love of acting on to his children is a hilarious touch that highlights how intensely different Penny and Sheldon’s parenting styles are likely to be. A next-generation spinoff of The Big Bang Theory could center on this, even if the subplot wouldn’t really fit in Bert, Stuart, and Denise’s upcoming show. This alone proves that The Big Bang Theory’s best spinoff would still be a next-generation show about the kids of the original heroes, rather than a series about their acquaintances.
