The end of Young Sheldon was a bittersweet moment for fans who had watched Sheldon Cooper’s childhood unfold over the years. The show’s unique blend of humor, family dynamics, and quirky characters kept audiences hooked for seasons. However, as with any long-running series, some characters—whether due to personality, storyline choices, or their interactions with others—left fans with a lingering feeling of annoyance.
Even a year after the finale, these characters continue to spark debates online, and not all of them are remembered fondly. While some of the Young Sheldon characters were adored for their quirks and growth, others have managed to rub fans the wrong way. Here’s a look at the 10 Young Sheldon characters that fans still can’t stand, and why they’re so frustrating.
1. Sheldon Cooper (Yes, Even Sheldon)
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
It may seem surprising to see Sheldon on this list, but let’s face it—his character, despite being the heart of the show, is often a source of frustration for many. Sheldon’s superior attitude, lack of social awareness, and tendency to alienate those around him can be grating. While his quirks are part of what makes him lovable, his self-centered behavior and constant need to prove his intelligence often test the patience of viewers.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
Even after several seasons of growth, Sheldon didn’t exactly turn into a more likeable version of himself. His disregard for people’s feelings and inability to form meaningful connections left many fans wishing for more character development that didn’t feel so one-sided.
2. Missy Cooper
Why Fans Find Her Annoying:
Missy Cooper, Sheldon’s twin sister, is often portrayed as the opposite of Sheldon in terms of emotional intelligence. However, her constant jabs at Sheldon, combined with her bratty attitude, can make her come off as spoiled and self-absorbed. While she’s supposed to bring a lighthearted dynamic to the show, her character often feels like she’s trying too hard to be “cool.”
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Her:
Many fans felt that Missy’s character never evolved in a way that made her more relatable. Rather than growing or becoming more sympathetic over the years, she frequently seemed to be the troublemaker, with little understanding or empathy for Sheldon’s struggles.
3. Georgie Cooper
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
Georgie, Sheldon’s older brother, often found himself caught up in various ill-advised schemes, especially in his teenage years. His rebellious nature, frequent poor decision-making, and inability to act responsibly made him hard to root for at times. Fans didn’t always see the charm in his character and often felt his antics overshadowed the show’s more compelling plots.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
Although Georgie’s character did show signs of growth, particularly in later seasons, many fans felt that his storyline—especially involving his romance with his much older girlfriend—was annoying and unnecessarily complicated. His constant missteps didn’t always offer the redemption fans hoped for.
4. Mary Cooper
Why Fans Find Her Annoying:
Mary, Sheldon’s mother, is undoubtedly a strong presence in Young Sheldon. However, her overprotectiveness and tendency to put Sheldon’s needs above everything else can be exhausting. While she clearly loves her family, her tendency to coddle Sheldon and ignore the needs of her other children sometimes rubs fans the wrong way.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Her:
Mary’s character often felt inconsistent. While she’s clearly well-meaning, her somewhat self-righteous attitude and frequent decisions that left other characters in the background made her less sympathetic to some viewers. Her failure to balance her family responsibilities also became a point of frustration for fans.
5. Meemaw
Why Fans Find Her Annoying:
Meemaw, Sheldon’s grandmother, is a character who brings a lot of humor to the show, but she can also be extremely annoying at times. Her tough-love attitude, combined with her sarcastic remarks and general disregard for boundaries, often make her more of a liability than a support system to the Cooper family.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Her:
Though her interactions with Sheldon were often funny, many fans felt that Meemaw’s harshness and lack of sensitivity toward others made her character one-dimensional. Her constant clashes with other characters, especially Mary, left a bitter aftertaste for fans who were hoping for more depth.
6. Paige Swanson
Why Fans Find Her Annoying:
Paige is a fellow child prodigy and an academic rival to Sheldon, and her intelligence and attitude often put her at odds with Sheldon. She’s portrayed as brash, confident, and unapologetically competitive, which makes her a challenging character for Sheldon to deal with.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Her:
While Paige was meant to add an extra layer to Sheldon’s character arc, many viewers found her annoying due to her condescending nature. She often came across as too similar to Sheldon in terms of social awkwardness, but with a personality that grated more than endeared her to fans.
7. Principal Petersen
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
Principal Petersen is a recurring character who works at Sheldon’s school. His role as a school authority figure often puts him at odds with Sheldon, as he tries to impose the rules on Sheldon’s eccentric behavior. Fans found him to be overly bureaucratic and sometimes a bit of a buzzkill, especially given the freedom Sheldon needed to thrive.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
Though Principal Petersen is an important figure, his frequent attempts to control Sheldon’s behavior and his lack of understanding of Sheldon’s genius made him come off as an obstacle to Sheldon’s success rather than a helpful authority figure. His rigid demeanor didn’t sit well with fans who preferred seeing Sheldon’s potential recognized.
8. Billy Sparks
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
Billy Sparks is a classmate of Sheldon who often bullies him, making him an antagonist throughout many episodes. His constant teasing and lack of empathy for Sheldon’s social difficulties position him as one of the show’s more irritating characters.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
While some viewers appreciated the role Billy played in Sheldon’s development, his repeated bullying of Sheldon felt repetitive and unnecessary. Fans disliked how often Billy was used to create conflict without contributing much to the overall story or the growth of other characters.
9. Tam Nguyen
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
Tam is Sheldon’s friend and occasional confidant, but he often comes off as frustratingly self-absorbed and has a tendency to act as though he’s the only one facing challenges. His behavior frequently alienates Sheldon, and his presence in the show doesn’t always seem to justify his inclusion.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
Fans often felt that Tam’s character was underdeveloped and unnecessary. He sometimes came across as a plot device for Sheldon’s social interactions rather than a fully realized character with a meaningful impact on the story. His passive-aggressive remarks only added to his annoying tendencies.
10. Pastor Jeff
Why Fans Find Him Annoying:
Pastor Jeff is a recurring character who often serves as a foil to Mary’s religious beliefs. He’s presented as a somewhat pompous and self-important character, often displaying an air of superiority in his role as a pastor.
Why Fans Still Can’t Stand Him:
While his character serves as a counterpoint to some of the more emotionally driven aspects of the show, Pastor Jeff’s pretentious attitude and holier-than-thou persona didn’t sit well with many viewers. His character often felt out of place in the show’s more lighthearted moments, making him one of the more irritating figures.
Conclusion: Why These Characters Still Annoy Fans
Even a year after the Young Sheldon finale, some characters have continued to irk fans for various reasons. Whether it’s their lack of character development, their interactions with other characters, or just their personality traits, these 10 characters have earned their place on this list. While every show has its share of characters who divide the audience, it’s clear that these individuals left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.
FAQs
1. Why do fans find Sheldon so annoying in Young Sheldon? Sheldon’s lack of social awareness, self-centered attitude, and constant need to assert his intelligence can be frustrating for viewers, especially as his growth is slow and often overshadowed by his behavior.
2. Why does Missy irritate some Young Sheldon fans? Missy’s bratty attitude, constant teasing of Sheldon, and lack of growth over the years make her one of the more irritating characters to some fans.
3. Is Georgie’s character supposed to be annoying? Georgie’s rebellious nature and poor decision-making often make him a frustrating character, especially when his storylines seem to overshadow others.
4. Why is Mary Cooper disliked by some fans? Mary’s overprotectiveness and tendency to prioritize Sheldon’s needs at the expense of her other children often frustrates viewers who feel that her character lacks balance.
