Grading Fall Television’s Hits And Misses

Photo Credit: CBS

Young Sheldon — A

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most popular shows on television even though it’s hard to find people who actually watch it. Despite that, Young Sheldon was an early success for CBS with a built in audience. Following Sheldon Cooper’s childhood, it’s more endearing than the original which is generally just a group of people who don’t appear to like each other. Now he’s just a brilliant young kid who’s severely out of place in his Texas home.

Moved up into high school, Sheldon desperately tries to make friends even though no one understands him or his quirks. It also gives the universe an opportunity to show viewers what his life was like growing up in a “normal family”. While his relationship with his siblings haven’t been well explored in The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon gets to focus on that.

Iain Armitage is one of the best up and coming talents after his run on Big Little Lies.  Young Sheldon needed a strong lead in order to work and he manages to make the story interesting despite the recast. Jim Parsons also returns to narrate the show and probably make a few hundred thousand dollars in the process. People who don’t like the flagship show will probably skip this one but for Sheldon Cooper lovers, this is a dream come true. With the impending conclusion of The Big Bang Theory on the horizon, CBS can rest easy knowing they have a replacement show during the fall.