5 Major Ways Young Sheldon is Better Than Big Bang Theory
The spinoff is better written than the original.
Young Sheldon debuted in 2017 while its parent show, The Big Bang Theory (TBBT), was still on the air. Focused on Sheldon Cooper, TBBT's most quirky character adored by a multitude of fans, the spinoff diverged significantly from the original show from the get-go.
On the one hand, deviating from the well-respected TBBT canon seemed like a risky move: why mess with the already established canon? But on the other, boldly going where TBBT had never gone before allowed Young Sheldon to ditch a lot of TBBT's problematic elements and become a show with a truly universal appeal. It is our belief that the prequel has far surpassed the original on a bunch of levels.
Here are five major ways in which Young Sheldon is clearly better than The Big Bang Theory.
No Laugh Track
The Big Bang Theory uses a laugh track, which many people find annoying. Young Sheldon ditched that: here, the assumption is that if the jokes are really funny, people will laugh without having to be prompted. The result is a far better and far more genuine experience.
A More Consistent Plot
Over the course of the twelve seasons, The Big Bang Theory's plot did a lot of meandering and going in circles, creating numerous inconsistencies and contradictions in the process. Young Sheldon has managed to stay on target with far more focused writing, resulting in far fewer questions about the plot.
Masterful Use of Music
Although some viewers might underestimate this element, we consider its impact monumental in Young Sheldon. Music can evoke a diverse range of emotions and leaves a lasting impression. In this regard, Young Sheldon uses music brilliantly. For instance, in the finale of season 5, R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion underscores the scene where the Coopers are ostracised at Mary's church, striking a balance between humour and tragedy.
Better Humour
TBBT has a rather unique style of humour that seems cute at first but grows old very fast. That's probably why its creators decided that a laugh track was necessary. TBBT features caricature characters and, in general, comes across as trying too hard to be funny. In contrast, Young Sheldon is full of witty one-liners woven organically into everyday situations and thus creates the impression of being naturally funny. It tells you relatable stories and relies on comic relief to serve up the jokes.
Humour, of course, is subjective, but our overall impression is that Young Sheldon pulls off great comedy with less effort.
A Tinge of Drama
Last but not least, Young Sheldon offers complex stories that occasionally feature some tragic overtones. It never shies away from drama and thus ends up creating a far more compelling narrative with highly relatable, flawed, nuanced and very human characters. This depth of narration and character development adds to the show's appeal, making it a highly engaging family comedy-drama to enjoy with your loved ones.
That stands in stark contrast to TBBT's cast of caricature characters that leave you with a nagging thought that if that's what all our top researchers are like, humanity is doomed.