From Annoying to Beloved, This Young Sheldon Character Has Had the Most Complicated Journey with Fans

Summary

• All of Young Sheldon's characters have unlikable qualities, which makes the show so true to life.
• The character in question was hated by fans for his behavior in earlier seasons of the show.
• Many viewers feel that he has become an indispensable part of the Cooper family.

Compared to The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon has a serious advantage. As a comedy-drama, the spin-off features more raw and nuanced characters, reminiscent of real-life people you can relate to and sympathize with. But while most of the characters on YS are flawed, some are downright insufferable.

Pastor Jeff, for example, has consistently been the most hated character on the show since its inception. Young Sheldon's title character has oscillated between being hated and loved by fans over the course of the show's seven-season run. But one character has made the most miraculous transformation from one of the show's most annoying to one of its most beloved.

From Grumpy Coach to Meemaw's Funny Boyfriend

When Dale Ballard was introduced in Season 3 of Young Sheldon as the local kids' baseball coach and later Georgie's hot-headed boss, he was universally hated by viewers. His sexist attitude toward Missy and unfair treatment of Georgie, as well as his short temper, defined his unpopularity with fans of the show.

In Season 7, however, things have changed and Dale has mellowed into a funny and lovable old man whose sarcastic sense of humor and constant jabs at Connie make him one of the show's most beloved characters. He has also shown his caring nature by taking care of Cece and Meemaw on several occasions this season. With that in mind, it's no surprise that he's so beloved by fans.

Young Sheldon Fans on Dale

Although Dr. Sturgis has made few appearances in recent seasons, he is still considered by many fans to be Meemaw's best boyfriend. But it seems that Dale has become quite the competition for him in that regard.

'When he replaced Wallace Shawn['s Dr. Sturgis] as Connie's love interest, I was a little skeptical. But ever since he came round after his house was egged, love him. Easily one of my top 5 side characters from the series,' one Reddit user wrote.

Interestingly, many seem to think that having a family in the Coopers brought out the best in Dale.

'The first little bit after he was introduced he was your typical crotchety old man, but as he warmed up to Connie and the Coopers he revealed that he's just a big softie! He is still kind of crotchety, don't get me wrong, but I think before he was just kind of lonely,' another Redditor observed. 'Connie and crew were the family he didn't know he needed.'

With George Sr. gone, it's nice that Mary and Connie will have a nice man to rely on. Young Sheldon's big finale airs tomorrow, May 16.

Source: Reddit.