Get ready folks – we’re headin’ down to Medford, Texas to catch up with little Shelly Cooper and his quirky clan. Remember The Big Bang Theory’s fussy super-genius Sheldon? Well, Young Sheldon takes us back to the 80s to see what he was like as a precocious kid trying to survive high school with a football coach dad, religious momma, wild twin sister and dimwit brother. It’s spawned from TV’s former top comedy, but with its single-cam style and sweet storylines, Young Sheldon has carved out its own niche these past 6 seasons.
Now entering its 7th and final roundup, the Cooper family rodeo is as heartfelt and hilarious as ever. With lil Shelly himself shippin’ off to a university program in Germany, the folks back home in Texas are left to wrassle tornadoes, nosey preachers and get this – little Missy Cooper takin’ charge! Between her first sip o’ coffee and her daddy finally stoppin’ his fussin’, we got a feelin’ this final season is gonna see the Coopers pull together like never before. So let’s settle in for the home stretch with our Texas-sized family. We got a feelin’ there’s still heaps of small-town hijinks for the Coopers to wrangle up before they hang their hats!
Keepin’ It Real in Good Ol’ Medford
When it comes to the writing on Young Sheldon, the folks behind the scenes know just how to walk that line between sweetness and wit. They keep the comedy gentle, but with enough little zingers to keep parents cackling as much as the kids. The jokes sneak up quiet-like, instead of hollerin’ themselves hoarse beggin’ for applause. And when the story does call for big, physical humor – like when young Missy tries coffee and ends up more jittery than a calf at branding time – well, the payoff feels earned.
These writers have a knack for craftin’ characters that feel just as real as folks you’d meet in town. They let ’em learn from mistakes and grow over time – rare in TV-land where the folks on screen often get stuck in a loop. The Coopers might fall into familiar patterns, but they still have space to surprise us after all these seasons. Fiddlesticks, even Mary Cooper herself has an easier smile these days! Who woulda thunk it?
And oh honey, don’t even get me started on Meemaw. She’s the kind of grandma everyone wishes they had – fiery, funny and always ready for another adventure. Other shows would’ve put her out to pasture by now, all settled and saggy. But Meemaw? She just keeps saddlin’ up. Whether she’s rebuilding after a tornado or telling her needy boyfriend to hit the trail, Meemaw shows women of all ages that life’s always offering up new horizons if you’ve got the grit to chase ’em.
So while Young Sheldon might not be the cutting-edge sort of comedy that gets critics all in a tizzy, it brings something special all its own. It feels familiar, like sittin’ around your mama’s dinner table and scarfin’ down fried chicken. The sweet tea is always flowin’, but that don’t mean these folks shy away from spicin’ it up now and again. We could all use more shows that feed our soul along with our funny bone – and Young Sheldon dishes out plenty of both.
A Family That Charms Together
Well butter my biscuits, the cast of Young Sheldon is sweeter than strawberry jam. It’s downright incredible that a show centered around grade schoolers has made it this far without those young’uns hittin’ awkward growing pains. But seven seasons in, talents like Iain Armitage and Raegan Revord continue to impress as lil Shelly Cooper and his fiery twin sis Missy.
And oh mercy, that Iain Armitage is a wonder as the boy genius version of Jim Parsons’ iconic Shelly. With his lanky limbs, quirky mannerisms and Encyclopedia-sized brain, Iain captures Shelly’s eccentric essence like they’re two protons fused together. Yet he also brings an innocence and emotional depth that helps the character stay endearing even as he edges toward adulthood. However many awards Jim Parsons snagged for Big Bang Theory, this kid deserves just as much praise for introducin’ Shelly Cooper to a whole new generation.
But a show couldn’t charm this long without one heckuva supporting cast – and Young Sheldon’s is sweet as pecan pie. Lance Barber brings the perfect exasperated dad energy as Coach George, while Zoe Perry’s God-fearin’, no-nonsense Mary Cooper is a hoot. And then there’s spitfire Annie Potts spinnin’ comedic gold as sassy grandma Meemaw. With comic legends like Craig T. Nelson and Wendie Malick joining the family frolics as wacky side characters, this ensemble delivers more laughs than a two-hour variety special.
As for the next generation of Coopers, Raegan Revord continues to impress as the rebellious, coffee-chuggin’ Missy comes into her own as a strong Southern gal. And Montana Jordan’s dopey Georgie Cooper settles into early fatherhood – when he’s not cookin’ up get-rich-quick schemes (bless his heart). With real life and TV both full of families stranded in stagnant roles, it’s darn refreshing to see the Young Sheldon gang continue to grow and change as life keeps dealin’ them new hands. We haven’t had enough, and here’s hopin’ some version of the Coopers keeps charm-farmin’ for seasons to come!
Keepin’ Things Fresh in Season 7
Faster than a pig can roll in the mud, the 7th season of Young Sheldon shakes things up faster than an Oktoberfest polka. With lil Shelly himself shipped off to a university program in Germany, the spotlights start spinnin’ to shine on the rest of the Cooper clan back home.
Oh honey, Shelly’s mama Mary spends more time drinkin’ foreign beer than prayin’! Out there chaperonin’ her eccentric son overseas, Mary Cooper finds herself like a catfish out of water. But lordy, does it make for some fun as she tries wrastlin’ European culture into her God-fearin’ worldview.
And can you believe it – Missy Cooper might be steppin’ up as the most mature Cooper of all! With Shelly abroad and storms brewin’, Missy keeps the family steady as a Shetland pony. Whether she’s whippin’ up vittles for the family, wranglin’ her dimwit baby daddy Georgie or tellin’ off her grandma’s freeloadin’ gentleman caller, Missy Cooper is finally blossomin’ into a true leader and mama bear. Between standin’ tall and bondin’ better with her daddy, season 7 spins Missy’s character in to new and excitin’ directions.
Speakin’ of Georgie, he and his dizzy fiance Mandy are still fumblin’ towards adulthood as they raise baby Cece. And the writers seem to be testin’ these two bumbling kids to see if they got spinoff potential once Young Sheldon wraps up. Only time will tell if their peculiar brand ofhillbilly hijinks could anchor a whole ‘nother series!
So while Shelly’s genius antics might have kicked this show off years ago, the latest season of Young Sheldon proves that the whole Cooper clan offers their own rare blend of heart and humor. No matter which direction season 7 meanders, the journey with this lovable Texan family stays more fun than an armadillo race!
Missed Chances and Wide Open Spaces
While Young Sheldon can be sweeter than a jar of sorghum, no show is perfect as pecan pie. This country-fried comedy has its fair share of opportunities left on the table at times.
Take loveable lughead Georgie Cooper fumblin’ his way into fatherhood. When he ain’t cookin’ up Half-Baked schemes to earn diaper money, Georgie spends more time passin’ baby Cece around than actually parentin’ the precious little angel! With all his anxiety about being a papa, seems Georgie still needs to put in the work to bond with Cece directly when she’s squirmin’ right there in front of him.
And bless her heart, but Mary Cooper often comes across more sour than sweet tea, forever harpin’ on sin and judgment rain or shine. Seven seasons deep, and Mama Cooper is still quicker to scold than to smile at her loved ones. While comedy thrives on patterns, Mary’s sternness risks wearin’ as thin as month-old cornbread if she don’t reveal more warmth behind her prickly hide soon!
At the same time, with Iain Armitage leavin’ those cute little boy cheeks behind as he ages, the shift towards ensemble storytellin’ couldn’t come at a better time for Young Sheldon. The Cooper family tree offers bountiful branches for explore. So while we’ll forever have a soft spot for lil Shelly’s antics, perhaps the best way for Young Sheldon to honor its roots in this final season is to nurture all the other talent that’s ripe for harvestin’ before our eyes. A little more care and this show could bear sweeter fruit for years yet to come!
Closin’ Time for a Special Series
Well dip me in buttermilk and call it a day, folks – our long rodeo with Young Sheldon finally crawls to its bittersweet end with season 7. And what a warm-hearted, belly-laughin’ journey it’s been with the Cooper family these past years. Dismissed by critics for its Big Bang Theory origins, Young Sheldon bloomed into its own downhome delight – spoken with a Texas twang instead of punchlines.
By treatin’ its characters with realistic depth and warmth within the confines of family sitcom storytellin’, Young Sheldon carved out a special niche. Kids could delight in Shelly’s quirks while parents chuckled knowingly at Coach George and MeeMaw’s antics, both reminded of their own kin. And as lil Shelly and his pals grew taller, so too did the show evolve to make the most of its entire talented ensemble before series end.
So pull up a rockin’ chair and let’s enjoy Young Sheldon’s final backyard barbecue, soaked in that warm Texan sun. A classy show that appeals to folks ages 9 to 90, this polite comedy served up authentic family bonds with a tangy twist for seven seasons without wearin’ out its welcome. Here’s to the Coopers for capturing our hearts thanks to rare honesty in writing and actin’. No matter when the credits finally roll, Young Sheldon already earned its spot in the sitcom history books. Yeehaw!
The Review
Young Sheldon
Young Sheldon snuck in as a spin-off but quickly roped viewers' hearts with its quirky insights into family and growth. This Texas-sized comedy combined genuine character depth with hearty belly laughs, appealing across generations. As the show rides off into the sunset after 7 strong seasons, I doff my hat to the writers and cast for crafting such an original little gem.
PROS
- Strong writing and character development
- Perfectly cast child and adult actors
- Warm family comedy with cross-generational appeal
- Allows its characters to grow and change over time
- Great performances from Iain Armitage and Annie Potts
CONS
- Could show more of Georgie as hands-on dad
- Some character beats are repetitive (like Mary's sternness)
- Loses a bit of appeal as Iain Armitage ages out of "cute kid" stage
