Q) What do your kids think of the show “Young Sheldon?”
A) It’s the first thing I’ve ever worked on that we can all watch together. The previous work I’ve done has been far too adult for my children to watch to begin with or to appreciate, but we watch it as a family and it’s awesome. I think they enjoy the show and they get a kick out of being so close to it and kinda seeing behind the scenes and knowing the kids on the show. And I think it’s pretty unique and a fun experience for them. It’s the third season so now they’re kinda used to it. They’re not so starstruck that’s for sure.
Q) How hands on is Jim Parsons with the series?
A) We hear Jim as the voice every episode and as a producer I’m sure that he talks to other producers during the show. During the first season when we were getting it off the ground, he was present. And he has been working towards out last season of “Big Bang Theory” and he was around a lot. He obviously finished last year. They are not on the lot anymore and I believe he’s back in New York. I haven’t seen him this season. But his presence is always there with us, of course, and the show is called “Young Sheldon,” so there is always the specter of Jim Parsons hanging around Stage 12 at Warner Brothers lot with us. He’s a wonderful guy and I think after such a run what a cool thing to continue this character and really bring it in I think that he can live where he wants to and carry on with his life and be able to do the voice overs for the show and any input he has as a producer from wherever he is and a deserved luxury for that guy.
Q) Speaking about being hands on, how hands on are you with maybe how George Sr. develops over the seasons?
A) You know, with anything it’s a collaborative effort to some degree, but everything’s on the paper from the writers and the producers. I like to think I had some hand in it that’s for sure. We had to figure out a way to make George likeable and so as he was presented on “The Big Bang Theory” as being rather unlikable. I was kind of a cartoonish alcoholic redneck, but we want a road for these characters, and we wanted to ground them. “The Big Bang Theory” was a different tone and our show it was broader. It was a multi cam comedy. It was written for several jokes every page. Now ours are a little more grounded in our situations and our characters dynamic and we have a lot of tender moments and I think that’s what makes it work. And, so, because of this we couldn’t just have George be a cartoonish buffoon. So, I’m hoping with what I brought to it was some humanity and someone who is doing their best. I think that’s how we presented George.
Q) There is such great chemistry between you and Zoe Perry and, of course, you and the kids as well. Talk a little bit about finding that familiar bond and what you guys maybe do off set to find that bond.
A) Well we spend eight to twelve to fourteen hours a day together. So, that is intrinsic to your worst day. It is unnecessary. Maybe a little bit at the beginning we tried to spend time outside of work to get to know each other. But it, frankly, wasn’t necessary. We see enough of each other at work to garner a familial bond. Anyone who has done a show or done a play knows that’s just intrinsic to any time together. The kids are good kids. They’re easy to like. We had on screen chemistry right away just in our senses of humor and we became great pals. That really helps I think and shows on the show. Some of my most fun on the show is doing things with Zoe and I. I think that’s important to the show. And it just came naturally without a lot of trying, thankfully. I don’t think that’s always the case, but we were lucky in the regards that everyone got along.
Q) What can you tease for what’s in store for George Sr. and the family this season or maybe some themes that are explored this season?
A) Obviously, we’re not allowed to talk specifics about any arcs that are on the show, but I think what we see now in Season 3 is we see a broadening of the world a bit. We have established some family dynamics, everyone’s relationships with each other. The tension and the fun with George and Meemaw (Annie Potts). The protection with Sheldon and Mary. In Season 3 we get the luxury of play and putting these characters outside of the house and into the world of other characters and that’s going to be fun. We get to know and like them and now we get to see them in different situations, I think, and interacting with new people or some of the guests, which we have a wonderful selection of people and all of these wonderful people that brighten out the world of “Young Sheldon’s” home life. And I think we get to explore more of that. So, people can look forward to that.
