Review: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Shows the Big Bang Theory Can Do Well Without Sheldon

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage completes Young Sheldon‘s transition to becoming a proper family sitcom by fully severing ties with The Big Bang Theory. Young Sheldon‘s cancelation leaves a big hole in network TV as its leading comedy, something that Chuck Lorre, Steve Holland, and Steven Molaro’s new project attempts to fill. While Sheldon’s origin story set the bar high, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is poised to be a worthy replacement. Not only is the new show essentially a direct sequel to Young Sheldon, but many of its on and off-screen talent were also involved in its predecessor.

Ahead of its anticipated premiere, I had the privilege of screening the first two episodes of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: “The 6:10 to Lubbock” and “New York Nonsense.” The outings spend their time establishing the new normal for Montana Jordan and Emily Osment’s characters, as they live with the McAllisters, Jim (Will Sasso), Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones), and Connor (Dougie Baldwin). Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage‘s cast will also see familiar faces from the Cooper family, such as Mary (Zoe Perry), Missy (Raegan Revord), and Meemaw (Annie Potts).

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Is Unexpectedly Emotional (Despite The Change In Format)

Like The Big Bang Theory, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Is Filmed In Front Of A Live Studio Audience

Having followed both The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, I was concerned about Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage‘s change in format. Instead of being a single-cam show like its parent series, it transitions to a multi-cam series, which means it is filmed in front of a live audience. The Big Bang Theory had the same approach, and it just couldn’t handle drama and emotional moments like Sheldon’s origins did. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is unexpectedly emotional.

Don’t get me wrong, it is still funny. Jordan and Osment have excellent chemistry, and Sasso is phenomenal as the McAllister patriarch who knows not to pick a fight with his wife. That said, the sitcom picks up just a couple of months after George’s unexpected death. The Coopers are still reeling from the loss, which the new show handles so well. Georgie’s scenes in particular are emotional, especially when he slows down and realizes that his dad is no longer around and how that relates to him also being a father now.

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’s Biggest Challenge Is To Explain The Coopers’ Absence

Mary, Meemaw, And Missy Return In Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’s First 2 Episodes

In an ideal world, the Coopers would be series regulars in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. It’s great to see Georgie’s family pop up in episodes 1 and 2, and as expected, they deliver some of the most memorable scenes in their outings. Potts’ comedic timing as Meemaw in the episode “The 6:10 Train to Lubbock” is particularly phenomenal. Somehow, she is even better, which I didn’t think was possible, considering how great she already was in Young Sheldon.

Meanwhile, Missy’s return in Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage episode 2 continues what Young Sheldon started with her and Georgie’s relationship but never fully realized. While Young Sheldon was technically about Sheldon, the show was able to endear his siblings, especially as they bonded over always being left out. With Sheldon now in California, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage resurrects Georgie and Missy’s dynamic, only this time, it’s more real and heavy, as they both reel from the death of George.

As great as it is seeing the Coopers, it’s also a reminder of the new show’s biggest challenge moving forward. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage must justify not featuring Georgie’s family as frequently as possible. He and Mandy only live across town, so the logistics shouldn’t be an issue. Mary, Missy, and Meemaw are set to return in the special Thanksgiving episode of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, but that’s it. For now, the challenge is to make sure the new ensemble can stand on its own without its predecessor.

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Highlights How Much The Franchise Has Moved On From The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory Universe Moves On From Sheldon

Five years after The Big Bang Theory ended, the franchise it started has officially moved on with Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. It’s no secret that while Lorre and Bill Prady’s inaugural sitcom was a ratings hit and had some great performances, its brand of comedy was problematic, especially in its earliest seasons. The Big Bang Theory never really got the chance to fully redeem itself, and maybe the new Stuart spinoff can do that. That said, Young Sheldon proved that Lorre and his trusted writers can write better sitcoms.

It feels like Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is the final form that Young Sheldon could have been if it hadn’t ended. The Young Sheldon finale was a masterclass in balancing comedy and drama, and despite the change in format and shift in storytelling focus, its sequel is able to continue this — at least in its first two episodes. Considering the pressure for it to deliver as it replaces one of the most beloved sitcoms of the last decade, it’s safe to say that Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is off to a great start.