‘Big Bang Theory’ heads for exit with ‘Young Sheldon’ crossovers
BURBANK, Calif. - Wondering why Sheldon has never mentioned his boyhood best friend Tam on “The Big Bang Theory,” even though he’s seen on prequel “Young Sheldon”?
Producers promise an answer Oct. 11 as adult Tam surfaces on the top-rated CBS comedy, now in its 12th and final season. The show moves to its 7 p.m. Thursday slot Thursday night.
Besides Tam, there’s a good chance “Big Bang” viewers will meet a grownup Billy Sparks, Sheldon’s childhood bully who seems more like a big, simple boy on “Young Sheldon,” which follows “The Big Bang Theory” on CBS Thursday night at 7:30.
Look for more connections between the sibling shows this season, but don’t expect newlyweds Amy and Sheldon to become parents, despite narrator Sheldon’s reference to his children in the Season 1 “Sheldon” finale.
“We’ve talked about the arc for where we want to end, but it’s not all officially ingrained. I’m hesitant to talk too much about it now, but right now that’s not part of the plan,” said “Big Bang” executive producer Steve Holland, adding there will be “no more babies.” As for the final episode, due in May, “we’ve talked about it. We don’t know the whole thing. We have some ideas we’re really excited about, but nothing set in stone yet.”
“Big Bang” writers typically don’t plot too far ahead, so Holland and Steven Molaro, an executive producer of both comedies, say they have time to prepare a satisfying conclusion after it was announced in August that the new season would be its last.
“We have time to plan and hopefully do it right,” said Molaro, taking a break from the taping of an upcoming “Sheldon” episode that features the return of child prodigy (and Sheldon frenemy) Paige (Mckenna Grace), who’s introduced Thursday.
Before then, expect the arrival of adult Tam (Brian Wu), introduced as a high school student (Ryan Phuong) in Season 1 of “Sheldon,” along with other crossovers.
“On ‘Young Sheldon,’ Tam is Sheldon’s best friend, (but) he’s never mentioned him” on “Big Bang” or even invited him to his wedding, Holland said. In the “Tam Turbulence” episode, “we learn why Sheldon doesn’t talk about him and what happens when we meet the adult Tam.”
Sheldon’s friends, who have never heard of Tam, go to his brother, George (Jerry O’Connell, playing the grownup version of a “Sheldon” character), for an explanation of the estrangement.
That same night on “Young Sheldon,” Armitage’s Sheldon has his first sleepover at Tam’s house.
The comedies shared connections last season, as viewers learned how Sheldon got that endearing (or annoying) door-knocking habit, why he favors relationship contracts and where he learned his favorite soothing song, “Soft Kitty.”
And in its final season, “Big Bang” will pick up on Sheldon and Amy’s wedding-day scientific breakthrough and follow Raj’s search for a wife, which takes a traditional turn in Thursday’s episode. Bob Newhart will return as ghostly Professor Proton, Keith Carradine will be back as Penny’s father and producers want other favorite guest stars to take a final bow, too.
Other connections between the series:
❚ Sheldon’s fear of “Sesame Street’s” Big Bird, a phobia that will be referenced on both shows.
❚ Joint Halloween episodes, as Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”) reprises his role as a high-school drama teacher on “Sheldon.” “There might be a nod to what Sheldon has worn in the past,” Holland hinted.
❚ And (potentially) Sheldon finds a videotape of himself as a child. “That seems like a fun jumping-off point and a fun way to use Iain (Armitage) on ‘Big Bang,’ ” Holland said.
Holland says it’s fun to retrospectively revise Sheldon’s quirks and biography to explain his peculiar behavior. But Molaro said the character’s idiosyncratic nature makes it easier to explain Sheldon’s failure to mention Tam.
“It’s helpful that Sheldon’s the kind of character who holds a grudge,” he said. “It makes our lives easier.”