Young Sheldon co-creator Chuck Lorre has explained why the Big Bang Theory spin-off is ending.
CBS recently confirmed that the prequel for young Sheldon Cooper will be concluding with its seventh season — which, while very respectable, is a far cry from the 12 seasons its predecessor had.
However, Lorre explained to The Hollywood Reporter’s TV’s Top 5 podcast that the timeline of Sheldon’s life in The Big Bang Theory always meant there would be a finite run for Young Sheldon.
“The story of this extraordinary prodigy in a small town outside of Houston, in a family where he is very much a fish out of water — that story we’ve kind of told, and the remainder of his path leading up to The Big Bang Theory happens at CalTech, in California,” Lorre said.
“Seven years… [it] seems like the natural lifespan of [Young Sheldon], and that was a feeling that was shared between myself and both [series co-creator/executive producer] Steve Molaro and [fellow executive producer] Steve Holland, who have been instrumental in keeping this thing as extraordinary as it has been.”
Due to the recent writer and actor’s strike, the final season of Young Sheldon will be abbreviated to just 13 episodes.
When news of the show’s ending was announced, CBS’s entertainment president said: “As a prequel to one of the biggest comedies, Young Sheldon proved lightning can strike twice. It set itself apart with a remarkable cast that felt like a family from the first moment we saw them on screen and brought characters to life with unique heartfelt stories that drew audiences in from the start.
“We extend a sincere thank you to executive producers Chuck Lorre, Steve Molaro and Steve Holland and the entire writing and producing teams for six wonderful seasons.”
Some good news for fans is that Lorre also recently reiterated that a new spin-off of The Big Bang Theory is being discussed, though it’s in a very early stage.
