As it turns out, Young Sheldon season 7 is getting more episodes than initially thought, finally giving fans some good news after months of delay. By now, The Big Bang Theory spin-off should have already come back with fresh outings, but due to the dual Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAF-AFTRA strikes, its production has been pushed back. For months, loyal viewers of the series have been waiting for any updates about what this delay would mean for the show, especially in light of what happened to the Coopers in the Young Sheldon season 6 finale.
Previously, Young Sheldon season 7 was reportedly only going to have 10-13 episodes, which is roughly half of its usual 22-episode output. Now, Deadline has come out with a new report claiming that TV’s number one comedy may be looking at a 14-15 episode count. This means that The Big Bang Theory prequel will have more outings set to produce compared to other returning scripted series. It’s uncertain what this means for its filming schedule, but Young Sheldon season 7 is slated to start production post-Thanksgiving.
What Young Sheldon’s Additional Episodes Mean For Season 7?
It’s no secret that Young Sheldon is entering a critical time period in its storytelling. Based on where it currently sits in the timeline, the show can wrap up after season 7, leaving Sheldon as he transitions from his life in Medford, Texas to Pasadena, California, where he will settle until the end of The Big Bang Theory. However, the comedy’s narrative isn’t the only driving force in this decision. Further complicating matters is the popularity of the project, with Young Sheldon season 6 posting series-high numbers. Given this, CBS may be keen on keeping it on the air for as long as possible.
For now, it’s the Young Sheldon writers who are deciding if season 7 will be its last. Unlike The Big Bang Theory‘s end, which was motivated by Jim Parsons’ decision to leave, the majority of the cast are all open to returning. The additional episodes may seem like good news on the surface, but it may be CBS’ way to give the series more screen time to deliver a satisfying finale. There are several lingering plot lines that the show needs to address before it can wrap up, and it will be a shame if its legacy is ruined just because it is forced to deliver a rushed finale.
The additional Young Sheldon episodes make sense in terms of production, however. Unlike other network shows, it’s a half-hour comedy, with mostly grounded storytelling. This means that filming isn’t as long compared to its other hour-long counterparts. It also doesn’t have a rigorous post-production schedule, considering that the comedy doesn’t need a lot of special effects. Finally, since Young Sheldon has been on the air for a while now, it’s already a well-oiled machine, which means that the cast and crew know how to efficiently work together.
