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Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy
From the
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Big Bang Theory
oral history comes an in-depth and thoroughly reported exploration of its prequel,
Young Sheldon
, with major revelations about the show, behind-the-scenes stories from every cast member (yes, that includes the fan-favorite actors behind Dr. Sturgis, Veronica Duncan, Paige, and more), and all the heart that made the show beloved. When Young Sheldon debuted in 2017, no one could have anticipated how The Big Bang Theory prequel would take on a life of its own separate from the mothership. Sure, the now-beloved sitcom was the top-rated scripted show over its seven-season run on CBS, but it truly became a phenomenon when it hit Netflix (as well as TikTok and YouTube), eventually becoming the most streamed show of 2024. Fans of all age ranges and demographics were won over by the show’s humor and heart, and the characters and young stars endeared themselves to both Big Bang devotees and viewers who were being introduced to the Cooper family for the first time. Young The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy is the surprising story of how the wholesome sitcom overcame major challenges off-camera to become a massive show beloved around the globe. Bestselling author and journalist Jessica Radloff delves into the cast and crew's real-life family dynamic behind the scenes, explores the often taboo subjects the writers didn’t shy away from, and reveals all the stories behind Big Bang canon-rewriting controversies and the heartbreak and anger over the decision to end the series. She explores a mix of memorable episodes―from the Jon Favreau-directed pilot to Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik’s return in the finale―through interviews with the entire cast, co-creators Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro, writers, producers, guest stars―and even the real-life parents. Fans of the show will love this revelatory behind-the-scenes look into one of the most heartwarming television hits of all time.
- GenresNonfiction
464 pages, Hardcover
Published October 20, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bazinga—Young Sheldon fans are in for a Texas-sized treat! Jessica Radloff gives readers an expansive behind-the-scenes look at the beloved series, packed with stories from the major cast members, crew, and production staff. We learn how the show came together, how the cast was chosen, which episodes became especially memorable, and how the team approached George’s death and the emotional finale. Radloff’s thorough interviews shine throughout the book, even if some details become a little repetitive. I was especially fascinated to discover that Young Sheldon was filmed with a single-camera, cinematic approach rather than the multi-camera sitcom style used for The Big Bang Theory. Filled with fun facts and fascinating background details, this entertaining book is sure to make fans say, “That’s my spot!”
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September 16, 2026Where to Read: available October 20, 2026. Pre-order your copy here: https://amzn.to/3UPsTUN
RAVING REVIEW: Some books about TV seem to exist primarily to remind fans how much they loved a show. Jessica Radloff had more on her mind while writing YOUNG SHELDON: THE (JUICIER-THAN-MEEMAW’S-BRISKET) INSIDE STORY OF THE HIT COMEDY, an oral history that celebrates the series while repeatedly pulling back the curtain on the uncertainty, disagreements, exhaustion, and occasional pain that existed alongside its success.
Jim Parsons opens the book by explaining how the idea grew from conversations with husband Todd Spiewak about Parsons' exceptionally bright young nephew, Michael; this was before Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro recognized that the concept sounded suspiciously like a childhood version of Sheldon Cooper. From there, Radloff doesn't just tell the story of the series' creation and then jump ahead to the episodes everyone remembers. She keeps asking how every decision happened, who disagreed with it, what almost went a completely different way, and how the people involved remember it years later.
The oral-history format suits this approach because the memories don't always line up perfectly. Producers explain why a creative decision made sense from their perspective, actors sometimes admit they didn't understand it, and Radloff places those viewpoints side by side rather than forcing everything into an official history. That becomes especially valuable in later seasons, when the growing children, established performers, writers, and producers didn't necessarily see every decision the same way.
A Warner Bros. casting office in New York initially dismissed Iain Armitage’s first audition tape before his agent pushed it to Los Angeles, where Parsons and others immediately saw what had almost slipped away. Stories like that make the book work because they're not trivia just being dropped into a chapter; they show how much of a long-running success can depend on one person refusing to accept defeat.
Radloff also does an excellent job showing how uncertain YOUNG SHELDON actually was before audiences made it look inevitable. Molaro and Lorre moved from the multi-camera environment they knew to a single-camera production, and Jon Favreau's involvement in directing the pilot became key to discovering what the new series should feel like. Even Parsons admits that he initially couldn't picture the different format before seeing how it separated the prequel from THE BIG BANG THEORY.
YOUNG SHELDON had to respect the thoughts and ideas that THE BIG BANG THEORY had already established while sometimes discovering that the older series' version of history simply wasn't the best option for a weekly family comedy. George Cooper Sr. provides the best example, as the writers gradually transformed someone adult Sheldon described rather harshly into a more complicated father whose shortcomings existed alongside genuine love for his family.
The book also doesn't shy away from the resulting continuity struggles. Radloff addresses fan questions about characters who never appeared or were never mentioned on THE BIG BANG THEORY, story details that evolved, and decisions that were effectively made because nobody could've predicted during the prequel's early seasons which supporting characters would become important years later. Those explanations don't ask readers to pretend inconsistency was part of some master plan, which makes them considerably more satisfying.
The book becomes unexpectedly affecting in its treatment of the young cast growing up while making the series. Armitage, Montana Jordan, and Raegan Revord aren't talked about as just child actors who became better performers over seven seasons. Their parents, co-stars, and crew members provide a fuller picture of what it actually meant to spend childhood working on a network television production.
Revord's chapter discusses the isolation that can accompany childhood fame, difficulties relating to other teenagers after spending so much time surrounded by adults, the resulting disturbing attention from strangers online, body-image struggles, and health issues experienced while millions of viewers were watching. Radloff handles those passages with care, letting Revord and their parents explain experiences largely invisible to viewers rather than turning them into a list of sensational revelations.
Some of the lighter moments break the book up into something easier to digest. An actor learns during an interview that someone else was originally cast in their role, performers remember ruining takes because someone couldn't stop laughing, and longtime cast members admit which props they quietly “liberated” after production ended. The recurring "Spill the (Iced) Tea" sections are especially effective at breaking up the season-by-season progression with smaller stories that deserve room without needing entire chapters.
Her affection for the people involved is obvious. That warmth is probably one reason the interviews are as candid as they are, and the participants seem remarkably comfortable discussing disputes, insecurities, and painful experiences with her. It occasionally reduces the critical distance, especially when the book moves from documenting the show's accomplishments to openly sharing the contributors' emotional attachment to it.
That tradeoff becomes incredibly interesting once YOUNG SHELDON reaches its end. The final portion of the book is much more complicated than a collection of happy memories about seven seasons. The decision to end the series sparked genuine anger and confusion among people who knew the show was still performing extremely well, and Radloff lets that frustration remain instead of rewriting the cancellation as something everyone just accepted.
Annie Potts is especially memorable in those chapters, but she's hardly alone. The timing of the GEORGIE & MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE discussions complicated emotions even further, creating a situation where some people were grieving the loss of “a family.” In contrast, others were simultaneously being told another opportunity was waiting. Television is both a collaboration and a business, and these chapters are strongest when those two realities collide.
The book captures the strange second life YOUNG SHELDON received through streaming and social media. A successful comedy suddenly reached another generation through Netflix and YouTube, allowing new viewers to discover the series who sometimes had little or no attachment to THE BIG BANG THEORY.
Radloff doesn't neglect the actual television while telling the story of making it. Major episodes receive plenty of attention, including the COVID-era production difficulties, Georgie's changing role in the family, the tornado, George's death, and the final appearance of Parsons and Mayim Bialik. Yet these sections usually focus less on what viewers already saw and more on why the showrunners made those choices, what filming required, and how the people creating those episodes responded.
That prevents a long book about a 141-episode series from becoming an elaborate recap. Readers who know YOUNG SHELDON well will obviously get the most from this, but the real subject eventually becomes the group of people who happened to make YOUNG SHELDON together. By the final chapters, stories about sets, scripts, and ratings matter because Radloff has spent hundreds of pages establishing what this job meant to those involved.
The funny stories are here, as are the casting surprises, continuity debates, and explanations behind favorite episodes. More importantly, Radloff preserves the more chaotic material too. Kids growing up under unusual circumstances, creative disagreements, a pandemic threatening production, actors saying goodbye before they were ready, and a successful series ending while many of the people making it still believed it had years left. YOUNG SHELDON spent seven seasons convincing audiences that the Cooper family was bigger than the boy whose name appeared in the title, and Radloff's book reaches a similar conclusion about the people who made it.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also find my social media accounts on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.
RAVING REVIEW: Some books about TV seem to exist primarily to remind fans how much they loved a show. Jessica Radloff had more on her mind while writing YOUNG SHELDON: THE (JUICIER-THAN-MEEMAW’S-BRISKET) INSIDE STORY OF THE HIT COMEDY, an oral history that celebrates the series while repeatedly pulling back the curtain on the uncertainty, disagreements, exhaustion, and occasional pain that existed alongside its success.
Jim Parsons opens the book by explaining how the idea grew from conversations with husband Todd Spiewak about Parsons' exceptionally bright young nephew, Michael; this was before Chuck Lorre and Steve Molaro recognized that the concept sounded suspiciously like a childhood version of Sheldon Cooper. From there, Radloff doesn't just tell the story of the series' creation and then jump ahead to the episodes everyone remembers. She keeps asking how every decision happened, who disagreed with it, what almost went a completely different way, and how the people involved remember it years later.
The oral-history format suits this approach because the memories don't always line up perfectly. Producers explain why a creative decision made sense from their perspective, actors sometimes admit they didn't understand it, and Radloff places those viewpoints side by side rather than forcing everything into an official history. That becomes especially valuable in later seasons, when the growing children, established performers, writers, and producers didn't necessarily see every decision the same way.
A Warner Bros. casting office in New York initially dismissed Iain Armitage’s first audition tape before his agent pushed it to Los Angeles, where Parsons and others immediately saw what had almost slipped away. Stories like that make the book work because they're not trivia just being dropped into a chapter; they show how much of a long-running success can depend on one person refusing to accept defeat.
Radloff also does an excellent job showing how uncertain YOUNG SHELDON actually was before audiences made it look inevitable. Molaro and Lorre moved from the multi-camera environment they knew to a single-camera production, and Jon Favreau's involvement in directing the pilot became key to discovering what the new series should feel like. Even Parsons admits that he initially couldn't picture the different format before seeing how it separated the prequel from THE BIG BANG THEORY.
YOUNG SHELDON had to respect the thoughts and ideas that THE BIG BANG THEORY had already established while sometimes discovering that the older series' version of history simply wasn't the best option for a weekly family comedy. George Cooper Sr. provides the best example, as the writers gradually transformed someone adult Sheldon described rather harshly into a more complicated father whose shortcomings existed alongside genuine love for his family.
The book also doesn't shy away from the resulting continuity struggles. Radloff addresses fan questions about characters who never appeared or were never mentioned on THE BIG BANG THEORY, story details that evolved, and decisions that were effectively made because nobody could've predicted during the prequel's early seasons which supporting characters would become important years later. Those explanations don't ask readers to pretend inconsistency was part of some master plan, which makes them considerably more satisfying.
The book becomes unexpectedly affecting in its treatment of the young cast growing up while making the series. Armitage, Montana Jordan, and Raegan Revord aren't talked about as just child actors who became better performers over seven seasons. Their parents, co-stars, and crew members provide a fuller picture of what it actually meant to spend childhood working on a network television production.
Revord's chapter discusses the isolation that can accompany childhood fame, difficulties relating to other teenagers after spending so much time surrounded by adults, the resulting disturbing attention from strangers online, body-image struggles, and health issues experienced while millions of viewers were watching. Radloff handles those passages with care, letting Revord and their parents explain experiences largely invisible to viewers rather than turning them into a list of sensational revelations.
Some of the lighter moments break the book up into something easier to digest. An actor learns during an interview that someone else was originally cast in their role, performers remember ruining takes because someone couldn't stop laughing, and longtime cast members admit which props they quietly “liberated” after production ended. The recurring "Spill the (Iced) Tea" sections are especially effective at breaking up the season-by-season progression with smaller stories that deserve room without needing entire chapters.
Her affection for the people involved is obvious. That warmth is probably one reason the interviews are as candid as they are, and the participants seem remarkably comfortable discussing disputes, insecurities, and painful experiences with her. It occasionally reduces the critical distance, especially when the book moves from documenting the show's accomplishments to openly sharing the contributors' emotional attachment to it.
That tradeoff becomes incredibly interesting once YOUNG SHELDON reaches its end. The final portion of the book is much more complicated than a collection of happy memories about seven seasons. The decision to end the series sparked genuine anger and confusion among people who knew the show was still performing extremely well, and Radloff lets that frustration remain instead of rewriting the cancellation as something everyone just accepted.
Annie Potts is especially memorable in those chapters, but she's hardly alone. The timing of the GEORGIE & MANDY'S FIRST MARRIAGE discussions complicated emotions even further, creating a situation where some people were grieving the loss of “a family.” In contrast, others were simultaneously being told another opportunity was waiting. Television is both a collaboration and a business, and these chapters are strongest when those two realities collide.
The book captures the strange second life YOUNG SHELDON received through streaming and social media. A successful comedy suddenly reached another generation through Netflix and YouTube, allowing new viewers to discover the series who sometimes had little or no attachment to THE BIG BANG THEORY.
Radloff doesn't neglect the actual television while telling the story of making it. Major episodes receive plenty of attention, including the COVID-era production difficulties, Georgie's changing role in the family, the tornado, George's death, and the final appearance of Parsons and Mayim Bialik. Yet these sections usually focus less on what viewers already saw and more on why the showrunners made those choices, what filming required, and how the people creating those episodes responded.
That prevents a long book about a 141-episode series from becoming an elaborate recap. Readers who know YOUNG SHELDON well will obviously get the most from this, but the real subject eventually becomes the group of people who happened to make YOUNG SHELDON together. By the final chapters, stories about sets, scripts, and ratings matter because Radloff has spent hundreds of pages establishing what this job meant to those involved.
The funny stories are here, as are the casting surprises, continuity debates, and explanations behind favorite episodes. More importantly, Radloff preserves the more chaotic material too. Kids growing up under unusual circumstances, creative disagreements, a pandemic threatening production, actors saying goodbye before they were ready, and a successful series ending while many of the people making it still believed it had years left. YOUNG SHELDON spent seven seasons convincing audiences that the Cooper family was bigger than the boy whose name appeared in the title, and Radloff's book reaches a similar conclusion about the people who made it.
Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.
You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also find my social media accounts on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.
I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Since I pretty much gave up commercial television decades ago, I had never watched The Big Bang Theory, and had never heard of Young Sheldon until I read a news article on the series ending. Some time after that, I saw it was available for streaming with no commercials on a platform I had and started watching it. It was a breeze to stream with no wall-to-wall jokes, no bumpers, and no live audience. I was hooked and watched the entire series. While Sheldon himself became a constant irritant once he got older, due to his total lack of empathy for others, the rest of the characters were highly likable and highly amusing, especially Annie Potts and Matt Hobby. Both were hilarious.
This 464-page book should answer all the questions most viewers would have about the show. (The exception being those individuals in online discussion groups who absolutely cannot stop obsessing and commenting about absolutely everything in all the 141 episodes.) From the book, we learn everyone got along on the show and felt like they were a member of a loving family, until the show was ending and a surprise spin-off was announced. No real damage done to their friendships, however, and anyone looking for gossip and hatred needs to find another book on another series. There is also lots on all those behind the scenes, such as the creators, producers and writers; plus, quite a bit on the mothers of the child actors.
In addition it was explained how what happened in The Big Bang Theory affected what went on in the storylines of Young Sheldon. Some things matched what was said in the original series, while some things were very different in the spin-off, such as George's nature. Apparently, he was described as a bad dad in TBBT, but was no such thing in YS. Good idea to change that, but bad idea to still have him killed off. (Personal opinion there.) There are many pictures in the book, as well as many interviews with all the regular cast members. Author Jessica Radloff did a superb job creating this TV tome for Young Sheldon fans.
(Note: I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.)
This 464-page book should answer all the questions most viewers would have about the show. (The exception being those individuals in online discussion groups who absolutely cannot stop obsessing and commenting about absolutely everything in all the 141 episodes.) From the book, we learn everyone got along on the show and felt like they were a member of a loving family, until the show was ending and a surprise spin-off was announced. No real damage done to their friendships, however, and anyone looking for gossip and hatred needs to find another book on another series. There is also lots on all those behind the scenes, such as the creators, producers and writers; plus, quite a bit on the mothers of the child actors.
In addition it was explained how what happened in The Big Bang Theory affected what went on in the storylines of Young Sheldon. Some things matched what was said in the original series, while some things were very different in the spin-off, such as George's nature. Apparently, he was described as a bad dad in TBBT, but was no such thing in YS. Good idea to change that, but bad idea to still have him killed off. (Personal opinion there.) There are many pictures in the book, as well as many interviews with all the regular cast members. Author Jessica Radloff did a superb job creating this TV tome for Young Sheldon fans.
(Note: I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.)
October 6, 2026
Young Sheldon by Jessica Radloff is an insightful and enjoyable look behind the scenes of the creation and production of the TV show.
If you enjoy and have read a lot of books about popular culture, primarily forms that are collaborative like TV and film, you'll know that more and more of them are a lot more than just fluff and praise. This one fits that description and does so in a manner I have come to appreciate over the past decade or so. Namely, the heavy use of parts of interviews from multiple people with the author providing what amounts to a solid frame within which the principle contributors can tell their stories. I liken it to witnessing a conversation between these people since the quotes from interviews are chosen to reflect on the same topic or event.
One minor side effect of this style is a small amount of repetition. I think this is necessary since avoiding using full responses from the interviewees would leave their comments without context. So yes, you get some things a couple times, but that also isn't uncommon when a discussion between people meanders across various topics in real life, you contextualize your response because to not do so could make your abbreviated response seem either callous or out-of-place. A small price to pay to feel like you're in the middle of these people talking about their show.
Whether you're a fan or new to the series, there is a lot to enjoy here. The ways in which ideas are taken from a small seed and, through many modifications, blooms, or is discarded. The ways in which people can accept that their initial thought doesn't work or the way they believe wholeheartedly and convince others. But mostly it is about a group of people working on something they love and finding ways to navigate the different personalities and ideas.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
If you enjoy and have read a lot of books about popular culture, primarily forms that are collaborative like TV and film, you'll know that more and more of them are a lot more than just fluff and praise. This one fits that description and does so in a manner I have come to appreciate over the past decade or so. Namely, the heavy use of parts of interviews from multiple people with the author providing what amounts to a solid frame within which the principle contributors can tell their stories. I liken it to witnessing a conversation between these people since the quotes from interviews are chosen to reflect on the same topic or event.
One minor side effect of this style is a small amount of repetition. I think this is necessary since avoiding using full responses from the interviewees would leave their comments without context. So yes, you get some things a couple times, but that also isn't uncommon when a discussion between people meanders across various topics in real life, you contextualize your response because to not do so could make your abbreviated response seem either callous or out-of-place. A small price to pay to feel like you're in the middle of these people talking about their show.
Whether you're a fan or new to the series, there is a lot to enjoy here. The ways in which ideas are taken from a small seed and, through many modifications, blooms, or is discarded. The ways in which people can accept that their initial thought doesn't work or the way they believe wholeheartedly and convince others. But mostly it is about a group of people working on something they love and finding ways to navigate the different personalities and ideas.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advance e-copy of “Young Sheldon: The (Juicier Than Meemaw’s Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy” from NetGalley and I am so grateful to have been given that gift, which was everything I’d hoped for and more.
The format of this book is easy to follow, starting from the creation of the show, through each season, and up to the start of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. All of the actors were interviewed, as well as the creators, writers, directors, and some of the cast’s family members, giving a well rounded view of the series from start to finish.
I was familiar with the basics of some of the stories shared in the book, such as Jim Parsons & his husband Todd coming up with the idea for the show after talking about Jim’s nephew, Michael. There were many more stories shared that I had no clue about and wouldn’t have even thought were a possibility.
Each of the kids, Iain Armitage, Raegan Revord, and Montana Jordan have a chapter dedicated to them, giving readers a chance to learn more about their experiences during production, from going to school on set, to having a tv family, to growing up on camera, and more.
The chapters surrounding the last season were some of my favorites. I could feel the casts’ emotions, really showing how close the cast was, and still is. I appreciate that it doesn’t feel like anyone held back with what they shared with Jessica.
Highlights for me included: seeing the script for a scene that wasn’t filmed, knowing the challenges surrounding filming during COVID, learning what happened with some of the iconic Young Sheldon props like Sheldon’s mittens and Missy’s tiara, and reading veteran actors’ experiences with young viewers recognizing them while out & about.
If you are a Young Sheldon fan and want to learn more about the show, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not read this book.
The format of this book is easy to follow, starting from the creation of the show, through each season, and up to the start of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. All of the actors were interviewed, as well as the creators, writers, directors, and some of the cast’s family members, giving a well rounded view of the series from start to finish.
I was familiar with the basics of some of the stories shared in the book, such as Jim Parsons & his husband Todd coming up with the idea for the show after talking about Jim’s nephew, Michael. There were many more stories shared that I had no clue about and wouldn’t have even thought were a possibility.
Each of the kids, Iain Armitage, Raegan Revord, and Montana Jordan have a chapter dedicated to them, giving readers a chance to learn more about their experiences during production, from going to school on set, to having a tv family, to growing up on camera, and more.
The chapters surrounding the last season were some of my favorites. I could feel the casts’ emotions, really showing how close the cast was, and still is. I appreciate that it doesn’t feel like anyone held back with what they shared with Jessica.
Highlights for me included: seeing the script for a scene that wasn’t filmed, knowing the challenges surrounding filming during COVID, learning what happened with some of the iconic Young Sheldon props like Sheldon’s mittens and Missy’s tiara, and reading veteran actors’ experiences with young viewers recognizing them while out & about.
If you are a Young Sheldon fan and want to learn more about the show, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you were a devoted fan of Young Sheldon, a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, you will be delighted by Young Sheldon: the (Juicier-than-Meemaw's Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy, written by Jessica Radloff, who also authored the inside story of The Big Bang Theory so beautifully.
I am a big fan of both shows, so I thoroughly enjoyed this lengthy book, which spills all the details I was hoping for. From Chuck Lorre's initial idea for the spinoff series to the emotional final episode after seven years as the top TV comedy, it is a rewarding and immersive book about a unique success story.The first two years were especially challenging, as The Big Bang Theory was still on the air, requiring much of the creative team to do double duty. Later they had to contend with delays caused by the pandemic, then the writer/actor strikes. My favorite parts include a deep dive into each major character and actor, from casting to adjusting to a one-camera (no studio audience) format to dealing with an adoring public, developing friendships, and revealing highlights of their personal lives. Supporting characters are also well explored, along with the actors who played them. And for each of the seven seasons, selected episodes are highlighted and thoroughly explored.
There is so much more that I haven't mentioned that you should consider reading it yourself if you are more than a bit curious about the inner workings of a hit show and an atmosphere that respected and celebrated both the writers and the cast.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
I am a big fan of both shows, so I thoroughly enjoyed this lengthy book, which spills all the details I was hoping for. From Chuck Lorre's initial idea for the spinoff series to the emotional final episode after seven years as the top TV comedy, it is a rewarding and immersive book about a unique success story.The first two years were especially challenging, as The Big Bang Theory was still on the air, requiring much of the creative team to do double duty. Later they had to contend with delays caused by the pandemic, then the writer/actor strikes. My favorite parts include a deep dive into each major character and actor, from casting to adjusting to a one-camera (no studio audience) format to dealing with an adoring public, developing friendships, and revealing highlights of their personal lives. Supporting characters are also well explored, along with the actors who played them. And for each of the seven seasons, selected episodes are highlighted and thoroughly explored.
There is so much more that I haven't mentioned that you should consider reading it yourself if you are more than a bit curious about the inner workings of a hit show and an atmosphere that respected and celebrated both the writers and the cast.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I watched this show from the first episode until the last when it aired originally, and I’ve watched it a few more times since then. This book put words to my feelings about the show. It was a show about a family, and that family made you a part of it.
The book captures that feeling and brings you back behind the scenes to show you the family behind the family. It was a great cast of characters and even greater people. Annie Potts is a treasure!
There were a few things that were off in this book though. There wasn’t any real reason to mention that 9 year old Iain Armitage was sometimes hard to work with. He was 9!
The other problem was the repetition. Did you know who Zoe’s parents are? You will after the 5+ mentions of it. There’s a story about something Lance Barber did during an opening credits shoot. He tells the story, from when he came up with the idea to when they shot it. The next page has a picture of the shoot and the caption is (yes it was his idea!). I know that, he just said that. There was a lot of stuff like that and it was just so irritating.
But, the book was honest and detailed. Loved it and recommend it to anyone!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book captures that feeling and brings you back behind the scenes to show you the family behind the family. It was a great cast of characters and even greater people. Annie Potts is a treasure!
There were a few things that were off in this book though. There wasn’t any real reason to mention that 9 year old Iain Armitage was sometimes hard to work with. He was 9!
The other problem was the repetition. Did you know who Zoe’s parents are? You will after the 5+ mentions of it. There’s a story about something Lance Barber did during an opening credits shoot. He tells the story, from when he came up with the idea to when they shot it. The next page has a picture of the shoot and the caption is (yes it was his idea!). I know that, he just said that. There was a lot of stuff like that and it was just so irritating.
But, the book was honest and detailed. Loved it and recommend it to anyone!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 27, 2026
I have to start out this review with a disclaimer that I am a huge fan of The Big Bang Theory and subsequently all shows that fall within the Big Bang Theory universe. So this was basically a five star book before I even opened it.
But I can also say, as a huge fan, I have already read many books related to these shows, and Jessica Radloff's work is far and away the best. I had high expectations for this after her Big Bang Theory book, and it met all of them. Radloff does an amazing job organizing these interviews and telling these behind-the-scenes stories. I learned so many things I didn't know before about Young Sheldon, even as someone who followed the show closely while it was on. I especially loved getting to read the scene that was cut from season 4 where adult Sheldon speaks to George Sr. in a fantasy sequence. This book is worth it for that scene alone, to be honest.
This is a must-read for any fan of Young Sheldon and/or The Big Bang Theory and/or TV history. Read Radloff's Big Bang Theory book first if you haven't already, then read this. It's worth it.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC! Much appreciated!
But I can also say, as a huge fan, I have already read many books related to these shows, and Jessica Radloff's work is far and away the best. I had high expectations for this after her Big Bang Theory book, and it met all of them. Radloff does an amazing job organizing these interviews and telling these behind-the-scenes stories. I learned so many things I didn't know before about Young Sheldon, even as someone who followed the show closely while it was on. I especially loved getting to read the scene that was cut from season 4 where adult Sheldon speaks to George Sr. in a fantasy sequence. This book is worth it for that scene alone, to be honest.
This is a must-read for any fan of Young Sheldon and/or The Big Bang Theory and/or TV history. Read Radloff's Big Bang Theory book first if you haven't already, then read this. It's worth it.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC! Much appreciated!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of "Young Sheldon" from NetGalley. I am a fan of the tv show so happy to see a book written by Jessica Radloff. This is a fun facted book to read. It writes about how the show came about. A spin off show from Big Bang Theory. This is about Adult Sheldon from BBT when he was a child growing up in East Texas. The author goes over all seven seasons. There are interviews by all the actors voicing their experiences on the show. I I enjoyed reading this book. Glad I got the chance to read Young Sheldon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The subtitle says it all - THE (JUICIER-THAN-MEEMA'S-BRISKET) INSIDE STORY OF THE HOT COMEDY. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at t6he popular TV show, covering all seasons, guest stars, regulars, etc. It can be a bit repetitive, but it is really a fun read. If you are a true fan, it will return you immediately to the time of your life when those episodes first aired. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Arc review
Loved this insight into the show. How everyone was cast, how the show came about, the seasons. Just a neat look into a show I loved watching.
Loved this insight into the show. How everyone was cast, how the show came about, the seasons. Just a neat look into a show I loved watching.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.This is a well written. well researched book about the making of the tv show. It has lots of behind the scenes information and fun facts about the casting, writing and acting. It is a good fun read, with all of the background info you would ever want. This is great for all fans.
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