Young Sheldon EP Defends Creating All Those Big Bang Theory ...

Young Sheldon executive producer Steve Holland defends the prequel show for creating many The Big Bang Theory plot holes. While the initial idea for the spin-off wasn't tied to the nerd-centric sitcom, it was retooled to function as Sheldon's origin story. Despite supposedly existing in the same reality, however, Young Sheldon has contradicted The Big Bang Theory's established canon countless times in its six years on the air.

As Young Sheldon tackles Mary and George's marriage blow-up (a narrative that Sheldon harped on in The Big Bang Theory), Holland defends the prequel series for breaking continuity in the past. In a new interview with TV Line, he admits it's tricky to preserve continuity and that they are not willing to be cuffed into something meant as a joke while making Young Sheldon. Read his full quote below:

"It’s tricky, because we were writing Big Bang for 10 seasons before Young Sheldon was on the air and a thing we had to worry about. If you go back and look, there are things in Big Bang that contradict its own canon. I’m not trying to get off the hook. There are certainly big-picture canon things that are very important to the Sheldon character, and there are a lot of smaller things we’re not saying didn’t happen, but were just jokes when we said them on Big Bang, and we don’t feel the need to necessarily be handcuffed by a joke in the stories we have to tell because we told a joke eight years ago. So, again, we’re not trying to discount those things, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we feel obligated to tell all of them as story pieces. I mean, in Big Bang, George is shooting plates like skeet off the window and Mary is putting ground-up glass in his soup. Obviously, those are not stories you could tell on this show. I don’t think they would fit or make sense. But we do feel a responsibility to the character and the canon."

Related: Young Sheldon May Have Explained Sheldon’s Worst Big Bang Theory Lie

Plot inconsistencies between Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory are a growing problem. Some of them are small and created to prioritize the prequel's storytelling. These inconsistencies are not dire as they don't have a major impact on the nerd-centric sitcom's canon. Others, however, raise important questions about how Sheldon's adult life panned out in Pasadena. A great example of this is Mary's own infidelity, which was never mentioned in The Big Bang Theory.

Paige's storyline in Young Sheldonalso changes certain aspects of Sheldon's life in The Big Bang Theory, particularly when it comes to how his romance with Amy progressed. A similar sentiment is noticed with Dr. Sturgis. However, it's the idea that The Big Bang Theory sets up most of the Coopers for an unsatisfying future, which is the best argument for why Young Sheldon needs to ignore it. Staying true to canon means Georgie and Mandy will break up, while Missy will not be able to reach her full potential.

If CBS decides to stick with the idea that both shows take place in the same timeline, there are stories that Young Sheldon needs to tackle. That includes Sheldon's George cheating story in TBBT. Holland confirms that it will not happen in season 6, but he is also not guaranteeing that it will be explored. Considering how much the experience impacted Sheldon, the prequel should uncover the incident.

More: Young Sheldon Ruins Sheldon & Amy’s Sweetest Big Bang Theory Moment

Source: TV Line