Big Bang Theory's underrated spinoff is the most watched sitcom on HBO Max this week — and it's not Young Sheldon

While I've never been the biggest fan of The Big Bang Theory (sorry), I remember Young Sheldon mania like it was yesterday. Out of seemingly nowhere, the prequel became one of America's most-watched shows from 2017 to 2024.

But things turned sour in season 7, when Sheldon's dad George (Lance Barber) was killed off three episodes before the season finale. Young Sheldon ended for good, on the worst note possible, when nobody was ready to say farewell.

With Young Sheldon season 8 then impossible, CBS and Paramount came up with an even wilder idea: a spinoff of a spinoff. A 'prequel sequel', if you will.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage follows, as its title suggests, the relationships between Sheldon's older brother Georgie (Montana Jordan), his wife Mandy (Emily Osment) and Mandy's immediate family directly after George's death.

It's only been available on HBO Max for a short time, but it's already the most-watched sitcom on the streamer this week — and with HBO Max UK also debuting tomorrow (March 26), there's never been a better time to get stuck in.

Why you need to stream Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage on HBO Max this week

'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage' Trailer | 'Young Sheldon' Spinoff - YouTube

Watch On

If you were a bigger fan of TBBT than Young Sheldon, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is actually a better comedic fit for you. Much like the main show, the spinoff returns to the classic multi-cam sitcom format, complete with a live-audience laugh track.

Thankfully, there's much less scientific jargon here. Georgie and Mandy's relationship is obviously the crux of the drama, but as is true of day-to-day life, their problems are low-stakes and familiar, which makes it a binge that's easy on the brain.

The laughs come thick and fast, but for me the best thing about Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage isn't actually its focus on the pair's relationship. Instead, it's the regular appearances by the cast of Young Sheldon — minus George and Sheldon (Iain Armitage) himself — who return to recapture their glory days.

Missy (Raegan Revord), Mary (Zoe Perry) and Meemaw (Annie Potts) all appear regularly across both seasons, and sometimes it feels as though nothing has changed. It's wild to see Missy growing up as a rebellious teenager, while Mary slowly morphs into the intense God-fearing version we meet years later in TBBT.

Meemaw? Well, she's proof that not everything has to change.

After a taxing week, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is a streamable tonic for the soul. Not everything on HBO Max is scary or emotionally scarring, and this show is proof.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.