Chuck Lorre vows 'Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage' success, even if TV marriage is doomed

PASADENA, Calif. ― Chuck Lorre loves that the title of his upcoming sitcom, "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage," is "pessimistic."

The "first" in the title is especially appropriate in CBS' sequel to "Young Sheldon," which follows newly married teenage parents Georgie Cooper (Montana Jordan) and Mandy McCallister (Emily Osment).

"Georgie is 19; he dropped out of high school. How smooth do you think this marriage is going to go?" Lorre, the co-creator and executive producer, asked during a "Georgie & Mandy" panel at the Television Critics Association Saturday. "There is some pessimism there. But there’s hope too, if you stick with us."

Lorre is bullish about the sitcom, a spinoff of the just-ended "Young Sheldon" and another prequel to "The Big Bang Theory" that begins filming in front of a live audience next week and premieres Oct. 17.

"Seventeen years ago I was in this very room, trying to convince you to be enthusiastic about 'Big Bang Theory.' You were not. It was a cool reception," Lorre told TV critics. "All is forgiven. But I have to tell you, I'm doing it again."

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What is the 'Young Sheldon' sequel about?

Lorre told USA TODAY the story of the young Texas couple with a newborn baby, whom viewers met in "Sheldon," demanded to be told. When Lorre and CBS decided to end "Sheldon" with Season 7 last May, he pushed the story of older, underachieving brother Georgie for the new sitcom.

"It's so clear that there's a story to be told of this young man who has become a husband and a father," Lorre said. "Yet he still takes care of his mother and his sister. He's got a lot on his plate. It seemed obvious. We went to CBS and said, 'We think this is the last year, but we think there's another story to tell.' They were totally receptive."

While "Big Bang" and "Sheldon" follow genius Sheldon Cooper at different phases of his life, "Georgie & Mandy" centers on a Cooper family member who is far from genius. There's reason for the marital pessimism. In the final season of "Big Bang," which ended in 2019, it's revealed that Georgie Cooper (played as an adult by Jerry O'Connell), also known as George Jr., has been married and divorced twice. But Georgie is also a business success and tire magnate.

Lorre said there's one point in "Georgie & Mandy" when Georgie explains to his new father-in-law that "he has always been considered the 'dumb' brother, and he uses that to his advantage."

Which 'Young Sheldon' stars will appear in 'Georgie & Mandy'?

"There are different kinds of intelligence, and Georgie brings things that Sheldon cannot bring, like empathy, compassion and grit that can ultimately lead to success," said Lorre.

"Young Sheldon" reteams "Big Bang" and "Sheldon" executive producers Steve Holland and Steve Molaro. Rachel Bay Jones, who plays Mandy's mother Audrey in "Georgie & Mandy," appeared at Saturday's panel. The new series also features guest appearances by "Sheldon" stars Zoe Perry (Georgie's mother, Mary Cooper), Annie Potts (Meemaw) and Raegan Revord (sister Missy Cooper).

Osment was originally brought in to play Georgie's girlfriend for one episode of "Sheldon," but the actress (and the couple) immediately clicked with viewers, producers said.

"I was so grateful. First it was only one week on 'Young Sheldon.' And then I got a call for the next week, and then the next week," said Osment, who eventually became a series regular.

Jordan, 21, thickly accented and from Longview, Texas, said he brings real-life experience to the role. He's the father of a 7-week-old boy, Tony, born to his partner Jenna Weeks.

"I'm really lucky, he's 7 weeks old but he sleeps through the night," said Jordan. "I'm soaking in every second that I can."

While Jordan has no experience acting in front of a studio audience, he's ready to take on the challenge of leading his first sitcom. Gesturing to Lorre and the producers behind him, he vowed: "I’ll be damned if I let these three people behind me down."

Contributing: Gary Levin