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Why Georgie & Mandy's Spinoff Is Titled First Marriage Carefully Addressed By Montana Jordan

An unrecognizable Lance Barber reunites with George's kids in a brand new Cooper family patriarch before it ended. That involved fleshing out Barber's character and showing that, while he wasn't perfect, there was no doubt about his devotion to providing for his family. Because of this, it was truly devastating when George unexpectedly died in Young Sheldon season 7, although the tragedy was long-established in The Big Bang Theory.

Months after the Young Sheldon finale, however, Barber reunited with his on-screen kids as he visited the set of Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, as shared by Emily Osment on Instagram. Check out the photo below:

Lance Barber on the set of Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

The adorable snap sees several familiar faces crammed on the McAllisters' living room couch. Barber, who looks very different from what George looked like in Young Sheldon, is sitting beside Montana Jordan and Raegan Revord, who play Georgie and Missy. Osment is also in the adorable photo.

What Barber's Appearance Means For Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

Barber's Appearance Douses Hopes That He Will Return As George

George's death set up the Young Sheldon finale. Before the show shifted its focus to wrapping up Sheldon's childhood in Texas, it tackled how the family coped with the immediate aftermath of losing their patriarch, with its penultimate episode devoted to his funeral. Considering how Barber looks in the Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage set image, it's highly unlikely that he is there to reprise his role as George. Instead, he just dropped by to watch one of its live tapings. Despite this, it's still a treat to see that he has maintained his relationship with his on-screen kids.

Previously, Barber had already reunited with Revord and Jordan when he first visited the set of Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. Back then, however, the photo didn't reveal much of the backdrop of the show's set. Instead, it was just an adorable group photo of the trio. This time, however, he is seen fully hanging out, not just with the Georgie and Missy actors, but also with the rest of the core Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage cast. Aside from Osment, the image appears to also feature Jessie Prez, who plays the McAllisters' tire store employee, Ruben.

Our Take On Barber’s Potential Involvement In Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

Barber's Return Is George Is Unlikely (For Now)

A photo of Lance Barber as George at his funeral in Young Sheldon

Because George died in Young Sheldon, it would be difficult to see him return as the character, considering Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage's story. While he can come back in a flashback sequence or vision, I don't think these possibilities will come to fruition until after season 1. For now, CBS and Chuck Lorre's focus is to establish this revamped ensemble. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is already bringing back Mary, Meemaw, and Missy, and that should be enough cameos from Young Sheldon for now. Iain Armitage's Sheldon doesn't even have a confirmed return yet.

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How Old Georgie & Mandy Are In Young Sheldon & Their Spinoff: Age-Gap Explained

A vital aspect of Georgie and Mandy's relationship is their big age gap — something that Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage will hopefully explore more.

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There's always the option for him to play a different character. Barber portrayed Leonard's high school bully in The Big Bang Theory years before he landed the role of George on Young Sheldon. That said, the actor is now firmly synonymous with the Cooper family's patriarch. Repeating this casting trick will only raise new questions that I'm sure the writers don't want. Considering the way that his demise was beautifully handled, I'm sure everyone from the sitcom's writers' room doesn't want to do anything that would cheapen that, despite the comedic nature of the project.

It's no secret that Young Sheldon had to deal with countless plot inconsistencies throughout its run. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage is better positioned not to have as many canon issues because of its loose connection to The Big Bang Theory. Its challenge, however, is to ensure that this new ensemble will also be beloved, which can be tricky, considering the divisive cancelation of Young Sheldon.

We Think Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage's George Replacement Deserves To Be Focused On

Georgie Has A Better Father Figure In His New Show

Like many who loved Barber as George, I would love to see the Cooper patriarch back on the small screen. Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage will have to be a bit creative for this to happen, but it isn't impossible. That said, I also firmly believe that at this point, the new show should be focusing all its energy on establishing the new patriarch in The Big Bang Theory franchise: Will Sasso's Jim McAllister.

Despite being the firstborn in the Cooper family, Georgie didn't have the best relationship with his dad, especially in the earlier seasons of Young Sheldon, since all the focus was on Sheldon.

Spiritually George's replacement in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, the first trailer for the sitcom already teased the kind of dynamic that Jim will have with Georgie, and that's one of the most interesting pairings it currently has. Despite being the firstborn in the Cooper family, Georgie didn't have the best relationship with his dad, especially in the earlier seasons of Young Sheldon, since all the focus was on Sheldon. This time, he will need all the he can get from his father-in-law, as he takes care of Mandy and their baby, Cece, as well as Mary and Missy.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage premieres on October 17 on CBS.

Source: Emily Osment/Instagram

  • young-sheldon

    Your Rating

    Young Sheldon
    Release Date
    2017 - 2024-00-00
    Network
    CBS
    Directors
    Jon Favreau
    • Iain Armitage Profile Picture
      Iain Armitage
      Sheldon Cooper
    • Zoe Perry Profile Picture
      Zoe Perry
      Mary Cooper

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Streaming

    A spinoff of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon follows the youth and coming-of-age of Sheldon Cooper during his childhood in Texas as he pursues science and academia. The show also follows his parents, siblings, and Mee-Maw, painting a picture of the world where Sheldon grew up.

    Seasons
    7
    Main Genre
    Comedy
  • 03215792_poster_w780-1.jpg

    Your Rating

    Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
    TV-PG
    Comedy
    Release Date
    October 17, 2024
    Network
    CBS
    Directors
    Mark Cendrowski
    • hEADSHOT oF Montana Jordan
      Montana Jordan
      Georgie Cooper
    • Headshot Of Emily Osment
      Emily Osment
      Mandy Cooper

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Streaming

    Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage follows the couple as they navigate the complexities of adulthood, parenting, and marriage while raising their young family in Texas.

    Seasons
    1
    Main Genre
    Comedy