Set in the 1990s, this sequel series to Young Sheldon looks like a sitcom in the traditional US vein, from its warm-hearted sense of morality to the jolly laughter of the studio audience. The Georgie of the title is Georgie Cooper (Montana Jordan), the straightforward older brother to quirky genius Sheldon and the Mandy is Mandy McAllister (Emily Osment), Georgie’s wife. She’s 12 years older than him, they have a child together and live with her parents; adding to that awkwardness, Georgie has a management position at his father-in-law’s garage that he didn’t earn, and it’s causing problems with the staff.
Characters from Young Sheldon (itself a prequel to The Big Bang Theory) turn up a fair bit, including Georgie’s mum Mary (Zoe Perry), grandmother Meemaw (Annie Potts) and sassy sister Missy (Raegan Revord).
Playing like a cross between that show and Friends spin-off Joey, this is a warmly reliable series that lacks a little spark but is capable of surprise – take the liberal use of violin music on the soundtrack, and the tango-dancing in the opening credits, as evidence of that. The fact that it’s set in the wake of the poignant events that concluded Young Sheldon gives it a subtle emotional twist, too, beneath the stream of gags. (One series)