Young Sheldon’s 100th Episode's Best Secret Cameo Isn't A Huge TBBT Actor
CBS will soon celebrate Young Sheldon's 100th episode, and the monumental outing's best possible guest star isn't a prominent The Big Bang Theory actor or character. The network's premier comedy is currently on hiatus due to NCAA's March Madness, but when it returns, fans can expect something special as it marks an important milestone. As Young Sheldon season 5 winds down, it's also set to commemorate its 100th episode which is a rare feat, especially for network shows.
Premiering in 2017, Young Sheldon aired back-to-back in its first two years with its parent series. But after The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, the spinoff has been standing on its own, and to its credit, it continues to be CBS' best comedy. Given this, it's safe to say that the network will be preparing something special for its important milestone. For context, The Big Bang Theory's 100th episode featured Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) finally starting to reconcile their relationship. It set the couple's trajectory moving forward as it pretty much confirmed that they were meant for each other.
Young Sheldon doesn't exactly need to follow in the footsteps of its parent series, but it's safe to assume that whatever happens in it would be significant for the show moving forward. Given this, despite fans' presumptions that the episode titled "A Solo Peanut, a Social Butterfly and the Truth," will feature prominent The Big Bang Theory characters such as Penny or Leonard (in addition to a confirmed appearance from McKenna Grace's Paige in Young Sheldon's 100th episode), its best guest star would be an older version of Sheldon's family. That could be Laurie Metcalf's Mary, Jerry O'Connell's Georgie, or Courtney Henggeler; perhaps, they can even bring back June Squibb's Meemaw.
Ultimately, Young Sheldon's 100th episode needs to be focused on the ongoing sitcom's narrative — not its ties to The Big Bang Theory. It seems like CBS is well aware of this. So, Mayim Bialik's anticipated return as Amy on Young Sheldon took place an episode before its monumental 100th outing. Looking at the official synopsis of the upcoming milestone, it appears as if season 5-long narratives are going to have some sort of resolution. Georgie (Montana Jordan) is finally coming clean about his real age to his girlfriend, Mandy (Emily Osment). Meanwhile, Meemaw (Annie Potts) and Dale's (Craig T. Nelson) haphazard break-up will put Mary (Zoe Perry) and George (Lance Barber) in an awkward position. This could lead the Cooper parents to confront their own relationship issues. George, in particular, is still bothered by seeing his wife having a blast with her co-worker when she can't loosen up with him. So, it's possible that Young Sheldon episode 100 would see the actual beginning of his downfall.
Whatever it might be, it's imperative that this milestone is celebrated with something of significance to Young Sheldon's story. It's easy to shoehorn a cameo from any member of the Pasadena gang on The Big Bang Theory, and the sitcom can still do that. But the focus should be on Young Sheldon's primary cast and characters, and not on anything else.
Young Sheldon season 5 airs Thursdays on CBS.