Montana Jordan and Emily Osment lead CBS’s newest addition to The Big Bang Theory universe, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. This spinoff centers on a young Texas couple as they navigate the ups and downs of parenthood, in-laws, and the general challenges of adulthood. While it has plenty of heart, it struggles to find a clear sense of purpose.
Young Sheldon was an easy target for jokes when it first premiered—mainly because of its title rather than its content. Many dismissed it without watching any of its 141 episodes. However, those who did found that it was a well-crafted single-camera comedy, tonally closer to The Wonder Years than its multi-cam predecessor, The Big Bang Theory. Now, CBS’s Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage tries to blend these tones, but with mixed results.
The show opens with a scene that sets the tone: Georgie (Montana Jordan) is sitting with his in-laws, Jim (Will Sasso) and Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones), watching Frasier. Georgie remarks, “Frasier’s a laughing show. I like laughing shows.” When asked to elaborate, he adds, “Some shows you can hear people laughing, and some you can’t.” Audrey, his disapproving mother-in-law, retorts, “Well, I prefer to laugh when I choose to.”
This exchange encapsulates the hybrid nature of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. It tries to balance the studio audience laughter of The Big Bang Theory with the more emotional, laugh-track-free style of Young Sheldon. In this way, it feels most akin to Chuck Lorre’s Mom, a show that balanced humor and heart and even featured a memorable guest appearance by Emily Osment, one of the leads of First Marriage.
However, unlike Mom, which had a clear focus on addiction recovery and complex mother-daughter dynamics, First Marriage doesn’t yet have a strong narrative hook. Both The Big Bang Theory (socially awkward nerds navigating life) and Young Sheldon (a young genius growing up in a small Texas town) had clear premises that guided their stories. But First Marriage, as of its first two episodes, feels like it’s still searching for its identity. While it benefits from a talented cast and the seasoned experience of Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Steve Holland, it seems adrift, leaning too heavily on its connections to previous shows rather than developing its own distinct voice.
The plot focuses on Georgie and Mandy (Emily Osment), a young couple and new parents living with Mandy’s parents in a midsized Texas town. The timeline of the show is unclear within The Big Bang Theory universe, adding a layer of confusion. Georgie, a kind-hearted but not particularly bright young man, works at Jim’s tire shop. Mandy, who is slightly older and more ambitious, dreams of becoming a television reporter but struggles to find work. Jim is laid-back and easygoing, while Audrey views Georgie as the reason her daughter’s life took an unexpected turn. Rounding out the household is Mandy’s music-loving brother, Connor (Dougie Baldwin), who exhibits traits reminiscent of Sheldon, a comparison that Georgie himself makes multiple times.
The show leans heavily on cameos and references to characters from Young Sheldon. Viewers familiar with the prequel will see familiar faces like Zoe Perry’s Mary, Annie Potts’ Meemaw, and Raegan Revord’s Missy. Georgie also expresses his frustration at the idea of leaving the fictional town of Medford, offering reassurance that even when First Marriage loses its direction, a nod to Young Sheldon is never far behind.
While these connections are meant to be comforting for longtime fans, they can also be limiting. Characters like Perry’s Mary and Potts’ Meemaw deliver strong performances, and Revord has a powerful emotional moment in the second episode. However, these tie-ins don’t necessarily help First Marriage stand on its own. They fill time that could instead be used to flesh out the new dynamics and relationships the show introduces. If every episode relies on a familiar face or reference to previous events, it may never develop its own identity.
Without the emotional weight of these cameos and references, the show feels thin. The chemistry between Jordan and Osment is endearing, but oddly, the most of it comes through in the opening credits sequence, where they perform a playful tango through their chaotic living room. In the actual episodes, their connection feels less developed. Additionally, knowing that their marriage is doomed, as implied by The Big Bang Theory canon, gives the show a melancholy undertone that it hasn’t fully embraced. This looming sense of tragedy could set First Marriage apart, but so far, the narrative hasn’t delved into it.
This issue of finding its tone is reminiscent of Young Sheldon’s early episodes, where fans knew George Sr.’s fate was inevitable. However, Young Sheldon eventually handled that storyline with grace, showing that First Marriage might still find its footing. But at this point, it’s hard to evaluate the new series based on potential alone.
The repetitive dynamic between Jim and Audrey is another challenge. While there’s potential for Rachel Bay Jones to bring more depth to her role as the critical mother-in-law, for now, Audrey is mostly portrayed as the nagging figure. On the other hand, Jim’s character feels like a modern Fred Flintstone, a comparison that’s hard to ignore and even made me wonder if Will Sasso had ever portrayed Fred Flintstone in another show. Given the playful, cartoon-like energy between Georgie and Mandy, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the show lean into that dynamic.
Other supporting characters like Connor and Ruben (Jessie Prez), who works at Jim’s shop, are underdeveloped so far. Connor’s role, which seems to hint at a character with Sheldon-like traits, has yet to move beyond brief moments. Similarly, Ruben’s resentment toward Georgie for taking his job could be interesting, but it remains unexplored.
One thing Chuck Lorre excels at is evolving his shows over time. While The Big Bang Theory had a rough start, it eventually found its stride and became a standout sitcom. Both Young Sheldon and Mom grew into the shows they hinted at in their pilots. If Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage follows this pattern, it may yet become something more substantial. For now, though, it’s a show with heart and potential but is still figuring out its purpose.