Jim Parsons doesn’t want his younger counterpart to care too much about other people.
The “Big Bang Theory” star told reporters at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Tuesday that he has been giving pointers to “Young Sheldon” star Iain Armitage about the “peculiarities” of playing the new CBS sitcom’s title character, whom Parsons portrays in later years of life.
“One of the hardest things for someone like Iain playing the character is, Iain is so empathetic to other people and so in tune to other people’s needs, and as an actor, he brings that — he’s a very good responder to people,” Parsons said. “So those are great qualities to have, but in this particular character, you almost need to let them play under the surface.”
The Emmy winner said he would have to explain to 9-year-old Armitage: “‘You don’t understand what [other people] mean,’ or ‘You don’t understand what you said is rude.'”
“He’s very intuitive, and in some ways that can be a habit that needs to be broken with this character,” Parsons continued.
During the show’s panel, creator Chuck Lorre, who is known for multi-camera comedies like “Big Bang” and “Two and a Half Men,” told reporters that he is a “nervous wreck” about the fact that “Young Sheldon” is single-camera.
“Young Sheldon” airs its premiere on Sept. 25 on CBS.
12 New TV Shows We're Actually Excited About, From 'Gifted' to 'Rise' (Photos)
The five broadcast networks unveiled their new shows for the 2017-18 season this week, and as always, some looked better than others. TheWrap's TV Team has picked the 13 show's we're most excited to see, based on what we know about them so far.
"LA to Vegas" (Fox) We're all about to find out just how funny Dylan McDermott -- who apparently can can grow a killer mustache -- can be. His captain's jokes from the series' trailer are top-notch in their purposefully hacky delivery -- let's see if the rest of the crew can keep up. "LA to Vegas" hails from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, so we know pedigree won't be the problem. Insert your own joke about substituting Dermot Mulroney for Season 2 and not missing a beat. -- Tony Maglio
Fox
"The Orville" (Fox) Look, it's Seth MacFarlane and Norm MacDonald in a space odyssey -- how bad could it be? Famous last words, we know -- but this certainly has more potential than "Dads" did. The trailer for "The Orville" has some solid laughs, including a pretty simple one about shot-framing -- let's hope this turns out to be more "Ted" than "A Million Ways to Die in the West." -- Tony Maglio
Fox
"The Crossing" (ABC) It's from the creators of "Lost" and they certainly want you to think that's what you're getting: a paranormal mystery, a lot of secrets, and people talking in vague terms about a future war. What could this all mean? Will each episode end in a cliffhanger? Do they have an end game? Hopefully we've learned a lot since "Lost," and since that might be the case, here's hoping "The Crossing" is what could've been for fans of supernatural intrigue. -- Carli Velocci
ABC
"The Gifted" (Fox) It looks a lot like "Heroes" (and we know how that turned out) but there's still something here. We have Amy Acker -- who's good in just about every role she's ever played -- starring in a show about mutants that looks to expand on the drama we saw hinted at in "Logan." Where are the X-Men or the Brotherhood? What is the status of mutants? Fans can get some answers and maybe learn a thing or two about characters like Blink, who was underused in "Days of Future Past" and Polaris, a character from the comics. -- Carli Velocci
Fox
"Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders" (NBC) It's one of the most bizarre true crime cases. It seems simple -- the story of two brothers who were convicted of killing their parents -- but accusations about child abuse, sexual assault, and manipulation made it tough to discern who all was guilty. Crime afficionados are obsessed with this story for a reason, and to see it dramatized with Edie Falco in a starring role is too juicy to pass up. -- Carli Velocci
NBC
"Rise" (NBC) Based on its premise alone, "Rise" could seem like little more than an earnest take on "Glee," but with "Friday Night Lights'" Jason Katims at the helm, the high school-set series promises gut-wrenching emotion and human drama. And the trailer NBC previewed at its upfront presentation confirmed that "Moana" breakout Auli'i Cravalho is destined to be a star, bringing the same charisma she displayed in her show-stopping performance at this year's Oscars. -- Reid Nakamura
NBC
"The Mayor" (ABC) ABC's rapper-turned-mayor comedy was one of the most pleasant surprises in the network's line-up, with the trailer serving up more than a few good laughs (though disappointingly little music for a show about a rapper). Brandon Micheal Hall is a charming lead and he's surrounded by a more than capable cast, including "Community" vet Yvette Nicole Brown and "Glee" star Lea Michele. -- Reid Nakamura
ABC
"Star Trek: Discovery" (CBS) Fans have waited for the latest "Star Trek" TV series for nearly two years, through multiple delays and behind-the-scenes changes, but it looks like the show will finally come to CBS and CBS All Access this fall. The effects-heavy trailer indicates the show will be a big swing for the network, a good sign for those fans hoping the show will be able to live up to the spectacle of the movies. -- Reid Nakamura
CBS
"Me, Myself & I" (CBS) Bobby Moynihan gets a chance to shine away from "Saturday Night Live" with the new time-hopping single-camera sitcom from Dan Kopelman ("Rules of Engagement"). The trailer's heartwarming tone and unlucky-in-love protagonist with a dorky job calls to mind another mixed-chronology CBS comedy, "How I Met Your Mother." Will this new show manage to replicate the charms of "HIMYM"? Wait for it … -- Ryan Gajewski
CBS
"The Resident" (Fox) Doctor shows are a dime a dozen, and we probably don't need another one about a handsome young hotshot who plays by his own rules, but a certain operating room scene won me over. They're covering up a murder! -- Linda Ge
Fox
"Black Lightning" (The CW) It's kind of a bummer The CW's newest DC superhero drama won't be part of the Arrowverse, but the tale of Jefferson Pierce looks plenty intriguing enough on its own. The best part: His daughter appears to start to manifest superpowers as well, making this family affair something we've never seen before. -- Linda Ge
The CW
"Dynasty" (The CW) Everything seemed like a normal soapy drama for the first 75 percent of this show's trailer, and then the lead character bit the head off of a wedding cake topper. Oh yeah, now we have a show. I really hope all this footage is from the pilot and the series just goes even further into crazytown from here. -- Linda Ge
The CW
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The broadcast shows include two superhero dramas, a rapper-mayor comedy, a new ”Star Trek“ series and a ”Star Trek“ parody
The five broadcast networks unveiled their new shows for the 2017-18 season this week, and as always, some looked better than others. TheWrap's TV Team has picked the 13 show's we're most excited to see, based on what we know about them so far.
Fox
