Young Sheldon: Why Meemaw Gives Most Of Her Attention To Sheldon

"Young Sheldon" helps fill in some of the blanks left behind by "The Big Bang Theory." Certain things and events Sheldon Cooper referenced in that show receive greater context in "Young Sheldon." Sheldon as a character makes greater sense within the spin-off's context, and it's undoubtedly helped fans sympathize with the character to see him interact with his grandma, Connie "Meemaw" Tucker (Annie Potts).

While Sheldon can get on his family members' nerves every now and then, Meemaw tends to stick up for him, and the two share a special closeness that's nice to see on network television. It's no secret Sheldon is different from other kids, but Meemaw never holds that against him. Potts said in an interview with Now to Love how she drew from personal experience to develop the bond between the two, "I have three sons of my own, so I was just happy to have a little boy in my life again." Potts praises Iain Armitage's acting abilities, and his portrayal of Sheldon allowed her to dive headfirst into the bond between the unusual young boy and the world-wise grandmother.

Sheldon's eccentricities don't always gel with his family. Throughout the show's run, he's frequently gotten on the wrong side of his parents and siblings, but his grandmother has taken a different approach. Annie Potts continued to explain how she and Sheldon forged a significant bond, "Meemaw makes no bones about the fact that Sheldon is her favourite grandchild. She likes the others, but she hardly has the time of day for them." The other kids in the Cooper household have their fair share of problems, but Sheldon always stood out. It makes sense Meemaw would take extra special care to ensure he was looked after.

Potts elaborated, "She senses Sheldon is unusual and that he needs her because his parents are terrified of him. She's not afraid of him – and she can teach him things he doesn't know, like poker. Very useful things!" Fans knew from watching "The Big Bang Theory" that Sheldon always had a hard time connecting with his father, and it's easy to see why on "Young Sheldon." The two are practically from different worlds, but Meemaw makes the extra effort to see things from Sheldon's point of view, giving him a role model he can confide in.

It may sound harsh for a grandmother to have a favorite grandchild, but for the Coopers, it makes sense. Sheldon needs Meemaw more than the other kids, and she's more than happy to see things from his unique perspective.