I wouldn't mind. And I've never been fixated on Sheldon to start with, mostly because - contrary to some delusions - he was never the center of the show.

There's certainly plenty they can do with the rest of the cast. But I suspect CBS and others wouldn't want to bother.

@znexyish said:

While the show is ending and at least one reason is Jim Parsons not returning, I would like to toss out the potential of a Sheldon-less show. A season or two without Sheldon and Amy could work and be just as interesting as it is now. In fact I think it would be a relief, certainly to those among us who don't like either of them, but also to those who find the other characters over shadowed over by them. Anyways your thoughts on having Leonard and Penny and Howard and Bernie and Raj and Stuart etc. free from the burden the Coopers.

It wouldn't work IMO. Sheldon is the glue that holds this show together, he's the stand out character and will probably go on the extended Mt. Rushmore of great sitcom characters.

The only sitcom I've ever seen flourish without it's Main character for an extended period is New Girl when Zooey Dechanel went on maternity leave.

I have always viewed this show as having two main focuses: the Leonard-Penny romance and quirky Sheldon interacting with the rest of the world. Now that Leonard and Penny are in a happy and stable marriage, there's not much left to focus on there. So without Sheldon, we would have to find brand new focuses, and while I like the other characters, I'm not sure how engaging a show about married couples going to work, hanging out and taking care of their kids would be- or how unique.

Also, I agree with Erica that Sheldon is what made this show stand out, and without him, again, we'd just have rather mundane storylines.

@znexyish said:

While the show is ending and at least one reason is Jim Parsons not returning, I would like to toss out the potential of a Sheldon-less show. A season or two without Sheldon and Amy could work and be just as interesting as it is now. In fact I think it would be a relief, certainly to those among us who don't like either of them, but also to those who find the other characters over shadowed over by them. Anyways your thoughts on having Leonard and Penny and Howard and Bernie and Raj and Stuart etc. free from the burden the Coopers.

The Sheldon character and the show are LikeThat. Sheldon may not be the "center" of the show's universe for you or for me; but, the $$$$$$$$$$$$$-people seem to view him as the goose that lays the golden eggs. And, all indicators point to them believing that without the character--there is no show WORTH backing. This I understand. If I were an investor--as much as I like and enjoy the rest of the cast--I'd sleep better with Sheldon in than out.

As for the idea of the show going on without Sheldon...

I’d watch.

For me, the non-Sheldon (and now Amy) storylines are just as enjoyable. However, I wouldn’t bet my lunch money on the chance of such a show being successful. Sheldon (and Amy) fans would probably pull up stakes in droves—and what would there be to attract new fans to a show that's in the twilight of its run?

I'm a big fan of all the characters, and as much as I enjoy watching everyone in it--somewhere along the line even I started thinking of it as "The Sheldon Show".

@znexyish

I'm still about this one--been and about possibilities--so this may not be my finally answer.

I would like to add, though, that there are a variety of other shows that I currently watch that would do just fine without Sheldon, such as Better Call Saul, Trading Spaces and American Pickers. Just not this show.

I would watch it. I do not watch first run episodes now because of Sheldon, so a show without him would be a blessing!

Leonard and Penny and the others can still do plenty without Sheldon. And it could even be done in a better way, if it's not just based on Sheldon's oddnesses.

@Knixon said:

Leonard and Penny and the others can still do plenty without Sheldon. And it could even be done in a better way, if it's not just based on Sheldon's assholish ways.

FTFY

I agree with you.

Travis needs to add a 'line through/strikethrough' button.

@bratface said:

@Knixon said:

Leonard and Penny and the others can still do plenty without Sheldon. And it could even be done in a better way, if it's not just based on Sheldon's assholish ways.

FTFY

I agree with you.

Travis needs to add a 'line through/strikethrough' button.