How ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ Reflects Real-Life Weddings and Parenthood for Its Stars
LOS ANGELES − Montana Jordan and Emily Osment are fully immersed in “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.” Remarkably, the stars of “Young Sheldon” are mirroring their characters’ experiences in this spinoff created by Chuck Lorre.
Jordan, 21, portrays George “Georgie” Cooper Jr., brother to Sheldon Cooper (played by Iain Armitage), who marries Mandy McAllister (Osment) after their brief romance leads to the unexpected arrival of their daughter, CeeCee.
With his authentic Texas accent and genuine skills as a young parent, Jordan, hailing from Longview, Texas, is living the role. His girlfriend, Jenna Weeks, welcomed their daughter, Emma Rae, in May.
Meanwhile, Osment, 32, known for her role in “Hannah Montana,” recently departed from Hollywood to tie the knot with her fiancé Jack Anthony on October 13, just days before the CBS premiere of “First Marriage” on Thursday (8 EDT/PDT).
“That was just five days before the show aired,” Osment shares. “I actually set my wedding date before they scheduled the show’s premiere, which is why the date sounded familiar to me,” she adds.
The journey has been exciting for the second spinoff from the successful “Big Bang Theory” franchise. This new show focuses on Mandy, a former local weather broadcaster, and her much younger husband, Georgie, who has often been underestimated. Their backgrounds have already been established; Georgie is destined to become a successful entrepreneur and twice-divorced owner of the Dr. Tire store chain, as depicted by Jerry O’Connell in select episodes of “Big Bang.”
The intriguing question is how Georgie evolves from his life in “First Marriage,” which comes just five months after “Young Sheldon” concluded in May. The series finale of that show had the Cooper family grappling with the loss of their father, George Sr., while Sheldon prepared to move to Caltech, a storyline foreshadowed in “Big Bang.”
For both Jordan and Osment, along with producers Steve Holland and Steven Molaro, transitioning to “First Marriage” involved a short move within the Warner Bros. lot to a new studio designed for live audiences. The setting reflects a Texas backdrop where the struggling family begins their life in the McAllister family’s residence, which includes the supportive father Jim (Will Sasso) and the critical mother Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones).
During a rehearsal for a bridge game before filming Episode 7, the household dynamics become evident as tensions arise, culminating in an argument. “There’s a new baby involved; the age difference matters,” Molaro notes. “It’s natural for them to experience challenges.”
In rehearsal, Jordan impresses with his card-shuffling skills, quickly mastering one-handed flourishes with professional coaching. “The one-hand shuffle was the toughest part,” he shares. “I joked with the magician that I needed bigger hands for this!”
Coordination was crucial for the opening scene of “First Marriage,” which features a lively tango between Jordan and Osment during the credits. “The title ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ hints at some turbulence,” Molaro comments. “The playful tango reflects the fiery, romantic essence, all captured in a brief 26-second performance.”
The short dance routine required five days of rehearsal with instructors from “Dancing With the Stars,” especially for Jordan, who was new to Latin dance. “Being from Texas, my dance experience was mostly two-stepping. Tango wasn’t on my radar, but now it definitely is!” he exclaims.
Jordan’s enthusiastic attitude parallels that of his optimistic character. “My plan is to keep challenging Montana until we find something he can’t master,” Holland jokes. “So far, we haven’t hit that point.”
As for whether Jordan and Osment can successfully lead a sitcom, that remains to be seen.
The ultimate skill is still unproven, but support is on the way. Cast members from “Young Sheldon” will make guest appearances, such as Meemaw (Annie Potts), Georgie’s sister Missy (Raegan Revord), and their mother (Zoe Perry). The entire cast, excluding Sheldon, will come together for a Thanksgiving episode.
“In the ‘Big Bang’ universe, Sheldon doesn’t often return home,” Holland explains. “This becomes a point of contention between him and Georgie later on. However, there’s always the possibility for Iain to come back.”
Interestingly, the same twin baby actors reprise their role as CeeCee in “First Marriage.” Their scenes are filmed without a studio audience, a situation that the affectionate TV dad Jordan understands fully. “Honestly, even I feel emotional sometimes with 180 people watching,” he admits. When asked, he confesses that performing “First Marriage” in front of a live audience for the first time was thrilling. “Tuesdays feel like ‘Friday Night Lights’ for a football player,” he shares. “You head out there to present everything you’ve honed throughout the week. Each week represents a new chapter.”
In a personal milestone, Osment tied the knot before the “First Marriage” premiere, with her brother, Haley Joel Osment, serving as a groomsman. “This is a momentous time for me, and it’s completely unexpected to have everything happen in such a short span,” she reflects. “When it rains, it pours; I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Looking forward in “First Marriage,” Osment expresses hope for the young couple’s future happiness, even if divorce becomes a factor. “I’ve always imagined that Mandy and Georgie would be each other’s first spouses and later, second spouses; that’s my ideal scenario,” she reveals. “At some point, challenges may arise. But they care deeply for one another and may reconnect. I’m eager to see how this unfolds.”