Fans Are Done With Audrey: Will ‘Georgie & Mandy’ Fix Her Like Mary?

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The first season of the show “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” came to an end this week. How did it fare in its debut? It followed the formula of a typical family sitcom quite well, introducing both recurring and new characters. There were predictable laugh track moments, amusing misunderstandings, and the usual sitcom shenanigans. Since we’ve already met most of the McAllister family from “Young Sheldon”, this series provided an opportunity to delve deeper into Georgie and Mandy’s personalities now that they have been promoted from supporting roles to leading characters. However, one character who seems stuck in her development is matriarch Audrey, played by Rachel Bay Jones.

In the TV series “Young Sheldon,” she was a dominating mother who openly criticized Georgie and Mandy’s lifestyle decisions. In the spin-off “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” her character remains much the same. Although there has been some improvement, many viewers still find her hard to like. A quick look at social media or online comments reveals a lot of disdain for her character. However, is this criticism excessive? And if not, how can the show address its Audrey issue?

Audrey the Cold and Judgmental Matriarch in ‘Georgie & Mandy’

Audrey and her husband, Jim (played by Will Sasso), initially appeared in the sixth season of Young Sheldon. Prior to this, they had been distant from Mandy before her pregnancy with Georgie. Although Jim yearns for reconciliation, Audrey remains her usual aloof and critical self. However, she undergoes change following their initial encounter, and the two manage to repair their relationship sufficiently that Audrey attends Georgie and Mandy’s wedding and the birth of Cece. Despite their reunion, they aren’t overly affectionate or close as a mother-daughter duo. Towards the end of Young Sheldon, they move in with Audrey and Jim, an arrangement that continues into Georgie & Mandy.

In the same household, Mandy and her mom frequently clash heads. It’s also noticeable that Audrey leans towards Mandy’s younger sibling, Connor, rather than Mandy herself. In the initial episode, Mandy and Georgie momentarily depart when Audrey criticizes Georgie’s intellect. However, they eventually make up and reestablish a harmonious family unit once more. It should be mentioned that Audrey shows signs of change, as she becomes quite affectionate towards her grandchild and makes efforts to spend more private time with Mandy. Additionally, she tries to refrain from openly criticizing Georgie.

George is undeniably a dedicated husband and father, even more so given that he’s only 19 and recently lost his own father. Showing such maturity under trying circumstances is commendable for anyone. However, Audrey seems to overlook these positive aspects of him. In her thoughts, he remains the young man who impregnated her daughter and disrupted her life. Although she’s learned to hide her harsh feelings verbally, her subtle jabs about his family background are evident through her passive-aggressive remarks.

In every encounter with Connor’s new girlfriend, Chloe, Audrey displays the same judgmental attitude. Instead of welcoming her warmly, she questions Chloe about religion and politics as a way to scrutinize her compatibility with Connor. It’s clear that Audrey feels threatened by Chloe and Mary Cooper’s connection, expressing her jealousy openly. She expects everyone to align with her beliefs, and those who don’t will face criticism. However, it’s worth noting that Audrey is generally more popular than the previous show’s main character, Mary. The audience dislikes Mary for her condescending religious attitude and favoritism towards characters like Sheldon over Missy and Georgie. The two women can barely tolerate each other, with their interactions often resulting in insults and heated arguments.

How To Fix the Audrey Problem in ‘Georgie & Mandy’

The frequent portrayal of female characters as shallow or villainous in Chuck Lorre comedies, such as Penny being depicted as a “dumb blonde” in the early seasons of The Big Bang Theory, is a persistent issue. However, it’s worth noting that Penny’s character evolved over time, but shows like Young Sheldon seemed to take a step back. Mary, the character in Young Sheldon, was often seen as a strict and moralistic figure, frequently hindering her family’s fun. George, on the other hand, had a different persona compared to his character in The Big Bang Theory. In this context, Mary serves as a focal point for audience criticism, much like Audrey does here.

Is the criticism towards Audrey on the show excessive? In terms of it just being a TV series, yes, perhaps it’s blown out of proportion. However, it’s disconcerting that the writers haven’t created a more complex portrayal of a mother figure beyond being “strict” and “critical.” There are hints, though, that she’s evolving. We’ve noted improvements in her relationship with Mandy, who is now a mom herself, suggesting a blossoming mother-daughter bond. Moreover, her decision not to charge Mandy and Georgie rent might indicate feelings of guilt over their past estrangement.

Regarding Georgie, it seems she has a deep admiration for him hidden beneath the surface. However, showing affection towards someone she once detested isn’t easy for her. Instead, she continues to throw sarcastic remarks at him. But during an initial episode, when Connor commented on how wonderful Georgie was, we observed Audrey quietly contemplating this thought.

In the second season, she might start openly showing affection towards her granddaughter’s partner, while continuing to maintain her firm parental role. She can lighten up a bit and enjoy herself without losing control. Being authoritative doesn’t mean being tyrannical. If the series continues to make her character more compassionate, it could reduce some of the negative reactions. Regardless, she is still loved more than Mary by fans. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage can be streamed on Paramount+.

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2025-05-19 04:04