The official teaser trailer has been released for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Yes, The Big Bang Theory universe is now going full multiverse sci-fi comedy. Watch the teaser above, then read on for what to know about this surprisingly ambitious spinoff.
A Big Bang Theory Spinoff Goes Big, Weird and Sci-Fi
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe shifts the spotlight to Stuart Bloom, the anxious comic book store owner played by Kevin Sussman, in what looks to be the boldest swing yet for The Big Bang Theory franchise.
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Rather than simply dropping viewers back into familiar apartment-and-comic-shop territory, the new HBO Max comedy series throws Stuart into a full-blown multiverse crisis. After accidentally breaking a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, Stuart finds himself responsible for restoring reality before everything collapses into what the official synopsis calls a “multiverse Armageddon.”
The teaser suggests a much bigger, stranger, more visually driven show than fans may be expecting from this corner of the franchise, with alternate realities, sci-fi chaos, and a more cinematic approach than the original sitcom. Basically, this is not the safe, cosy spinoff option.
What to Know About the Story and Cast
The ten-episode series follows Stuart as he tries to fix reality with help from his girlfriend Denise, his geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke, who remains exactly the kind of person you would both need and deeply regret needing in a crisis.
Kevin Sussman leads the cast as Stuart Bloom, with Lauren Lapkus returning as Denise, Brian Posehn as Bert Kibbler, and John Ross Bowie back as Barry Kripke.
The series will also feature alternate-universe versions of characters from The Big Bang Theory, although HBO Max has not yet revealed which familiar faces will appear or how heavily they will factor into the story.
The show comes from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady created the series, and all three serve as writers and executive producers.
Why Stuart Bloom Is Getting His Own Show
It is a strange choice on paper, which may be exactly why it has potential. Stuart was never the obvious spinoff lead during The Big Bang Theory’s original run, but the character gradually became one of the show’s most quietly beloved outsiders.
Yahoo Entertainment spoke with The Big Bang Theory producers Steve Holland and Steve Molaro, along with author Jessica Radloff, about the new series. Radloff spoke to why Stuart has connected with viewers over the years, saying, “I think so many of us can relate to his character. And even Kevin said to me in the book that he gets so many fans that come up to him that are, like, ‘I’m such a Stuart.’”
Holland said the idea had been on Chuck Lorre’s mind for some time: “This is a thing that Chuck Lorre had wanted to do since Big Bang ended. He had this thought of Stuart and Bert as this weird comedy duo in this sort of big action-adventure show. It’s exciting that it’s so different.”
Radloff also pointed to the format change as a smart move for the franchise, saying, “I think it’s so smart what they’re doing with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe the same way it was so smart when they made Young Sheldon single-cam instead of multi-cam, because it differentiates the universe and it helps a show stand on its own.”
That may be the key here. Young Sheldon worked by not simply trying to recreate The Big Bang Theory, and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe appears to be taking that idea even further. This is not just another sitcom about familiar characters sitting around talking. It is Stuart Bloom somehow becoming the least likely person imaginable to save existence.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Release Date
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres Friday, July 24, only on HBO Max. New episodes will then be released weekly on Fridays. The season will consist of ten episodes.
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