‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
07-10-25 | 04:04 PM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hero
‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Starting a new thread because it's been ordered to series
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/big...ax-1236451085/
Earlier discussions were in the tail of the BBT season 12 thread
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/big...ax-1236451085/
The “Big Bang Theory” spinoff “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” has officially been greenlit at HBO Max, Variety has learned.
The was originally announced as being in development back in April 2023. As previously reported, the cast of the series is made up of “Big Bang Theory” alums Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The series hails from co-creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady.
HBO Max has also officially confirmed plot details for the show for the first time. The logline states:
“Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Sussman) is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise (Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Posehn), and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke (Bowie). Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ As the title implies, things don’t go well.”
“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ would have loved, hated, and argued about,” Lorre said.
The was originally announced as being in development back in April 2023. As previously reported, the cast of the series is made up of “Big Bang Theory” alums Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, and John Ross Bowie. The series hails from co-creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady.
HBO Max has also officially confirmed plot details for the show for the first time. The logline states:
“Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Sussman) is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise (Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Posehn), and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke (Bowie). Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from ‘The Big Bang Theory.’ As the title implies, things don’t go well.”
“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ would have loved, hated, and argued about,” Lorre said.
07-10-25 | 04:15 PM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
That synopsis is so bizarre. I also just don’t see a show about Stuart being that interesting. Especially years removed from the finale of The Big Bang Theory.
07-10-25 | 06:06 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Why... just why? I can see this getting canceled before Christmas.
The following users liked this post:
rduncan (07-13-25)
07-10-25 | 06:48 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
It would have been iffy from the start but adding a sci-fi/multiverse element is just a strange choice. The original show is pretty much based in reality (in terms of a sitcom).
07-10-25 | 07:44 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Is it possible for a show to "Jump the Shark" before it's even filmed? If yes, then that's what happened here.
07-11-25 | 06:32 AM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
07-11-25 | 09:01 AM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
If it's going to be on HBO Max it'll probably be a short season and built around the former cast making appearances. Leonard and Penny may be the only ones who don't show up since Cuoco is busy and Galecki isn't acting anymore.
The following users liked this post:
Dan1boy (07-11-25)
07-11-25 | 09:07 AM
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
You never know... they both just did a commercial together for the Royal Kingdom game.
07-11-25 | 10:43 AM
#9
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
I would LOVE it if alternate Bernadette is an NYC night court judge and alternate Howard busts into her chamber claiming to be her husband.
They can literally close the cliffhanger of another network's show.
They can literally close the cliffhanger of another network's show.
The following users liked this post:
Dan1boy (07-11-25)
07-11-25 | 12:53 PM
#10
DVD Talk Godfather
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 65,305
Received 2,704 Likes
on
1,602 Posts
From: Gateway Cities/Harbor Region
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
I never watched TBBT but I've been made familiar via tons of clips on Social Media. Stuart is actually a likable character. But to be honest, Amy Fowler was THE BEST thing about the show and gave it life. I think a show about her would be great....but then again, you'd have to bring in Sheldon....
07-11-25 | 07:05 PM
#11
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
It's the third spin-off. They have to start getting creative to squeeze any more mileage out of TBBT. This sounds more interesting than last two spin-offs to me. Young Sheldon was fun, but it ran too long.
07-11-25 | 08:18 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
The premise is the gang having enough of Sheldon's shit and killing him, and they spend episodes trying to cover their tracks.
07-12-25 | 02:42 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
07-12-25 | 02:43 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
07-12-25 | 02:46 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Georgie and Mandy is pointless, three camera sitcom nonsense. Stuart's show is going to be the BBT version of Quantumania.
07-12-25 | 02:49 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
If Amanda Walsh isn't busy, they could always encounter Katie somewhere...
The following users liked this post:
GuessWho (07-14-25)
04-26-26 | 07:11 PM
#17
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
First poster. Coming in July.
04-27-26 | 06:40 PM
#18
Rest In Peace
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
TBBT was one of my favorite shows ever but I've got some worries about this spinoff. Not sure I can handle a lot of Bawwy and a glum deprressed Stuart episode after episode. It was fun in the original series when they'd show up occasionally and had short scenes. I always liked the Bert character but how many geology jokes can they do before taking it all for granite?
The following users liked this post:
Dan1boy (04-28-26)
04-28-26 | 11:38 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
What are the prediction markets saying on how long this lasts? We did not need this at all.
The following users liked this post:
Dan1boy (04-28-26)
05-13-26 | 10:12 AM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 39,788
Received 1,676 Likes
on
1,192 Posts
From: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
05-13-26 | 10:15 AM
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 39,788
Received 1,676 Likes
on
1,192 Posts
From: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
When I saw the title, I was thinking more of this...
05-13-26 | 12:20 PM
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
I wasn't paying attention to the production of this at all - I fell off TBBT before the last few seasons because I basically fell off network serial comedies and dramas completely. Never had any strong feelings one way or the other on Stuart so I wasn't following any of these announcements beyond the initial one that it was coming.
This actually looks pretty wild and ambitious and we definitely need more of that on TV these days. I'll definitely give it a shot.
This actually looks pretty wild and ambitious and we definitely need more of that on TV these days. I'll definitely give it a shot.
05-13-26 | 12:37 PM
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Yeah I'm going to give it a shot now too. Not even close to what I was expecting.
05-13-26 | 12:42 PM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Spinoff ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Ordered to Series
Never watched a Big Bang show and probably never will but applaud this existing.