Season 1 – Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

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Next Ep Aug 6

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

75%

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40 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom 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, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. 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.

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Critics Consensus

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe manages to brighten up its franchise through a genre-bending all-things-go sitcom that has the comedic chops to satisfy.

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J. Kelly Nestruck

Globe and Mail

It’s hard to get invested in infinite and therefore consequence-free worlds -- and, in terms of the comedy, I only really chuckled at Posehn’s deadpan reactions to each strange new one.

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Ben Dowell

The Times (UK)

Jul 25

3/5

Nerds trying to be funny can be wearisome and mildly tragic but there is something engaging in seeing them immerse themselves in the kind of weirdo adventures they enjoy obsessing about.

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June Thomas

Slate

Jul 24

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe couldn’t be more different from its forebear, in the best and most surprising way possible.

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Joyce Slaton

Common Sense Media

3/5

High-concept, imaginative and littered with guest stars from The Big Bang Theory universe, this wild spin-off is good weird fun.

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Dustin Rowles

Pajiba

It feels less like a Big Bang Theory-style laugh-track sitcom and more like a … stoner comedy. Not a great one, mind you. But a watchable one.

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Abhishek Srivastava

The Times of India

Jul 27

3.5/5

The makers clearly want this show to stand on its own rather than live in the shadow of its parent series. The outcome is a fun start that feels familiar in places while still trying to deliver something new and fresh.

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Eric D

@RT59467895 40m

The main issue right now is the lenght. 20min. is really to short for this tv show...

Chris C

@RT69292280 10h

A new sci-fi direction for the show, it's funny and engaging. Give it a try,

Alex Richard F

@RT70778700 17h

Very funny, the Big Bang Theory legacy is respected here!

CDG T

@RT67058619 22h

I absolutely love the show so far, it’s an interesting spin on characters that never got much interest in BBT. I like the use of the camera and similar characters we know from BBT can have different personalities in different universes. It is somewhat like the 90s show Sliders with better budget and more laughs. It is not BBT, so if you’re going into it thinking that then you will be disappointed. If you go in open minded knowing it’s a different show completely, you will probably enjoy it. My only gripe is the episodes are too short all while trying to do a little too much without explanation. It is just hitting its stride though.

aiden K

@oxfopee 1d

unapologetically uses AI for its intros👎👎 yuck

Thomas A

@Txa66 1d

Tongue in cheek cheesiness that hits the mark. I get the feeling those "professional" critics are a little too snooty to admit they really like it.

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Kevin Sussman

Stuart Bloom

Brian Posehn

Bert Kibbler

Lauren Lapkus

Denise

John Ross Bowie

Barry Kripke

Chuck Lorre

Writer

Zak Penn

Writer

Episode 1

Aired Jul 23, 2026

Spoiler: Gary Dies

After breaking a quantum-interference device, comic book store owner Stuart Bloom must save the universe from imminent destruction.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jul 30, 2026

Spoiler: Bert is Magic

Stuart, Bert, Denise, and Barry Kripke find themselves in what appears to be an ideal and peaceful Earth - that happens to be controlled by a repressive and vicious AI.

Details

Episode 3

Airs Aug 6

Spoiler: Zack's in This One