Season 1 – Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

Play trailer

1:39

Next Ep Aug 20

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

84%

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.

Watch on HBO Max

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

David Bianculli

NPR

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has no laugh track, and plays like an action-adventure series. But it's relentlessly, inventively funny.

Go to Full Review

J. Kelly Nestruck

Globe and Mail

Jul 30

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Tom Beasley

Voice Magazine

3/5

The result is a deeply weird show that is both thrillingly original and disappointingly wedded to the past.

Go to Full Review

Sonal Pandya

Times Now

Aug 5

3/5

Sussman and Posehn still have their awkward, nerdy charm from The Big Bang Theory. But this time, the pressure is on them to carry through an entire series.

Go to Full Review

Joyce Slaton

Common Sense Media

Aug 2

3/5

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Alma B

@almalove 19h

It's so much fun and the guest stars are always such a great little addition. I love how the writers can be so creative with an infinite number of possible worlds. I never would have thought a Big Bang Theory spin-off could be so good. Sci-fi/comedy is such a great combo.

Andrew B

@Lowgarr 1d

Fun show with some great laughs. I really look forward to the next episode, and very glad to see that it got renewed for a season 2.

James J

@RT23989183 1d

The cast members are exceptional; Stuart, Burt, and Berry have consistently been among my preferred characters. The show's foundational concept is commendable. However, the brevity of the runtimes is significantly impacting its potential. Many scenes are excessively condensed, preventing adequate engagement. To enhance viewer immersion and facilitate a more comprehensive narrative, a more deliberate pacing is recommended. Extending the runtime or implementing multi-part episodes could effectively address these concerns.

Tim D

@RT39962106 2d

Loving it so far. It's really fun and there are so many directions it can go. Including with the cameos by the other BBT characters. They can be used in multiple ways in future episodes with varied personalities in the different universes.

Claude G

@RT07416073 4d

It's a silly show, but it's also a geeky show based on a geeky premise. Suffice to say, considering it's a spin off. It's actually based on a really good idea. Don't take it seriously and just enjoy. That's it.

Brent K

@RT22180453 5d

This show is going to win lots of awards

Read all reviews

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Kevin Sussman

Stuart Bloom

Brian Posehn

Bert Kibbler

Lauren Lapkus

Denise

John Ross Bowie

Barry Kripke

Anthony Alabi

Actor

Teller

Actor

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: Zack's in This One

The universe where Stuart, Bert and Kripke have arrived is ruled by an AI that forces everyone to be calm and peaceful, or else a neural chip will give them electric shocks.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Aug 6, 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 4

Aired Aug 13, 2026

Spoiler: Stuart Makes a Wallet

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 collapse.

Details

Episode 5

Airs Aug 20

Spoiler: Bert Gets Married