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Season 1 – Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

Play trailer 1:39 Poster for Season 1 – Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Next Ep Aug 20 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 83% 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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Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — Season 1

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — Season 1

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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David Bianculli NPR 1d
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 1d
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
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Audience Reviews

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Tim D @RT39962106 19h 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. See more Claude G @RT07416073 2d 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. See more Brent K @RT22180453 3d This show is going to win lots of awards See more Judy B @RT49607206 3d I didn't think I would like a show with some of the more annoying BBT characters, but it works! The group has great chemistry, there are laugh out loud moments, and it's great to see them grow beyond just a minute or two of screen time. Kripke (John Ross Bowie) is fantastic in the role and is really fun to watch. His evolving relationship with Bert (Brian Posehn) is also fun to watch. I can't wait for the rest of it. It's not an intellectual journey, but is great for a popcorn night See more Joey D @Joeydav 5d The show is so bad, it's good. Most of the appeal is waiting for other cast members of Big Bang Theory to show up. If you think of it as a guilty pleasure you can't go wrong. See more D M @RT94974804 5d First three episodes released . It is fun , with an off the wall humour that teaches laugh out loud funny in an era where few shows can do that. See more Read all reviews
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe — Season 1

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Episodes

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 Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details Episode 6 Airs Aug 27 Spoiler: Corn Is Delicious Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details Episode 7 Airs Sep 3 Spoiler: Dexys Midnight Runners Get a Royalty Payment Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details Episode 8 Airs Sep 10 Spoiler: We're as Confused as You Are Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details Episode 9 Airs Sep 17 Spoiler: We Couldn't Get Green Lantern Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details Episode 10 Airs Sep 24 Spoiler: Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Details

Season Info

Executive Producer
Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, Bill Prady
Screenwriter
Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, Bill Prady
Network
HBO Max
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 23, 2026
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