# Stuart Fails to Save the Universe - Big Bang Theory spinoff. Spoilers after first post **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, hbomax-wb-dc\ **Created:** [July 24, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892 "2026-07-24T02:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/1 "2026-07-24T02:41:56Z")
The spinoff premieres today (July 23) on HBO Max or whatever they’re calling it now. New episodes will be every Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/2 "2026-07-24T02:49:50Z")
The first episode is “Spoiler: Gary Dies.” I had know idea what to expect from this. The article that I read emphasized that the name of the show is “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” so perhaps he’ll try over and over and keep failing. Stuart and Bert are in a post apocalyptic Earth complete with zombies, giant people-eating moths and dimensional rifts that are handy for disposing bodies. I won’t go into the details of the episode but I was surprised to see Raj. I hadn’t heard that he was involved. Kripke and Denise will obviously be central characters. Overall, I was pleased with it. It is nothing like BBT. I’ll keep watching for now. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/3 "2026-07-24T09:22:57Z")
A little pre-release discussion of it starting here > [@Pitch your idea for a "Big Bang Theory" spinoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitch-your-idea-for-a-big-bang-theory-spinoff/830181/35): > > I just thought of one: 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.’ Oh, wait… ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/4 "2026-07-24T09:51:13Z")
That’s nothing. When I was 11, I wrote a series of short stories (with, I’m sure lots of sentences beginning with “because”) about a family of five brothers and sisters struggling to stay together as a family unit after their parents were killed by a drunk driver. Two older brothers, a sister, almost a teen, a brother about 8, and a sister about 3. Even had the part about the youngest brother setting up a tent in order to have some space of his own. I am not making any of this up. I invented this all in 1978. I wrote about a dozen stories from 5 to 12 pages each. (I was kind of a precocious writer, and had been writing fiction since I was about 8-- just 2 or 3 pages at a time at first. I wrote poetry when I was 5. Had a whole notebook full of it by age 8.) Anyway, after about a year of writing stuff about this family of five kids, I decided it was far-fetched, and kinda stupid, and put it away. I don’t know what eventually happened to it. I assume it got tossed along with a lot of other “junk” from my room after I moved out and my parents saw the opportunity for separate bedrooms. When I saw the promos for “Party of Five” what must have been 30 years later, whatever I was eating turned to ash in my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/5 "2026-07-24T10:26:51Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > I was surprised to see Raj I have no insider knowledge to back this up, but I suspect every one of the original cast will show up in at least one episode, even Kaley Cuoco. They’ll start with the obviously available and easy to court ones like Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, but eventually go through them all. That’s my guess, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/6 "2026-07-24T12:03:24Z")
That seems likely. Perhaps the big stars like Jim Parsons appear in the holiday episodes? And it’s a little weird that this is on HBO MAX while the two previous spin-offs are on the CBS broadcast network. According to Wikipedia this was developed at HBO Max, so perhaps it was never even offered to CBS? And it does give the secondary characters and actors from The Big Bang Theory a chance to lead a show, and presumably get better money. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/7 "2026-07-24T14:13:22Z")
I can only imagine your reaction when you saw the promos for _On Our Own_. > **[On Our Own (1994 TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Our_Own_(1994_TV_series))** > > On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 13, 1994, until April 14, 1995. The series stars Ralph Louis Harris and six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake, JoJo, Jurnee, and Jussie Smollett. The series was created and executive produced by David W. Duclon, one of the executive producers of Family Matters. The series was also produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, who developed the show. Suzanne de Passe (who also executive produced Sister, Sister and later S... > The series centers on the Jerrico family, consisting of seven brothers and sisters in the O’Fallon Park neighborhood of [St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis "St. Louis"). Six months prior to the series, a car crash killed both their parents. Since then, they have been raised by the eldest brother, Josh (Harris). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/8 "2026-07-24T16:29:29Z")
I particularly like what they’re doing with Bert’s character, which is a giant leap from TBBT. I’ll say no more except that I am very satisfied with the first episode. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/9 "2026-07-24T21:19:50Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I have no insider knowledge to back this up, but I suspect every one of the original cast will show up in at least one episode, even Kaley Cuoco. I found a sort-of answer [elsewhere](https://people.com/the-big-bang-theory-actors-returning-stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-12023575). Various actors in secondary roles from The Big Bang Theory will appear on the show although not necessarily as the same characters. I haven’t found any information on which of the remaining main cast will appear. Ideally, any such appearance would be kept secret so it’s a surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/10 "2026-07-25T23:34:57Z")
I listen to Penn Jillette’s podcast, and a few months ago he talked about filming their guest spot for this first episode. Pretty funny, and the show looks like a good concept. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/11 "2026-07-25T23:51:25Z")
It would have been awesome if in the alternate universe that Teller talked and Penn didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/12 "2026-07-25T23:59:46Z")
I remember Penn telling about a time they did that, at a magic convention I think. They called themselves “Teller & Penn” and reversed roles. At one point supposedly, Teller stopped in the middle of imitating the fast talking Penn and gasped, “Wow, this is harder than it looks.” ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/13 "2026-07-26T00:07:39Z")
They also guest-starred on a _Simpsons_ episode where it was “revealed” that Teller speaks and Penn is silent whenever they’re _not_ performing. (“That was the curse the witch put on us.”) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/14 "2026-07-26T00:10:06Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > It would have been awesome if in the alternate universe that Teller talked and Penn didn’t. My understanding is that wasn’t an alternate universe but instead the same one but messed up ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/15 "2026-07-30T03:34:04Z")
Kevin Sussman says [parallel universe.](https://x.com/stuartfails/status/2082603449297129912?s=46) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/16 "2026-07-30T03:42:05Z")
Please tell me they eventually meet up with some of the Sliders team. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/17 "2026-07-30T13:10:00Z")
Are they in it as Penn and Teller? Teller has already appeared in multiple episodes of Big Bang Theory as Amy Farrah Fowler’s father Larry, and definitely spoke. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/18 "2026-07-30T13:25:51Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Are they in it as Penn and Teller? Yes, and they even have a sign saying “Penn & Teller” will perform for food. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/19 "2026-07-31T01:28:29Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > > [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > > > I was surprised to see Raj > > I have no insider knowledge to back this up, but I suspect every one of the original cast will show up in at least one episode, even Kaley Cuoco. They’ll start with the obviously available and easy to court ones like Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch, but eventually go through them all. That’s my guess, anyway. Well, it didn’t take long to get an answer to the question of whether the original cast would appear. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892/20 "2026-07-31T02:25:50Z")
I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Teller speak _during_ a performance, on stage at the Rio in Vegas. He told me where to stand after Penn selected me from the audience to come up as a human prop for a trick. The cool part (for me) was I picked out our seats on the seating chart specifically for the possibility of getting picked from the audience. I won that “bet.” Anyway, the first episode was fun. Bert, Barry, and Stuart are 3 of my favorite 4 side characters. It’s fun to see them get to play around. (The 4th is Zack) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-spoilers-after-first-post/1031892.md?page=2)