I understand why Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is taking so long to develop, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling a bit uneasy about the next Big Bang Theory spinoff. By the time the original series wrapped up, it had evolved from a quirky sitcom about a group of endearing nerds into a full-fledged pop culture sensation.
At its peak, The Big Bang Theory’s ratings rivaled those of Game of Thrones, cementing its status as one of the biggest sitcoms to air since Friends ended in 2004. Its first spinoff, Young Sheldon, also achieved impressive viewership over its seven-season run — though even those numbers were only a fraction of what The Big Bang Theory once pulled in.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Is The Big Bang Theory Universe’s Most Ambitious Show Yet
Lorre Admits The Big Bang Theory’s Upcoming Spinoff Involves “A Lot of CGI”
Kevin Sussman Returns as Stuart from The Big Bang Theory
Given that Young Sheldon maintained impressive ratings all the way through its series finale, the announcement of another spinoff from the original show should have been a welcome surprise. However, even with its intriguing premise, I’ve been a little apprehensive about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe ever since it was first announced back in 2023.
The new series revives Kevin Sussman’s beloved supporting character, Stuart, the comic book store owner and loyal friend to the Pasadena gang. He’ll be joined by his love interest Denise, along with Kripke and Bert—ensuring strong connections between The Big Bang Theory and this latest offshoot.
That said, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been slow to make its way to screens. The project was initially teased in 2023 and only began filming in September 2025. According to original series creator Chuck Lorre, the long development period is due to the show’s ambitious concept—a sci-fi comedy that, in his own words, features “lots of CGI.”
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s Long Production Only Builds More Hype for the Spinoff
The Upcoming Show May Struggle to Match the Success of The Big Bang Theory
In Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Stuart accidentally destroys the sitcom’s universe using a device originally created by Leonard and Sheldon—setting off a wild journey across the multiverse. With its bold sci-fi premise, the series marks a major departure from the grounded, everyday world of The Big Bang Theory, making it the most daring project in the franchise to date.
While The Big Bang Theory had its flaws, the show’s biggest strength was its simplicity. It kept a light, consistent tone, featured a small group of core characters, and relied on clever dialogue rather than flashy effects. Apart from a few celebrity guest appearances, there was little need for CGI or elaborate sci-fi sequences.
By contrast, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is venturing into far more ambitious territory. Ratings for the franchise’s previous spinoffs tell a cautious story — Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage has drawn fewer viewers than Young Sheldon, which itself never reached the heights of the original series.
That’s why this latest spinoff’s grand scale feels risky. Its ambitious storyline and dramatic genre shift could pay off spectacularly — or fall flat under the weight of its own ambition. For now, it’s hard not to wonder whether The Big Bang Theory’s newest chapter might be reaching beyond what made the franchise so beloved in the first place.
