Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max)
By: Dave Hughes
To the surprise of many, The Big Bang Theory has spawned spin-offs and other shows in its universe that have successfully carved out their own identities while putting unique twists on the juggernaut franchise. The latest of these expansions is Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. centered on characters who were merely in the background during the original series, creator Chuck Lorre provides them with their own platform. The result is a show that is delightfully weird and charming at first, but one that ultimately runs out of gas as the season rolls toward its conclusion.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe features Kevin Sussman (Burn After Reading), who returns as Stuart Bloom, the perpetual underdog comic book store owner accustomed to dealing with an eccentric clientele. Joining him is Brian Posehn (Fantastic Four) as the awkward geologist Bert, along with Lauren Lapkus (Jurassic World) as Stuart's charming love interest, Denise, and John Ross Bowie (Jumanji) reprising his role as the ill-intentioned, quirky Barry Kripke. The narrative kicks into gear when the group accidentally damages a quantum device built by the original Big Bang Theory crew, triggering a multiverse rift. From there, Stuart and his unlikely team are catapulted across dimension after dimension, encountering strange alternate versions of themselves as they desperately attempt to find their way home.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is deliberately engineered by Chuck Lorre to get weird and embrace as much quirkiness as possible. To that extent, it is remarkably effective. The show offers audiences a wildly unique season-long tour of parallel universes, where each reality brings its own distinct rules. However, the journey is decidedly hit-or-miss; while several episodes deliver genuinely great entertainment, others allow their jokes to drag on until the humor completely evaporates. Navigating the season becomes a test of patience, as viewers must sift through filler to reach the truly memorable installments. That said, the inventive opening title sequences are consistently fantastic and well worth the investment every single week.
Though the writing and uneven episodic structure can be frustrating, the series is saved by a collection of genuinely fun performances throughout the show. Perhaps none is more delightful than Lauren Lapkus as Denise, whose unique brand of offbeat humor aligns seamlessly with the show’s quirky energy. In every single episode, she steals the scene with a sharp one-liner or a magnetic presence that keeps the audience rooting for her. Additionally, the season features memorable guest appearances from various Big Bang Theory alumni, all of whom deliver fun, fresh interpretations of their classic roles rather than simply relying on nostalgia.
Target Score 6/10: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a show that is equal parts frustrating and fun. While there are plenty of inventive, hilarious episodes to enjoy across the multiverse, just as many fall flat under the weight of their own premise. Chuck Lorre continues to see how much mileage he can squeeze out of The Big Bang Theory brand, and while this experimental spin-off doesn't always land on its feet, it remains an intriguing experiment for diehard franchise fans.