I can see why Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is taking so long, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not worried about the next spinoff from The Big Bang Theory. By the time The Big Bang Theory’s finale aired, the show had gone from a quirky sitcom about some lovable nerds to a genuine pop culture phenomenon.
At the height of its success, The Big Bang Theory’s ratings rivaled those of Game of Thrones, making it one of the biggest sitcoms since Friends ended in 2004. Its first spinoff, Young Sheldon, received superb viewership numbers throughout its seven-season run, and even these were only a fraction of The Big Bang Theory’s ratings.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Is The Big Bang Theory Universe’s Most Ambitious Show Yet
Lorre Admitted The Big Bang Theory’s Upcoming Spinoff Features “A Lot of CGI”
Since Young Sheldon’s ratings remained superb right up to its series finale, the news of a new spinoff from the original show would seem like a welcome surprise. However, although Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has a killer premise, I’m still worried about the show, and I have been since it was first announced way back in 2023.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe brings back Kevin Sussman’s eponymous supporting character from The Big Bang Theory, a comic book store owner who was good friends with the Pasadena gang. Kevin will be accompanied by his love interest Denise, Kripke, and Bert, meaning there’s plenty of connective tissue between The Big Bang Theory and his spinoff.
However, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is taking its sweet time reaching screens. The show was first teased in 2023 and only began shooting in September 2025. Original series creator Chuck Lorre’s upcoming The Big Bang Theory spinoff required a lengthy development process because it is an ambitious sci-fi comedy with, by Lorre’s admission, “Lots of CGI.”
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s Long Production Only Increases The Spinoff’s Hype
The Upcoming Show Will Struggle To Recapture The Success of the Original Series
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe sees Stuart accidentally destroy the sitcom’s universe with a device that Leonard and Sheldon created, prompting a journey across the multiverse. Thanks to its sci-fi premise, which is a huge departure from the grounded universe of The Big Bang Theory, the spinoff is undoubtedly the riskiest project in the sitcom franchise so far.
While The Big Bang Theory had its mistakes, the show wisely maintained a consistently low-key tone, with only a handful of locations and a small cast of regular characters. There were plentiful celebrity guest stars, but no elaborate CGI and very few scenes involving complex special effects or sci-fi lore.
Objectively, the ratings for The Big Bang Theory’s second spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, are lower than those of Young Sheldon. Those, in turn, were lower than the ratings received by the original show.
Thus, going for a bigger, more ambitious premise for the third spinoff is a risky proposition. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s big plans and major genre shift may well pay off, but right now, I’m worried that The Big Bang Theory’s next spinoff has bitten off more than it can chew.
Enjoy ScreenRant’s primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check “Network TV” in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.