The Big Bang Theory Cinematic Universe Just Officially Went Off The Rails

By TeeJay Small
| Published 18 seconds ago

If you’ve spent any time hunched in front of a cable television in the last twenty years or so, you’ve probably seen a few odd episodes of The Big Bang Theory. The show, which centers on a quartet of insufferable nerds and their cute blonde neighbor, spent 12 seasons on the air before spawning a never-ending series of spinoff programs. While The Big Bang Theory was still on the air, we got Young Sheldon, which delivered some crucial backstory to the most unapologetically annoying character on the show. Then, as soon as Young Sheldon wrapped its final season, we received Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which features none of the original Big Bang Theory characters.

Now, after years of behind-the-scenes reports, we finally have a trailer for the latest spinoff series in the ever-expanding Big Bang Theory cinematic universe, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. From the first look, it seems that this series will take things completely off the rails, into overt science fiction territory, complete with interdimensional time and space-hopping. This is obviously a massive divergence from anything we’ve seen from the franchise thus far, which might actually be a good thing.

From Sitcom To Singularity

In the trailer, Stuart is thrown into a completely off-the-walls situation, after accidentally triggering a doomsday device rigged by the original Big Bang Theory crew. The singularity sends Stuart tripping through space, time, and alternate realities, with a quirky series of side characters to aid him in his journey. These characters include his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), an awkward geologist named Bert (Brian Posehn), and arrogant university physicist turned power-hungry warlord, Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Hardcore fans of The Big Bang Theory will recognize these characters from the final season of the show, though most casual fans will probably glance at this cast and wonder where any of these people came from.

It looks like the alternate realities Stuart finds in the inaugural season will include a zombie apocalypse, a futuristic no-man’s land complete with drone warfare, and any number of comic book-inspired locales. Think of the show as Marvel’s What If series, if you swap Spider-Man for a proto Stan Lee with poor people skills. Invigorating stuff.

Shark Jumper, Or Secretly Genius?

Where some might view Stuart Fails to Save the Universe as a shark-jumping moment, I think the show has the potential to eclipse The Big Bang Theory in quality and fan fare. I say this not as a Big Bang Theory hater, but as a huge fan of Georgie & Mandy, and, to a lesser extent, certain plot-lines in Young Sheldon. It seems like the further the franchise departs from the original Pasadena physicists, the better it gets. In fact, I’m willing to bet that there’s potential for another barely-related spinoff buried within the first season of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which could grow to become the best thing Chuck Lorre has ever made.

In case you’re out of the loop, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will center on Kevin Sussman’s Stuart Bloom. Stuart is the owner of the comic book store that Sheldon and company frequent throughout the original sitcom, and often the butt of jokes due to his anxiety, awkwardness, and lack of financial stability. In The Big Bang Theory, Stuart frequently struggles to get a date, can’t seem to connect with the guys on a deep level, and often finds himself mired in an amount of self loathing that is downright out of place for such an upbeat show.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will probably be a hard sell for many audiences, but I must admit I’m highly intrigued. Though the Big Bang Theory franchise has grown to include numerous projects at this point, the entire cinematic universe has remained relatively grounded. If this new show can stick the landing, it might be exactly what we need to shake things up and make them bold, interesting, and completely free of Sheldon Cooper.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres July 23 on HBO Max.