The Big Bang Theory comedy franchise has just been expanded again. After the original series came to an end in 2019 after 12 seasons, it has now gained its first sequel spin-off, titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
Previously, the comedy sitcom had already launched two spin-off series focused on the main character Sheldon Cooper, namely Young Sheldon and its sequel, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, however, is the first to bring back familiar figures from the original series. The production recently premiered on HBO Max and has already set a new record on the Rotten Tomatoes website, becoming the work with the worst review of the entire franchise to date.
The new spin-off Stuart Fails to Save the Universe fails to win over critics
The new series, which was just launched, received 72% approval, just 3% below the Certified Fresh seal. Even with this performance, the production ranks as the lowest rated in the franchise’s history so far. However, this initial score may not be a definitive indication of its future success, especially when compared to the first steps of other productions in the same saga.
For context, the first season of The Big Bang Theory registered a “rotten” rating of 59%, indicating that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has the potential to improve its quality, just as the original series did. It is worth remembering that seasons 2, 3, 5 and 7 of the main series achieved perfect scores. Overall, the 12-season production maintains an 81% approval rating among critics and 85% among the public.
Then, the first season of Young Sheldon received a 76% approval rating, securing the Certified Fresh seal. While the other five seasons did not accumulate enough reviews for a critics score, the seventh and final season reached the 100% mark, without an overall rating for the entire series.
The best-rated production in the franchise remains Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, with an impressive 89% critic score. However, this rating refers exclusively to the first season, as the second did not receive the minimum number of reviews for an overall rating.
What are film critics thinking about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe?
The plot of the new spin-off series revolves around Stuart Bloom, a character that audiences know from the original production as the owner of the comic book store frequented by Sheldon and Leonard. In the new plot, which does not include any of the central characters from The Big Bang Theory, Stuart Bloom is tasked with reestablishing reality after breaking a device created by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally triggering a multiversal apocalypse.
Stuart has the support of his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert and quantum physicist and complex figure Barry Kripke. During the journey, they come across versions from alternative universes of beloved and well-known characters from the franchise.
Greer Riddell stated in her review that “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s exaggerations sometimes overwhelm its emotional core, but its greatest success is providing a journey of their own for The Big Bang Theory’s most ignored characters.”
Abe Friedtanzer wrote that “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is light and fleeting in a way that works perfectly for what it sets out to do, an easy comedy to start and end.”
Alison Herman said that “of course, the constant change intrinsic to Stuart Fails means sacrificing some of the cozy familiarity of a Big Bang-style format. However, the comedic chemistry between the main actors is enough.”
Katie Doll gave Stuart Fails to Save the Universe a positive review, stating that “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe sounds ridiculous, and to be honest, it is. But that’s exactly what makes HBO Max’s new series a hilarious must-watch.”
Among the negative reviews, Alexander Zalben commented: “There is a version of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe somewhere in the multiverse that is deeper, funnier, and a lot weirder than the one we got.”
The series Stuart Fails to Save the Universe makes new episodes available on HBO Max, with the end of the first season scheduled for September 24th.
