{"id":778046,"date":"2026-07-22T15:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/778046\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T15:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:00:11","slug":"stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-but-offers-plenty-of-laughs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/778046\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ but offers plenty of laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Freed from the constraints of network television, nerds will once again inherit the Earth, much in the way they did in the monster hit “The Big Bang Theory.”<\/a><\/p>\n

This time, however, the emphasis is less on nerd culture and more on science fiction as comic book store owner Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman)<\/a>, his love interest Denise (Lauren Lapkus), the perpetually randy Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) and awkward geologist Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn) traverse the multiverse in order to, well, save the universe.<\/p>\n

And although, this fourth series to arrive from “The Big Bang” can be a bit uneven in some of its 10 episodes, there’s little doubt that fans of the original series will find plenty to enjoy in this unrestrained sitcom allows former (mostly) background players shine in this new effort from the creative team of Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady and Zak Penn.<\/p>\n

More: ‘Big Bang Theory’ minor players step to front in new HBO Max spin-off<\/a><\/p>\n

When another version of Stuart shows up in his apocalyptic world with a gadget invented by “Big Bang” OGs Leonard, Sheldon and Wolowitz and informs him it’s his duty to put the universe right, events are set into motion.<\/p>\n

The machine allows individuals to slip into different universes where anything \u2013 meaning anything \u2013 is possible and the creative team allows their imaginations free reign with respect to what they do on screen.<\/p>\n

Stuart is comically overwhelmed by the prospect being the savior of the universe(s?), but, other than Denise, he has unlikely friends to help him.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Kevin Sussman, John Ross Bowie, Lauren Lapkus during a firefight in “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”<\/p>\n

She, however, is not just there to tag along and gives has her share of moments to shine, as does the rest of the cast. They all are actually to grow beyond their “Big Bang” roots.<\/p>\n

Sussman received the most screen time in the original series as the store owner, but squatter in the home of two main characters. Denise came in during the final few seasons and helped his character grow to some extent while not getting enough to do. That changes here.<\/p>\n

Bowie’s Kripke always came across as an obnoxious, self-centered weasel. Those character traits remain, but the writers choose to add a bit \u2013 just a bit \u2013 of emotional depth to the character, keeping his edge. As for Posehn: his put-upon portrayal of Bert, a guy who didn’t always get a break during his 15 appearances on the season, takes full advantage of his time giving a hilarious deadpan portrayal.<\/p>\n

Fans will surely find plenty to appreciate, including some hilarious cameos, but will those not exposed to the original? There’s enough explained that those unfamiliar can be plop right down into the series get the premise and enjoy the ride.<\/p>\n

Streaming: Weekly on HBO Max beginning Wednesday (July 22)<\/p>\n

Grade: B<\/p>\n

\"From<\/p>\n

From left, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike and Rebecca Romijn as Una of the Paramount+ original series \u201cStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ returns for its fourth season<\/p>\n

“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” <\/a>took some heat for its third season. Having been a Trekker for most of my life, there’s a certain list of expectations and if there were ever a constant with the fandom it’s that they want the same thing, only different.<\/p>\n

“SNW” went for something primarily different in that third season and paid the price in criticism, some of which may have been justified. Some was petty.<\/p>\n

As the new set of episodes begins, it’s not difficult to see that some of that same disapproval could come. In the first episode, there is a definite return to the roots as the science fiction receives heightened emphasis and thankfully that doesn’t come at the expense of continued character development.<\/p>\n

It also doesn’t come at the expense of the of humor when it comes to the TV franchise and the characters as the creative team continues to take chances.<\/p>\n

There are some outright silly episodes to revel in with respect to season four and prove to be thoroughly enjoyable and “SNW” should receive credit for staying fresh and relevant as the creative team continues to set up its eventual departure.<\/p>\n

Streaming: Weekly on Paramount+ beginning Wednesday (July 22)<\/p>\n

Grade: B+<\/p>\n

‘Ride or Die’ an unexpected fun trip with Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham<\/p>\n

Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer and “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham prove to be the action duo audiences didn’t know they needed in “Ride or Die” on Prime Video.<\/a><\/p>\n

Waddingham is Judith, an assassin working for a mysterious British government agency who’s done the one thing she’s not supposed to do \u2013 make a close friend. She is Debbie (Spencer) the wife of a politician who soon finds herself dragged into Judith’s world.<\/p>\n

“Ride or Die,” though an action series, focuses as much on the friendship between the two women that must evolve given the circumstances. It proves to be a fun ride. All episodes are currently streaming.<\/p>\n

George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ but offers plenty of laughs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Freed from the constraints of network television, nerds will once again inherit the Earth, much in the way…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":778047,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[331584,325443,331582,264475,282562,90133,331583,88,282563,142764,264476,331581,92],"class_list":["post-778046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-apocalyptic-world","tag-barry-kripke","tag-bert-kibbler","tag-bill-prady","tag-brian-posehn","tag-chuck-lorre","tag-creative-team","tag-entertainment","tag-john-ross-bowie","tag-kevin-sussman","tag-lauren-lapkus","tag-stuart-bloom","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=778046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/778046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/778047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=778046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=778046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=778046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}