The Big Bang Theory spin-off finally has a name March 19, 2025
A Big Bang Theory spin-off currently in development for the streaming service Max has officially been titled Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Deadline reported today.
News of the spin-off first emerged in April 2023, but with the actors' and writers' strikes that year, there were few signs of progress for several months. By November, Chuck Lorre described the show as still in its "prenatal" stage.
Momentum began to build in the latter part of 2024. In October, it was reported that The Big Bang Theory cast member Kevin Sussman (Stuart), along with recurring guest stars Brian Posehn (Bert) and Lauren Lapkus (Denise) had signed on to star in the series. Then, in December, Deadline reported that TBBT co-creator Bill Prady along with feature film writer Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) would join Lorre in writing the script and executive producing the show. However, the spin-off had still not been officially greenlit by Max.
Last month, John Ross Bowie, who played the guys’ frenemy Barry Kripke, also joined the cast, adding another familiar face from The Big Bang Theory to the spin-off.
According to Deadline, the project has still not been greenlit by Max, so the would-be cast members have signed talent holding deals with Warner Bros. Studio to join the show if and when it is officially picked up.
Kevin Sussman first appeared as Stuart Bloom in The Big Bang Theory's second season as the owner of the guys' favorite comic book store. Initially a potential love interest for Penny, Stuart stuck around as the guys continued to frequent his shop. Sussman became a series regular in Season 6, where his character became closer friends with Raj while Howard was in space, and continued as a series regular in Seasons 8-12. Sussman appeared in 84 episodes during the show's run.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe would be the third spin-off from The Big Bang Theory, after Young Sheldon and its own spin-off, Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage.
Max, the streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery, is the exclusive streaming home of The Big Bang Theory in the U.S. Young Sheldon and the newly launched The Official Big Bang Theory podcast also stream on the platform.
The Big Bang Theory podcast launched March 17, 2025
The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast launched today with an episode dedicated to the unaired pilot of The Big Bang Theory, originally developed for the 2006/07 TV season.
In the debut episode, host Jessica Radloff, author of the New York Times bestseller The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, chats with TBBT co-creator Chuck Lorre and former Warner Bros. Television group chairman Peter Roth about the unusual second chance the show was given during its development.
The origins of The Big Bang Theory date back to 2005, nearly two decades ago, with a pilot taped in 2006 for the 2006/07 season. This pilot featured Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki as Sheldon and Leonard, but did not include the Howard or Raj characters. A different actress also played a role similar to Penny, though with a very different character. In this podcast episode, Radloff, Lorre and Roth discuss the changes made between the unaired pilot and the second, successful attempt.
In the next episode, dropping March 24, Jessica Radloff will discuss the Pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory - the one that made it to air - with legendary TV director James Burrows, who directed both pilots.
Future guests include cast members Kunal Nayyar, Kevin Sussman and John Ross Bowie. Recurring guest stars Sara Gilbert (Leslie Winkle), Christine Baranski (Beverly Hofstadter), Vernee Watson (Nurse Althea) and Sara Rue (Leonard's girlfriend Stephanie) are also set to join Radloff to talk about the show.
The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast releases weekly on Max and all major podcast platforms, including Apple, Amazon and Spotify.
The podcast is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in partnership with Max, the exclusive streaming home of The Big Bang Theory in the United States.
Find out more about The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
The Big Bang Theory podcast coming soon March 10, 2025
Streaming service Max has announced an official The Big Bang Theory podcast will debut next week, offering fans an in-depth look at the history of the hit show.
The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast is hosted and produced by Jessica Radloff, the New York Times bestselling author of The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series, which took fans behind the scenes of the show's development and its twelve-season run.
The podcast will take a deep dive into every episode of The Big Bang Theory, starting with Seasons 1 and 2, featuring the cast and crew who worked on the show.
Guests on the podcast will include legendary director James Burrows and TBBT cast members Kunal Nayyar, Kevin Sussman and John Ross Bowie. The first episode of the podcast will take a special look at the unaired pilot of The Big Bang Theory with series co-creator Chuck Lorre and former Warner Bros. Television group chairman Peter Roth.
Other guests set to join the podcast include recurring guest stars Sara Gilbert (Leslie Winkle), Christine Baranski (Beverly Hofstadter), Vernee Watson (Nurse Althea), and Sara Rue (Leonard's girlfriend Stephanie).
Produced by Max and Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, episodes of the podcast will drop weekly on Max, starting March 17, and will also be available on all major podcast platforms.
Since its launch in 2020, Max has been the exclusive U.S. streaming home for all twelve seasons of The Big Bang Theory.
Find out more about The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast
John Ross Bowie joins TBBT spin-off February 11, 2025
John Ross Bowie, who portrayed the guys’ frenemy Barry Kripke, is set to the join the upcoming The Big Bang Theory spin-off on Max, according to an exclusive report from Deadline.
Bowie joins Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Brian Posehn (Bert) and Lauren Lapkus (Denise) in signing on for the yet-to-be-titled show, which now features a roster of secondary characters from The Big Bang Theory universe.
Bowie appeared in twenty-five episodes of The Big Bang Theory, starting in its second season and making his final appearance in the penultimate episode. Although Barry Kripke was regularly in the orbit of Sheldon and the gang, working at the same university, he wasn’t particularly friendly with any of them. Kripke had a notably adversarial relationship with Sheldon, often mocking or pranking him.
Apart from The Big Bang Theory, Bowie’s credits include a starring role in the ABC sitcom Speechless, which ran for three seasons from 2016 to 2019. He also had a recurring role on the Chuck Lorre-created show United States of Al.
In December last year, Deadline reported that Chuck Lorre would be joined by The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady and feature film writer Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy) to write the script and executive produce the show.
The untitled project is still in development and has not been greenlit by Max, the streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Big Bang Theory joins Nick at Nite, MTV line-ups December 18, 2024
The Big Bang Theory is joining Paramount's Nick at Nite and MTV line-ups in the United States, with both networks planning themed marathons to celebrate its launch.
The show will join Nickelodeon's night-time programming block, Nick at Nite, on December 24 with two days of festive episodes, including the fan-favorite episode The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis, known for the iconic "Leonard Nimoy's Napkin" scene.
Starting December 27, The Big Bang Theory will air daily on Nick at Nite in a two-hour block from 12-2 a.m. (ET/PT). The network will kick off with Season 4, during which Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch joined the cast as Amy and Bernadette, respectively.
All twelve seasons of The Big Bang Theory will be added to the Nick at Nite line-up, airing alongside modern sitcom favorites Friends and Modern Family, as well as The Big Bang Theory's prequel series Young Sheldon.
On Wednesday, January 1, MTV will start the New Year with a Bang by airing an all-day marathon of The Big Bang Theory's third season, including popular episodes such as The Adhesive Duck Deficiency and The Staircase Implementation.
Beginning Saturday, January 4, the show will become part of MTV's Saturday and Sunday line-ups, with episodes from all twelve seasons airing alongside Friends.
Since 2011, TBS has been the exclusive home of The Big Bang Theory reruns on cable. The show will continue to air on TBS and in local syndication. The Warner Bros. streaming service Max has been the exclusive home of The Big Bang Theory since its streaming debut in 2020.
Kevin Sussman, Brian Posehn and Lauren Lapkus sign on for TBBT spin-off October 11, 2024
Kevin Sussman (Stuart) and recurring guest stars Brian Posehn (Bert) and Lauren Lapkus (Denise) have signed on to star in a The Big Bang Theory spin-off being developed for the streaming service Max, according to a report from Deadline.com.
This potential spin-off from TBBT creator Chuck Lorre was first reported in April last year, shortly before the writers’ and actors’ strikes that brought Hollywood to a standstill. In November, Lorre explained the project was still in a “pre-natal” stage.
No details about the show's storyline or format have been confirmed, with Deadline cautioning that it remains in the early stages of development. A script is still being written, and there is no certainty this project will make it to series.
Kevin Sussman first appeared as Stuart Bloom, the owner of the guys’ favorite comic book store, in the Season 2 episode "The Hofstadter Isotope". Sussman was a recurring guest star for the next few seasons, before becoming a series regular for Season 6 and Seasons 8-12. In total, he appeared in 84 episodes during the show’s run.
Brian Posehn first guest starred as Bert in the Season 6 episode "The Contractual Obligation Implementation", where he gate-crashed Raj and Lucy’s "silent date" at the library. When he returned in the seventh season, Bert was revealed to be a geologist at the university who had a crush on Amy. Posehn reprised his role as Bert for a further thirteen episodes in the show’s last three seasons.
Lauren Lapkus appeared in eight episodes of the show’s final two seasons as Denise, an employee at Stuart’s comic book store with whom he strikes up a relationship.
The Big Bang Theory has already spawned one successful spin-off with Young Sheldon, which concluded its seven-season run earlier this year. Young Sheldon is now launching its own spin-off, Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, which premieres Thursday, October 17 on CBS.
Max has been the exclusive streaming home of The Big Bang Theory in the United States since its launch in 2020.
Bob Newhart dies aged 94 July 18, 2024
Bob Newhart, the American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his two eponymous sitcoms, has died at the age of 94.
Newhart’s long-time publicist, Jerry Digney, said the actor died Thursday after a series of short illnesses.
Newhart guest starred in 6 episodes of The Big Bang Theory as Arthur Jeffries, or Professor Proton, Sheldon’s childhood TV hero. Newhart won the only Emmy award of his career for his first appearance on the show. He received another two nominations for his work on the show.
When Newhart spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in 2013 ahead of his first appearance on The Big Bang Theory, he explained two things were important for him to agree to Chuck Lorre's invitation to appear on the show. First, that his scenes be shot in front of a live studio audience, as he was accustomed to. Second, that his character be a recurring part.
Newhart carried his role as Professor Proton over to The Big Bang Theory spin-off Young Sheldon, appearing in the pilot episode and lending his voice to a further three episodes. A 2020 episode of Young Sheldon was Bob Newhart's final credited role.
A former accountant, Bob Newhart rose to fame as a comedian in the '60s. Known for his deadpan style and stammering delivery, Newhart had hit comedy albums in 1960 with The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart and The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! A comedy variety show on NBC followed the next year.
The first of Newhart’s two hit TV shows debuted in 1972 with The Bob Newhart Show, which aired for six seasons on CBS and was produced by Mary Tyler Moore’s company, MTM Enterprises. Newhart starred as Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley, a Chicago psychologist married to Emily (Suzanne Pleshette).
His second hit sitcom was the simply titled Newhart, which ran for eight seasons on CBS from 1982 to 1990. Newhart and Mary Frann starred as an author and his wife who run the Stratford Inn in rural Vermont. The final scene, in which Newhart wakes up from a dream in bed with his first TV wife, Suzanne Pleshette, has made the finale one of the most memorable in TV history.
Newhart also had a third self-titled sitcom, Bob, which ran for two seasons on CBS from 1992 to 1993. Apart from The Big Bang Theory, Newhart’s TV appearances later in his career included multi-episode roles on ER, Desperate Housewives, and The Librarians. He also starred in a series of TV movies in The Librarian franchise.
Newhart’s most memorable film role is probably as Papa Elf in the 2003 Will Ferrell holiday comedy Elf, considered one of the few classic Christmas films released this century. His other film credits included In & Out, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, and Horrible Bosses.
Newhart’s wife of sixty years, Ginnie Newhart, died last year at the age of 82. Ginnie was reportedly the one who suggested ending Newhart by combining it with the earlier show.
Photos: Jim Parsons & Mayim Bialik in Young Sheldon finale May 10, 2024
Check out photos from the series finale of Young Sheldon, featuring Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik reprising their roles as Dr. Sheldon Cooper and Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler for the first time in five years.
This is the first time actors from The Big Bang Theory have physically appeared on Young Sheldon. Jim Parsons has been narrating the show since its inception, and Mayim Bialik and Simon Helberg have previously joined him in the narration booth.
Young Sheldon will conclude its seven-season run next Thursday, May 16 with two back-to-back episodes, “Funeral” and “Memoir”.
Young Sheldon premiered in 2017 and quickly became the top-rated new sitcom of the season. SinceThe Big Bang Theory ended in 2019, Young Sheldon has been the #1 sitcom on TV.
A new Young Sheldon spin-off, Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, is set to take over the show’s time slot this fall. The series follows Sheldon’s older brother, Georgie (Montana Jordan), and his wife, Mandy (Emily Osment), as they raise their young daughter, CeeCee.
CBS unveils 2024/25 line-up, including Young Sheldon spin-off May 4, 2024
CBS has unveiled its schedule for the 2024/25 season, featuring a Young Sheldon spin-off centered on Georgie and Mandy, as Young Sheldon concludes its seven-season run.
Young Sheldon actors Montana Jordan and Emily Osment reprise their roles in Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, which follows the titular couple as they raise their young family in Texas.
Jordan has portrayed Sheldon's older brother, Georgie, since Young Sheldon started in 2017. Osment initially guest-starred during the show's fifth season and later joined the cast for the subsequent two seasons. Additional cast members have not yet been announced.
The new spin-off is a multi-camera show filmed in front of an audience, like The Big Bang Theory. This is a departure from the single-camera format of Young Sheldon.
Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage will take over the Thursday 8/7c slot from Young Sheldon, and will be followed by the sitcom Ghosts at 8:30/7:30c. The new Kathy Bates drama series Matlock will air at 9/8c, with drama Elsbeth wrapping up the night at 10/9c.
Young Sheldon has occupied the Thursday 8/7c time slot since The Big Bang Theory ended in 2019. During this period, it also became the most-watched sitcom, a title previously held by The Big Bang Theory. The Big Bang Theory had aired in this slot since its fourth season in 2010.
CBS announced last year that Young Sheldon will conclude with its seventh season. The hour-long series finale will air Thursday, May 16, on CBS. The Big Bang Theory actors Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will guest star in the two-part finale, marking the first physical appearances of TBBT actors on Young Sheldon.
Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik to appear in Young Sheldon finale March 6, 2024
Five years after The Big Bang Theory ended, Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik will reprise their roles as Sheldon and Amy in the series finale of Young Sheldon, the show's Instagram account revealed today.
Although Parsons is the regular narrator of Young Sheldon and Bialik has twice lent her voice to the show, no The Big Bang Theory actor has physically appeared on the show before.
CBS announced last year that Young Sheldon would be ending with its seventh season. The final season airs Thursdays at 8/7c on CBS, with an hour-long series finale set to air Thursday, May 16.
Following the lives of Sheldon and the Cooper family in Texas in the early '90s, Young Sheldon became the most-watched new sitcom when it launched in 2017. Since The Big Bang Theory ended its twelve-season run in 2019, Young Sheldon has ranked as the top-rated comedy on TV.
CBS has just announced a series order for a new spin-off of Young Sheldon, which will follow Sheldon's older brother Georgie (Montana Jordan) and his wife Mandy (Emily Osment) as they raise their family in Texas. The new show will be a multi-camera sitcom shot in front of an audience, like The Big Bang Theory.