Big Bang Theory to bring back iconic characters with huge twist for new spin-off
Writers are said to be putting a "completely fresh twist" on the Big Bang Theory for a spin-off. Details about the show have been announced this week, including its title and whether fans can expect to see their favourite characters.
It was previously reported that a spin-off of the CBS sitcom, which ran for twelve seasons from 2007 to 2019, was in the works. HBO Max has now announced that it has given a series order to the show, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
The show will see Kevin Sussman reprise his role as comic book store owner Stuart Bloom. The character was first introduced in the second season of the Big Bang Theory and made numerous appearances prior to its final episode.
Stuart won't be the only returning character. He will be joined on a "quest" by his partner Denise (played by Lauren Lapkus), geologist Bert Kibbler (Brian Posehn) and quantum physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) in the new show.
It's yet to be revealed whether any other former cast members will reprise their roles in the upcoming spin-off. It's been confirmed that "alternate-universe versions" of some characters from the Big Bang Theory will feature in it though.
A synopsis for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe teases that the title character is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki). He's said to accidentally bring about a multiverse Armageddon as a result.
He's aided by Denise, Bert and Barry in his quest. According to HBO Max, along the way, the group meet "alternate-universe versions of characters we've come to know and love" from the original show. It adds: "As the title implies, things don't go well."
The comedy series is being executive produced by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady. Chuck said in a statement: "I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on The Big Bang Theory would have loved, hated, and argued about."
Bill added: "The process of writing this show with Chuck and Zak has been damn fun, and I'm certain that joy will come through the screen. Putting characters we loved from The Big Bang Theory into a complex science fiction story with the kind of mythology that those characters love while maintaining the comedic elements is incredibly satisfying."
Zak said: "I was on a vision quest in the most remote parts of the Amazon Rainforest when a carrier pigeon arrived with a note from Chuck Lorre asking if I wanted to help make a show that the characters from Big Bang Theory would watch. I couldn't resist that idea, so I packed up my yurt and hailed the next dirigible out.
"At the same time, Chuck sent an expedition to locate Bill Prady, who had been frozen with his shield across his chest in a block of arctic ice. The team assembled, we set out to make this insane show, which lives in a universe created by Chuck and Bill. I couldn't be more honored to be working with these amazing people."
Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks, said: "Chuck and Bill have given us one of the most enduring comedies of our time with The Big Bang Theory, and we can't wait to see the universe continue with this new series. With the help of Zak - a masterful storyteller - this next iteration promises to capture the essence of what fans loved about the original series, but with a completely fresh twist. We thank our partners HBO Max for joining us on this next adventure."
Alongside Sheldon and Leonard, the Big Bang Theory focused on Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar) and Penny Hofstadter (Kaley Cuoco) among other characters. It has already been followed by prequel series Young Sheldon, which launched back in 2017.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump's FCC approves $8 billion Paramount merger with Skydance after CBS cancels Colbert
President Donald Trump 's Federal Communications Commission has approved a merger between Paramount and Skydance after CBS capitulated and canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The merger clears the way for an $8.4 billion sale of some of the most prominent names in entertainment, including the CBS broadcast television network, Paramount Pictures, and the Nickelodeon cable channel. The agreement comes after Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump over a '60 Minutes' interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris that aired in October. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has said the agency's review of the proposed merger was not connected to the lawsuit. But it is also just days after Paramount wielded the axe against Colbert, sparking uproar within the entertainment industry and questions over whether Trump was involved in the decision. Last Thursday, CBS announced that the comedian's decade-long run as the host of CBS' late night flagship will end next May. The cancellation was revealed two days after Colbert used the term 'big fat bribe' to describe Paramount's $16million settlement with President Trump. Colbert gained a reputation as one of Trump's fiercest critics, departing from the traditional late-night in favor of a more overtly partisan approach. Following the announcement of The Late Show's cancellation, Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to gloat over the news in a celebratory post. 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,' he wrote. Approval for the merger came after Skydance and its investment partner, RedBird Capital, assured the FCC of their commitment to unbiased journalism that represents diverse viewpoints. Skydance said it would appoint an ombudsman to evaluate complaints of editorial bias or other concerns about CBS in an effort to promote transparency and increased accountability. Paramount also eliminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to align with the new administration's view that such affirmative action policies are discriminatory. Carr said he welcomed 'Skydance's commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network. 'In particular, Skydance has made written commitments to ensure that the new company's programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.' Carr also hailed what he called a victory in 'the FCC's efforts to eliminate invidious forms of DEI discrimination.' The FCC voted 2-1 to approve the deal, with Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez dissenting. 'After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions,' she said. She added 'in an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. 'Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.' Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is poised to become chairman and chief executive of the new Paramount. Jeff Shell, former chief executive of Comcast's NBCUniversal, will be its new president.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Star Trek actor Kenneth Washington dies at 88: The star was the last living cast member from Hogan's Heroes
Kenneth Washington, the film and television actor who appeared on several high-profile shows over multiple decades, has died at 88. Washington died last week on July 18, according to Variety. The performer held the sad distinction of being the last living cast member from Hogan's Heroes, the classic CBS sitcom set in a POW camp in Nazi Germany. Washington had guest roles on major TV series, including My Three Sons, the 1967 revival of Dragnet, Petticoat Junction, The FBI, The Rockford Files and Police Story, among others. He also held the distinction of playing a guest role on the third and final season of the original Star Trek series in 1969. Washington joined Hogan's Heroes in 1970 for the show's sixth and final season. He played Sergeant Richard Baker, who filled the void left by the departure of another Black actor, Ivan Dixon, who had appeared in the previous five seasons as Staff Sergeant James 'Kinch' Konloe. Although Washington was a main cast member, his part wasn't as juicy as Dixon's had been. He didn't have time to expand the character, as the show was canceled after his first season on Hogan's Heroes. The show was a ratings success in its early seasons, and it won two Emmy Awards during its run after being nominated 12 times. Hogan's Heroes was also recognized for featuring Black actors in major roles when it was honored at the first NAACP Image Awards in 1967. Washington had a guest role that year on another show that was honored at the Image Awards, Daktari, and he later appeared on Star Trek, which was also cited for its diverse casting. Washington had small, sometimes uncredited roles in a handful of films, though he was primarily known for his work in television. His most prominent film role was as a technician in Michael Crichton's 1973 sci-fi western thriller Westworld. Aside from his season on Hogan's Heroes, his longest running television role was as Officer Miller on Adam-12. The recurring role on the popular police drama lasted for eight episodes in 1968 and '69. Washington was born in Ethel, Mississippi, in 1936, but his family soon relocated to California's Bay Area. As an adult, Washington caught the acting bug and moved south to Los Angeles to focus on auditions. As his acting career wound down, he enrolled at Loyola Marymount University to earn his degree, and he subsequent returned to the university as a instructor leading a class on Black film actors. Washington also taught classes on oral interpretation and speech at Southwest College in LA, according to Variety. Washington was previously married to Alyce Hawkins from 1959 to 1969, and they shared three children: Kim Lee, Kenneth Jr. and Quianna Stokes-Washington. In 2001, he married his second wife, Alice Marshall, who was at one time the editor-in-chief of the LA-based Wave Newspapers, as well as a former film reviews editor at Variety. Washington is survived by his wife, his three children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as his brother Johnnie and sister Aaliyah Akbar.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
US FCC clears $8bn Skydance-Paramount merger
An $8bn (£5.9bn) merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media has been approved by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).The merger between the independent film studio and one of Hollywood's oldest and most storied companies was first announced in 2024. The approval came just weeks after Paramount Global agreed to pay $16m (£13.5m) to settle a legal dispute with US President Donald Trump over an interview it broadcast on subsidiary CBS with former Vice-President Kamala head Brendan Carr, who was appointed by the president, announced the merger's approval on Thursday, saying he welcomed Skydance's ideas to make "significant changes" at CBS. The FCC agreed to transfer broadcast licenses for 28 owned-and-operated CBS television stations to the new owner. "Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly," Mr Carr said. "It is time for a change."Mr Carr said Skydance had made promises to the agency, including a "commitment to unbiased journalism" where the merged company would install a ombudsman to evaluate complaints of bias. Skydance also promised to end diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, something the Trump administration has targeted. The FCC voted 2-1 to approve the deal, with one commissioner, Anna Gomez, a Democrat, dissenting."After months of cowardly capitulation to this administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions," she wrote. Paramount Global traces its origins back more than a century to the founding of Paramount Pictures Corporation in 1914. The studio has made many hit films, including the Godfather, Star Trek, and Mission: Impossible owns streaming service Paramount+, as well as Paramount Pictures, CBS, Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and other media the entertainment giant has struggled over the past decade. Skydance is owned by David Ellison, the son of Larry Ellison, who founded US technology giant FCC's approval was necessary for the deal to move forward. The deal, which includes CBS, Paramount Pictures and Comedy Central, was approved after a series of moves by Paramount, including settling a lawsuit by US President Donald to both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, the settlement over the 60 Minutes interview was agreed - with the help of mediator - so as to not affect the planned merger, which the FCC was reviewing and therefore Trump technically had the power to had alleged the network had deceptively edited an interview that aired on its 60 Minutes news programme with his presidential election rival Kamala Harris, to "tip the scales in favour of the Democratic party".Paramount said it would pay to settle the suit, but with the money allocated to Trump's future presidential library, not paid to him "directly or indirectly".It also comes just days after CBS, owned by Paramount, announced it would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, who has been critical of Trump. The network said the move "is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night [television]" and "is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters".
