Chuck Lorre Hypes Up New 'The Big Bang Theory' Series: "I'm Very Proud"

Few creators have the nerve to say, before release, that their series will either be loved or completely hated. Chuck Lorre said exactly that about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the new The Big Bang Theory spin-off — and he said it without hesitation. It’s the kind of statement that might sound like self-sabotage coming from almost anyone else. Coming from one of the most successful TV creators in American television history, it sounds like someone who has simply learned to separate what he can control from what he can’t.

In an exclusive interview with Omelete, Lorre explained the logic behind the remark. For him, there are two completely different measures of success. The first is personal: "Did I accomplish what I set out to do? Is what I made worthwhile, is it fun, and is it worth people’s time?" That one, he says, is entirely within his reach. The second is what happens after the series reaches the audience, what he simply can't control. "To the extent that I worry about that, I become unhappy. And as a general rule, I try not to be unhappy."

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is, in fact, an unusual gamble for a man with Lorre’s track record. For decades, he built his career in the safe territory of the multi-camera sitcom with a live studio audience — Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mom. The new series abandons that format completely and dives into a science-fiction universe filled with visual effects, the multiverse, and even DC superheroes. The gap between “how are we going to get dinner?” and “we accidentally destroyed the universe” could hardly be wider.

That gap is precisely what justifies the phrase “loved or hated.” A series that lands in the middle rarely sparks such a strong reaction in either direction. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is not trying to please everyone. Lorre and his partners, Bill Prady and Zak Penn, made radical choices in format and tone that will create devoted fans and equally devoted critics. The series knows that. The creators know that. The question is whether the audience will go along for the ride.

What Lorre makes clear, however, is that the sense of pride is already guaranteed regardless of the verdict. "We accomplished what we set out to do. And now I just hope someone out there agrees." For a man who spent 40 years measuring success by the sound of a live audience, this peace with uncertainty is, in itself, a turning point.

Everything about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

In the story, the character Stuart Blossom is tasked with restoring reality after a device built by Sheldon and Leonard causes an apocalypse. The series premieres on July 23 on HBO Max.