The Big Bang Theory Officially Changes Genre This Month

After a slightly uneven start and trouble establishing the main characters, The Big Bang Theory found its feet. With characters on paths of self-discovery and tributes to sci-fi and science in most scenes, the best episodes of The Big Bang Theory felt as though they laughed with the characters rather than at them. That said, this was not always the case, and it cannot be denied that The Big Bang Theory has not always aged well. Many sitcoms could have ended there and remained a product of their time, but this is where the franchise made an unusual move.

Young Sheldon established Sheldon Cooper as an unreliable narrator, recontextualizing key scenes in The Big Bang Theory. This is often hilarious when seen from a different perspective, like the moment Sheldon's parents are having fun wearing disguises, without realizing that Sheldon believes he caught his father cheating on his mother. Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage, while nowhere near as good, was another Big Bang Theory spinoff that expanded the show's world. However, the next spinoff is going to turn the franchise upside-down, expanding the lore into an entirely new universe.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will take The Big Bang Theory from a love letter to sci-fi, into a genuine sci-fi franchise. The Big Bang Theory occasionally included sci-fi tributes, but these generally took the form of dream sequences. Switching the franchise's genre entirely is a surprise that nobody could have predicted, but by bringing back some of the best side characters in The Big Bang Theory and centering on the underrated Stuart Bloom, it is a bizarre-enough idea that it might just succeed.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Will Change The Big Bang Theory's Genre

Through its iconic theme tune, classic sitcom laugh track, and recognizable running jokes, The Big Bang Theory was firmly seated within the sitcom genre, even with the occasional surreal fantasy and sci-fi moment. However, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe officially has a multiverse, following the hapless comic book store owner as he finds himself navigating an incoming Armageddon caused by a malfunctioning device built by The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon and Leonard. While still a comedy franchise, this latest spinoff takes it into the sci-fi genre for the first time.

This begins a new era for The Big Bang Theory, which always championed science and sci-fi culture through the lead characters' passions and the show's choice of esteemed guest stars. The Big Bang Theory regularly featured scientists and sci-fi icons, either playing themselves or in character roles. These included Stephen Hawking, George Takei, Katee Sackhoff, and Mark Hamill. It remains to be seen whether Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will also attract the attention of high-profile scientists, but the franchise's genre switch has got fans and critics speculating over where it could go next.

Some TV shows have switched genre halfway through, from The Expanse to The Umbrella Academy, but these have generally begun as a mix of genres and gone on to focus on one. For example, The Expanse began as a film noir set in space, and introduced an alien threat later on, setting the noir elements aside. On the other hand, few series set in the real world have suddenly entered a multiverse straight out of a superhero story. Baywatch attempted to incorporate the supernatural into the tried and tested Baywatch format, but this was a resounding failure.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe likely stands more of a chance at succeeding than the ill-fated Baywatch Nights, as the genre switch still remains on theme, with the original franchise already tied to sci-fi in many ways. With major Big Bang Theory characters returning in the spinoff and the possibility of recontextualizing more elements that did not age well, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe could continue the great work Young Sheldon started, while opening up unlimited possibilities for the franchise.