HBO schedules Stuart Fails to Save Universe July 23

Warner Bros. Discovery used its May 13 upfront presentation in New York to put a date on one of HBO Max’s franchise extensions: “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” will debut on July 23. HBO Max released the first teaser for the comedy during the presentation, which also featured promotion for titles including “Heated Rivalry” and “The Pitt.” The company’s press release described the show as a 10-episode series that will launch at 9 p.m. ET and continue with weekly Thursday releases. ### Which show did Warner Bros. Discovery schedule at the upfront? “HBO Max” scheduled “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” for Thursday, July 23, according to the Warner Bros. Discovery press release issued during the upfront. The series is a spinoff of “The Big Bang Theory” centered on comic-book-store owner Stuart Bloom, played by Kevin Sussman. (press.wbd.com) “The Big Bang Theory” franchise has already produced “Young Sheldon” and “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” and this new entry expands the universe again with Stuart as the lead. Trade reports published after the presentation said HBO Max paired the date announcement with the first teaser footage. (press.wbd.com) ### What exactly did HBO Max say about the release plan? “The ten-episode series debuts THURSDAY, JULY 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on HBO Max,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in its release. The company also said new episodes will arrive on subsequent Thursdays. (hollywoodreporter.com) “July 23” had been narrowed earlier when Warner Bros. Discovery announced at CCXP Mexico City on April 27 that the comedy would debut in July 2026 on HBO Max, without giving the exact day. The May 13 upfront supplied the specific premiere date and the teaser rollout. ### Who is in the series and who made it? “Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn and John Ross Bowie” were among the cast members identified in coverage of the teaser reveal at the upfront. (press.wbd.com) Those actors reprise characters from the original sitcom’s orbit, with Sussman again playing Stuart Bloom. (press.wbd.com) “Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady” created the series, according to HBO Max and trade reports. Warner Bros. Discovery also said in April that Danny Elfman would create the original theme music for the show. ### How did the show fit into Warner Bros. Discovery’s pitch to advertisers? “Madison Square Garden” was the setting for Warner Bros. (yahoo.com) Discovery’s upfront, where the company mixed programming announcements with its ad-sales pitch. Deadline reported that stars from “Heated Rivalry,” “The Pitt” and “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” appeared as WBD promoted its upcoming slate. (variety.com) “Performance” and “ad measurement” were also part of the company’s message to advertisers at the event, according to Deadline’s recap. The scheduling of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” came as one item in that broader presentation of programming and platform tools. ### What did the teaser announcement add beyond the date? (deadline.com) “Official teaser” footage was released on May 13 alongside the date confirmation, HBO Max said. Coverage from The Hollywood Reporter, TheWrap and Deadline said the first footage was unveiled during the upfront presentation itself. (deadline.com) “Weekly” is the key distribution detail for viewers after the premiere. HBO Max said the first episode arrives July 23 at 9 p.m. ET, and the remaining episodes will follow on Thursdays after that. “July 23” is now the next concrete date for the project. (press.wbd.com) HBO Max has said the 10-episode season will start that Thursday at 9 p.m. ET, with Kevin Sussman leading the series and additional episodes rolling out weekly afterward. (press.wbd.com)