Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S01E03 Preview: Bert's Kinda Magical

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Posted in: HBO, Max, TV | Tagged: stuart fails to save the universe, The Big Bang Theory

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S01E03 Preview: Bert's Kinda Magical

Check out our updated preview for tonight's episode of HBO Max's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, S01E03: "Spoiler: Bert is Magic."

Published Thu, 06 Aug 2026 18:07:10 -0500
by Ray Flook
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Article Summary

  • Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S01E03, "Spoiler: Bert is Magic," sends the team into a universe where magic rules.
  • The updated HBO Max preview hints Bert may be the key power player, with Wil Wheaton also teased for magical chaos.
  • Alternate versions of Ramona, Zack, Raj, and Penny signal more multiverse twists only two episodes into the spinoff.
  • Lauren Lapkus and Kyle Newacheck join Felicia Day and Wil Wheaton on the official podcast to unpack Episode 2.

We've had alternate versions of Riki Lindhome's Ramona Nowitzki, Brian Thomas Smith's Zack Johnson, Kunal Nayyar's Raj Koothrappali, and Kaley Cuoco's Penny – and we're only two episodes into the painfully unique spinoff series. With the next episode of HBO Max's Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert), and John Ross Bowie (Barry)-starring Stuart Fails to Save the Universe hitting tonight, we've got some clues to who else might be showing up. Based on the title, S01E03: "Spoiler: Bert is Magic," it looks like our heroes will be tackling a universe where magic is pretty much an everyday thing. Based on previous previews that were released, this might be the episode where Wil Wheaton shows up to wield some magic – but it's sounding like Bert (Posehn) is the real powerbroker here. Along with an official overview, image gallery, and preview for the next chapter, Lapkus and director Kyle Newacheck join Felicia Day and Wheaton on the official podcast to break down last week's episode. In addition, Kuoco discusses returning as rebel leader Penny, and much more.

Image: HBO Max

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S01E03: "Spoiler: Bert is Magic" Preview

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S01E03: "Spoiler: Bert is Magic"– Comic book shop owner Stuart Bloom brings about the end of the universe, and is tasked with restoring reality along with his girlfriend Denise, geologist Bert, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke. Directed by Kyle Newacheck, and written by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady.

Image: HBO Max
Image: HBO Max
Image: HBO Max
Image: HBO Max

Checking in with The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast, Wil Wheaton offered host Jessica Radloff and listeners/viewers a tease or two about the series. "I have had the extraordinary privilege of being in the front row for the entire development of 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.' I sat with Bill [Prady] for months while he told me I know everything about it. He's told me who the characters are, what the McGuffin is," Wheaton shared, making him someone in the know from day one. "It's wonderful. It's brilliant. It's so funny. The actors are phenomenal. You know, it's so risky to take a spin-off. Characters and actors who are always capable of, you know, filling the top spots now have to do that. And there's expectations," he added.

Wheaton continued, "You're going to be compared to what you already did, no matter what. And all you can do is commit to the work and show up and do the very best that you can. And I got to go to the set to visit, and I watched them, and they are amazing. I would not say this if I didn't believe it in my heart, if I hadn't witnessed it myself, if I hadn't read a lot of the scripts. It's so clever. And it's wickedly funny."

"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," Lorre shared about the premise behind the spinoff. Penn added, "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."

Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we've come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don't go well.

HBO Max's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, from Chuck Lorre Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, was created, written, and executive-produced by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady. Kyle Newacheck is an executive producer and directs multiple episodes.

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