Big Bang Spinoff Avoids Howard’s Controversial Flaws

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As a dedicated fan of the small screen, I’m thrilled to share that Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady are brewing another intriguing spin-off from the beloved “Big Bang Theory,” this time with a twist – it isn’t a prequel! The working title is “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.” This new series will delve into the life of Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), a cherished character from the original series, as he grapples with keeping Pasadena’s Comic Center afloat while managing his personal and romantic life with his partner Denise (Lauren Lapkus). Yet, it seems that familiar faces are making a comeback to this beloved franchise.

The upcoming show will feature the return of the quick-thinking physicist Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie, and the endearingly awkward geologist Bert Kibbler, portrayed by Brian Posehn. On observing this group, viewers might notice a strong resemblance to the initial Pasadena crew, as it seems to fill each character archetype introduced in “The Big Bang Theory”. However, the new circle of friends is currently lacking a stand-in for one of the primary characters from the original series (and that’s definitely a good thing).

‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Won’t Have a Howard

In a fresh twist, the spin-off of The Big Bang Theory has undergone its initial script reading, and the cast’s performance instantly evokes memories of the original show. The new team comprises characters that fans of the series will recognize, and notably, their personas strongly resemble four significant figures from the primary cast, particularly how they acted when the show debuted in 2007.

Stuart bears a resemblance to Leonard, exhibiting an endearing awkwardness alongside good intentions. Notably, the series creators have been emphasizing his romantic entanglements with Denise, which makes Lapkus appear similar to Penny, given that she’s currently the only leading female character (at this point in time). Just as Kaley Cuoco initially shared the screen with the male cast before Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik joined permanently in subsequent seasons.

Kripke and Sheldon share a similar blend of self-importance and intellectual prowess, leading to their frequent competitive dynamic. Bert, much like Raj, will join the group with his gentle demeanor. However, unlike in “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” there seems to be no character mirroring Howard’s unique engineering skills and personality within the group.

Including a New Howard Would Be Controversial

Fans of the “Big Bang Theory” franchise are well-aware that, initially, Howard’s behavior could be quite sleazy, making it challenging to continue watching. Unlike Sheldon whose arrogant comments occasionally veered into cruelty – a result of his lack of social grace in recognizing when he was causing pain – Howard’s sexist and inappropriate actions towards women were not due to ignorance, but rather an intentional pursuit of satisfying his sexual desires.

In the modern context, it might prove challenging for the creators to incorporate a character like Howard in “Stuart Saves the Universe” who undergoes significant development through a serious romance, similar to his relationship with Bernadette, without sparking some controversy. The early 2000s have passed, and with movements like MeToo and 4B raising awareness about the mistreatment and objectification of women in society, many jokes that were once acceptable regarding Howard’s character would no longer be well-received today. Additionally, there has been negative feedback from viewers revisiting or watching the original sitcom for the first time, as they find Howard’s lewd behavior unfunny. Even the actor portraying him, Simon Helberg, has expressed his agreement with this sentiment.

Could Kripke Be Another Howard?

Throughout the series, the character Kripke is strikingly reminiscent of Howard and his peculiar behaviors in an unsettling way. This might explain their friendly dynamic. Like the original creep from ‘The Big Bang Theory’, Kripke has openly displayed similar inappropriate flirting, shared lewd content online, frequently visited a strip club near his residence that offered bonus perks, and so on. It seems he views women as objects of desire, going as far as sexualizing Penny by giving her the nickname “Roxanne”, considering it a sexier name.

In my opinion, perhaps the creators didn’t introduce a separate character similar to Howard in “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” because Kripke, to some extent, embodies those traits himself. As this spin-off sheds light on Kripke, along with the rest of the old and new cast, they will need to find a way to tackle this aspect of his character that feels relatable and funny to today’s audience. Failing to do so could result in similar criticism as Howard has already faced, potentially impacting the franchise negatively.

The Big Bang Theory is available to stream now on Max and Hulu.

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2025-04-19 21:32