Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
NZ release: 23 July 2026
Offensive language, violence, cruelty, supernatural themes, drug use, and sexual references Rated on: 23 July 2026
Season 1, Episodes 1–5
What’s it about?
In this Big Bang Theory spinoff, comic-book-store owner Stuart Bloom must restore reality after he accidentally brings about a multiverse Armageddon.
The facts
- Created by Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men), Zak Penn, and Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory)
- English language
- Runtime: Episodes are 20 to 25 minutes each, and are released weekly
- A spinoff from the sitcom The Big Bang Theory
Why did it get this rating?
The following content warnings relate to the first five episodes only.
Violence, cruelty, and supernatural themes
The show is a dark comedy, so the violence is intended to be over-the-top and comedic. Among the strongest scenes in the first five episodes are:
- A giant crushes many people to death, and blood splatter is shown.
- A person is blown up off-screen by a grenade. The protagonists get splattered with blood, but no gore is shown.
- A person is shot through the chest. This is shown from behind, only briefly, as blood sprays on the screen.
- A person juggles rats then steps on one and kills it. There is blood shown briefly.
- Severed hands and feet are shown on the ground.
- One person “jokingly” threatens to murder another if she doesn't have sex with him.
- Three characters are held hostage in an empty warehouse and slapped repeatedly.
- People have devices implanted in their necks. These emit electric shocks when they misbehave or argue.
Offensive language
There is occasional use of the words “sh*t”, “motherf*cker”, and “f*ck”.
Drug use
A character is given prescribed psychiatric medication, which causes some hallucinations.
An alcoholic character is the subject of jokes. There is heavy drinking depicted and discussed.
Sexual references
Characters talk about sex reasonably often, including wanting to “get laid”.
When content stays with you
We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.
Further information
Recent featured decisions
Sexual material, sexual violence & offensive language
After twenty years spent “chillin’, tokin’ and bonin’”, Ali G is shocked to discover that his long-term girlfriend, Julie, is 8 months pregnant. Faced with an extra mouth to feed, he heads to America to reclaim his former glory… but soon encounters adversaries who will ultimately threaten his and his child’s very existence.
The Diplomat, Season 4
Season 4
Offensive language and violence
Ambassador and Second Lady Kate Wyler works desperately behind the scenes to ensure peace between major nations – and her marriage – in the fourth season of the acclaimed drama.