Hollywood Scrapes Bottom with AI Powered Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

Sharp-eyed viewers are accusing Stuart Fails to Save the Universe of using generative AI in its opening credits, because of course they are. In a move that’s shocking to absolutely no one, the sci-fi spinoff of The Big Bang Theory premiered on HBO Max on July 23, and it’s already drawing backlash for possibly incorporating AI in its 35-second opening. Because what’s a modern TV show without a healthy dose of controversy?

The opening features bizarre scenes and animations set to an original theme from iconic composer Danny Elfman, which admittedly do look like they may have been created (or at least partially created) using AI. One such scene shows Stuart sliding backwards down a curved, constantly changing, hyper-surreal hallway, while another clip that raises AI red flags sees a group of friends on a couch enjoying Chinese takeout. Fans point to the aforementioned hallway scene as a telltale sign due to various doors inexplicably featuring two doorknobs, one on each side — a fairly critical door detail a real, human artist likely would not have, uh, missed.

The Art of Authenticity

In particular, the scene in question has sparked a heated debate among fans, with some arguing that the use of AI is a cop-out, while others see it as a bold move towards the future of animation. But let’s be real, we’ve seen this story play out before. A new show premieres, and the first thing everyone talks about is the alleged use of AI in the opening credits. It’s like clockwork. Somewhere, a Focus Group earned another bonus for predicting this exact reaction.

According to an official logline about the series, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom as he attempts to restore 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.

The Business of Nostalgia

It’s worth noting that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, a show that was itself a cultural phenomenon. The fact that the new series is drawing backlash for its alleged use of AI is a testament to the power of nostalgia. Fans of the original show are eager to see what the new series has to offer, and any perceived deviation from the norm is going to be met with resistance. But let’s not forget, this is Hollywood we’re talking about. The Merchandising Department reportedly approved the decision to create a spinoff before the writers did. Because what’s a show without a few dozen merchandise opportunities, right?

In an interview with Deadline prior to the show’s premiere, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe co-creator Chuck Lorre insisted they set out to make an ever-evolving opening sequence fans wouldn’t want to skip. “You can click on the button that says ‘Skip Titles,’ and I went, ‘Well, it’s a terrible waste of time and money and creativity.’ What if we made a title sequence that you could skip but you shouldn’t? And that would mean every title sequence would have to be different and worth watching.” It’s a noble goal, but one that’s ultimately at odds with the way we consume media today. After all, who needs a good title sequence when you can just skip it and get to the good stuff?

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has people talking. And in the world of Hollywood, that’s all that really matters. The Content Mines remain fully operational, churning out show after show, each one designed to be just familiar enough to be appealing, yet just different enough to be interesting. It’s a delicate balance, one that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is struggling to maintain. But hey, at least it’s trying. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll look back on this show as a bold experiment in the use of AI in animation. Or maybe we’ll just forget it ever existed. Either way, the show must go on, and the merchandising opportunities will continue to flow. Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about.

Finn

Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.

Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.

Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.