Review - Stuart Fails To Save the Universe - HBO Max

Remember The Big Bang Theory? I do. Occasionally, I'll watch an episode of that hilarious series on HBO Max. 

I guess there are so many fans of the now-defunct series that Chuck Lorre, the genius who created the series, decided a sequel would find a following too.

Thus, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was born. I stumbled across it a week ago. Of course, I had to see what this American science fiction comedy TV series created by Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Pradyit was all about.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the third spinoff of The Big Bang—first was Young Sheldon then Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage,  and now Stuart's series.

This latest entry in The Big Bang franchise premiered on HBO Max on July 23, 2026.

 It's premise? Stuart Bloom accidentally damaged a device created by Sheldon Cooper, Leonard Hofstadter and Howard Wolowitz.

Therefore, Stuart must prevent a "multiverse Armageddon" and save the Universe by traveling through various alternate realities to change his own reality. In each new reality, he encounters friends and acquaintances from his own reality.

To be honest, this series seems like a love poem to The Big Bang, because it brings back the quirky characters from that series. It's like having a family reunion with all the weird cousins showing up. Look at the Cast below, and you'll see what I mean.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom and as Alternate Stuart Bloom.

Lauren Lapkus as Denise, Stuart's true love.

Brian Posehn as Bert Kibbler, the very large and boring geologist.

John Ross Bowie as Barry Kripke, the hilarious egotistical physicist.

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

• Ryan Cartwright as Kyle.
• Josh Brener as Trevor.
• Tommy Walker as Gary.
• Riki Lindhome as Alternate Ramona Nowitzki, another weird physicist.
• Brian Thomas Smith as Alternate Zack Johnson, just as dumb as the original.
• Matty Cardarople as Keith.
• Louis Mustillo as Alexa.
• Joshua Malina, Caltech President Siebert will show up, along with Jon Cryer.

SPECIAL GUEST STARS

Kunal Nayyar as Alternate Raj Koothrappali who is just as weird as original Raj.

Penn and Teller as themselves.

Kaley Cuoco as Alternate Penny, who embraces her power.

Christine Baranski as herself, rather than as Leonard's mom.

Melissa Rauch as Alternate Bernadette Rostenkowski, a giant demon which means she embraces her power too.

Wil Wheaton as Alternate Wil Wheaton—love Will Wheaton!

WHY WATCH

If you're a Big Bang fan, I don't have to tell you why you watch. If you're not a fan, watch because it's weird, the episodes are short, and each episode gets better than the previous. Watch because the title creds alone are funny, creative, and different—they are an inside joke aimed at the entire audience that tries to skip over the credits.

The first 3 episodes I watched are: Episode 1, Spoiler: Gary Dies; Episode 2, Spoiler: Zack's In This One; and Episode 3: Bert's Magic. A new episode will drop every week.

MY THOUGHTS

If I weren't a fan of the original series, I don't know that I'd have watched the second episode. Once Barry Kripke, played by the talented John Ross Bowie, shows up, I was hooked. 

Every scene with Kripke in Episode 2 is a belly laugh, side-splitter. If you've been looking for something different, give this a try. Watch the first 3 episodes, and I think you'll want to watch the rest.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Like most streaming series, the future of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe depends on the audience numbers. I don't know if this series has enough promise to carry what seems like a one-joke premise into the future, but if anyone can do it, Chuck Lorre can.

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Monday Magic - Free Sceenshot App

If you're frustrated with the Screenshot offered by Microsoft, upgrade to the free app Greenshot, reliable open-source screen capture tool. 

The Greenshot app is safe, but only if you download  it from the official source. This is true of all apps I review on SlingWords. Download from the true source so you avoid bloatware, adware, or malware.

NOTE: Older versions of Greenshot did have security flaws, but those have been patched in recent updates which is another reason to download only from the Greenshot website.

WHAT GREENSHOT OFFERS

Although a light-weight screenshot software tool for Windows, it offers some grreat features:

• Create screenshots of a selected region, window or fullscreen
• Capture complete (scrolling) web pages from Internet Explorer
• Annotate, highlight or even make part of the screenshot unclear
• Export the screenshot: save to file, send to printer, copy to clipboard, attach to email, send to Office programs, upload to photo sites like Flickr or Picasa, etc.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

So many benefits make Greenshot an excellent tool. Try it today. I think you'll like it.

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6 Steps to Fake It Till You Make It

We live in the NOW, but we want something different TOMORROW, but YESTERDAY often holds us back.

Does that describe you?

Do you want more out of life? Do you want to be MORE...whatever that may mean?

Some people struggle to even believe they can make their dreams come true. They can't see themselves as any more than what they are today.

Those are the people that need to heed the advice often spouted in humor: "Fake it till you make it." They don't know that really means to imagine that person who does something amazing and to act like that person. 

One must create a greater vision of self before it will ever become reality. The easiest way to do that is by acting like that person you want to be. To fake it until it's true in reality. "But," you ask. "How do I fake something like that?"

What follows is my advice to someone who wants to be a writer. Simply change the "writing" to whatever you want out of your life.

7 Steps to Help You Fake It Until You Make It

Step 1: Create Self-Talk That Expresses the You in the Future

Do things like look in the mirror as you're getting ready for the day and say, "I would like to thank the Readers who made this possible by buying so many books that I was catapulted onto the New York Times bestsellers list."

Or, "I'd like to thank the movie's producers for this Academy award because they took my book and adapted it for this movie." Or, whatever addresses your particular big dream.

Step Two: Dress for the Success you want.

It's no lie that when you work from a home office, you tend to dress comfortably or as in many cases, like a slob. 

Instead, try dressing comfortably as well as attractively. You may be surprised that you'll accomplish more if you look a little more professional. 

Step Three: Act AS IF you have already achieved your dream.

How would you act if  you were already living that life you dream about? Would you be more optimistic? More at peace with everything and everyone? Would you be calmer and less stressed? Act that way when you become frustrated or annoyed. Be that you, not the past you who's easily upset.

Step Four: Speak AS IF you are the future you.

Avoid speaking negativity. Always speak with optimism about your work, your dream, your daily routine. Have a conversation with someone about the work you're doing toward that big dream. Envision completing the work and the rewards that will come your way.

Step Five: Act By Doing 1 Tiny Task Every Day

Many people can't get going on their dreams or can't continue working toward it because they set an unrealistic task for themselves each day. 

Let's get real. Instead of saying, "I'm going to write 1,000 words every day," say, "I'm going to write for 10 minutes each day." That's it. Ten minutes is easy.

Anyone can do it. It's set to be easy because getting started is the hardest action to take every day. Once you've overcome the inertia and started, you'll keep going.

Step Six: Review

When the day is done, review the day. What did you do? What did you say to yourself? What did you say to others? 

How did you feel after interacting with someone in which you acted like "future you?" 

How did you feel after doing your Tiny Task? Did you go past that Tiny Task? 

Most important of all, did you make progress? Do you feel empowered to do the same tomorrow? 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

Use these 6 Steps whenever you need them. Keep a vision of your future self always in your mind. Go forth and conquer!

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Saturday Share Recipe - Summer Squash Fry

When I was a kid, my Dad planted a huge garden every summer. When the Yellow Crookneck Squash started producing, we had enough to supply the entire neighborhood.

My Mom always cooked that delightful yellow squash, called Summer Squash by many, and made it so delicious that there were never any leftovers. We always preferred yellow squash over zucchini.

My husband's grandmother cooked squash in a similar fashion with a few additions that gave it added texture and flavor. Next week, I'll give Granny Smith's recipe.

But today, I'll tell you how my Mom cooked it and made it so delicious. Serves 6-8.

SUMMER SQUASH FRY

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of yellow squash, sliced in rounds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 strips of bacon
• 1 small bell pepper, any color, diced
• 1 medium to large onionm diced

Directions

1. Fry the bacon until crisp, remove to a paper towel and crumble the bacon.

2. In the fat that was rendered from the bacon, saute the bell pepper and onion until translucent. Remove and save to add back in a bit.

3. Add the sliced squash to the pan and stir fry over medium to high heat until the squash is softened. 

Add the bell pepper and onion back to the frying pan and continue cooking so that the onion begins to caramelize. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste.

4. Add the crumbled bacon to the squash. Serve hot. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

I love vegetables because I grew up eating them fresh from the garden. Produce in stores can't hold a candle to fresh from the garden. That's why I always have a kitchen garden.

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Happy Friday - Laughter For You

End the work week with a laugh that, for a romance author, sounds like inspiration for a romcom!

I made the Quote Graphic so you could copy and print it if you wish.

This comes from Sally Poplin, who isn't a "real" person.

Sally Poplin is a fictitious humorist often cited in British and international books of quotations.

"She" is best known for witty one-liners about marriage, modern dating, and personal finance.

Now you know if you see quotations allegedly by Sally Poplin, that she is a made-up person. 

TAKEAWAY TRUTH 

Who do you think is the wit behind her—a real person or an AI entity?

Thursday3Some - 3 Tips To Train Your Focus

If you're like me and behind on everything AND feeling as if there are a dozen high priority things you should be doing BUT you don't know where to start, here are...

3 TIPS TO TRAIN YOUR FOCUS

1. Make a list of every single thing you think you should do. Write it down, don't just think about it and so your brain is spinning around.

2. Look at the list—I mean really look at it. Now, go item by item on the list and mark everything that needs to be done right now—today—with a big N. 

Anything that can be done by the end of  the weekend, mark L for Later.

Anything that really isn't crucial, but it would be nice to do it before the month is over, mark O for Optional.

3. Take your list and write it again. That's right curate your list. Put NOW items at the top, listed in the priority of importance. Later items are next, also listed by how important they are to get done before the month is over. Optional items are last. In looking at them, decide if it's really something you must do or can it be delegated? In fact, is it something that really must be done at all?

Bonus Tip: Keep your curated list where you can read it in the morning to train your focus on what is most important and then in the evening before you head to bed so you can pat yourself on the back because you're using your time effectively.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The ability to prioritize how you spend your time is a hallmark of success.

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EAT DESSERT FIRST?

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy this Hump Day post. 

When I was a kid, I read one of those funny lines you see on buttons and tee shirts. It said: "Life is short. Eat dessert first."

I think that’s why so many people struggle in life—they want to eat dessert first rather than start at the beginning of the meal and enjoy each course that’s served.

Of course, I’m describing those who want to start at the top and who don’t seem to understand that no one really starts at the top—unless they’re the offspring of the company founder or a prodigy of some sort and perhaps not even then.

PAYING DUES

You know about paying due or whatever you choose to call the process of beginning, making mistakes, and learning. Some way or other, everyone pays their dues. Doctors start as interns before they become the leading doctor at a hospital. First year lawyers start out at the bottom pecking order of law firms. Electricians start out as apprentices. Writers start out as newbies trying to hack out a writing career and build an audience for their work.

Anyone who thinks he or she can jump into a high status position at a corporation or be rewarded by an ownership role in a small independent company—or become a bestselling author overnight—just doesn’t realize what the world is all about.

Whether you’re a corporate accountant, a bank teller, or a writer publishing a first book, you need to understand that success is not made overnight. Success is made by baby steps then bigger steps and sometimes leaps forward every now and then. Consistency of action leads to progress.

If you enjoy each leg of the journey, not impatiently striving to leap over steps, you’ll find more satisfaction in your career—and in life—than someone who is never satisfied and constantly longing for more, more, more.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

If Life is a seven-course dinner, then savor and enjoy the appetizers before moving on to the soup. The pleasure that comes from each “course” will keep you satisfied and inspired to experience the next stage in your career and in Life when it comes along. That's my 2¢ opinion. What do you think?

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