HBO Max's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Debuts 10 Episodes as Short as 15 Minutes
Updated
Updated · Deadline · Jul 19
HBO Max's Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Debuts 10 Episodes as Short as 15 Minutes
3 articles · Updated · Deadline · Jul 19
Summary
One of the 10 first-season episodes runs just 15 minutes, with four at 18 minutes and the rest topping out at 25 minutes—far shorter than the 25-35 minute norm for streaming comedies.
Chuck Lorre said the team stopped when each story was fully told, arguing extra runtime would be "padding" and that streaming no longer needs the ad-driven 22-minute broadcast template.
The short format comes despite elaborate alternate-reality sets and effects, with Lorre rejecting any suggestion that the episode lengths reflect budget limits.
Each episode ends with the characters landing in a new alternate reality to tee up the next installment, a binge-friendly structure Lorre and Bill Prady said emerged in the first episode.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres on HBO Max on July 23, with episodes releasing weekly.