Created by siblings Adam and Craig Malamut, Universal Basic Guys is set in the fictional town of Glantontown, N.J., and follows the misadventures of brothers Mark and Hank Hoagies, voiced by Adam Malamut. After being laid off from their hot dog factory jobs and joining a basic income program, the brothers use their $3,000 monthly checks to indulge in ridiculous escapades. While the premise holds potential, the show is bogged down by tiresome, ineffective humor.
The pilot episode introduces the brothers’ latest scheme when Mark, feeling overshadowed by his wife Tammy’s (Talia Genevieve) luxurious spa gift, decides to buy her an exotic animal from a Tiger King-esque zoo. His choice, a decrepit chimpanzee, leads to predictable chaos. This setup recurs in every episode, with Mark’s ill-conceived plans and Hank’s bumbling follow-through becoming monotonous.
The show features a cast of uninspired characters including Tammy’s teenage son Darren (Brandon Wardell), who resents his stepfather, the Hoagies’ neighbors—ambitious writer David (Fred Armisen) and his loud wife Andrea (Ally Maki)—and Mark’s nemesis Steve DelVecchio (Tommy Pope), who constantly tries to outdo him.
The 13-episode first season includes chaotic plots involving creatures, magic, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Notable episodes include “The Devil You Know,” where the brothers encounter the Jersey Devil, and “Poconcos,” featuring a Jumanji-like magical game. Despite these intriguing premises, the execution falls flat, lacking the wit and polish needed to elevate the show’s crude humor.
Unlike successful adult animated series like Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and South Park, Universal Basic Guys fails to balance crude jokes with comedic effectiveness. The show’s humor often feels forced, and the characters’ dim-witted antics do little to engage viewers. With a concept that could have been innovative, the series misses the mark, offering a disappointing addition to the genre.
Universal Basic Guys debuts on Fox on September 8, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays.
