As a long-time cartoon enthusiast who’s been through the animated golden age of the ’90s and the modern revival era, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic disappointment with FOX’s latest offering, “Universal Basic Guys.” After witnessing the evolution of animation from the Simpsons’ yellow-skinned family to the Griffins’ dysfunctional household, I find it disheartening that Fox would tarnish the hallowed grounds of Sunday night animation with such a forgettable show.
Fox has delayed the release of The Simpsons season 36 and advanced Family Guy season 23 to midseason in order to boost its upcoming Fall 2024 Animation Domination launch, Universal Basic Guys. I understand why networks do this – it’s a strategy to bolster their premieres and draw viewers. However, taking two of their well-liked shows off Sunday’s Animation Domination block, which has become the TV Highlight of the Week, was an unfortunate misstep.
Initially, I chose to assume positively about “Universal Basic Guys” before its premiere on Sept. 8, considering it was a fresh series centering around the everyday struggles of the middle-class American, experiences we all encounter occasionally. Regrettably, I fear this animated sitcom won’t last beyond one season, even though a second season renewal was announced in May prematurely.
Perhaps I might be jumping to conclusions too quickly, but based on the first two episodes, the show “Universal Basic Guys” seems to lack compelling storylines that could capture the viewers’ attention further. Now, while the series didn’t initially present well-established narratives, it needs to enhance its storytelling in order to resonate with an audience and build a solid foundation for itself.
Universal Basic Guys’ Mark and Hank better look for a new line of work
The television series “Universal Basic Guys,” crafted by Philadelphia siblings Adam and Craig Malumet, revolves around two brothers, Mark and Hank Hoagies, who have just lost their jobs. They receive $3,000 from a fresh UBI (Universal Basic Income) aid program to help them stay afloat. Instead of using this temporary financial aid for necessities or debt repayment, one might think of more creative uses for the money, such as investing it or spending it on opportunities that could lead to new employment. While $3,000 may not seem like much, it can be a lifeline until a promising job offer comes along.
Instead of Mark or Hank, when considering a new job opportunity, they prefer to squander their newly acquired wealth on extravagant, imprudent spending. I’d like to delve into the topic of irresponsible use of Universal Basic Income (UBI). In the opening episode titled “Pet Projects”, Mark buys an ailing yet intelligent chimpanzee from a questionable zoo as a birthday gift for his wife Tammy, intending to outdo the spa certificate given by her coworker. If only Mark had heeded Tammy’s wishes and gotten her the dog she desired instead of bringing home a critically endangered chimp in urgent need of medical care.
In the aftermath of purchasing a chimpanzee named Monkey, Mark suffered severe injuries that left him disfigured (he was attacked by the chimp). Consequently, Tammy instructed Mark to return the chimp, but due to his accident, Mark was unable to do so. Stepping in as a substitute, Hank decided to take Monkey back to the zoo. It turns out that Monkey could communicate using an iPhone with text-to-speech capabilities. Although he knew his days were numbered, Monkey had always dreamt of visiting a theme park. Graciously, Hank granted this wish, and they spent a delightful day enjoying themselves. Given the grim intentions the zoo harbored for Monkey, it was only fair to allow him this final pleasure before he passed away peacefully. In the end, Hank indulged himself in a spa after the emotional day.
In another part of town, a neighboring duo faced a predicament involving an unusual serpent that came dangerously close to wrapping itself around them. Somehow, I found this situation amusing despite its absurdity, although it bore resemblance to a previous series plot. One neighbor, who owns a tiny canine companion, instantly captured my attention as animated dogs often solve problems miraculously in my opinion. She bravely rescued the men from the snake and executed a trick that her “father” had been encouraging her to showcase. In summary, this was the most captivating moment of the Universal Basic Guy‘s debut episode.
In the second installment, titled “Sunset Cruise,” things didn’t seem to improve much. The storyline remained as shallow as before, but it unfolded in a new environment. This time, the Hoagies went fishing and there was another spat between Mark and Tammy, similar to their previous marital disagreements. Unfortunately, nothing extraordinary or impactful occurred in this episode that has sparked the same level of enthusiasm among fans as I’ve seen with shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers during their long-lasting success.
Apart from the animals being accidental celebrities in “Universal Basic Guys”, I strongly advise against watching it. Instead, consider waiting for the premiere of “The Simpsons” season 36 or tuning into “Bob’s Burgers” season 15 when they start airing on September 29th.
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2024-09-09 17:53