As a cinephile who has seen his fair share of animated comedies, I must admit that “Universal Basic Guys” left me feeling more frustrated than entertained. The premise of two brothers on basic income living it up sounds promising, but the execution falls flat. It’s like watching a trainwreck in slow motion – you can see where it’s going wrong, but you can’t help but keep watching anyway.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve come across an animated series titled “Universal Basic Guys,” crafted by the dynamic duo Adam and Craig Malamut, nestled in the imaginative town of Glantontown, N.J. The story centers around Mark and Hank Hoagies, two brothers brought to life by Adam Malamut’s voice talents. After a sudden layoff from the local hot dog factory and enrollment in a new basic income program, these brothers find themselves with an abundance of free time and $3,000 monthly checks.
Title sequence of “Universal Basic Guys” shows Mark pondering over a portrait he’s bought as a birthday gift for his wife Tammy (Talia Genevieve). A luxurious spa certificate from a doctor she works with at the hospital leaves Tammy impressed, prompting Mark to outshine the plastic surgeon’s gift. He enlists Hank in this scheme and together they visit a zoo reminiscent of ‘Tiger King’. In an attempt to impress Tammy, Mark purchases an elderly, ailing chimpanzee. However, things don’t go as planned. The chimp, predictably, is not domesticated and Tammy isn’t pleased. As a result, Mark ends up in the hospital. Each episode follows this pattern: the older brother comes up with a scheme, while Hank blindly follows his lead.
Apart from Mark, Hank, and Tammy, other characters in the mix are Darren, Tammy’s teenage son (portrayed by Brandon Wardell), who tends to steer clear of his stepfather; the Hoagies’ neighbors, David (played by Fred Armisen), an aspiring writer, and his wife Andrea (Ally Maki), a loud and influential woman; and Mark’s longtime rival, Steve DelVecchio (Tommy Pope), who is always eager to outdo him.
The initial season, comprising 13 episodes, features an exhilarating storyline that blends mythical beings, sorcery, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In the third episode, titled “The Devil You Know,” there’s a heavy dose of bathroom humor with jokes about wiping bottoms and dingleberries. During this installment, the siblings, accompanied by Darren, unintentionally run into the notorious Jersey Devil. In the eighth episode, “Poconcos,” Mark, Hank, Tammy, and Darren stumble upon a game reminiscent of Jumanji, shrouded in magic. However, their inability to communicate leads to an escalation of chaos. Despite the conceptual strength of these narratives, the presentation falls short, as “Universal Basic Guys” lacks the polish, coherence, and comedic rhythm needed to elevate its two rather unintelligent protagonists.
It’s possible to craft raunchy or offensive humor effectively, as demonstrated by shows like “Family Guy,” “Bob’s Burgers,” and “South Park.” However, “Universal Basic Guys” struggles to find a balance between being crude and funny. Many of the characters are irritatingly unintelligent, and the humor falls flat, failing to make up for the show’s lack of wit and outdated dialogue.
Animation for grown-ups remains popular due to its distinctive storytelling methods and inclusion of adult topics. The show “Universal Basic Guys” presents an interesting premise: a band of men from South Jersey seeking satisfaction now that they can afford it. Unfortunately, viewers are plunged into the lives of the Hoagies without sufficient background on the robot uprising at the hot dog factory or the specifics of UBI, leaving both the audience and the series feeling lost.
Crass dad humor is very specific and doesn’t appeal to everyone. Yet, because it’s already been done — and brilliantly — newcomers in the genre must be innovative and able to get laughs from those who ordinarily shy away from this style of comedy. “Universal Basic Guys” never rises to the occasion and would be better served if the Malamuts returned to the drawing board.
“Universal Basic Guys” premieres Sept. 8 on Fox with new episodes dropping weekly on Sundays.
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2024-09-08 18:16