As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for cartoons that harken back to my childhood, I must admit, I was initially drawn to Fox’s Universal Basic Guys by its nostalgic vibe and the intriguing concept of Universal Basic Income. However, much like the lab chimp Mark bought from Joe Exotic-type figure, this show has left me feeling ripped off and disfigured – not in the face, thankfully, but definitely in terms of my expectations.
It’s hard to find a more suitable term than calling “Fox’s Universal Basic Guys,” a cartoon that appears to be deeply entrenched in the most overused sitcom tropes from the ’90s, anything but straightforward or basic.
The series produced by Adam and Craig Malamut occasionally hints at the possibility of developing into something unique, usually when it veers off familiar paths for unexpected, bizarre, and sometimes fantastical adventures. However, these intriguing instances are scattered throughout the 13-episode first season, making it more ‘refined’ than ‘exciting’.
The term “basic” in the title actually signifies Universal Basic Income, a principle central to the storyline. This is elaborated in the opening theme song, where we meet Mark and Hank Hoagies from South Jersey, both portrayed by Adam Malamut. Having lost their jobs at a hot-dog factory due to AI-controlled robots, they were enrolled in an experimental Universal Basic Income program, receiving $3,000 per month without any conditions. With newfound free time and financial resources, the brothers often find themselves in humorous predicaments. Mark’s ill-advised aspirations or inflated self-image usually lead to these incidents, with Hank, the more laid-back sibling, typically tagging along.
Although it appears to tackle relevant political matters, Universal Basic Guys shuns in-depth social criticism. Instead, Universal Basic Income (UBI) seems to serve as a means for the show to dodge discussing genuine issues. The character Mark’s job hunt and financial arrangements become irrelevant due to UBI conveniently brushing aside any questions about them. If you’re pondering whether the money he receives isn’t simply replacing his previous earnings from work, or if some of his ideas aren’t excessively expensive to carry out, the show doesn’t delve that deeply into such matters.
Regrettably, the comedy falls short of its potential with the freedom it has been given. The initial half-hour introduces a narrative where Mark acquires a rundown lab chimp from a character resembling Joe Exotic. The subsequent events aren’t always predictable – they involve Mark having his entire face torn off, and then stubbornly refusing to undergo facial reconstructive surgery. However, these events don’t feel particularly fresh as they rely on the overused trope of Mark as the boisterous fool and his wife, Tammy (Talia Genevieve), as the concerned and disapproving partner.
The references to celebrities like Britney Spears and Seal, as well as an episode featuring Mark attempting to fish during a romantic dinner cruise, give off the vibe that the show is still stuck in 2002. Indeed, it seems that men can sometimes struggle with balancing romance and their hobbies!
Universal Basic Guys displays some commendable aspects, one of which is its general lack of unkindness. Characters such as Mark, who can be obstinate and thoughtless, never intentionally inflict harm. The humor may not be particularly innovative, but it steers clear of the provocative edge found in shows like Netflix’s Tires, set within a comparable blue-collar, masculine environment. If the characters lean towards stereotypes, they are more often portrayed with amusement rather than contempt. For instance, David Jinglebells (played by Fred Armisen), an eccentric ex-New Yorker who stands out for his disinterest in Eagles football and love of books like A Delicate History of Parisian Daisies, is depicted as just another peculiar neighbor rather than a target for Mark and his friends to ridicule. (Although Murph, a typical alpha male in a pink polo shirt, occasionally does so.)
Mark’s marriage with Tammy gradually develops a more endearing dynamic, as she emerges as the main character and takes charge. In a mid-season episode, they engage in a playful argument about whether Gremlins or Oompa Loompas would make better nurses during their discussion on chicken wings. Although this conversation has no bearing on the storyline, it serves as a delightful moment highlighting that beneath their constant squabbles, there is genuine affection between these two; I found myself wishing for this charming scene to have been presented earlier, as by then I had spent several episodes pondering why she wouldn’t want to part ways with someone who consistently causes her distress.
Another advantage it has is the friendly and good-natured character, Hank. Despite Mark’s plans often being foolish, they have a certain pattern. You can bet that whenever someone tells Mark he can’t do something, he will attempt to do it in an extremely risky manner, whether this involves pretending to be a pilot after only a few hours on a flight simulator or helping citizens with the aid of a makeshift robot suit. Hank is the unpredictable factor, possessing an unusually calm demeanor that lets him handle everything from mermaids to human rituals to Navy Seals BUD/S training with ease.
It’s clear why Hank can’t be the central figure; it would be analogous to making Kramer the main character in “Seinfeld” or Dwight in “The Office.” However, the show excels when it centers around him and allows its characters to explore eccentricities. My preferred scenes often involve the most absurd events, such as discovering that the “Jersey Devil” is actually a devil befriending Mark’s troubled stepson Darren, or uncovering that the Philadelphia Eagles’ stadium houses a clandestine “mascot and fan engagement lab,” filled with grotesque sci-fi monstrosities.
These are instances where “Universal Basic Ingenuity” truly unleashes creativity, making the show more engaging. However, often it appears to settle comfortably in its workshop, repetitively engaging in familiar antics instead of exploring new ideas.
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2024-09-08 19:24