‘Universal Basic Guys’ is making its UK debut on ITVX this September, bringing a brand-new animated comedy about two brothers, automation, and the chaos that follows when you hand people free money and too much spare time.
At the heart of the series are Mark and Hank Hoagies, siblings who find themselves unemployed when the local hot dog factory goes fully automated. Just when things look bleak, their town launches a Universal Basic Income scheme that gives every resident $3,000 a month with no strings attached. Suddenly, the Hoagie brothers have cash in their pockets, all the free time in the world, and zero responsibility. What could possibly go wrong? Spoiler: pretty much everything.
This isn’t your average family-friendly animation. The series leans into absurd humour and relatable modern worries about jobs, purpose, and what people do when the safety nets kick in. Expect a mix of ridiculous adventures, sharp satire, and more bad decisions than good ones, as the brothers (and their equally clueless friends) try to figure out what life means when society doesn’t really need you anymore.
‘Universal Basic Guys’ comes from Adam and Craig Malamut (Sports Friends, Game of Zones, The Champions), the South Jersey brothers who made their name creating viral sports cartoons that blended clever writing with offbeat animation. Fans of their previous work will know their style is fast, funny, and packed with in-jokes, but this is the first time they’ve aimed squarely at primetime audiences outside the world of sport.
The series is co-produced by FOX Entertainment’s Bento Box Entertainment (Bob’s Burgers) and Sony Pictures Television. FOX clearly saw the potential, giving the comedy a Season Two renewal before the first season had even aired in the US. That confidence is backed up by a strong creative team, with Dan Lagana (American Vandal) serving as showrunner on the first season, and Rob Rosell (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dave) stepping in for the second.
Michael Thorn, FOX Entertainment’s President, praised the Malamut brothers’ “bold, irreverent voices” and their “intrepid DIY mentality,” putting them in the same tradition as other Animation Domination heavyweights. Their background in creating everything from the writing to the animation themselves gives the show a distinctive look and feel.
‘Universal Basic Guys’ Season 1 premieres Tuesday, 3rd September 2025 on ITVX.
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