If you know anything about TV show creation, then you know writing is a major and core contributor to a show's success. Fox's newest Animation Domination Block installment, Universal Basic Guys, began with a weak script and one-dimensional characters. To be fair, many shows share the common denominator of poor performance at first, which builds up in improvement. Only a handful of shows ever succeeded with a great start.
Such examples include The Simpsons, Lost, The Big Bang Theory, and The 100. I might be a bit biased here, but viewing them from an editor's perspective, their pilots had all the materials they needed to become iconic. We might not agree with the plot points or certain characters' evolutions, but that's fine. It's to be expected from the audience.
Universal Basic Guys circulates around Mark and Hank Hoagie, two brothers from the Pennsylvania/Jersey area who were both laid off from their jobs and enrolled in a universal basic income program. "Earning" $3,000 a month, Mark and Hank are free to do whatever they want with the money, and so far, the free cash has gone toward some brainless but thoughtful shenanigans.
While I gave UBG a rather critical review of their first two episodes, my mind shifted toward a more hopeful stance after the third one. Maybe it has the chance to succeed on Fox and gain momentum. It's not my intention to summon a show's failure, as they're the "babies" of creatives trying to deliver a relatable and escapable story to the audience.
That said, while we have zero control over what happens in a writers' room, we're free to share any suggestions we have for a series. Whether the suggestions travel from our brain to the screen is up to the creative team, but it's still meritable because, as fans, we want improvement.
Here are five possible moves UBG could use for their enhancement.
5 things we want to see improvement on Universal Basic Guys to succeed
Letting Hank take the lead for once
It's apparent that Mark is the dominant brother of the duo and Hank just follows his lead or obeys whatever Mark tells him to do. Plus, Hank comes off as easygoing and laid-back, making it more likely to be in his brother's shadow. While this is the norm between brothers, it'll be cool if Hank could take the lead for once, as it'll be a hilarious plot twist because there's more to him than being Mark's brother.
More animal-centric episodes
One of the stronger elements of Universal Basic Guys is the animal subplots. For example, Mark buys a sickly chimp for his wife for her birthday, albeit she's shocked by it. Before Hank returns "Monkey" the Chimp to the sketchy zoo, he gives the ape the best last day of his life.
Another example is when the neighbor's dog, Mimi, is being trained to perform adorable tricks, but she doesn't want to do them, much to Jinglebells' encouragement. Yet, when a snake situation gets dangerous, she saves the day by luting that massive thing out of the house by riding a skateboard down the block. The snake eventually grows tired of the scheme and slithers into the sewer drain, only to return to the house he terrorizes.
It's creative storylines such as these that give USB that extra layer of enjoyment, so it's with hope and expectation that the Malumet brothers continue with it.
Mark giving his wife Tammy the attention she rightfully deserves
Mark loves his wife, no doubt about that, but he tends to bypass her requests for a romantic date night or listen to her viewpoints on things. While this is typical of most TV husbands (at least in animation), it'd be nice if Mark spent a little bit more time with Tammy. At the end of the second episode, Mark realizes Tammy is far more valuable than catching and reeling a whale.
More of that, please.
Give Hank more development and bring out his true colors
Hank has shown that he could be his own individual without Mark in a few instances. As such and as mentioned, he gifted Monkey with the perfect last day, and in return, Monkey gave him some cash, which Hank uses at the spa.
While on the yacht in episode 2, Hank falls in love with a mermaid, accepting her for who she is and not just the fantasy sea creature that is. His story arc carved a softer side to him, rather than being Mark's passive sidekick for a moment.
As Hank is naturally soft-spoken, I'd like to see him have an outburst over something, as he's too laid-back for reality. Homer Simpson has his heated moments with Bart, Peter Griffin gets strangely annoyed at his daughter, Meg, and Bob Belcher tries to be the sardonic voice of reason, whatever the opportunity lies. These traits make these three characters great and perfect for the audience. Hank hasn't established a multi-dimensional development yet, but it's still early, so there's always the potential.
UBG could succeed if the writers toss more personality into Hank, making him more likeable and fun.
Mark bonds with his stepson, Darren
Being a stepfather can be hard as it's a critical life adjustment. But Mark accepted Darren right away and having a blended family front and center across television is uncommon, so it's a great unit to have when the subject is developed correctly.
In the September 22nd episode, "The Jersey Devil," Mark and Darren share a unique experience with a boomerang, only to have a near-disastrous effect when the former unintentionally releases Jersey's folklore creature, the Jersey Devil. In a strange and engaging turn of events, the Devil and Darren become friends, much to Mark's enthusiasm and Tammy's dislike.
But the point is that Mark and Darren are willing to connect, and spend time together. Msrk might not be Darren's biological father, but it doesn't eliminate wanting and needing him to be a great father to the teenager.
If Universal Basic Guys incorporates these fundamentals into the episodes, they'll only project the series into a ratings success.
Universal Basic Guys airs Sundays on Fox at 9 EST PM/8PM CST.