In recent years, adult animated series have taken off even further from their early days. Many works, such as Invincible and Arcane, have pushed the boundaries of what animation can do for a more mature audience. However, other series, such as the upcoming Universal Basic Guys, stick to the stereotype of adult animation being purely comedic.
This upcoming animated series will explore a world where AI and automation have overtaken the economy. Despite its timely setup, the trailer showcased several mistakes. Here is a breakdown of the upcoming cartoon Universal Basic Guys and what it has to say about automation.
The Setup of Universal Basic Guys
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According to Animation Magazine, Universal Basic Guys will soon be on the screens of animation fans. The series follows brothers Mark and Hank Hoagies, who lose their factory jobs to machines. However, they are paid three thousand dollars a month instead due to a new income system. The show’s title comes from the proposed economic system of “universal basic income” given to citizens. The two seek a new purpose in life after being left to their own devices.
The article states that the show was inspired by the rise of AI and the waves of layoffs from the 2020 lockdowns. Showrunner Craig Malamut described how “this might be the future of the workplace sitcom: the ‘no workplace sitcom.’” Both the rise of AI and the current state of the job market provide endless opportunities for commentary. The series will premiere on September 8th on the Fox Network.
The Viability of the Series
Universal Basic Guys came from brothers Adam and Craig Malamut, who created the parody series Game of Zones that parodied sports teams through the lens of Game of Thrones. From the trailer alone, viewers can see the showrunners writing from experience in the sports field. The series will also star Ally Maki and comedian Fred Armisen. Additionally, Fox renewed the series for a second season months before its premiere.
One of the worst omens for the upcoming series was the reception of its trailer. The video on YouTube received nearly ten dislikes for every like, which is beyond awful by the site’s standards. Given the series’ ostensibly stiff and simplistic animation and its standard “dudebro” humor, it’s not hard to see why it would turn many viewers off.
Despite the poor reception and execution, the series’ core question remains intriguing. While adult animation is too often restrained to black comedy, it simultaneously excels through satire, and the current AI craze provides ample opportunities. Hopefully, the series will prove its critics wrong and provide biting commentary on the new era of the workforce.
The Timely Message of the Series
Whether or not one believes the series will be good, there is no denying that its subject touches on a growing concern worldwide. AI has gone from novel technology to a massive copyright and legal controversy for the past few years. As executives invest billions in the technology, the artists and writers working for them have other opinions. Creators universally protested against the rise of AI.
The most prominent example is the recent SAG-AFTRA protests sparked by executives using AI to write scripts and generate ideas. To many, this blocked the creativity and originality that made these stories work. It shouldn’t be long before real-world AI loops back around to becoming a subject of satire and examination in pop culture.
Usually, stories about AI taking over follow robot wars like in Terminator or dark dystopias such as Black Mirror. At the very least, this series takes a more grounded approach to looking at an automated, post-labor world. Universal Basic Guys could be an interesting satire or another failed Family Guy clone.
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