Universal Basic Guys Creators Talk Season 2 Finale, Season 3 Future, & More (Exclusive)

For the past few years, Universal Basic Guys has been a popular show on Fox’s Animation Domination. Recently, ComicBook spoke with the show’s creators about the end of its second season and the upcoming third season. Universal Basic Guys stands out from other shows on the block because, while it follows the familiar format of an animated sitcom, it feels unique and allows for anything to happen. The show features a wild and unpredictable world, but keeps viewers connected through its relatable characters.

The show Universal Basic Guys, created by Adam and Craig Malamut, will conclude its second season on Fox with a final episode airing on Sunday, April 12th. Fortunately, the series has been renewed for a third season, and the creators are already working on it. Adam and Craig Malamut recently spoke with ComicBook about the show so far, including the popular theme song and their plans for Season 3. Below is an edited version of that interview for length and clarity.

Universal Basic Guys Creators Talk Season 2 Process Ahead of Finale & Season 3

Nick Valdez from Comicbook asked us how we’re feeling about Universal Basic Guys now that Season 2 is wrapping up and we’ve been renewed for Season 3. He wanted to know if we’ve settled into a good rhythm with making the show, and if production is smoother now compared to when we first started.

Adam Malamut believes they’ve established a good working rhythm, but they also understand unexpected challenges will inevitably disrupt it.

Craig Malamut says the key to the show is being prepared for anything. He feels the team has really improved and is working well together, and everyone’s increased experience is a huge benefit. He’s particularly excited about seasons two and three because they can now build on the established characters and world, allowing for more complex and engaging storylines now that viewers know everyone better.

Craig believes that when it comes to the characters, he has a strong natural sense of how they would react and what they would say.

ADAM: You can show the writers the old episodes.

We don’t just create characters randomly. We added some new faces in Season 3 that I think viewers will enjoy. It usually takes about six episodes of writing to really understand how a new character will fit into the show and then we can write for them effectively. We now feel we have a strong core group of characters, as well as some great supporting characters, like Joe Lo Truglio’s Mr. Bouchard – he’s a lot of fun, and we really like that character.

Everyone loves the Jersey Devil and John Glaser is fantastic, which is why he’s returning. Making a show is always challenging – you constantly wonder how to build a story, and suddenly you’ve got a huge script to deal with. It’s stressful, but you get used to the constant pressure.

Universal Basic Guys Creators Break Down That Awesome Theme Song

I really love the show’s theme song! I’ve noticed theme songs are getting shorter or disappearing altogether with all the streaming services now, so I especially appreciate a good one. Could you tell me about how you created it?

We loved the idea of a really obvious, retro-style theme song. It’s silly, but it makes us genuinely happy, so we decided to lean into that. We wanted a fun opening – a quick start with a drumroll leading right into the song – to build energy before each episode. The theme song was stuck in our heads while writing, and we knew we had to use it as the show’s intro.

The theme song actually started as a short piece we created for our pitch presentation. It was a self-produced track – I had been experimenting and sent a draft to Craig. I sent him a few versions, but he immediately preferred one and told me to stick with it. It was a bit raw, but Craig polished it up, especially with the vocals, adding chorus and other effects to finish it off. Interestingly, we were still deciding on a title for the show while we were working on the song!

During development, we explored many different ideas for the show, and the idea of universal basic income – how central it would be to the plot – kept shifting. We even considered focusing on the family aspect and naming it something related to ‘Hoagies.’ Ultimately, we landed on Universal Basic Guys, which initially generated some excitement, but it also led to misunderstandings about the show’s premise and what viewers could expect.

One of the main reasons we continued with the project was the theme song. It featured the name so well and fit the overall feel perfectly, that in the end, we decided it was best to keep the title as Universal Basic Guys rather than go through the hassle of changing the song.

CRAIG: One of those ugly names that just…hopefully people like it.

Is Mark Ever Going to Need a Full Time Job?

I really like how this shows Mark and Hank won’t always be focused on work, and that it’s about what they do with their free time. I’m curious about that specifically. We’ve seen them try out different jobs as a fun idea, but as you develop their characters further, will they ever pursue full-time careers?

We initially conceived the idea as a way to give Mark’s character freedom – he could pursue anything without being tied to a single job. Other shows do similar things without explanation, but we wanted to acknowledge it. As we developed the concept, we thought it would be interesting to create a show set in a world ripe for exploration. Seeing the direction things are going with artificial intelligence – how AI companies are getting richer while more people potentially lose their jobs – we wondered what it would be like for someone like Mark, a confident and knowledgeable salesperson, to find himself without a purpose in that future.

He’s been talking about wanting to pursue his interests for a long time, and now he finally has the financial freedom and time to do so. Seeing what he does with this opportunity feels like a glimpse into how AI could be used for good – supporting people and allowing them to focus on creative pursuits. This is a chance for him to really explore a variety of passions.

We sometimes joke that maybe, just maybe, he’ll find work one season. When we talk about universal basic income, it’s not about encouraging people to go on spending sprees. I get why some people ask if we think people will just spend the money – but that’s not what we’re saying at all. It’s just a silly show, and he’s a foolish character, so that’s what happens.

Some episodes will explore the show’s central idea, but many will simply focus on the characters, their relationships, and the challenges they face in their town. We don’t want every episode to be about the main premise, but we do like revisiting it occasionally. We actually have an upcoming episode that really delves into the premise and answers some questions viewers have been wondering about, similar to what we did with “Markumentary” in Season 2.

How Wacky Is Universal Basic Guys Allowed to Be?

Some shows tend to hold back on really outlandish ideas, but you’ve talked about deliberately introducing characters and exploring how far you can push the boundaries of what’s possible. With things like the Jersey Devil appearing regularly, a character being cloned, and even a horse exploding, is there a set limit to how strange the show can get?

It’s funny, there are definitely guidelines for what works on the show, but I don’t always have a clear idea of them upfront. I usually figure it out when someone suggests an idea and I realize it just doesn’t fit. Take the episode set in the Poconos, for example – it had witches, ghosts, and all sorts of supernatural elements. Craig and I are pretty skeptical, so adding those things feels a little strange, like we’ve introduced something new to the show’s reality. Mark tends to keep things realistic and relatable in his character and dialogue, which helps balance it all out.

I just love when our show takes us to these wild, unexpected places, but the best part is how we get there. It’s all about a slow build, so when we finally reach that crazy point, it actually makes sense. Take our “Sheet Shock” episode with the Navy SEALs, for instance. It started simply enough – David wanting to write a memoir, and Mark confidently saying he could tackle the SEAL training. But things escalated! By the end, Mark was practically in the Expendables, and David was caught up in this totally bizarre fantasy where Smurf-like characters had him hostage. It was a fantastic journey to watch unfold!

It’s often challenging to create surprising moments that feel earned, especially when focusing on realistic conversations and relationships. Sometimes those natural interactions don’t easily lead to big reveals, and other times we stumble upon them unexpectedly. There aren’t any hard and fast rules for what we’re doing – it’s a cartoon, so we’re free to be playful and try new things!

Yeah! Mark seems like a regular dude even in all of that, so that’s definitely the appeal.

ADAM: For better or worse, everybody knows a Mark Hoagies.

Expanding on the Characters Like the Merft Man in Season 2

Everyone knows someone like Merft Man – that friend who seems to have connections to everything and everyone. We finally learned more about him in Season 2’s “Go Fund Mernft,” and it turned out he has a really sad backstory. What was it like exploring his story and figuring out who he really is?

I remember Adam explaining that particular episode wasn’t meant to be aired. He’d shared some personal things, and the producers had assured him they’d edit them out. When it came to his character, Merft Man, the team had a bit of a debate. They were thinking about shows like Seinfeld where characters generally stay pretty surface-level. They were wrestling with whether to continue portraying Merft Man as this somewhat dangerous guy – the one who has connections and can get things done, even something like a gun if needed.

This episode was really captivating. The initial funny idea allowed us to explore some deeper themes, and we were surprised by how much complexity this character had. We’re usually careful not to make characters overly complicated, but this felt right – it made him more interesting. It’s important to then bring him back to his usual, lighthearted personality.

Best Kind of Hot Dog?

Just one last quick question: what’s the best type of hot dog? Personally, I’m a fan of the traditional, all-beef kind.

I know my answer isn’t great, but it’s totally based on childhood memories. When I was growing up, my family would often go to Wawa, and I always loved their simple, inexpensive hot dogs that were kept warm on the rotating rack. I can’t say anything negative about them – they just bring back good memories!

I think all hot dogs are great, honestly. I enjoy getting a Chicago dog from a well-known place, but sometimes the casing is a little too tough. A simple, classic hot dog is good too. For me, a hot dog is really about the experience and where you are when you eat it. Like, getting one at a baseball game is just perfect. And my family always gets hot dogs when we go apple picking – they’re sold right there with the apples!

Honestly, for me, a perfect hot dog is just a simple classic – a little dog in a basic bun. I don’t even need mustard, it’s that good! To me, a hot dog just means I’m at something fun, and I’m gonna enjoy it. I’ll even admit, I’ve been known to grab one from 7-Eleven for breakfast! But the only way a hot dog can really disappoint? It’s when the casing is too tough, or – and this is key – there’s just too much hot dog for the bun. It needs to be a good ratio!

CRAIG: You need the good bun to hot dog ratio.

I’m so excited for the season finale of Universal Basic Guys! It’s airing this Sunday, April 12th at 8:30 PM Eastern on Fox. And the best part? They’re already working on Season 3! What are your thoughts on the show so far? Let’s chat about it – head over to the ComicBook Forum and join the discussion now!

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2026-04-07 20:13