Fox just made San Diego Comic-Con a richer experience for one lucky attendee. During Thursday night’s panel promoting the network’s upcoming new animated series “Universal Basic Guys,” Fox passed out a swag bag to everyone in the San Diego Convention Center ballroom. One of those bags had a special sticker, randomly awarding that winner $3,000.
Actually, because it was shaped like a hot dog, the sticker announced, “You are a weiner.” The $3,000 prize is in line with the concept for “Universal Basic Guys,” which centers on two brothers who work at a hot dog factory — until they lose their jobs to automation and are given $3,000 a month in a new basic income program. The series follows them as they suddenly have a lot of free time and money to pursue some ridiculous adventures.
Series creators Adam Malamut (who voices both brothers, Mark and Hank Hoagies) and Craig Malamut revealed the surprise while sharing more details about “Universal Basic Guys,” which premieres on Sunday, Sept. 8 immediately following an NFL doubleheader on Fox.
Besides Adam Malamut, “Universal Basic Guys” stars Talia Genevieve as Tammy, Fred Armisen as David and Ally Maki as Andrea. Fox has already given an early Season 2 renewal in advance of its series premiere.
“Universal Basic Guys” is co-produced by Fox Entertainment through Bento Box Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Adam and Craig Malamut (who recently sealed an overall deal at Sony Pictures TV) created the series and serve as executive producers alongside Season 1 showrunner Dan Lagana and Season 2 showrunner Rob Rosell.
“Universal Basic Guys”
Fox
The swag bag passed out at the panel included a “Universal Basic Guys” bucket hat, hot dog, chips and a water or soda. Only one had the special winning sticker attached, and that audience member was presented with a giant $3,000 check.
Meanwhile, besides the panel prize, Fox and “Universal Basic Guys” are also trotting “real-life Mark Hoagies” characters around Comic-Con (including outside the San Diego Convention Center and through the streets of the nearby Gaslamp District), with QR codes giving Comic-Con attendees more chances to win money.
Fox presented both “Universal Basic Guys” and “Krapopolis” (which it renewed for a fourth season) on Thursday at Comic-Con.