featuring @mrdamon @hulu
Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr., known for their roles on New Girl, are teaming up for a new comedy series. Hulu has officially ordered a pilot for the show, which is currently untitled (via Deadline). The series is said to draw inspiration from the 1996 film The Cable Guy, starring Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. Both Johnson and Wayans will serve as executive producers alongside Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty from Original Film. It’s important to note that Hulu has only committed to producing the pilot at this stage and has not yet greenlit a full season. The production is handled by Sony Pictures Television.
The show’s premise centers around the modern landscape of streaming and algorithms. The logline describes it as follows: “In a world of endless streaming, binging, and algorithms, old-school cable technician Chip Douglas (Johnson) languishes alone — until Steven Stephens (Wayans Jr.) calls to have his cable turned back on, reconnecting Chip with a childhood friend he never forgot. The relationship gives each man something he’s been missing… until Chip’s enthusiasm turns into obsession. Inspired by the movie, the show explores the darkly absurd side of modern-day male friendship.” The pilot script is written by Rob Rosell, Joe Piarulli, and Luan Thoma, who will also serve as co-showrunners and executive producers.
While the show has been compared to the Fargo TV series, which did not adapt the film’s plot directly, Johnson and Wayans will portray new versions of the characters originally played by Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of The Cable Guy. Directed by Ben Stiller, the film was produced on a $47 million budget and earned over $102 million worldwide. Although it received mixed reviews initially, it has since gained a cult following and is regarded by some as Jim Carrey’s best work.
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