“New Girl” alums Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. will reunite for a Hulu comedy pilot directly inspired by the cult classic Jim Carrey film “The Cable Guy,” Variety has confirmed.
The untitled project’s logline reads, “In a world of endless streaming, binging, and algorithms, old-school cable engineer Chip Douglas (Johnson) struggles with loneliness until Stephen Stevens (Wayans) calls to restore the cable and reunite Chip with his unforgettable childhood friend. This relationship gives each of them what they’ve been missing… Inspired by the movie, this show explores the dark and absurd side of modern male friendship.”
The pilot was written by Rob Rossell (New Girl, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Joe Piarulli (Cobra Kai, F Is For Family), and Luann Thomas (Cobra Kai, F Is For Family). All three serve as co-showrunners and executive producers. Johnson and Wayans Jr. will also serve as executive producers, with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty from the original film also serving as executive producers. Sony Pictures Television is the studio, and Sony releases original movies.
“The Cable Guy” starred Carrey as Chip Douglas and Matthew Broderick as Stephen. The cast also included Leslie Mann and Jack Black. It was directed by Ben Stiller, who appeared on screen as Sam and Stan Sweet, and was produced by Judd Apatow, whose early film credits include producing. The film was a big departure from the light-hearted comedy that Carrey was known for at the time. It ultimately grossed over $100 million at the box office in 1996, and has since become a cult favorite.
Johnson and Wayans were originally cast in the pilot for FOX’s New Girl, but Wayans left the show after the first episode due to ABC renewing Happy Endings. He later returned to the show in seasons 3 and 4, but left again and guest-starred in seasons 5 through 7. Johnson appeared on the show for seven seasons.
The pair previously co-starred in the 2014 comedy film Let’s Be Cops, which was co-written and directed by Luke Greenfield. The film grossed over $138 million against a reported budget of $17 million.
Johnson also stars in the upcoming NBC comedy series Sunset PI, which will debut midseason of the 2026-2027 broadcast season. If the pilot for “The Cable Guy” is picked up to series, he plans to work on both shows.
Johnson is represented by Austin Tyerman of UTA and Jackoway. Wayans is repped by UTA, Range Media Partners, Ziffren Brittenham, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Rossell is repped by UTA and Hansen Jacobsen. Piarulli and Thomas are repped by CAA, Industry Entertainment Partners and attorney Chris Abramson.
Deadline first reported the pilot pickup.
