Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. are reuniting for a new Hulu comedy pilot inspired by The Cable Guy, the 1996 Jim Carrey film that later became a cult favorite. The project will star Johnson and Wayans Jr. and also feature them as executive producers. The pilot order comes as the movie marks its 30th anniversary, adding a nostalgic backdrop to the reunion.
The two actors are best known to many viewers for their time together on New Girl, the Fox sitcom created by Liz Meriwether. Wayans Jr. appeared in the show’s original pilot, but because his series Happy Endings was unexpectedly renewed, he had to step away early. The writers then introduced a new character, played by Lamorne Morris, beginning in the second episode. Wayans Jr. later returned in season 3 and became a regular again in season 4, while Johnson remained part of the main cast throughout the show’s seven-season run.
The untitled Hulu pilot reimagines the premise of The Cable Guy for a more modern setting. Johnson will play Chip Douglas, described as an old-school cable technician who reconnects with his childhood friend Steven Stephens, played by Wayans Jr., after Steven calls to get his cable turned back on. What begins as a renewed friendship gives both men something they have been missing, but the relationship gradually shifts as Chip’s enthusiasm turns into obsession.
The series aims to explore the darker and more absurd side of male friendship in the modern era. Rather than simply remaking the 1996 film, the new pilot is being positioned as an update that honors the original while creating its own story. That approach reflects the film’s legacy: when The Cable Guy was first released, it was a modest box-office performer, but over time it found a larger audience and became widely regarded as a cult comedy.
The pilot is being written by Rob Rosell, known for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, along with Cobra Kai writers Joe Piarulli and Luan Thomas. Their involvement suggests a blend of sharp comedy and offbeat character work, which fits the tone of the source material. The project also marks a notable reunion for Johnson and Wayans Jr., whose chemistry on New Girl made them a memorable part of the show’s early appeal.
For fans of New Girl, the announcement offers a fresh reason to look forward to seeing the pair together again, this time in a story that mixes nostalgia, friendship, and the uneasy humor of obsession. The timing, tied to the 30th anniversary of The Cable Guy, gives the pilot an added layer of significance as it looks to bring a classic comedy concept into the streaming era.
