Jim Carrey’s The Cable Guy reboot lines up a star to replace Kathy Griffin

Here we go again: The Cable Guy is getting yet another spin of the wheel, but this time it's not a remake, and it's definitely not just replaying Jim Carrey's greatest hits. We're looking at a Hulu comedy pilot in the very early stages – so early, in fact, that it doesn't even have an official title yet. But there is fresh casting news worth your attention.

The big update is that Crystal Fox – best known for The Haves and the Have Nots – has joined the cast, stepping into a role originally played by Kathy Griffin in the 1996 film. If you know Fox from her various TV and film work (think In the Heat of the Night, Big Little Lies, Driving Miss Daisy), you'll know she's never dull on screen – so this could be an interesting turn.

What's This Version About?

Here’s the setup: the show sticks with the 'weirdo cable guy gets a bit too invested in a customer's life' vibe, but modernises it. The official logline gives us the gist: Chip Douglas, the old-school cable tech, is left behind by a world obsessed with streaming and algorithms. Everything changes when Steven Stephens calls him to reconnect his cable, and their old childhood friendship is rekindled. Naturally, things get a bit dark as Chip's excitement to have a mate tips into full-blown obsession. The series promises to poke at the 'absurd side of modern-day male friendship.' So, more black comedy than heart-warming bromance by the sound of it.

The 1996 film made $102.8 million at the global box office – not bad considering it cost $47 million to make.

Cast and Connections

Fox is playing Lynette, mother to characters played by Damon Wayans Jr. and Natasha Rothwell. She's written as one of those worried mums, keeping tabs on her son after a breakup and falling headfirst into social media wormholes. The rest of the confirmed cast includes Jake Johnson (yes, from New Girl), Wayans Jr., and Rothwell in key roles. Johnson and Wayans Jr. are also executive producing and headlining – which should give the project a bit more clout than the average reboot attempt.

The original The Cable Guy was, let’s be honest, fairly divisive: critical response was mixed, but it found enough of an audience to become a fan favourite in dark comedy circles. The cast list from back in 1996 was full of now-famous faces: Jim Carrey was the lead, supported by Griffin, Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black, Owen Wilson, George Segal, Bob Odenkirk, Eric Roberts, and Diane Baker. So, not exactly short on star power.

Behind the Scenes

This time round, don’t expect a straight remake. While inspired by the film, it’s pitched as a series with new angles. Rob Rosell, Joe Piarulli, and Luan Thomas are steering the ship as co-showrunners and co-writers, with Johnson and Wayans Jr. wearing multiple hats.

If you’re after an air date, you’ll have to be patient – the project is still deep in pre-production, with no timeline to mark on your calendar just yet.