New Girl stars Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. are reuniting for a new Hulu comedy pilot. The project takes inspiration from Jim Carrey’s 1996 film The Cable Guy.
Interestingly, the idea began with a casual conversation between the two actors. Johnson recently revealed how their unexpected meeting led to the new project.
Meanwhile, the news follows a New Girl cast reunion at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in Los Angeles on October 10.
A Chance Meeting Sparks a New Project
Johnson and Wayans Jr. reunited at a party celebrating Tess Sanchez, the wife of New Girl star Max Greenfield. The event took place at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.
The actors had not met in some time. As they were leaving, Johnson suggested they should work together again if Wayans Jr.’s CBS sitcom Poppa’s House ended.
Surprisingly, just two days later, Wayans Jr. called with unexpected news. His show had been canceled.
As a result, the actors contacted their representatives to explore new opportunities. Soon afterward, a script inspired by The Cable Guy caught their attention.
The Cable Guy Gets a Modern Twist
The original Cable Guy premiered in 1996. Directed by Ben Stiller, it starred Jim Carrey as an obsessive cable technician.
The story followed a lonely man whose attempts to build a friendship became increasingly dangerous. Although the film initially received mixed reviews, it later gained a cult following.
Now, Johnson and Wayans Jr. want to bring the concept to modern audiences. However, they are not planning a direct remake.
Instead, the new series will explore friendship, loneliness, and obsession through a fresh storyline.
Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr.’s New Roles
In the upcoming Hulu pilot, Johnson will play Chip Douglas. He is an old-fashioned cable technician struggling to survive in the streaming era.
Meanwhile, Wayans Jr. will portray Steven Stephens. His character contacts Chip for a cable service appointment.
However, the meeting takes an unexpected turn. Chip recognizes Steven as an old childhood friend.
At first, their reunion seems harmless. Soon, however, Chip’s excitement turns into an unhealthy obsession.
As a result, their friendship becomes increasingly uncomfortable. The story promises a mix of dark humor and psychological tension.
New Girl Writer Joins the Creative Team
The project also reunites the actors with writer and producer Rob Rosell.
Rosell previously worked on New Girl and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Therefore, he already understands the actors’ comedic strengths.
According to Johnson, Rosell helped reshape the original idea. His approach gave the story a fresh identity while keeping its dark humor.
Additionally, Cobra Kai writers Joe Piarulli and Luan Thomas have joined the creative team.
Hulu has already purchased the pitch and filmed the pilot. However, the streaming platform has not announced a full-season order.
Why Their Comedy Partnership Works
Johnson and Wayans Jr. became fan favorites during New Girl’s seven-season run from 2011 to 2018.
Johnson played Nick Miller, a sarcastic bartender with a messy lifestyle. Meanwhile, Wayans Jr. portrayed Coach, a confident and energetic former athlete.
Their contrasting personalities created several memorable moments. Moreover, their natural chemistry made their scenes entertaining.
The actors later reunited in the 2014 comedy Let’s Be Cops. The film followed two friends who were mistaken for police officers.
Now, their Hulu project offers a different challenge. Instead of traditional sitcom humor, they will explore a darker and more complicated friendship.
New Girl Cast Reunites in Los Angeles
The announcement follows a special New Girl reunion at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball on October 10.
The event brought together Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, and Hannah Simone.
The actors attended to support Chrysalis, a nonprofit organization that helps people overcome employment barriers.
Meanwhile, their appearance sparked excitement among longtime fans. Many began wondering whether the beloved sitcom could return.
Greenfield also joked about feeling jealous of Johnson and Wayans Jr.’s upcoming collaboration.
Furthermore, he expressed interest in joining the Hulu comedy if it receives a full-season order.
However, no additional New Girl cast appearances have been confirmed.
Is a New Girl Revival Happening?
Despite the excitement, an official New Girl revival is not currently confirmed.
Earlier, Greenfield suggested that reunion scripts had already been written. His comments quickly attracted attention.
However, series creator Liz Meriwether later clarified that no revival scripts existed.
Greenfield subsequently explained that he was referring to the charity reunion rather than a television comeback.
Therefore, fans should not confuse the Hulu pilot with a new season of New Girl.
Still, Johnson and Wayans Jr.’s collaboration gives viewers another opportunity to enjoy their on-screen chemistry.
Why The Cable Guy Feels Relevant Today
The original Cable Guy arrived when cable television played a major role in home entertainment.
However, the industry has changed dramatically. Streaming platforms now dominate how millions of viewers watch films and television.
This shift creates an interesting setting for the new comedy.
Johnson’s character represents an old-fashioned profession struggling to remain relevant. Meanwhile, his growing obsession with friendship adds emotional tension.
Additionally, the series could explore modern loneliness and the difficulty of forming meaningful relationships.
As a result, the familiar concept may feel surprisingly relevant to today’s audiences.
When Will the Hulu Comedy Premiere?
Hulu has already filmed the pilot featuring Johnson and Wayans Jr.
However, the streaming service has not confirmed a full-season order. An official release date also remains unavailable.
Furthermore, the final title, episode count, and additional cast members have not been announced.
For now, fans must wait for Hulu’s next update.
If the platform moves forward with the series, more production details are expected to follow.
A Promising Reunion for New Girl Fans
Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr.’s upcoming Hulu comedy brings together two actors with proven chemistry.
Moreover, the project offers a fresh take on The Cable Guy by combining dark humor with modern themes.
With experienced writers involved, the pilot has the potential to deliver something different from a traditional sitcom.
However, its future depends on Hulu’s decision about a full-season order.
For New Girl fans, the reunion is already exciting. Meanwhile, viewers who enjoy dark comedy have another project to watch.
Are you excited to see Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. reunite? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more entertainment news!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
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