The Cable Guy (1996)
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54% of critics liked it
(56 reviews) -
50% of users liked it
(446,071 ratings)
Originally planned as a silly vehicle for Chris Farley, in the hands of director Ben Stiller and star Jim Carrey, The Cable Guy became an opportunity for Carrey to flex some of his darker comedic muscles as stalker Chip Douglas. Matthew Broderick plays Steven, an average Joe who is forlorn over his… More Originally planned as a silly vehicle for Chris Farley, in the hands of director Ben Stiller and star Jim Carrey, The Cable Guy became an opportunity for Carrey to flex some of his darker comedic muscles as stalker Chip Douglas. Matthew Broderick plays Steven, an average Joe who is forlorn over his recent breakup with girlfriend Robin (Leslie Mann). When he moves into a new apartment, Steven comes in contact with Chip, who shows up to hook up the cable. Before he knows it, and whether he likes it or not, Steven has a new best-friend in the obnoxious and clingy Chip. However, Steven soon learns that obnoxious is a walk in the park compared to Chip's behavior when Steven tells him he doesn't want to be his pal anymore. What's worse, no one -- including Robin or his family -- believes Steven when he accuses the seemingly harmless Chip of being a malevolent menace. George Segal and Jack Black also star along with Stiller, who plays twins loosely-based on the Menendez brothers. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ben Stiller
- Written By
- Judd Apatow
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 14, 1996 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
It's a fairly interesting effort -- much more ambitious than most Carrey vehicles.
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Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Aiming, perhaps, for a neat double helix of black humor and prankishness, they've ended up with a pretty ugly granny knot.
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Leonard Klady, Variety
While some of its antic set pieces are genuinely funny, this fuzzy-focus outing is hopelessly disconnected and ultimately unsatisfying.
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, Time Out
Stiller's film ranks as an honourable failure.
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Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Much of it plays like a personal boob tube with Carrey trapped inside, determined to act his way out in a freak show of mugging. He's a disturbing mixture of psychopath and lonely soul. Here, as always, a little Carrey goes a long way.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jim Carrey
as Chip Douglas the Cable Guy
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Matthew Broderick
as Steven, Steven Kovacs
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Leslie Mann
as Robin Harris
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Jack Black
as Rick
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George Segal
as Earl Kovacs
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Diane Baker
as Mrs. Kovacs
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Aki Aleong
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Jeremy Applegate
as Medieval Times Serf
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David Bowe
as Helicopter Paramedic
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Blake Boyd
as Steven's Brother-in-Law
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Lydell M. Cheshier
as Jail Inmate
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David Cross
as Sales Manager
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Kyle Gass
as Couch Potato
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Paul Greco
as Raul
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Kathy Griffin
as Cable Boy's Mother
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Annabelle Gurwitch
as Steven's Sister-in-Law
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Donna Hardy
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Tommy Hinkley
as Basketball Player
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Conrad Janis
as Father "Double Trouble"
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Lloyd Kino
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Cynthia Mason
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Christopher Michael
as Arresting Officer
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Jeff Michalski
as Basketball Player
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Joel Murray
as Basketball Player
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Charles Napier
as Arresting Officer
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Harry O'Reilly
as Hal, Steven's Boss
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Ahmad Reese
as Jail Inmate
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Julian Reyes
as Bar Patron
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Steven Scott
as Stan at 8 years
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Amy Stiller
as Steven's Secretary
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Mark Thompson
as Newsroom Reporter
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Leonard O. Turner
as Sam Sweet Judge
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Sean Whalen
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Frank Davis
as Bar Patron
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Jeff Kahn
as Basketball Player
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Eric Roberts
as Himself
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Ben Stiller
as Sam Sweet
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James O'Connell
as Bathroom Attendant
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Marty Zagon
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Liza D'Agostino
as Newsroom Researcher
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Andy Dick
as Medieval Host
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Janeane Garofalo
as Malinda the serving wench
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Suli McCullough
as Basketball Player
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Michael Rivkin
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Owen Wilson
as Robin's Date
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Andrew Shaifer
as Basketball Player
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Emilio Rivera
as Jail Inmate
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Shawn Michael Howard
as Basketball Player
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John O'Donohue
as Prison Guard
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Bob Odenkirk
as Steven's Brother
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Thomas Scott
as Sam at 8 years
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Robert "Bobby Z" Zajonc
as Medivac Pilot
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Jason Larimore
as Jail Inmate
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Cynthia Lamontagne
as Restaurant Hostess
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Harper Roisman
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Sandra Thigpen
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Carlo Allen
as Sam Sweet Court Clerk
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Barbara Babbin
as Bar Patron
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Adam Beasley
as Nuclear Kid
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Bill Beasley
as Nuclear Dad
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Christine Beasley
as Nuclear Mom
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Devon Beasley
as Nuclear Kid
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Adam Consolo
as Medieval Time Serf
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Christine Devine
as Anchor Woman
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Marion Dugan
as Robin's Neighbour
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Staci Flood
as Karaoke Video Dancer
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Michael Fossat
as Medieval Time Serf
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Keith Gibbs
as Basketball Player
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Julie Hayden
as Steven's Sister
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Douglas Robert Jackson
as Bathroom Patron
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Kennedy Kabasares
as Medieval Time Serf
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Rikki Klieman
as Herself
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Misa Koprova
as Heather
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Mary Lee
as Karaoke Video Dancer
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Sara Lowell
as Karaoke Party Guest
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Robert L. Rasner
as Medieval Time Serf
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Raydeen Revilla
as Karaoke Video Dancer
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Charles Knox Robinson III
as Steven's Lawyer
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Robert Simels
as Himself
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Tabitha Soren
as Herself
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Cameron Starman
as Cable Boy
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Wendy Walsh
as Reporter Outside Courtroom
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Darlene Worley
as Karaoke Video Dancer



