Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. Lead Hulu’s Fresh Take on “The Cable Guy”

When Hulu announced that it was breathing new life into the cult‑classic film The Cable Guy, fans of the original were half‑expectant, half‑nervous. After all, turning a dark‑comedy thriller about a cable installer with a seriously obsessive streak into a streaming series is a bold move. What makes the gamble even more intriguing is the casting: Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr., two comedians you probably know from a very different world—namely the beloved sitcom New Girl.

Yes, you read that right. The two actors, who shared a lot of laughs (and some awkward hallway moments) on New Girl, are now teaming up again, this time to play the titular cable guy and his earnest sidekick. The news feels a bit like a reunion episode that never happened, complete with a few inside jokes that only die‑hard fans will catch.

In the new Hulu series, Johnson takes on the role of Ernie Kral, a charming‑yet‑creepy cable technician who roams the streets of Los Angeles, installing and repairing while simultaneously inserting himself into his customers’ lives. Think of him as a modern‑day Ted Bundy with a wrench—only funnier, and, hopefully, less murderous. Damon Wayans Jr. plays Marcus Stone, a well‑meaning but often clueless apprentice who’s constantly trying to keep Ernie’s more… eccentric tendencies in check.

Adding to the nostalgic flavor, the show also brings back two familiar faces from New Girl: Hannah Klein (played by Zooey Deschanel) and Jess’s favorite bar‑owner, played by Lamorne Morris. Their cameo appearances are brief but intentional, a wink to anyone who remembers the original chemistry that made the sitcom a cultural touchstone. It’s not every day you see a sitcom’s alumni pop up in a dark‑comedy remake, and that contrast is part of the series’ charm.

Creator and showrunner Maya Raghavan explains why the project works: “We wanted to keep the unsettling vibe of the 1996 film while giving it a contemporary, comedic spin. Having Johnson and Wayans Jr., who already have that natural, off‑beat humor, lets us walk that line between creepy and funny without losing the audience.” She adds, almost as an after‑thought, that the New Girl reunion was a “happy accident” that happened when the two actors found themselves in the same casting call.

The premise of the series isn’t just about cable‑related mischief. Each episode focuses on a different customer, offering a snapshot of modern urban life—remote work struggles, dating app disasters, and the ever‑present dread of a bad Wi‑Fi connection. Ernie’s invasions of privacy range from “accidentally” walking into a client’s apartment during a Zoom call to leaving cryptic, yet oddly comforting, handwritten notes on a coffee table.

Critics who have seen early screenings note that the series successfully walks the fine line between homage and innovation. One reviewer wrote, “It feels like a love letter to the original, but with a laugh‑track that actually belongs.” Others, however, caution that the show might be too niche for viewers who haven’t either seen the 1996 movie or the New Girl era of TV.

Still, the combination of Johnson’s deadpan delivery, Wayans Jr.’s rapid‑fire improvisation, and those nostalgic cameos makes the series a curiosity worth checking out. Hulu plans to drop the first three episodes next month, with the rest of the season following weekly.

Whether you’re a fan of the original movie, a New Girl aficionado, or simply someone who enjoys a good laugh mixed with a dash of uncomfortable tension, the new “The Cable Guy” promises to be a surprisingly entertaining ride. Grab your popcorn (and maybe keep your Wi‑Fi password locked away), because Ernie Kral is about to make a house call you won’t soon forget.