The Cable Guy is a 1996 black comedy film featuring, and directed by Ben Stiller and starring Jim Carrey and Matthew Broderick. The film also features Leslie Mann, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Kyle Gass. It was released in North America on Friday, June 14, 1996 by Columbia Pictures.

Plot

A TV-obsessed cable installer, who gives his name as Ernie "Chip" Douglas (Jim Carrey), installs Steven Kovacs' (Matthew Broderick) cable television service after Steven moves out of the apartment he shared with his girlfriend Robin (Leslie Mann). After he illegally gives Steven free pay channels, Chip believes he and Steven have struck up a friendship. Chip begins to bombard Steven with calls and follows him around, his mood frequently swinging between manic and depressive. Chip shows his affection in odd ways, such as arranging a duel between the two and giving his new pal a (stolen) massive entertainment system. Despite this, Steven comes to like his new pal. However, Steven's patience is exhausted after he learns that a beautiful woman he had sex with was actually a prostitute hired by Chip. Steven expels Chip from his life, causing the latter man to snap. Chip resorts to stalking Steven and Robin to get the attention he feels he deserves.