The Cable Guy won by Columbia Pictures at a price of $1 million. The role of the Cable Guy was originally written for Chris Farley, who turned it down due to scheduling difficulties. Jim Carrey joined the production, receiving a then record $20 million to star. Following Carrey's signing, Columbia hired Judd Apatow to produce. The studio rebuffed Apatow's interest in directing, but accepted his suggestion to invite Ben Stiller, star of his eponymous show on which Apatow had worked. The original screenplay by Lou Holtz, Jr. was a lighter comedy, described by Apatow as "a "What About Bob?" annoying friend movie" where
The Simpsons Guy because although that series is rated PG, "Family Guy" aims "to reach the most extreme and outlandish conclusion of any joke, no matter how harsh the punchline may be. For subjecting viewers to jokes about rape, cartoon nudity, and disturbing acts of violence, Fox's "Family Guy" will remain the Worst TV Show of the Week". The Simpsons Guy "The Simpsons Guy" is the first episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series "Family Guy", and the 232nd overall episode. "The Simpsons Guy" is a 44-minute-long crossover with "The Simpsons", and was written by Patrick Meighan and directed