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
That Guy... Who Was in That Thing That Guy... Who Was in That Thing That Guy... Who Was in That Thing is a 2012 documentary film by Ian Roumain and Michael Schwartz that features sixteen male character actors discussing their careers as working actors below the film star level but who are often recognized as being "that guy" who was in "that thing". Two talent agents also comment on the challenges faced by such actors. The film was produced by Roumain, Schwartz and Brian Volk-Weiss for New Wave Entertainment. Doug Shanaberger described it as a "wonderful new documentary", saying: "If you're wondering who they are, that's half