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 Lonely Guy Although edited out of actual sequence Martin eventually enters the old church (which still stands) at 51 31st Street, Astoria - only to realize he has interrupted the wrong wedding. "The Lonely Guy" received mixed reviews from critics. It holds a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Lonely Guy The Lonely Guy is a 1984 American romantic comedy film directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Steve Martin. The screenplay is credited to Ed. Weinberger and Stan Daniels (of "Taxi") as well as Neil Simon (for "adaptation"), and is based on the 1978 book "The Lonely Guy's Book of Life" by