Chip takes Steven on the "information superhighway" to see the satellite that gives America cable. Steven thinks this is a one off meeting to thank him for the free cable, that is until Chip shows up at his basketball court, takes an injured players place and ruins the game for everyone involved; almost breaking the back of real best friend Rick (Jack Black in an early role). Realising that Chip is more than a little strange Steven decides to back away from him, only to return home to 11 messages on his answer machine from his new "best friend". With a night of snuggling up with his ex while watching chick magnet Sleepless in Seattle on his mind Steven ignores the calls with bad consequences. This pattern continues throughout the film as Chip manipulates and stalks his way back into Steven's life by giving him expensive electrical goods for his home, buying him a prostitute to take his mind off Robyn, paying the cast of Medieval Times to let the two of them have a joust to the (near) death and beating up the guy that Robyn goes on a date with.
With Steven in the clink Chip takes the opportunity to ingratiate himself with Robyn and Steven's family. When released Steven tries to play Chip's game but the it get too much and he punches him in front of his horrified girlfriend and parents, making them believe more than ever that it is Steven who has issues. While Steven's hacked work computer sends a viral of him bitching about his boss to everyone in the office Rick phones him with information on Chip who has been sacked by cable companies for stalking clients while using fake names such as "George Jetson" and "Mr Magoo". Having taken this news on board Steven barricades himself in his home, turning off all the lights and locking his door. Chip realises that Steven is on to him and takes drastic measures to get his attention. He kidnaps an unwitting Robyn and takes her to the satellite dish. There is a climactic battle as the two battle for Robyn but with helicopters and police swooping the area Chip knows his time is up. He tells Steven "Somebody has to kill the babysitter" and falls onto the satellite dish, taking out the whole areas TV signal. He is airlifted to hospital, with the paramedic telling him "Hang in their buddy." Chip asks "Am I really your buddy?" The film ends as it has begun, with Chip / Larry / Ricky Ricardo having a new victim to terrorise into being his new best friend.
The Cable Guy is a very dark comedy that dips it's toes into the water of psychological horror. Jim Carrey is excellent as the clingy and deranged Chip whose mind is so destroyed by television and movies that he has almost no identity while Matthew Broderick is quietly impressive as the anal retentive and harassed Steven. Highlights of the movie are obviously the jousting scene and the karaoke session but there are many funny parts in this to pull you through the more sinister moments. The Cable Guy is a gem of a film that didn't get the recognition it deserved, but for those who "get it" the movie becomes an easy favourite to watch again and again.
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