MOVIE WATCH

The Cable Guy

Pearl, 9.30pm

Despite the comedic talents of its star, Jim Carrey (above right), The Cable Guy is a disappointment - not justifying his US$20 million (HK$155 million) pay cheque for this Ben Stiller-directed film. When it was first released, many viewers did not understand it or like it. Mixing demented humour with an air of craziness, this black comedy centres around Ernie 'Chip' Douglas (Carrey), a lonely, creepy and socially unstable cable installer, who befriends young architect Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick, above left). Kovacs has just been kicked out of the apartment by his girlfriend, Robin Harris (Leslie Mann), and needs to have the cable television repaired at his new bachelor pad. Along comes Douglas who ends up 'fixing' everything else in Kovacs' life. There are inspired performances from George Segal and Diane Baker as Kovacs' parents and a deadpan Janeane Garofalo as a medieval waitress. However, funny scenes - such as when Douglas drags an uncomfortable Kovacs into playing a game of Porno Password with his parents - are far and few between. The problem with The Cable Guy is not that Carrey is not funny but that the film veers from dark comedy to darkness. Carrey does not make a complete fool of himself in every scene as was his norm before this film. The obsessive and extreme Douglas often brings out the darker elements of human nature and leaves much to be desired. For hardcore Carrey fans only. (1996)

The Simpsons

World, 8pm

This particular episode should have a familiar ring to Hong Kong viewers. Bart and Lisa talk Homer (above) into taking them to see the Smithsonian Travelling Exhibit. As Lisa describes the importance of the Bill of Rights, Homer accidentally smudges the document and is taken into custody. However, OmniTouch, the sponsor, is willing to compromise - by erecting a gigantic cellular transmitter on the Simpsons' rooftop. Maggie's baby monitor starts picking up mobile phone conversations and Marge turns into an addicted eavesdropper.