in 1998 stiller put aside his directing ambitions to star in a surprise hit with a long-lasting cult following, the farrelly brothers' there's something about mary, alongside cameron diaz. that year, he starred in several dramas, including zero effect, your friends &amp; neighbors, and permanent midnight. he was invited to take part in hosting the music video awards, for which he developed a parody of the backstreet boys and performed a sketch with his father, commenting on his current career.