Californication: Season 1
  • Network: Showtime
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 13, 2007
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
view
per page
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    100
    Californication--the best new TV show in a year.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    100
    The team behind this series--creator Tom Kapinos from "Dawson's Creek," executive producer Scott Winant from "My So-Called Life" and "thirtysomething," and Duchovny himself--makes it easier for Duchovny by surrounding him with sparkling female characters and talent.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    100
    There's a lot to love in Californication, from the blowtorch-keen dialogue of creator and writer Tom Kapinos to the way that Duchovny's ever-so-slightly-fading good looks perfectly encapsulate the character's downturn in Hollywood, to a multitude of standout performances in the ensemble cast.
  4. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    88
    The show is not designed to appeal to prudes, but the writing and the acting are too good to be wasted on the prurient.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 95
  3. Negative: 12 out of 95
  1. OmarH
    2
    This show is cliched and shallow. It would be interesting if this show did something other than show us the usual cliches about Hollywood - that people drive expensive cars, the women are hot, drugs, sex, etc. The show wants us to feel sympathy for Duchovny's character (I guess), but he's so self absorbed he merely manages to bore me. I don't have anything against showing sex in general, but this show tries too hard to shock and titillate. A misogynist character might be interesting, but the show never reveals what is interesting about this particular drug addled misogynist. Instead, we are left with a cliche - the "down on his luck writer". We never even learn anything about his writing.… Full Review »
  2. djaufre
    2
    Californication is the kind of show that promotes itself as cool when it really isn't. It vulgar for vulgarity's sake, with a false sense of provocation (some will always be offended by sex… Full Review »
  3. DarnGood
    1
    Why did D.Duchovny do this awful show? The shows entire purpose is to desensitize people to smut and portray scumbags as everyday people. It's messed up.16 year olds hitting on and sleeping with an older men, cursing for no good reason, women throwing themselves on him (who look like porn stars by the way). The unrealistic premises are laughable and border on ridiculous. Every character is pretentious, and annoying. The sex scenes get old after seeing them 10 times an episode. No wonder Duchovny became a sex addict and threw away his marriage while making this show. If I wanted to watch people f**k I'd rent a porno, oh that's right I just did!… Full Review »
See all user reviews »