I've never been a fan of Duchovny - until now. Plays the weary nihilist to the hilt, except in those moments when his character realizes that while sex is an occasionally fun diversion, love is what he's missing. If only he could get out of his own way. I agree with a previous reviewer that for the series to run longer it will need more characters. Hope they're added.

The best current show right now--until Curb comes. But a nice, light funny show with a good sense of humor, which is good for a change and breaks up the monotony.

Never been a huge fan of Duchovny. But I think he's found his muse. He instantly takes to the character like it's his second skin. The writing is far above today's standards. It's like a deep, sarcastic, honest indie movie with legs poised for marathon greatness. Might even be ahead of it's time, but the time we get to spend in that half hour, I truly relish!

Noticing how well the show depicts Venice Beach, the city where the show is set, I found it hard to believe that the two worst criticisms of the show came from major Los Angeles publications. And listen to some of these negative criticism of the show. It compares it with Sex and the City and soft core porn (which is essentially the same thing, right?). And by doing it so, it completely misses the point of the show. For young guys (which I presume is the target audience of the show) to see this low-life one hit wonder score women left and right is simply painful, even if it's good pain. The show brings out a mixed sense of voyeurism and excitement, all laced in some sinful envy for all the sexual conquests of the protagonist. Go ahead and deny it but Hank is everything everyone with morals and responsibility isn't. But wouldn't we all at some point during our week, even if for 25 minutes, love to misbehave like that?… Expand

Surprisingly witty in it's humour. The squimish and your grandma won't get it though.

I like this show. To me, this show is on the upswing.

Best new show on television today.

This is, by far, one of the best tv series of all time !

This show is great! Hank always has something witty and funny to say. The acting is good, the characters are believable and they make you like/hate them. I'm glad this is coming back for a second season!

All in all, the most refreshing, innovative, and addicting show out in TV right now. I have watched many a series, and even tho we are in the 3rd season, it does not get old, as the writers seem to throw in new ideas and twists that give the show a whole new feel. I hope this show does NOT get canceled any time soon.

Wow a story about a writer that who is self destructive and uses women...yeah really creative.

One of the funniest shows I have seen in a very long time, great plot, and David Duchovny is hilarious.

Best new comedy/drama in years. Superb writing, casting, and chemistry of lead characters is irresistible.

Brilliant first episode. Hope there are many more like this.

Terrific acting by Duchovny. However, this show is only meant for adults with a sexual sense of humor. If you are 60+, or under 18, this show is probably not for you. Middle aged, middle class men...eat your hearts out.

I love this show. The cast, writing, directing - all fabulous. I can totally relate to Hank. Hope this show runs for a long freakin' time.

i give it an 8 just b/c im not going to give it a 10 yet, i have to watch the whole season, but so far from what ive watched i loved! i look foward to watching it every monday. it's just something fun and new to watch.

Utter crud. A pretentious cliche-driven, self absorbed mess of a show. The only thing going for it is she high boob count.

Great, great writing. Duchovny is BACK!

So far, Californication has been good. However, to have genuine longevity the show needs more characters because episodes are already beginning to resemble each other. Otherwise, the show has real potential. It will be interesting to see the direction the show will take after having established its major themes and the dilemmas of its characters. Incidently, I'm not at all aroused by the nudity in Californication, so I don't consider it pornographic. I'm pleased that the most pretentious reviewers of this show are those who are dismissing this show as pretentious.… Expand

Way better than season 3 of Weeds. Plus Hank's a cool character.

Witty, but most of all, enjoyable, funny, and not too serious. Overall, a great show, and not a self-absorbed mess like the OC or John from Cincinnati.

David Dochovony and Tom Kapinos, delivers and writes respectively, best ever "on your face" dialogues. Greatest show on earth right now at this moment.

It was funny at first, but it got old and outrageous fast. Hank wins in the end, but it was a contrived cliche. Straight out of "The Graduate". Mia and Dani trying to pose as latter day neo-feminists when they just manipulative witches using sex as a weapon - it made me want to puke. And its constant baby boomer ego stroking, I wanted to hit the screen. The only thing rewarding was David Duchovny's performance - he held up an often flagging screenplay.… Expand

Just watched the entire season in three sittings over the course of 24 hours, and upon the conclusion of episode 12, I found myself clapping. Clapping!! Go figure... never done that before, but this show deserved it. I laugh more at Weeds, enjoy Weeds more, but this is good.... an updated, modern soap that is so very cool. What more to say?

At the beginning of this series I was really worried how the crew was going to keep this going beyond a season... because I ended up liking the pilot--- but I couldn't figure out a way to end the story without being predictable. And predictable it is... predictable but enjoyable. If Duchovny doesn't act like that in true life (it's believable) it's pretty good acting. It's the perfect role for him.… Expand

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.… Expand

It's different then anything else out there on tv. Duchovny surprised everybody, he holds it all together.

Though hidden as TV serie based on normal life, it contains elements of the unnatural. Don't take it the wrong way, it has nothing to with sci-fi, just hilarious settings and plot developments that just hard to belive. In my opinion then that's not a bad thing, I don't watch TV to see how other people live their lives. I want to be entertained with humour, nakedness and depressing scenes. And that's exactly what you are getting when you watch "Californication". This is truly one of the best series I've seen in years. Some people might find the nakedness excessive, but how do you have sex with clothes on? Sure they could have left those parts out, but why would they do that? It's about life and sex is a big part of life, just ask your parents how you came to be.… Expand

Unbelievable script writing! Solid character building! This show is what everyone is thinking and wondering in their minds. The writers make you feel empathetic towards a depressed, self loathing, crass and obnoxious man who is going through a mid life crisis. Unfortunately this show is not for everyone as its hard to be open minded about hidden prejudices that we all have and he natural animal instinct of mankind.… Expand

Amazing show. If u don't like it, fine. But I do and others do 2. Keep up the good work.

Brilliant. Dialoge natural full of Ca wit. Characters drawn from reality making them identifiable to the audience and hysterical. I dated him, she was a crazy roommate, I worked with her, or married him. Unbelievable writing!!! Finally something I can't predict.

Great dialog and good acting.

Love it like it was my own gold fish!

Great Tv series!

I simply cant identify with this show at all

Good dialogues!

Great pilot, can't wait till next Monday!!!

David Duchovny is great! He's very funny and touching when he needs to be. I'll be watching this just because of him so I hope the rest of the series lives up to the pilot.

I love this show since day one...It's real and tackles many life issues...i can relate in many ways...

i don't know if anyone watched the same show as i did, but this was a more disappointing pilot than John from Cincinnati, and that's saying something. Good dialogues? Are you kidding me??

Brilliant opening Episode . Duchovny delivers , humor and inner drama with finesse of sarcasm. Finally ( along with WEEDS) ShowTime got something to match HBO. I have high hopes for Californication.

depressing, sexist crap

too unrealistic,

I turned the tv off.

Californication is smart, funny, brilliant and ballsy and David Duchovny proves he is equally adept at comedy as drama. Showtime has a terrific show, an adult comedy for adults, and I can't wait to see more.

I gotta give it a solid 10. For one thing it touches various subjects that many would be afraid to even think about. The show illustrates a powerful portrayal of today's reality of the City of Angels. The writing is absolutely powerful, touching subjects of parenthood, sex, drugs, addictions, and the reality. I would definitely recommend this film to audience of every kind, (adults of course) because everyone can learn from this .… Expand

Intellectually pretentious soft-core pornography. Witty dialogue is not enough to save this show from its lack of plot. Its very rare that I try a new show and if this is what's held up as an example of quality television I will stick with books and movies.

Californication and Duchovny rule! The best show ever!

Indescribably brilliant. Apparently all the sex put some people off but I reckon it adds rather than detracts from the shows blackly comic satire on modern Hollywood. Best show of 2007.

Something new even if uncompleted.

This show is, if not anything else, pretty enjoyable. Please do not read further if you have a 'thing' against spoilers. As I am not a professional writer, 'thing' works quite well to describe several feelings. For what I wanted to express >> Having watched the first season of Californication just recently, I was pretty awed by the way the character has been developed. He has a laid-back approach, true, but nearing the middle to end of the season, shows that not only is he still in love with his long-term girlfriend, but is also attempting to insinuate himself back into her life. As the protagonist has been shown to have a decent outlook towards morality, excluding the unfortunate mishap involving his love's fiance's daughter, he is pretty limited in how he tries to get 'Karen' back. That however, does not stop him trying. Although the explicit scenes may come across as excessive to some, it is the underlying satire and raunchiness that intrigue the audience. Few shows manage to get the right reactions from their viewers. Californication can thankfully be counted amongst them. However, the entire show is not just about 'Hank' attempting to bring his life under a finer control. The rest of the cast plays a significant role too. Subplots of intricate details have been developed, one of the most involving being the sexual frustration expressed by 'Marcy', wife of Hank's agent 'Charlie'. The season finale was pretty exciting. Rarely have stranger things occured on a wedding set, be it in reality, or theater. I await with hushed breath for the second season. This series has impressed me beyond all bounds.… Expand

I never thought i'd have any interest in this - love david duchovny but have No Need for the sex, drugs... but i thought i should just see what they did... and ended up watching the entire disc of episodes back to back to back on repeat for 2 days until the 2nd disc arrived in the mail 2 days later from netflix - there is so much to recommend this show - but the father-daughter relationship is probably my favorite part - given that a modern parent-child relationship is normally portrayed so stupidly in any tv show or film - i hope they can take the sex and drugs and swearing out and sell it to TBS - and i hope we can get a show like this sometime that is PG-13.… Expand

I do enjoy all the sex and drugs; however, this show is best when dealing with romantic longing, relationships, and parenting. the emotion that passes between Hank and Karen during the first season is genuine, sweet, and electric. Furthermore, some of my favorite one-liners from the past several years of television are from Season One of this show. The writing is often very good, the acting is very good, the casting (esp. for the secondary and tertiary cast) deserves an award. The show only casts good looking, charismatic actors, and is smart enough to rely on the charisma of its main cast. This is Duchovny's show. Period. If you like him, as I do, you'll really, really enjoy 'Californication'. The show is intelligent for a few reasons, not the least of which is Duchovny's intelligence.… Expand

An amazing show, Duchovny got the humor, the style and the charm to pull off an outrageous and truly comedic show like this. Californication soars.

This show very much wants to have it both ways. It wants to be edgy, and I think it flatters itself that it is edgy, but it also wants to be as family value correct as it can be, while it's being edgy. Thus you have this awkward combination of edginess, cliche, and predictability. I like Duchovny's character, but too often it feels like show is just plugging in cliches, and ultimately, it will steer into the proper family cliche (to top of the edginess) almost every time.… Expand

Best show on tv in years. Funny, honest, witty, and irreverent.

One of the funniest, sentimental, runchy shows I ever enjoyed. How can anyone try to comare it with 2-D Sex and the City? Apart from all the brilliant main characters Pamela Adlon (Marcy) and Dani California really made it for me. And I feel sure the two Medeleines have brilliant futures as well. Thank You! I can't wait for the next series being filmed in April.

Great acting, directing.

Showtime marred a good script and a great cast with too much exploitation. The subject matter rides an intriguing line, but the show tries too hard. I will watch one more time, but the powers that be need to stop taking advantage of their talent and use it like adults.

What a waste of time. I can't believe the Producers of Weeds (an amazing show) let this piece of crap show double up on its advertising campaign. Very dissapointing.

This show is so funny it makes me forget David was a cross dresser in Twin Peaks! Oh and for my two cents, funnier than "weeds". Keep it coming!

Hilarious, love the laid back style. Beats Weeds season 3 if you ask me. Go watch TNT if you you're offended by nudity (in case you forgot: you were born naked) or better yet: turn of the TV entirely and mow the lawn or something.

fabulous... hits all the emotional buttons, the acting is superb, really wacky!!!

I haven't laughed so hard in ages; this to me is "true" Duchovny, much more like him than Fox Mulder ever was. Oh yeah, it's coarse and profane ... but sometimes adult TV is just fine.

Sarcastic, raunchy and annoying.

Californication is a wonderful new show. Duchovny is a riot. It's must see TV for me

Instant classic!

Excellent blend of drama, comedy and raunch. David duchovny reveals a whole new side to his acting prowess. And it is GOOD!

I absolutely love this show! It's fun and exciting and it's got David Duchovny NAKED. What more need be said? The supporting actors are excellent and did I mention Duchovny was NAKED? Essential viewing!

In response to the woman who said it was "Sarcastic, raunchy and annoying" ... that's what makes is great. "L-O-f--king L" Duchovny shows he's one of the best actors alive with his diversification. To those who don't like it, you're in the very small minority. This show will be nominated for an Emmy and has a good chance at winning.

I can't believe that Showtime has actually something on worth watching. Finally, Duchovny is back and better than ever. Californication is a hit.

Brilliant!

One of the best show I´ve watched in years. The dialogue is awesome. The acting is superb. David Duchovny is perfect, as always. Ah the musics are marvelous! I love seeing Hank Moody, Karen and Becca together.

I wasn't really sure whether I'd like it most of the time and I started skipping the agent parts of the story, but Hank's arc is very fresh and far better than outside reviews of the show would have led me to believe. Caveats: it takes a little while to get going though and I'm not sure the second season will be any good.

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. I was raving about it so much, my wife felt compelled to watch a couple episodes - it's now her favourite show.

Didn't know Hollywood produced dark humour. They did this and did it brilliantly! Seen the first season and I'm hoping they can keep Hank in the gutter for another 12 episodes cause that's when he's at his best.

It might be said that this is the greatest casting for any tv show in history. The writing is phenomenal, and everyone is so balanced. People all act realistically irrationally sometimes, and hank is just quick and witty enough to be believably. Duchovny's acting is top notch, and you will find yourself relating to many aspects of this show. Easily a 10 out of 10.

I find it interesting that the most negative reviews of Californication come from L.A. and New York critics, while the Chicago critics love it. When a program makes the commercial stage and film capitals of the country fidgety with its portrayal of writers, that's a sure sign that said portrayal is dead on. In Chicago, we take our theatre seriously, and anyone who decides not to whore himself by selling out to Broadway or Hollywood no doubt delights in Duchovny's skewering of the shallow solipsism of the coasts.… Expand

this series started off great but the plot has gone lame. More sex in the first episode than all the rest put together. The series goes sentimental pretty quick and not funny anymore - bit like sex and the city went near the end. The sex becomes gratiously weird like the stuff you find on the net. did they change writers half way thru? great shame.

best show after weeds on showtime or hbo luv it

Clever, amusing, and oddly principled.

Duchovny's best performance in years happens to take place at a tropical hell where writers seek fame and fortune even if their work is turned into a horrible movie in order to acquire the needs to survive. Despite as stressful as the show can come off to be, Californication is one of the funniest shows currently on TV with its witty writing and impressive characters.

This review encompasses Seasons 1 through 4. Duchovny's character, Hank Moody, from the get-go is a tragically-flawed anti-hero. Immature, childish, hedonistic, to say the least but endearing. As his circle of friends are introduced, love interests, family, and so forth layers of his character shine through. A slick and polished production from start to finish and Duchovny's best work to date, and there are some similarities, in terms of self-satire, to Jay Mohr's Action. In a nutshell, its "Sex and the City" if it were written for (and by) guys. Not for the feint of heart.… Expand

This show is pointless and that's what's good about it. If you've ever felt like you don't know where you're going in life; if you've ever made dumb decisions, if you've ever had friends who stand by you despite those dumb decisions, then male or female you can identify with the shows protaganist, Hank Moody. With a hedonistic bent this series is hilarious and at times just a tad too over the top.

The TV show Californication, starred by the actor David Duchovny, who, by the way, also played in the X-files, plays the protagonist Hank Moody. Almost more than half of the time for each episode the Tv-Show is centered around Hank Moody, and from the critical aesthetic point of view this actually parallels with Hank's apparent narcissism...ok....maybe I went a little too far with that, because Hank really isn't much of a narcissist but a father who cares for his child named Becka. Now, I am not one of those conservative traditionalists who underrate this film because it goes against "family values" or "christian values", because to be quite honest, I like this tv show. I like Hank Moody, his friends, and his family (well, I kind of have difficulty liking Becka), but the problem is that while Hank Moody's irresponsible, immature, uncouth, promiscuous, arrogant, mischievous, humorous, outspoken and charming behaviors makes him the most interesting character among all others, the amusement eventually wears out. He is a successful novelist whose having a writer's block, for almost 4 seasons, and never managed to write a single book that marked his accomplishment. Well, I must admit that he did write the book which the sociopath stoled from him, so I'll make an exception here, but other than that he's very ADHD-ish, is very distracted by the external sensuous desires around him, rendering him into the most hilarious yet redundant hedonist. It's redundant because while after he worked very hard to get back with his wife and daughter, since after the divorce, he still cheats on her by sleeping around with other attractive women. He practically does the same thing over and over again: gets drunk, gets high, womanizing, and insulting people. Now I have no problems with these behaviors in TV in general, but I do have a problem when that's that's all there is to show. Hank Moody may seem creative verbally, but his lifestyle only shows the lack of it. There's something about this T.V. show that's really missing...what is it again? Aha! It's purpose! That's Right! I almost forgot! House, Monk, Pickard, Angel, Buffy, Jack O'Niel, and other characters from other popular T.V. shows always have some kind of purpose, they always end up accomplishing something, and they resolve many problems. But Hank, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Very distracted (other characters are focused), very irresponsible (other characters feel responsible). There's just no purpose to this show anymore, it's simply a sheer hedonist sticking his thing where sometimes it doesn't belong. He keeps getting into trouble, making mistakes, and making a fool out of himself. Maybe that's the whole point of the T.V. show, to subvert the norms of Television shows, and to some extent I admire that and I understand that, it's kind of rebellious and individualistic, but the amusement runs out fast. Occasionally, Moody should be shown to be successful character, to express his ingenious side with writing, but somehow rarely any of that happens. I don't hate the character Hank Moody, I kind of like his personality, but I don't like how his character plays the primary role to shape the story such that it renders the story nonsensical and meaningless. There should be other characters to balance him out, there should be a greater tension, but nonetheless Hank continues to make the story less interesting by his repetitive behavior in different circumstances. I want to conclude that despite the fact that Californiacation is a unique tv series, since it seems to deviate from the norms of television, in that the character seems to be some-what of an anti-hero, who behaves nonsensically, I give it credit for that. I give Californication credit for being unique in its own right, but for me this isn't enough to make it a great T.V. show. The character House may seem relaxed, easy going, arrogant, and occasionally irresponsible, but he is also a great achiever in many things. Hank, on the other hand, is simply a novelist experiencing a permanent writer's block, and never resolves this problem but only let himself become distracted by amusing yet repetitive behavior.… Expand

I don't understand how can you guys don't like? This show is really amazing its fun and sad ay the same time. Its not only about sex, sex and sex again it shows us life of a great writer who cant find his place in this life. Its dirty , it contains bad words, drugs etc. But if u don't like it you can just turn the TV off or watch something else, there's no need to write "its bad for children" or something like that. People who don't like him are just jealous cuz they cant "be" with so big count of women. This is it. I said all I wanted to say. Hope this show will be shown for many years :D… Expand

I only have one critique: half of the program is a sex-scene. Which obviously reduces the time to tell a story. Especially the latest episodes don't seem to have enough story to keep my interest and attention. Nevertheless, it's a always fun to watch.

Best show on TV (although I don't have cable so I am a couple of seasons behind and watching on Netflicks...) Brilliant writing, flawed but compelling characters, surprising, and strangely touching.

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!… Expand

Awesome show. I feel like I'm watching the life I wish I had the balls to live. A flawed character who is taking life a day at a time. However, it does take a bit of an open mind to watch. As some parts could be offensive for your grandparents.