Californication (2007)

Watchseries; "Californication" was once a promising comedy, something that spoke to my love of classic rock, English, Bill Hicks, Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson-style self-loathing.

I wanted to write a bit of a rant, however, on why this now may be the worst comedy on cable.

This season is better than last, but that's not saying much. The sexual hijinks and gross-out factor is getting insulting. Last episode has Charlie basically getting raped by a drunk woman up her butt (haha! it's funny because it's anal!), which is pretty disgusting (how funny would it be if the genders were reversed?). Female-on-male rape can be kinda funny just due to the novelty of it, but it has to be handled well, and in this episode it's just dumb and sleazy. Meanwhile the Sex Pistols guy is making out with a couple hotties, the Russell Brand dude is talking about drugging his wife so he can screw another girl, and Hank is trying to get into Maggie Grace's panties while cracking jokes about bodily fluids on the floor and butt-****ery. It isn't funny or clever anymore.

A big appeal of S1 was that Hank, while a womanizer, still respected women. He had that whole "Hell-A" rant about how the city corrupts its women. He loved Karen and Becca and often found himself in sexual scenarios where he tried, but failed (his relationship with the adulteress, for example).

But now, he's taking oral sex from drunk grieving widows behind tombstones and his apathy is sort of comical rather than earnest. The show has developed little trademarks for the characters (I can't quote Hank's - it involves profanity) that is turning it more and more into a silly sitcom. It's no wonder that Hank seems to be appealing more to the masses now as a character, since he is essentially turning into a caricature - a sort of idiot manchild that Hank in season one would have railed against. They've basically "Crazy Little Thing Called Love'd" Californication, and viewers of the show will understand what I mean by that.

Also, as much as I love Runkle and how pathetic he is, his relationship with Hank has become more ridiculous than ever. In the early seasons Hank had a brotherly relationship with him, but they were still pretty straightforward with each other. Runkle still acted respectfully around Hank, to preserve his status as an agent, and inquired into his personal life when he thought he had hit rock bottom. (Remember in the pilot episode how he asked Hank whether he was OK, needed help, etc.? Told him to get it together?) Now, Runkle is basically just the butt end of jokes when Hank is around. And he doesn't seem to care much about his friend's spiraling out of control, such as when he brings him pot to his rehab center.

I'm truly shocked that Kapinos is still the one writing this show. It amazes me that the creator of season one would allow the show to devolve like this, let alone be the sole person responsible for it.

"Californication" was once a promising comedy, something that spoke to my love of classic rock, English, Bill Hicks, Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson-style self-loathing.

I wanted to write a bit of a rant, however, on why this now may be the worst comedy on cable.

This season is better than last, but that's not saying much. The sexual hijinks and gross-out factor is getting insulting. Last episode has Charlie basically getting raped by a drunk woman up her butt (haha! it's funny because it's anal!), which is pretty disgusting (how funny would it be if the genders were reversed?). Female-on-male rape can be kinda funny just due to the novelty of it, but it has to be handled well, and in this episode it's just dumb and sleazy. Meanwhile the Sex Pistols guy is making out with a couple hotties, the Russell Brand dude is talking about drugging his wife so he can screw another girl, and Hank is trying to get into Maggie Grace's panties while cracking jokes about bodily fluids on the floor and butt-****ery. It isn't funny or clever anymore.

A big appeal of S1 was that Hank, while a womanizer, still respected women. He had that whole "Hell-A" rant about how the city corrupts its women. He loved Karen and Becca and often found himself in sexual scenarios where he tried, but failed (his relationship with the adulteress, for example).

But now, he's taking oral sex from drunk grieving widows behind tombstones and his apathy is sort of comical rather than earnest. The show has developed little trademarks for the characters (I can't quote Hank's - it involves profanity) that is turning it more and more into a silly sitcom. It's no wonder that Hank seems to be appealing more to the masses now as a character, since he is essentially turning into a caricature - a sort of idiot manchild that Hank in season one would have railed against. They've basically "Crazy Little Thing Called Love'd" Californication, and viewers of the show will understand what I mean by that.

Also, as much as I love Runkle and how pathetic he is, his relationship with Hank has become more ridiculous than ever. In the early seasons Hank had a brotherly relationship with him, but they were still pretty straightforward with each other. Runkle still acted respectfully around Hank, to preserve his status as an agent, and inquired into his personal life when he thought he had hit rock bottom. (Remember in the pilot episode how he asked Hank whether he was OK, needed help, etc.? Told him to get it together?) Now, Runkle is basically just the butt end of jokes when Hank is around. And he doesn't seem to care much about his friend's spiraling out of control, such as when he brings him pot to his rehab center.

I'm truly shocked that Kapinos is still the one writing this show. It amazes me that the creator of season one would allow the show to devolve like this, let alone be the sole person responsible for it.

Californication watchseries. From its controversial opening scene to its excellent finale, the first episode of "Californication" sets the tone for the series. Stylishly directed by the always-reliable Stephen Hopkins, the pilot is thoroughly entertaining adult comedy. Watching the first episode reminded me a little of a modern Blake Edwards' production.

The cast are excellent, especially David Duchovny as the seedy Hank Moody, a man whose mid-life crisis is on display for all to see, from his Porsche to his constant bed-hopping.

The script is sharp and the whole show exudes quality.

Recommended.

If you have Showtime and you're not watching Californication, you're definitely missing out. I'm so glad I watched the first episode because I was hooked within the first five minutes and haven't missed an episode yet (I think it's up to 8 episodes now). I'm getting Showtime for free right now but just because of Weeds and Californication, I would probably continue paying for it after my free time is up.

I've never seen a show quite like this...the humor totally rocks; I especially love how witty it is, like when Hank says something like, "Shrivel me testes". The characters and their interactions are top-notch and I enjoy every minute of it.

I totally enjoy (most of) the actors, especially Pamela Adlon, who plays Marcie; she's mostly a voice actor (cartoon boys, mostly) and I love seeing her in an on-screen role; we need to see more of this talented woman! Sometimes I'm shocked at how hardcore the show can be and I LOVE THAT about it. It keeps me on my toes and is rarely predictable (even though whenever you see a hot chick you just know Hank will be doing her within five minutes...not the most realistic, but hey, it's a TV show with a title that includes the word, "fornication")!

I hope there is a Season 2 for this awesome new show...any many more seasons beyond. If you don't have Showtime, wait till Californication comes out on DVD and get it right away!

I am greatly enjoying this show and hope it will run a very long time. There's something about this show that seems so real. It makes me laugh, it makes me think, and it brings something to the table for everyone. It has emotion, sex, passion, hard times, and complexity. Hanks character is absolutely great, and all the other characters are developing very well, and becoming very unique. I also enjoy Nip/Tuck, but this show is like a much more tangible version, with more depth, and somewhat on Valium (as it is much less over the top!). I believe that anyone can relate to this show with all this depth, diversity, and complexity. I highly recommend this show to anyone, and I am in love. I will definitely not miss an episode and look forward to buying the DVD releases in the future. Bravo to all parties involved with this series!

I just watched the pilot on-demand and I have to say I am thoroughly impressed by this show. David Duchovny was a pure gem to watch as the sardonic and hapless writer in the surreal realm of Southern California. The dialogue is top-notch, the plot is thick and juicy. Hank is a deep, 3-dimensional character that we seldom see on television. Though he is definitely damaged, there is something in his tribulations that audiences can relate to. His difficulty in writing is a situation I have felt many times when I sit down at the keyboard. Similarly, I empathize with his relationship problems. The problems he faces are problems that real people face brought to life in a very funny, unique way.

With this show, Weeds, The L Word and Dexter, Showtime is becoming the new HBO. That being said I really hope this show keeps the spark that made the pilot so good for the full run of the series.

I can't remember when I laughed so steadily from start to finish of a new show. Family Guy? Perhaps. In Californication Showtime has one of its strongest hits . . . ever. The writing is bitingly crisp, intelligent and fresh. Duchovny's delivery has the timing of a master comic actor and his portrayal of Hank is winning. As with the very best of comedies, beneath the bubbly surface of Californication is a show that in a single episode reveals richly drawn characters of depth and purpose. Hank's lecherousness, womanizing, wry wit and in-your-face bluntness succeed only partially in covering up a complex (or perhaps merely complicated?) man who appears to be facing all of his mid life crisis's at once. Every note in this comic symphony was perfectly struck and I look forward to getting to know Hank - and the rest of his gang - better as the weeks go by. Bravo Showtime!