Californication

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 13, 2007
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 338 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 295 out of 338
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 338
  3. Negative: 23 out of 338
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User Reviews

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  1. OmarH
    Oct 2, 2009
    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 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
  2. SallyP.
    Sep 8, 2007
    9
    Moments where you can't help but laugh out loud. This show is, no doubt, different than anything else on television. The way the Deadwood was during its (too) brief airing. I am interested to see more, and that's saying something. If you have a brain...if you have some form of intellect... if you like nonsensical, blatant, touching and occasionally smutty ("smutty" the way we Moments where you can't help but laugh out loud. This show is, no doubt, different than anything else on television. The way the Deadwood was during its (too) brief airing. I am interested to see more, and that's saying something. If you have a brain...if you have some form of intellect... if you like nonsensical, blatant, touching and occasionally smutty ("smutty" the way we normal people act out our own strange, personal "smut"), you will like this show. I was surprised at how much I did.… Expand
  3. JimM.
    Oct 1, 2007
    9
    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.
  4. MickelsM.
    Sep 5, 2007
    10
    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.
  5. MarkH.
    Oct 31, 2007
    10
    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!
  6. AdamG
    Aug 25, 2007
    1
    Utter crud. A pretentious cliche-driven, self absorbed mess of a show. The only thing going for it is she high boob count.
  7. PatchA
    Aug 17, 2007
    2
    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??
  8. rattm.
    Aug 19, 2007
    1
    depressing, sexist crap
  9. cupcake
    Aug 19, 2007
    2
    too unrealistic,
  10. erics
    Sep 20, 2007
    1
    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.
  11. ElizabethP.
    Aug 22, 2007
    1
    Sarcastic, raunchy and annoying.
  12. BartW
    Mar 12, 2011
    7
    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.
  13. kwindii
    Feb 19, 2011
    10
    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 forI 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
  14. geegolly
    Sep 8, 2009
    2
    Wow a story about a writer that who is self destructive and uses women...yeah really creative.
  15. Philonous
    Jan 27, 2011
    5
    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,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
  16. djaufre
    Jan 6, 2013
    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
  17. DarnGood
    Jun 28, 2011
    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 isWhy 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
  18. C.O.
    Sep 20, 2007
    8
    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 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
  19. JoeT.
    Sep 4, 2007
    9
    Surprisingly witty in it's humour. The squimish and your grandma won't get it though.
  20. CarlH.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    I like this show. To me, this show is on the upswing.
  21. GeoffP.
    Sep 7, 2007
    10
    Best new show on television today.
  22. Niels
    Jun 1, 2008
    10
    This is, by far, one of the best tv series of all time !
  23. ChadD.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    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!
  24. VictorP
    Oct 26, 2009
    10
    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.
  25. JeffK.
    Nov 19, 2007
    10
    One of the funniest shows I have seen in a very long time, great plot, and David Duchovny is hilarious.
  26. RogerT.
    Oct 31, 2007
    10
    Best new comedy/drama in years. Superb writing, casting, and chemistry of lead characters is irresistible.
  27. FirstL.
    Aug 14, 2007
    10
    Brilliant first episode. Hope there are many more like this.
  28. JakeJ.
    Aug 15, 2007
    10
    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.
  29. ChrisB.
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    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.
  30. veronicag.
    Aug 24, 2007
    8
    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.
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Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best TV Season of 2007
13
#13 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
6
#6 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    100
    Californication--the best new TV show in a year.
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  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    80
    Californication can be unabashedly self-centered, judgmental and off-putting, but it is redeemed by occasional hilarious moments, an appealing father-daughter relationship and Duchovny's skillful creation of a charismatic boor.
    Read full review
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: John Leonard
    80
    Dark comedy suits insouciant Duchovny.... Here he delivers a tousled sort of aw-shucks Huck Finn, lighting out for erotic territories. McElhone, à la Rene Russo, manages to convey the notion of adult womanhood without being either drippy or schoolmarmish about it.
    Read full review
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