STUDIO: Paramount
RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2008
STARRING: David Duchovny, Natascha McElhone, Madeline Zima, and Evan Handler
CREATED BY: Tom Kapinos
FEATURES: First two episodes of Dexter, Season 2
First two episodes of The Tudors, Season 2

"Why is the city of angels so hell-bent on destroying its female population?"

That's actually a damn good question. But is it one that Showtime's Californication really wants to answer? Or is it just using the plastic surgery-obsessed world where everyone is a wannabe actress and girls get Brazilian waxes with their lattes purely as a nudity-filled background? The comedy with the most blatant fixation on pubic hair in the history of television releases its critically divisive first season this week and this critic is still torn. David Duchovny does undeniably great work (an Emmy nod is not only well-deserved but likely) and the writing shows glimpses of true brilliance, but it just as often resorts to over-the-top shock value to get the laugh. Duchovny is funny, clever, and quick enough. Do we really need to see him puking on an expensive painting or watch as his agent gleefully spanks his assistant? When Californication feels real, I truly like it. When it doesn't, the show gives off that same smarmy California vibe that its lead character seems to despise. I will say this - there's enough to like here to recommend that you check it out and see if you're as conflicted as I am.

Duchovny plays Hank Moody, a writer who moves from New York to California and watches his novel get mangled on the big screen. How does he react? He screws the director's wife. Hank has issues with women, whether it be his ex (Natascha McElhone), his daughter (Madeline Zima), or the stream of naked women that pop in and out of his love life. Moody has writer's block, lover's block, and any other kind of block you can think up. As his ex says, "That's the thing with you Hank - one never knows what to expect from you...or your dong." There's a genuine quality to the line but it's mildly deflated by the fact that everyone seems to be enjoying using the word "dong" a bit too much. Meanwhile, Hank's agent (SATC's Evan Handler) starts a twisted affair with his secretary (Rachel Miner), who likes to be submissive, wear nylons, and pose in lingerie. It's the movie Secretary on a small scale and, like everything on the show, it feels a little forced. The new world of blogs, celebutantes, and faux environmentalism is ripe enough to support a show like Californication, especially when it contains a lead performance this good, but Showtime's controversial series should focus more on the series part of that description and less blatantly on the controversial.

Showtime/Paramount must assume that the first season of Californication is going to be more for renters than for buyers because they leave hardcore fans of the show as in the dark as one of Hank's one-night stands. Not one special feature related to the show is included. Even the picture and audio are disappointing. Honestly, it's startling that the same company is releasing the second season of Jericho this week. That release includes commentaries on every episode and featurettes. Californication includes, well, basically nothing. There's actually ZERO extras that are directly related to the show itself. All you'll find are the first two episodes of the second seasons of Dexter and The Tudors. If you're a fan of Californication, isn't it very likely that you've seen both of Showtime's acclaimed dramas? At least the first two episodes? It's clearly just a way to get renters of Californication interested in subscribing to the network. Boo. It's fine to include those, but when all you're going to give fans of your show is what are essentially commercials, don't be surprised if they're as dissatisfied with life as poor Hank Moody.