Easily one of the best television shows ever created, Californication is the witty, sophisticated and sublimely silly tale of Hank Moody, tortured genius writer, his muse and on-off lover Karen and their daughter Becca. BUT... if you're in any way offended by bad language, nudity, sexual references, drugs, blasphemy and so on, it's probably best you don't watch it. If, however, you have a sense of humour, it's a must-see and the witticisms of protagonist Hank Moody will entertain you greatly.
It would be hard to imagine anyone other than David Duchovny playing Moody, so effectively has he perfected the role. I never 'got' Duchovny as Fox Mulder (The X Files), but he seems to have taken to Hank Moody like the proverbial duck to water. Supported by an excellent cast whose comic timing is above reproach, I dare you to watch an episode without laughing.
Unfortunately though, due to Australia's puritanical leanings, Californication was pushed into later and later timeslots before disappearing from our screens altogether, which means you have to wait until the DVD release to catch up on Hank's debauchery. The fact that scores of 'righteous' Christians sat up watching the show, pencils at the ready, to write down every infraction of morality is an irony that escaped no one but themselves. As always, if you don't like it, don't watch it... but then, as a non-Christian I fail to understand the need to moralise and bully others.
But, I digress.
There are definite real world applications for Hank Moody's irreverent wit - such as the episode where he goes to see his agent Charlie Runkle (played by the gifted Evan Handler). The receptionist tries to bar his entrance to which Moody replies "Would you look at the time? The big hand says 'fuck' and the little hand says 'off' - good job there's not a second hand!" and barges in. How many times have you wanted a witty comeback for someone blocking your way?
Hank isn't the only character with wisdom to impart. Pamela Adlon's character Marcy Runkle, has a few pearls of her own. I used one recently with a friend who was a bit down: "You either cry like a bitch or smack a bitch... so smack a bitch!"
The best part of Hank though, is the fact that as flawed as he is, he remains lovable, genuine and honest. There is something engaging about a person - even a television character - who wears their problems so openly.
