There’s only two things you need to know about Showtime’s new series CALIFORNICATION. David Duchovny completely steps out of Fox Mulder’s shadow, and the show itself is straight from the HBO playbook (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Duchovny’s return to television has everything we’ve come to expect from a cable series. A dysfunctional family, gratuitous nudity, an endless supply of drugs and alcohol and what’s now become the obligatory casting of a SEX IN THE CITY alumni — in this case, Evan Handler who plays Duchovny’s literary agent.
Yet after watching the series premiere, one can’t exactly fault Duchovny’s character Hank Moody for having somewhat of a personal meltdown. After-all, how else would you respond if you just just discovered that your ex-wife (Natascha McElhone) was getting remarried, your career options have whittled down to an offer to write a blog and your one hit novel God Hates Us All has been unceremoniously adapted into a insipid Hollywood romance starring none other than ‘Tom and Katie’?
Sounds depressing, sure — but rest assured CALIFORNICATION is no JOHN FROM CINCINNATI. Duchovny perfectly encapsulates the down-on-his-luck Hollywood writer, quite possibly because he knows the feeling. It’s been years since his own hit show was cancelled, yet with CALIFORNICATION, he’s just now stepping out of the shadow of his most infamous alter-ego Fox Mulder.
The question of course remains, will Hank Moody be able to do the same? Get both his life and career back on track. Honestly, we have no idea — but we’re certainly going to enjoy watching him try. 
CALIFORNICATION premieres tonight on Showtime at 10:30PM (est). Canadians can catch it on TMN at 9PM.