It is safe to say that Californication is my favorite show on television. Granted, I don’t watch much television and am pretty ignorant on the medium as a whole (I’ve never watched an episode of The Sopranos – yeah, I know, I know), but I still know good television when I see it. I’ve been going through withdrawal these months without my dose of Hank Moody and his Moodyisms (“I may not go down in history, but I will go down on your sister,” “A morning of awkwardness is far better than a night of loneliness,” ” You can’t snort a line of coke off a woman;s ass and not wonder about her hopes and dreams, it’s not gentlemanly,” etc.) and have been itching for some new episode to quench my thirst.
While I’m not as quick-witted or smooth (although it’s neck and neck), I see a lot of myself in Hank and he lives a life similar to what I (and probably most dudes out there) aspire to: making money from writing, boozing, seducing women – and now, with the upcoming season three, teaching at the collegiate level. I was wondering what direction they would take this third season in, as I could have seen the show burning out if it stayed on a similar path. This was certainly a great decision on the part of the writers, making Hank a younger, more hip David Kepesh, if you will, and it should definitely keep the show fresh and interesting.
This season looks to be the most promising yet. Watch the trailer for Season 3 below, which premieres September 27th on Showtime.
And after the jump are two of my favorite Hank Moody moments, just to help convince those that haven’t watched the show yet:
This discussion currently has 11 responses.
August 17, 2009
I’ve never seen the show, but I do love me some David Duchovny and now you’ve convinced me. Those clips are priceless. Going to look right now if I can get it on Netflix.
Thought your favorite show was Curb though?
August 17, 2009
Well… it’s a toss-up.
August 18, 2009
Nice. First season streams free on Netflix. I’ll watch an episode or two tonight.
August 18, 2009
I’m giddy with excitement. I think it’ll be right up your alley, Andrew. I’ve gotten three people hooked on it this summer alone (all three watched both seasons within a week) and have two more friends that I am working on getting hooked as well.
Let me know what you think.
October 18, 2009
hi, i’m looking form song from end of third episode of third season, when Charlie wants to sleep in Hank livingroom, please help me
October 20, 2009
Dude, is it me, or are there new writers this season. The show is off. Hank is a little to much Hank. its like watching a fake imitation of Hank…like a bad cover band. The first two season, Hank knew when to throw something in there. now, he doe sit with every line. Like, ok, let exploit the Moodyisms. Hank lost a little bit of weight…they cut his hair again…cleaned him up a little. Its just off, and if you didn’t get use to the first two seasons, you wouldn’t notice it. But You do, or is it just me?
October 20, 2009
The writing is definitely weaker this season (and the Hank-isms are notably less witty), although it seemed to step it up a bit with this fourth episode that aired on Sunday.
I particularly liked Hank’s attempt at saving the damsel in distress and found the exchange very much like the Hank of old.
“That means you can take off now old-timer.”
“I’m not sure I want to. I’m lonely. What do I have to do to join this homoerotic band of theives here?”
“Someone is looking for a mouthful of cock ‘n balls, huh?”
“That does not sound very appetizing. Or filling.”
*fight ensues*
“Are you okay?”
“No, I just got my ass kicked by a J. Crew catalog. I’m not okay.”
October 20, 2009
I do agree that they have almost become caricatures of their former selves, from Hank to Runkle to the daughter, although it is still nitpicking. I still find it to be one of the most engaging shows on TV.
Hank is a bit sillier and the rest of the characters are a bit less believable and more buffonish than they had been in the previous two seasons. I think part of it though is the unraveling of Hank (as well as Runkle’s) psyche and viewed that way, it isn’t such a drastic change, I suppose. Despite the somewhat disappointing start to this season (and again, even disappointing, it’s still one of the best written shows otu there), once we get a feel of the new situations, we’re going to start seeing a rise in quality. This last episode was definitely a good sign of things to come.
October 20, 2009
And do remember Hank is dealing with a lot of stress, which could result in his change in psyche: the love of his life in another city, his novel being stolen and having no inspiration to write (which probably means a severe lack of income, thus his agreeing to teach at the university), and now raising his daughter on his own.
October 21, 2009
Sorry for all typos. Hank would rip me apart reading that. lol
They are going to get the show canceled if they keep this up. And yes, its still the best thing on Tv. But that’s not saying much these days. Hank, although still Hank, he was more human in the first two seasons. He knew just when to be fucked up, in a way we could all relate.
They also added to many new regulars. his TA…the deans wife. The dean…the stripper. Where is surfer girl? Where is the hooker, Beatrice (Trixie) We need some visits from Lou Ashby, even if as a ghost, dropping by on drunk hank. What happened to Damien, Becca’s boyfriend. They just never say. No drop in’s from Sonja and her little black baby. even that Dani…its like Hank is having a dream, after a really bad blackout. I liked Ashby’s ex getting together with Hank…they just left to many people out.
Am I alone here?
November 23, 2009
I love Californication. Hank Moody – the man I love as nothing is better than a man who’s smart and funny. A man who loves women, but even better – likes women.
This is so rare and it’s not part of his ‘acting’ gig. It’s who he is.
SO, in the last episode, when everyone shows up at his place and he ‘dumbs down’ racing from one women to the other and acting like a fool, it just ‘aint funny. It’s a big, big disappointment to see this cool, smart guy become a jackass.
Californication will go ‘south’ by the end of this season if writers and actors want to do “How I Met Your Mother.” The smart, funny and very cool people who, in Season 1 and 2 found Hank Moody as one of their own will not stay around.
Just thought I’d come in on your conversation.
Peregrine