Hank Moody (David Duchovny) thinks his life is great with Karen (the one he pines for and got back), but life and his own past mistakes has other plans for Hank.  A trip to jail has him ending up as the writer of the memoirs of a legendary Rock & Roll producer- Lew Ashby (Callum Keith Renee).   Lew still pines for the one woman who got away (and that Hank must contact to get the real story on Lew).  Meanwhile, Hank’s agent- Charlie (Evan Handler)- gets fired and he drifts into the business of making a porn film called Vaginatown and getting involved with a promising porn star, Daisy (Carla Gallo).   Everyone’s lives seem to be screwed up in Los Angeles including Mia who is about to go on tour for the book she stole from Hank.

CALIFORNICATION is a funny and hard look at the culture of celebrity in Los Angeles while telling the story of a man yearning for the one woman he wants.   Lew Ashby comes out as a lovable asshole like Hank and some are attracted to him because they see the same qualities that make some like Hank.  It is a fun and witty series.  When one thinks Hank's life will be OK, something always comes to screw it up.  He tries to be the nice guy at time and sometimes he just lets it loose with what's on his mind (even if it makes him come off as a jerk to some).

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Pam Addelton provides audio commentary for episode six.  The 19 minutes of cast interviews features questions answered by five of the show’s leads.   They mainly focus on the start of the second season.   The cast bios focus on the same five people.    The extras are disappointing yet again for a Showtime DVD release.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  CALIFORNICATION is there for those who loved the first season.  Too bad the extras kinda suck.

This DVD review is (c)8-21-2009 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com