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And by shoes optional, I mean any and all clothing is optional. Duchovny is back on TV, back on Showtime, and his new show, Californication, is as wonderfully smutty as the ‘classic’ Zalman King series he starred in, Red Shoe Diaries. The differences here are legion but two stand out. One, Duchovny gets to partake in the sexy storylines this time instead of just moping around reading letters with his dog. And two, Californication is incredibly entertaining, very well written, and damn funny.

Duchovny plays Hank Moody, a writer who had his hit book turned into an abysmal movie, and now can’t seem to write another word. The character is blisteringly honest in everything he does and says, which while it puts him through hell almost every episode, it’s refreshing and fun to watch for the viewers. He’s spiraling down the drain emotionally and professionally, but covers it with booze, babes, and dry wit in equal measure. He also has a beautiful relationship with his twelve-year-old daughter and an achingly bittersweet one with his ex-girlfriend. Duchovny plays the role perfectly, straddling the two halves of the character equally. He straddles a lot of things in the show come to think of it… including the sixteen-year-old daughter of his ex-wife’s fiance. D’oh!

Californication is sexy, funny, involving, and one of the best shows currently on TV. After only six episodes of the scheduled twelve episode run, Showtime has renewed it for a second season next year. Between this and Dexter (second season starts Sept 30th!), Showtime has quickly come to equal HBO in the quality of their homegrown series. Which reminds me of the other current Showtime hit, Weeds. Subscribe and check these shows out! Or wait for the dvd box sets and watch them all in one sitting! Or poke around the internet a little and maybe…