 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Californication
Common Sense Media says
Duchovny comedy could be called Sex Files.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the main character of this mature pay-cable comedy smokes cigarettes, acts hungover, receives oral sex from a nun (inside a church), curses prolifically, talks in detail about oral sex, and appears in bed with a topless woman whose husband comes home and chases him out of the house -- and that's just in the first few minutes of the pilot episode! The rest of the series follows much the same course, with lots of graphic sex, nudity (full female, partial male), uncensored swearing (including "f--k"), drinking, smoking, and drug use (some, briefly, by teens). The main character (an adult) also has sex with a teenager who he assumed was an adult.
What's the story?
Hank Moody (David Duchovny) is a talented, successful writer in the midst of a personal crisis. His best-selling book has been turned into a Hollywood romantic comedy, hitting his sense of dignity in the gut. His ex, Karen (Natascha McElhone), is about to marry another guy, while his 12-year-old daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin), is beginning to experiment with sexuality and parties. To deal with his writer's block and emotional struggles, Hank drinks and beds everything he can find -- and yet somehow remains likeable.
Is it any good?
Duchovny turns in a fabulously wry, cynical performance as Hank, a Los Angeles-based writer with a particularly active sex life, in this adults-only pay-cable series that packs brilliant humor, wild sex, and poignant moments into each half-hour episode. Along with the show's graphic sex scenes -- which feature full female and partial male nudity -- expect hilarious conversations between Hank and Karen, Hank and Becca, and Hank and his agent that bristle with brilliance.
Adults who are heading toward or in the midst of a midlife crisis will surely identify with Hank, even if he's cooler (and more messed up) than any normal viewer will ever be. Though teens might enjoy the witty repartee between Hank and his cohorts -- as well as the show's depictions of the wild lifestyle of a successful Hollywood player -- Californication's graphic sex (not to mention uncensored language, smoking, drinking, and drug use) will likely have parents saving this one for after kids of all ages are in bed.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how sex tends to be portrayed in the media. Do you think many real people are as sexually active as many movie and TV show characters? Do you consider these characters promiscuous? What are the consequences of sexual habits like Hank's? Though Hank says he's unhappy, he seems like he's having lots of fun having sex with multiple partners -- what do you think of that conflicting idea? Is there a "right" age to start having sex?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
"Edgy" Cable Trash; Don't Bother
This ridiculous sex comedy follows a loud, obnoxious, horny weasel who spends his time seducing college kids and then dumping them, getting into fights, smoking pot, and other things that nobody cares about. Apparently, Duchovny's character is supposed to represent that "bad boy" who does everything that we're afraid to do. For example: in one episode, he tells someone in a movie theater to stop talking, and then gets into a fistfight with them after they continue to talk. The audience cheers because, of course, a physical brawl is FAR less distracting than one guy talking. The characters are shallow, loud, obnoxious, and just horrible, horrible people. It's just depressing, and it makes you wish that all of these scumbags on the show would just get hit by a meteor and die. Don't bother.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not for teens, defenitely not for teens
I like this show but I think is not for teens. Some scenes are too explicit. The is drugs involved and insane parties. Also, there is a point in the series were a teenage girl decides to worship the devil and her parents don't do a thing about it, they just called it "a phase". On the positive side, the main character cares about the boys her daughter dates, keeps the ones with wrong intentions at bay
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great TV show
I love this show, it made laugh at some of the rediculous, over the top, situtations he gets himself into. To me, it reseembles the life of an icon who gets himself into the sterotypical situations that most would expect to involve rockstars and moviestars. His persona does revolve around sex and drugs. As such as far as parents go who are worried about their child, I would recommend simplly to understand their maturity and go with your heart. This dosen't mean shackle up the TV and block every channel that has some form of suggestive material on it. Know their limits and what they would be able to comprehend, its as easy as that. But if your an adult or someone who feels comfortable watching this type of program, Californication is an awesome show that shows a fable like life full of dirty little secrets.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Low Moral Soft Porn Tv Series! Not Good For Children!
Californication is SOFT PORN LOW MORAL tv series! Only for Adult! Do not let your young children/Teen to watch! Characters living in Very Very LOW MORAL Situation! Really Really & Very Very Bad Role Models for Children/Teen!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
June 12, 2010
AGE
kids do not watch
i never seen it and i know to many inapporate things in my life so i can tell by all the information that this has to much sexually and drugs and more voilenice that kids are not allowed at all
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
May 25, 2010
AGE
What the heck!? :(
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | Showtime |
| Cast: | David Duchovny, Madeleine Martin, Natascha McElhone |
| Genre: | Comedy |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
