Stephen Hopkins, the man who brought us the Californication pilot, is taking his directorial talents to ABC and their new show “The Unusuals”. The show is set to be a dramady about a New York City precinct. Because we don’t have enough shows already set in police stations around the country, and clearly need one more. At least this one will bring a bit of comedy to the drama, much in the same way Californication did I’m assuming.
Turns out stars like to talk about all the things they’re good at besides just acting, and in a recent Macon article, some of Showtime’s stars sounded off on this very topic.
David Duchovny (”Californication”) is good at sports or “anything like that. I’m terrible at anything mechanical. I can’t work anything. I’m stupid at it, and I’m impatient and every machine we get breaks. Both of us (he and his wife, actress Tea Leoni) - every computer, every television, every phone breaks. And we do not know how to work it. Not only do we not know how to work it, but we break it. Tea is terrible too. I’m not even good with cars. She can fix a car. It’s pretty impressive. I make a good sandwich.”
Michael C. Hall (”Dexter”): I think I’m really good at communicating, listening. I think I’m good at being a friend. Yet that’s the very thing I would say I’m bad at, but the thing I want to be better at and continue to cultivate. What I’m sometimes bad at is in my desire to be with another person, to communicate with them, is losing myself. What I’m bad at, what I’d like to get better at is maintaining that sense that I’m a good listener, communicator but also holding on to part of myself that can’t be touched and I maintain in spite of whatever goes right or wrong. It’s kind of an esoteric answer. What I’d like to get better at is having a sense of where this is all coming from and who I am.”
Cybill Shepherd (”The L Word”): I’m really good most of the time at talking to my children and defining limits … I’m hopeless at cleaning up the house. I’m a slob. I just always find something better to do like read or watch a movie or `Let’s go swimming!’”
With all that’s been popping up surrounding Showtime in the past few days, here’s a run-down of all the events you’ll want to know about.
Showtime viewers have been pretty lucky these last three months with the writer’s strike. Shows are filmed far enough in advance that as long as the strike ends in the next two months or so, there won’t be a single blip in the programming schedule. And with it sounding like the negotiations might be just about over, we can all celebrate. How do I know this? The Hollywood Reporter wrote an article highlighting filming schedules for just about every major network, and Showtime was included.
The Tudors has already wrapped filming, Brotherhood, Dexter and Californication don’t begin filming until at least June, and Weeds has that free pass from Lionsgate to film on schedule, so those five shows are fine. The L Word won’t film it’s sixth season (if there’s going to be one) until the fall, so they’re pretty well safe also.
Most networks aren’t so lucky, and regular filming schedules will be off-set for quite some time. This means many regular network shows will be off-schedule for months. Another good reason to have Showtime!
Not that we all here at Watching Showtime aren’t already believers in the power of a good Showtime television show. But … if we needed any further proof that the rest of the world is starting to sit up and take notice of what’s happening here on our little channel, the annual “Top Ten” List from The Underrated should give you some indication. Of his top ten television shows of the year, three were from Showtime. Three.
Here’s the full list for those of you who are interested, along with what was said about the three Showtime shows listed.
While I’m wondering what took them so long to figure out this show existed, apparently most people are saying “it’s about time!” Because although Showtime’s runaway hit Californication has already completed it’s first season, the Chili Peppers are just now getting around to being angry at the name.
“‘Californication’ is the signature CD, video and song of the band’s career,” band frontman Anthony Kiedis said in a statement. “For some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right.”
First off Anthony Kiedis, that song wasn’t even released as a single, and more people that would watch Californication on Showtime would probably recognize a song like “Under the Bride” as the Chili Peppers’ signature song. Did I just date myself?
Either way, the show ran for two months. Promotion started several months before that. The network filed with the US Trademark Office to get the rights to the name, and while this has yet to be granted, no one has filed a motion to keep it from being granted. Which means you wanted to see if the show would be a hit. If it had tanked? No harm no foul. But now that people can’t stop talking about it, you want to get your money’s worth?
I’d like to hope that’s not the case, that Kiedis was so wrapped up in having a baby he didn’t notice what was happening around him. But that’s why you pay people when you’re famous. To notice that stuff.
I wonder if Indie Music Chatter will have anything to say about this new development?
It’s the day of Karen and Bill’s wedding, and things couldn’t be more hectic. From Hank still wanting Karen to leave Bill to Mia’s drunken outbursts, this wedding is anything but normal, down to the very last second. For the full recap, keep reading.
We’re starting a new Friday feature here at Watching Showtime, mostly because I’m writing-d out by the end of the week, what with all the show recaps I’ve been doing! Friday Hotties will feature some of the … well, the hotties from each of Showtime’s shows. Friday’s will also be the day for any actor bios I might find time to get up (probably starting next week).
For now, I bring you the hotties of Californication, as the last episode of the season airs this coming Monday.
First up is David Duchovny, who plays Hank Moody. He’s been hot since his days on X-Files!
Poor Karen! With just one episode left, and not much time before her impending wedding, it would seem the little family she’s built for herself is falling apart … Again. Hank’s got problems with Mia (shock!), who has stolen his book and is pawning it off as her own, and Becca’s starting to think she needs to be the adult in her little f*cked up family. For the full recap, keep reading!
Just when you think things can’t get any worse for Hank and company, this episode happens. From Charlie and Marcy figuring out how to live separate lives to Karen discovering she might not be as over Hank as she thought she was, Mia might take the cake this time with her conniving ways.
For the whole recap, keep on reading!
This week’s episode should be titled “things fall apart to get put back together”. Focusing almost exclusively on Hank, the episode begins with a phone call from his sister announcing Hank’s father has passed away. Traversing that most treacherous of television storytelling devices (the flashback) with suprising grace, the story of Hank and his dad and the end of his non-marriage is told through bittersweet memory mixed with painful present moments.
Hank, like any good tortured writer attempting anything but dealing with reality, heads to a bar where he meets Trixie (Judy Greer … Excellent casting choice!). Trixie is a hooker, although Hank doesn’t believe it until far too late and must be bailed out by Charlie. Karen has already found him at the bar and tried to get him to leave with her so she can shuffle him onto a plane to the east coast for the funeral, but Hank is far too busy self-destructing for such nonsense.
Finally collapsing into a heap at his apartment, Karen shows up to find a letter dear old dad had sent to Hank after his last disastrous visit (the focus of all the flashbacks). It seems about a year ago Hank’s dad came to visit for what would be the last time, just as the disastrous movie was being made and the non-marriage was falling on hard times. These flashbacks are incredibly painful to watch, especially if you’re in the midst of relationship issues, as the drama and frustration is all too real.
Present-day Karen, proving the fucking and talking go hand in hand, spends the night in Hank’s bed before finally pouring him onto a plane the next morning with promises that she and Becca will be following him to the east coast just as soon as she’s out of school for the day. With one night of sympathy/rekindled love, Karen’s soon-to-be marriage may just be on the skids and Hank just might have his family back. Unfortunately we have to wait until next week to find out!
To catch up with older episodes:
season one, episode one
season one, episode two
season one, episode three
season one, episode four
season one, episode five
season one, episode six
season one, episode seven (coming soon)
Showtime, Californication, Hank Moody, David Duchovny, Karen, Natascha McElhone, Becca, Madeline Martin, Mia, Madeline Zima, Charlie, Evan Handler
Wiki-mania has been sweeping Showtime lately, and with the success of the Weeds wiki page comes two new additions to the universe of Showtime Wikis.
Now, both Dexter and Californication have wiki sites where fans of the shows can go to fill out pages on characters, actor bios, episode summaries, and more!
Dexter’s wiki page has a bunch of season two predictions where you can weigh in on what you think will (and won’t) happen as he traverses life without his brother. There’s also episode guides, where you can add your favorite moments, quotes and so much more. I’m heading over to help add info on cast members’ bios, as a few of those need some lovin’ still. If you’ve got any great screen shots, candid moments, and more, post them up!
The Californication wiki, on the other hand, has some cool top ten lists, a “californication guide to los angeles” and more to add to the typical cast bios and episode guides. This wiki needs a lot more lovin’ as the show’s newer, so we all need to head on over and give it a ton of the attention it deserves!
And don’t forget about the Weeds wiki, which has filled in nicely thanks to faithful fans heading there to add their thoughts.
Could there still be a spark between Karen and Hank? What happens when Charlie’s wife catches him with Dani the assistant? So much goodness happens in this episode! For the full recap, keep reading.
It’s been way too long since this episode aired, and I haven’t posted my notes from it yet, so I’m just posting my free-form notes from last Monday. Sorry for the lameness of it! I’ll put them after the jump so you only have to look if you really want to know what I think. Which I guess means I’m losing interest in the show, despite how good it is. I just wish Hank’s life could be more normal than it is, I think.
Another week, another Hank disaster in the making, this time in the form of a benefit Meredith wants Hank to attend with her. She wants, after all, to be more than just bed-buddies, and to move their budding relationship out into the public sphere. Despite his protesting, you know Hank’s going to go, especially when he shows up at Karen’s house to surprise Becca with a cell phone and discovers Karen and Bill are attending the fundraiser as well. I don’t know which I love more, Becca’s excitement at getting a cell phone or Karen’s face when she discovers she and Hank are going to be stuck at the same party all evening!Once they’re at the fundraiser, Meredith runs off to talk to some of her friends, leaving Hank and Charlie to discuss the relationship. When Charlie’s assistant walks up (how I wish I could remember her name!), and lets him know she’s still there working, conversation quickly turns to the obvious sexual tension between the two, but Charile denies anything is amiss.
Sex and sexuality. Drug use and abuse. Affairs, scandal, family life. With Showtime quickly establishing itself as the network with the best new shows on television, it was only a matter of time before blog commentary began. with regular show updates, actor bios and more, "watching showtime" brings a healthy dose of attitude and humor into the mix, and will quickly become your one-stop web source for all things Showtime!
Watching Showtime Author(s)
» Robyn-Charles
