Hank Moody: The Californication Conundrum

Hank Moody - The epitome of 'tragically flawed', Californication's lovable loser is a chain-smoking alcoholic, a self-destructive sex-addict. Actually, scratch that - he's not so much self-destructive as he is destructive, since his destruction not only has to do with him but the 'loves' of his life: Karen and their daughter, Becca.

So why do we love him and continue to take his side, even when he does literally the unforgivable? Hank isn't exactly a stand-up guy, so why does the audience keep tuning in to see his never-ending downwards spiral? Why do all the ladies love him, and how is every single woman he meets, drawn to him, no matter how secure and independently successful she is? And despite how gorgeous Karen's new man (Michael Ealy) is, why do I keep hoping she'll go back to Hank?

As humans, we enjoy watching those around us fail, maybe because it makes us feel better about ourselves. We like train wrecks like Jersey Shore and Lindsay Lohan because they're far enough away from our realities that it's OK to watch and laugh at. Or, maybe we appreciate characters like Hank because they're not perfect and therefore we relate to them and their many flaws.

He is good-looking and has a way with words that's pretty swoon-worthy. And sometimes it's bad-ass that he's nonchalant about everything, even if that happens to include the two people he claims to love, Karen and Becca. Ultimately, I think we care because despite his shortcomings, he's a dad that would literally do anything for the few people he cares about.

Either way, despite his issues, we love him, and as Karen so eloquently explained to Abby, here's why:

“I think the world see’s Hank as this fabulous fuck-up. And I know that guy – I’ve spent a lot of time with that guy. But I’m better acquainted with the other guy. The one that listens and hears everything. The one that looks at you and sees right into your soul. The one that makes you believe in every fucking fairy tale that you’ve ever been told. Ultimately, I may not even be the woman who gets to enjoy the man that I know he can be, but I still want the best for him because I want the best for my daughter.” - Karen

"a guy trying to keep it together while falling apart" - Californication

New additions to the season 4 Californication cast bring with them, added dysfunction and more misunderstandings to be had. This show's got so many familiar faces now it's like watching an episode of Entourage.

Zoe Kravitz - Yes, that's the genetically blessed daughter of Lenny Kravitz and former Cosby Show good-girl, Lisa Bonet (who now, weirdly goes by the name Lilakoi Moon...huh?). Zoe's the bad-ass, lead singer of Queens of Dogtown, Becca's band, and the daughter of Karen's dreamy, new, blue-eyed beau.

Carla Gugino - You may recognize Hank's new attorney, Abby, as the one-time agent-slash-girlfriend of Vince Chase on Entourage. It was inevitable that she would end up in Hank's bed at some point, since all seemingly-independent and powerful women tend to melt when it comes to him.

Michael Ealy - He's so pretty that I have a hard time looking away from his piercing blue eyes. Making his mark  in Barber Shop, and then later in Beyonce's 'Halo' video, Michael's doing double duty right now on Californication and on The Good Wife (that show's so hot right now).

Rob Lowe - Former brat-packer and West Wing-er, Rob's always kind-of, sort-of around in Hollywood, and is doing a bang-up job as the eccentric and absolutely whacked-out Eddie Nero. His best line so far, "I think we should kill someone tonight. I mean like a hobo or something."

Meet the Gallaghers, Showtime's 'Shameless' Family

Who doesn't love an underdog? A 'tale as old as time', watching characters overcome the hand they've been dealt is always good TV. For a society that loves to watch people hit rock bottom, and then attempt to build themselves back up (like Britney Spears and the fun-loving train wreck that is Californication's Hank Moody), Shameless is unapologetically just right.

A remake of a British television show of the same name, the first episode opens in blue-collar Chicago, with alcoholic Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) introducing his six children. The main focus is on Fiona (Emmy Rossum), the eldest, who basically runs the household, collecting money to pay the bills, getting the kids off to school on time, and taking care of the youngest, a toddler. She's the rock of the family, has multiple (I counted three) jobs to help scrimp and save while Papa Gallagher signs over his disability checks directly to the bar he frequents.

The true protagonist of the show, Fiona is hardened by her circumstance. All in one episode, she meets and reluctantly falls for a guy, Steve, who seems too good to be true, only slightly jaded by her situation. In her defense, he DOES buy her a shiny, new, washing machine. Not sure how this relationship will turn out, since happy doesn't really last long on cable.

Another thing about cable television, on channels like HBO and Showtime, is that pretty much anything goes. From nudity to swearing, it can be realistic in that we're not really censored in real life, but just because you can swear and be nude all you want, doesn't mean you do. After that first episode, with the raunchiest sex scene I've seen on TV pretty much ever, Shameless runs the risk of having to spend the rest of the season living up to that shock value.

Notable mention to Joan Cusack, for finally getting the chance to be in something her brother isn't already starring in. She was actually the most interesting character of the premiere, playing an OCD mom who can hardly take her eyes off the Food Network. So much so that she doesn't notice her daughter spending entire tutoring session under the table, showing gratitude to the second-oldest Gallagher child, Lip.

I must admit, I like the dysfunction of it all - the chaos, commotion, and how wrong it is. With compelling, and seriously flawed characters, it makes for a great story, and an enjoyable addition to the Showtime television family. I guess we'll have to wait and see if they can keep it up, or if the need to 'shock' the audience trumps the root of the story they're trying to tell.



Shameless is on Sundays at 10 pm on Showtime (U.S) and Mondays at 8 pm on TMN (Canada).

Over Your Dead Body - Only 3 Episodes Left for Dexter to Chase - Jordan

It's hard to believe there are only a few episodes left for this season of Dexter. It feels like just yesterday we expected to join the growing Morgan brood on a trip to Disneyland only to find (SPOILER ALERT!!!) our beloved Rita dead in the bathtub. I know that's not very sentimental, but we've now had almost an entire season to get used to this sad truth. That, and the fact that Julie Benz is now on ABC's No Ordinary Family, so we know she's not actually dead.

I have a major beef with cable television channels for making ridiculously short seasons filled with ridiculously long breaks in between. The only thing keeping me going is the fact that at least with cable, the seasons are scattered, so just when I start to get stir crazy come January (going through serious Dexter-withdrawal), Californication and Big Love will be starting up again to stir up controversy and drama in my TV-life.

This may not be the popular opinion for people who favour the hard-edged Dexter, but this season, I've really grown to love the single dad he portrays, trying to find the balance between his dark passenger and the fact that he has actually started recognizing his emotions. I love the way he handled Astor's inconvenient return to Miami last week - he acted like he actually cared about protecting her from her friend's abusive step-daddy. He always had Rita and the kids around to balance out his demons. And, with the fear that baby Harrison (seriously, can he get any cuter?!) may end up following in Daddy's demonic footsteps, he may need Astor and Cody around to add a dash of humanity to his complicated mix.

A (too short) preview of next week episode that just leaves me asking, "is it Sunday yet?"