In: We're watching Californication (for now)

We're watching because (a) it comes on after Weeds and (b) experience warrants that HBO/Showtime dramedies deserve the benefit of doubt. But both A and I were unimpressed with the first couple of episodes, so whether we'll keep watching it remains to be seen.

Like: the vomiting on the painting bit (because I have the sense of humor of a nine-year old); that Becca actually seems like multi-dimensional kid; the adults-should-have-public-hair bit (though at one point this felt a bit like a writer on a soapbox to me); and the return of David Duchovney (who I crushed on for most of 1996-1998).

Dislike: God help us, it's yet another male lead character who's well-meaning but doesn't have his shit together. Sigh. What is the fascination with men who can't handle adulthood? Challenge to Hollywood: A male character who is both complex and doesn't have a Peter Pan complex. Also even I, of mid-to-late-nineties Duchovney crush-hood, do not see how a man who does not apparently own a brush or a razor nor anything nearing a George Clooney level of fame could possibly get laid this much. Dear Writer: Perhaps this played realistically for you, but I'd be willing to wager that porn stars generally don't throw (literally) their phone number at unkempt men who are talking to themselves. Oh, and this is a minor point in light of my other issues with Californication, but the main character is a writer struggling with....wait for it...writer's block. Really. Why not a writer struggling with his cynicism, or with being out of place with current pop culture, or with not getting published? Writers can have any number of professional problems. And frankly, whoever's writing this show should be familiar with several of them.