'Dexter' sets Showtime record; 'Californication' flat

The third season premiere of Showtime’s “Dexter” broke a record for the network Sunday night, jumping 21% from last year.

"Dexter" averaged 1.2 million viewers, the highest-rated premiere of a Showtime drama since at least 2004 (when Nielsen changed the way the network's ratings are tabulated). The second season premiere of "Dexter" was the previous record holder.

One cable rival reasoned that "Dexter" should have grown more given the heavy promotional benefit of CBS airing repeats of the show's first season during the writers strike. Yet its tough to look at a 21% pop and not see a victory.

The second season debut of “Californication” didn’t fare so well. The show's 522,000 take was down 5%.

Showtime points out that "Californication" had a more suitable comedy lead in last year ("Weeds") and the premiere was made available On Demand for two weeks prior to its premiere. (Note here that Showtime classifies "Weeds" as a comedy, which is why the show's June premiere of 1.3 million isn't included among "Dexters" historic competition).

Sunday's "Dexter" was the first premiere episode since Daniel Cerone left the show. Personally, it seemed to have lost some of its urgency and momentum, but the critics disagree: "The results are exhilarating" says EW. "Truly and incredibly exciting television," says Goodman of the first few episodes. "Still a hugely entertaining show thanks to its charismatic lead actor and the tension that builds in its twisty-turny plots," says Rob Owen.

Californication: "The series isn't quite as good this year," Goodman says. "Another Showtime series is on the upswing," says Maureen Ryan. "With Hank now denied consent to his sordid fun, he is forced to spend all his time resisting the temptation that still abounds," says the NY Times.

In the comments below, and in the critic reviews, some wonder if David Duchovny's life-imitating-art treatment for sex addiction may impact the show's popularity. Usually viewers don't reject a series for an actor's real-life behavior, however. Witness CBS' "Two and a Half Men," which has continued to be a ratings powerhouse despite Charlie Sheen's tabloid exploits. Or NBC's "30 Rock," which grew in the ratings last year even as Alec Baldwin blew up his daughter's voicemail.

Also: 'Mad Men' ratings fall after Emmy win

Comments

[Isadore Fist]

"Californication" WAS probably hurt by being available online free two weeks prior to its premiere. Many people do not have Showtime and can't afford to buy it in this seriously stained economy. One would think that star Duchovny's recent public travails with sex addiction might have well goosed the morbid curiosity anticipatory factor, but if so it was largely undermined by the product's early online giveaway. The line between marketing genius and marketing doofus is thinner than a mustache in a Tijuana sex film. Praise Jesus!

[Joe Bua]

So you don't think the Duchovny news has anything to do with it?

Because I find when life imitates art sometimes it puts people off.

The show didn't work for me from the moment he jumped in bed with Madeline Zima in episode one, I just kept seeing the young neurotic girl from The Nanny and it weirded me out.

[Marty]

I felt like this episode of Dexter was lacking something, too, though I am not sure exactly what. Its tone just seems different. I did not note Mr Cerone's departure, but I did note that Michael C. Hall is a "co-executive producer" now which worries me a bit.

[Linda]

Dexter is one of my favorite tv shows. I didn't think I would like it but I gave it a chance. Dexter has more scruples than the average person but he happens to be a serial killer. He wouldn't even tell a lie to his girlfriend. Fortunately, she never asks the right questions. It is very humorous.

[Mike]

Last season's "Dexter" plot concluded a highly paranoid storyline, and this season they have to establish a new pattern and line for the show. It will be interesting to see if they can do it. It is a lot of fun to watch.

Duchovny's been playing off the sex thing for years (Red Shoe Diaries). It's a schtick now with him, and it's not interesting. This is a failed series, unappealing on many levels. David Duchovny as a sex-addicted miscreant? Yawn, that's SOOOO original....

I wish Deadwood (HBO) was still around.

[JB]

Maybe Californication was down because last season's finale was TERRIBLE. One of the greatest first seasons ever, but the last 20 seconds ruined it.

[kallen]

Californication became really boring to me last season, with the storyline of the bitchy evil stepdaughter, and the repetitive David Duchovny sex problems. I am no longer interested.

Dexter I'm sure benefitted from the HUGE marketing push before the premiere. Ads were EVERYWHERE. Not to mention it being on network tv, and also the cumulative buzz.

[entertainmenttodayandbeyond]

I loved DEXTER. NO doubt the fact that CBS aired season two when they needed shows due to the writers strike added many more fans. This show is great!

[Jane]

Californication was down by what... 28 viewers!!522,000 this season vs 550,000 last season. That is after being online and on On Demand. What sense is that. How does that help the series? Its no wonder Dexter did so much better. There should be a way to count the On Demand viewers too. The press make it sound as though it really did bad when it didn't. All I can say is.....Showtime, what the hell are you thinking????
Why watch on Sunday when I can see it anytime i want. And they did the same thing with the second episode. And for the person that said last season's finale wasn't good, well I disagree with you. It was teriffic.

[SaraSee]

I have to admit that I not only find Californication to be crude, but when it was revealed that Duchovny had a similar personal problem, it made me not want to watch the show in the least. Being a huge fan, I wish David the very best in finding treatment and hope that he finds his way back to a new show/movie.

[Helene]

Duchovny's real life problems didn't stop me form enjoying the show. TV Guide has a different take on the numbers. They say it held from last season and i think it did. Wonder how many less people Dexter would have had if it had been on On Demand for a week before the premier

This was on the tvguide website

Californication, meanwhile, stayed firm. Total viewership for the Season 2
premiere night (785K) was on par with the series' debut. — Matt Mitovich

[Jim M]

Some find Californication rude and crude. I'd rather watch this show then the awful gory Dexter. I'll take rude and crude over blood, guts and gore. You can keep that show.

[Karen]

I saw Dexter, probably edited heavily but enough, on CBS. I loved that show. I don't get Showtime but hope that CBS will return the show to its lineup when one of the lesser shows fail. I'd love to find out what happened after he had to kill his brother.

[Austin]

Dexter is turning out to be a great season, slower paced but the show is amazing. What helped the most was it being aired on regular cable TV, thats when I started watching it, then tuned in for season 2 and 3.

Californication is not doing so well, the story really isnt moving anywhere and the sex addict thing is not as entertaining as it was before.

[Phyllis]

I'm loving Californication this season, especially the parts with the crazy cook lady and the whole "mothafucka" scene. Hank Moody is my favorite TV character and I hope this show stays around for a 3rd season.