Chili Peppers and DD's new show californicate over title

[Guest Laurent.]

Chili Peppers sue Showtime

I'm a big fan of Duchovny's new show (nothing amazing but still a decent, intelligent and incredibly funny show) and I think this is just another shameless attempt to make cash and free publicity.

First, as far as I know, you cannot copyright a title. Second, the term californication was not the band's creation. Third, Red Hot Chili Peppers (even though they can make some great music) should always be on the other side of lawsuits when it comes to stealing creative properties.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

i have only seen one episode and thought it was ok. i dont get showtime but my sister does and she loves the series. anyway the chili-peppers should put a sock on it

[hippyroo]

Californication is clever and entertaining, but in reality just soft porn with over glorification of boorish behavior. On the other hand, I got Showtime to watch the very disturbing, violent, and soft porn show - DEXTER. I guess the demons in "Somehow Satan Got Behind Me" are very pleased with my TV choices.... sigh.

[Guest tempusfugit]

In light of the publicity they'll get off this lawsuit it's kind of ironic as it goes against everything the song Californication represented in the first place.

[ethsnafu]

Californication isn't for me sadly and I aint a purist, Gosh I've had all sorts of bits wiggled and waved at me during my career but it isn't my cup of earl grey.

I think the problem arises not simply through the show's use of the word but through its own foolhardiness in peppering its world with countless nods to the 'Peppers'.

Charlie's secretary (played by Rachel Miner) is given the nickname Dani California by Hank, which is a reference to a character appearing in several songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (who previously released an album and song entitled 'Californication'). In "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" a reference to the song is made in Mia's narration: "It's the edge of the world and all of western civilization".

The Peeping Tom song Mojo is playing at a party when Hank goes to pick up his daughter. Some say that the name Californication was originally coined to illustrate Mr Bungle's third album, California, before being borrowed by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The list is quite expansive but given my not-bothered stance on the show I didn't have the interest to seek it out. I'm not saying the Chillis have a case here merely that it is obvious to anyone who likes their choons, which I do, that the shows title was either used in homage or in a smash grab raid from them.

[Guest Laurent.]

I'm not saying the Chillis have a case here merely that it is obvious to anyone who likes their choons, which I do, that the shows title was either used in homage or in a smash grab raid from them.

Well it's not like it is the only band they made a reference to. Maybe you did not watch the shoe enough to notice; but it is filled with homage, winks and jokes directed to particular rock bands. You can see for yourself on wikipedia, but here are a few music references in the show:

# Charlie's secretary (played by Rachel Miner) is given the nickname Dani California by Hank, which is a reference to a character appearing in several songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (who previously released an album and song entitled 'Californication'). In "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" a reference to the song is made in Mia's narration: "It's the edge of the world and all of western civilization". There are actual entries for this character on suicidegirls.com and myspace.com.[12][13]

# In Episode 5, during the interview with Henry Rollins on Talkback Radio, Rollins mentions the names of Hank's previous novels: South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss and God Hates Us All. These are all names of Slayer albums.

# The Peeping Tom song Mojo is playing at a party when Hank goes to pick up his daughter. Some say that the name Californication was originally coined to illustrate Mr Bungle's third album, California, before being borrowed by The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Both Mr Bungle and Peeping Tom are bands led by Mike Patton, Faith No More's former singer.

# Hank finds Becca listening to Eagles of Death Metal and Death Cab for Cutie on her iPod.

# Becca mentions that she owns a Cradle of Filth t-shirt to Hank.

# In the pilot episode, when Hank is sleeping on the sofa and is wakened by his ex-girlfriend, part of a radio broadcast from one of the Fensler Films GI Joe Public Service Announcements is audible in the background.

# The show frequently references the work of musician Warren Zevon. When doing a crossword puzzle, Hank was stuck on a question for which the clue was "5 letter word for excitable boy"; the answer is Zevon. Excitable Boy is the name of one of Zevon's most popular albums. In the episode "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder", Hank tells the surfer girl he meets at the store "Life'll kill ya," — the name of a Zevon song and album. In the same episode, Becca's band plays "Don't Let Us Get Sick" and later in the episode a cover of the song is played as well. And in "California Son", the episode opens with "Mohammed's Radio". In "The Devil's Threesome", Hank tells Charlie "Your s***'s f***ed up." Charlie answers rhetorically "My s***'s f***ed up?" The latter is the name of a Zevon song. In the episode "The Last Waltz", a cover of Zevon's song "Reconsider Me" by Steve Earle and Reckless Kelly can be heard.

# Karen says that she wanted to move to Seattle to stalk and marry Chris Cornell, of the hard rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Laran, I have just become a huge fan of Californication and after reading your recent post, i am impressed!

Here is some trivia of the show i know of:

Rachel Minor is currently married to Macualy Caulkin(Home Alone Kid)

Pamela Adlon(Marcy Runkle) is the voice of Bobby Hill on FOX's King of the Hill.

Evan Handler played Larry Fine on the made-for-tv movie The Three Stooges.

[Guest Laurent.]

Anyone knows if the case between the show and the band was settled?