10 TV Shows Never Better Than Their First Season

Californication had a lot going for it, including X-Files star David Duchovny in the lead role, but it never came together as the hit it could have been. In fact, the closest it came to being a good show was during its first year, which now watches like the promising foundation to a future never realised.

Duchovny stars as Hank Moody, an alcoholic, womanising novelist struck by writers' block, who fumbles his way through life whilst trying to maintain a relationship with his precocious pre-teen daughter.

It sounds solid enough, and the brisk pace of the drama and Duchovny's charismatic performance at least sell it in its best moments, but it never becomes anything more than a raunchy comedy complete casual sexism and underdeveloped, unlikeable characters.

That being said, the foundation for greatness is very much there, especially where Hank's family drama is concerned, but as the seasons wore on the show seemed more interested in shock value rather than compelling storytelling. There's a brilliant show in there, but its buried after a first season bursting with potential.