LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Showtime has green-lighted a third season of its comedy series “Californication,” which stars David Duchovny as a hedonistic Los Angeles writer.

The premium cable network has ordered 12 episodes scheduled to go into production in the spring for a late 2009 premiere.

Duchovny plays Hank Moody, novelist/blogger who struggles to raise his Goth-loving teen daughter (Madeleine Martin), while still carrying a torch for his disapproving ex-girlfriend (Natascha McElhone).

Evan Handler also stars in the series, which is created and executive produced by Tom Kapinos. Duchovny won a Golden Globe this year for his role.

“This unapologetic show, about a group of characters led by the inimitable David Duchovny, has quickly established itself as one of our signature comedy series,” Showtime president of entertainment Robert Greenblatt said. “Beneath its veneer of debauchery, however, is a complex take on love and adult relationships that surprisingly turns poetic and romantic just when you least expect it.”

David Duchovny is no stranger to the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. He received a second consecutive nomination for best actor in a TV series for his role on “Californication,” a year after winning the Golden Globe. “It’s a good thing for the show,” Duchovny said. “I always love that (the show’s creator) Tom Kapinos can be acknowledged for the great work he’s doing. He’s had two great seasons.”

For Duchovny, it’s the kind of comedic role that he’s wanted to play for a long time and unlike anything he’s done in his career. He credits Kapinos and the writing staff’s “smart and emotional and edgy” dialogue and the fact that the extremes are suffused with a feeling of sentimentality ad family. “It seemed very adult and very real to me,” Duchovny said. “It’s really an honor to be able to do it.”

David has been nominated for Best Actor for his role in Californication for a second time. He won the award last year.

The Golden Globe Awards air on NBC on January 11, 2009.

Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Kevin Connolly, “Entourage”
David Duchovny, “Californication”
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”

David and wife Téa have been seen out and about in New York together quite a few times recently. The fantastic M from XFilesMedia.com has all the news and photos. Are they back together? No official announcement has been made so I will refrain from speculation and wish them well.

Kudos to David for going after the slimy, underhanded tabloid media. The Daily Mail has issued this apology to David and his family:

On October 19, an article about actor David Duchovny may have suggested he had an amorous relationship with a tennis coach, Edit Pakay.

We now accept this is inaccurate and Ms. Pakay and Mr. Duchovny are only friends who used to play tennis occasionally.

Their relationship went no further and was not a factor in Mr and Mrs Duchovny’s separation. We apologize to Ms. Pakay, Mr. Duchovny and to Mr. Duchovny’s family.