Writer’s block stinks. That’s the dilemma for acclaimed novelist Hank Moody (David Duchovny) in the new series “Californication” (9:30 p.m., Showtime).

Hank left New York to come to Los Angeles, where his gritty novel “God Hates Us All” was being adapted for the screen. Unfortunately, it was turned into a brainless comedy called “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and Hank has never been the same.

He finds solace in the arms, and the beds, of women other than his estranged wife, Karen (Natascha McElhone). In the series’ first scene, he’s seen barely (in both meanings of the word) escaping the angry boyfriend of one his conquests. This stunt leaves him late for a meeting with his daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin), a precocious 12-year-old with a ghoulish, worldly-wise take on her parents’ battles.

Better than anybody, Becca knows it’s hard to be the adolescent daughter of a 40-something dad who can’t leave his teenage-rebel stage behind.

All the sex (and there is a lot of it) aside, Duchovny seems to be having fun here. He’s channeling the aimless anger of characters from another generation, including Jack Nicholson in “Five Easy Pieces” and Warren Beatty in “Shampoo” – men who are pitifully self-aware of their squandered talent but who can’t seem to get out of their own way.

And strangely, all of this self-immolation makes Harry catnip to younger women. In fact, a brief fling with a fan (Madeline Zima) of his novel adds a complication to his life that should have viewers waiting to see what a hash Harry can make of episode No. 2.

¢ Family channel ventures into animation with “Slacker Cats” (9 p.m., Family), a cartoon about lazy, deluded felines who appear to have walked off the set of a Kevin Smith movie. “Slacker” deserves credit for odd characters and inventive situations.

The first episode involves at least one dead cat and a trip to a crematorium. But for all of these outrageous high jinks, I never found myself laughing.

Tonight’s other highlights

• Kyle tries to open the mystery box on “Kyle XY” (7 p.m., Family).
• The surgery drama “Heartland” (7 p.m., TNT), starring Treat Williams, ends its first season.
• Hiro turns up in Las Vegas on “Heroes” (8 p.m., NBC).
• The final test arrives on “Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m., Fox).
• Bill relies on Margene on “Big Love” (8 p.m., HBO).
• Patience fades on “Fat March” (8 p.m., ABC).
• Brenda’s squad car comes under fire on “The Closer” (8 p.m., TNT).
• Wade is a reluctant witness on “Saving Grace” (9 p.m., TNT).
• Nancy searches for Silas on the third-season premiere of “Weeds” (9 p.m., Showtime).
• Stephanie’s debt grows out of control on “My Boys” (9 p.m., TBS).
• Scheduled on “No Reservations” (9 p.m., Travel): Brazil.

Cult choice

June Allyson and Joan Collins star in “The Opposite Sex” (1 a.m., Eastern, TCM), the 1956 musical adaptation of “The Women.” A huge cast includes Agnes Moorehead, Jim Backus, Dick Shawn and Carolyn Jones.

Series notes

A question of first things first on “How I Met Your Mother” (7 p.m., CBS) … Improvisations on “Thank God You’re Here” (7 p.m., NBC) … Opposites clash on “Wife Swap” (7 p.m., ABC) … Power mad on “Everybody Hates Chris” (7 p.m., CW) … Control-freak Christine on “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (7:30 p.m., CBS) … Paternity suits Robert well on “All of Us” (7:30 p.m., CW) … Bitter Herb on “Two and a Half Men” (8 p.m., CBS) … A pregnant pause on “Girlfriends” (8 p.m., CW) … Touch and response on “Rules of Engagement” (8:30 p.m., CBS) … A difficult choice on “The Game” (8:30 p.m., CW) … Murder at the Indian casino on “CSI: Miami” (9 p.m., CBS).