Chuck Palahniuk Weighs In on Sex Addiction

The first two episodes of Californication are already online before the show’s September 29 season 2 premiere. I watched them both the other night through the gauze of David Duchovny’s recent entry into rehab for sex addiction. It was bizarre seeing him play a character who’s constantly turning down sex from attractive extras (because of his character’s current involvement in a monogamous relationship) and wondering when exactly he propositioned them on set -- before or after they shot their scenes? I can't help but think that when an actress suggestively licked a popsicle to seduce Hank Moody, the real Duchovny must have been all riled up. Duchovny’s admission has sparked a debate of sorts on the nature of sex addiction.

The New York Times just published an article about the “disease,” and in the first paragraph references the upcoming film Choke, an adaptation of the Chuck Palahniuk novel that features a sex addict as its protagonist (played by Sam Rockwell). I had a chance to speak to the incendiary author about the nature of sexual addiction, so Mr. Duchovny, if you’re confused during these trying times, listen up.

Palahniuk had this to say: “In a way, it’s all about your own level of comfort. I went to support groups while researching Choke. There were people who would have these enormously sordid lives. Just constant, sordid, stranger sex. And then there were these other people who just had a wet dream, and that made them uncomfortable, and they were at the groups. It really depends on people’s own level of what they can accept about themselves.” Or maybe in Mr. Duchovny’s case, what his wife can accept about him.

The Times article also mentions the handout given to journalists during the Choke press day—a string of anal beads attached to a bookmark—and how it offended some. Said beads, which I received with glee, now hang proudly over a coworker’s desk.