David Duchovny Sex Scandal: No Affair

Duchovny Sex Scandal: No Affair | New Orleans Musicians Safe?; More DNC Stars; 'Hamlet 2' Be or Not

Duchovny Sex Scandal: No Affair

"X Files" star David Duchovny’s announcement that was he was in rehab for sex addiction sparked a lot of rumors. One of them was that he’d been caught having an affair with his tennis instructor (a woman) and that he was undergoing rehab to save his marriage.

Alas, it isn’t so, says a close friend. Duchovny did not check in because of an extramarital fling. That much the friend is certain of. Even more so: Duchovny’s problem has been longstanding. His wife, Tea Leoni, was aware of it for some time. It had just reached a point where it had to be treated.

I have inferred from my conversation with Duchovny’s friend that this has something to do with an addiction to pornography, probably on the Internet. It’s the sex equivalent of a gambling addiction, where the person is just hopelessly trapped in chat rooms.

Interestingly: didn’t we already hear a similar tale this summer with Christie Brinkley’s ex, Peter Cook? He testified in his divorce trial that he sat naked in front of his children’s computers and pleasured himself online with strangers. Cook didn’t seek treatment, however. He boasted about his activities in court, and then went sailing.

Of course, the strange thing here is that Duchovny’s Showtime series, "Californication," is almost a celebration of sex addiction. His character, Hank Moody, is a male slut who can’t stop himself from destroying his own life.

"Californication" has certainly had its share of woes this year. The 42-year-old husband of Duchovny’s elegant (and pregnant) co-star, Natascha McElhone, dropped dead of heart attack in May.

By the way, I’m told that David issued that press statement about his rehab because the tabloids were about to issue their own story. What happened: A fellow patient "dropped a dime" on David to make some extra coin. Nice confidentiality!

Leoni, meanwhile, has canceled her scheduled appearance at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, where her film "Ghost Town" is set to premiere, her rep said Monday.

Duchovny is not having the greatest summer. His "X Files: I Want to Believe" has been a bust, with just $20 million in the till after a month in release. Waiting 10 years for a sequel has proved to be a mistake. The audience simply moved on.

When Duchovny is done with the rehab, I’m also told that he and Tea and their kids will complete their move to Manhattan’s Upper East Side from Hollywood. They will be very welcome here, as Tea is much in demand work-wise. Duchovny will have more "Californication" and plenty of offers. New York doesn’t solve all your problems, but it’s a much more realistic place to live than Los Angeles.

The truth is here, not out there.

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