Having watched (and enjoyed) the first four seasons of the British version of Shameless and seeing what Showtime had done in the first-season translation (they basically reproduced the first few episodes, much like the American’s The Office pilot had done with its British predecessor), it took me a long while to warm up to Showtime’s version. In fact, I quit on it after the first four episodes, and only returned on the advice of a lot of readers who insisted that it had improved.
They were right, and Shameless is now one of my favorite shows, a light and fun January series to leaven the other cable dramas like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead. There are no shocking twists, nor any devastating deaths, but Emmy Rossum gets naked sometimes, and William H. Macy is the best drunk since Otis Campbell.
The season three trailer is out now, and it promises more of the same. I’m OK with that. This January, I can get my shoot-out fix from Justified and Southland, but only Shameless will give us Emmy Rossum in her undies.
Shameless returns on January 13th.
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How have the gods not banned this user yet?
Are you the real Gillian Anderson?
Emmy Rossum gets naked sometimes…….
…….why this show is “must see TV”….
Light and fun? Really? I watched season 1 and part of season 2, but it was so depressing I just couldn’t keep at it.
It’s a family of children who can barely afford to eat. They nearly freeze to death in the winter. The considerable potential of the three oldest is being wasted while they live hand-to-mouth to support the youngest (and there are about 10 youngest to support).
I guess the charming hi-jinx just aren’t enough for me to get past that.
I second this. I enjoy this show, but the last thing I would call it is “light and fun”. It reminds me of Louie in that it’s dark and heartbreaking, but has its comedic moments that will make you laugh out loud. Light and fun it is not.
I watched the third-to-last epsidoe of last season on my ipad today during lunch. As it closed out with Fiona again absolutely screwed over, I couldn’t help but think about how horribly depressing that episode was. It was good from a dramatic standpoint, but boy did they lift her up all epsidoe only to bury her deep.
Definitely agree with this. I guess if you just watch it sporadically it might be light and fun, but if you actually get into the story it’s a very dark and depressing show. Still a little fun, but certainly not light.
I believe the way that the program uses the relative socio-economic status of main characters to demonstrate that income doesn’t matter in relation to your enjoyment of life i.e Steve/Jimmy vs The Gallaghers. In this way it is a very uplifting comedy despite the backstory.
In summation, bewbs.
Sure, they may still enjoy their lives quite a bit, but I don’t believe for an instant that Fiona would rather have the occasional day off, or that Lip would be more fulfilled if he we designing… Hell, I dunno- ANYTHING, rather than selling loose cigarettes to elementary school children for pocket change.
I understand that their poverty is an core component of the plot, and a driving motivation for them. It just makes me too sad to enjoy their uplifting comedy.
I’m not a fan of Lip. The whole smart kid who is still dumb about relationships while also being poor, but still street smart while having an annoying face thing is passe.
Spot-on. Plus he was just a major-league asshole in general last season. Hopefully now that that monster Karen is gone, he’ll be a bit less of a prick. ‘Course, from the trailer, it looks like he’s spending a lot of time with Mandy Milkovic now, so I guess it’s probably gonna be more of the same, to some extent.
To be fair, women can make the smartest man dumb. ESPECIALLY at that age. I see nothing far fetched about how Lip reacts.
Frustrating to watch? Yes.
Realistic? Very!
My main question is: Will Steve’s hot South American wife still be hanging around in as little clothing as possible?
I mean, that’s not going to determine whether I watch the show, but it may determine how intently I watch it.
I hated that character so much, and her turning up at the end of the season begging Steve to protect her from the abusive prick that she’d previously raised hell over wanting to be with, just pissed me off to no end. The height of drama queenery. But she was certainly easy on the eyes.
William H. Macy is TV’s best drunk since Jim Lahey.
Season two was pathetic garbage, full of deus ex machina and other lame, failed plot devices. Joan Cusack finally makes it outside only to have the landing gear of an airplane land directly in front her? I thought that was the dumbest thing I had ever seen, that is, until she inexplicably is able to overcome her crippling agoraphobia when she kidnaps her grandchild? With literally ZERO explanation? Fuck you, Shameless.
First season was good though
Also, Emmy Rossum is far too cunty and annoying to retain any modicum of attractiveness. If you disagree, simply watch Phantom of the Opera. Sickening
Shame on you for this garbage post! Go sit in the corner!