Series: SHAMELESS
Created by: Paul Abbott
Network: SHOWTIME
Airing: Sundays at 10pm
Review by: Sean Kayden
Showtime network knows a thing or two about dysfunctional families. After the success of original hits such as “Weeds” and “Californication”, it’s no surprise that they’ve assembled yet another soon to be classic of the subgenre. “Shameless”, a new breed of the abortive family, is one of the most promising new series’ of 2011. To put it gently, “Shameless” completely blows other primetime network shows about problematic families out of the water. Originally an award winning British television series, creator Paul Abbott and executive producer John Wells effortlessly transport the essential goods of the UK version of “Shameless” and adapt it nearly verbatim for US audiences. However, this isn’t your watered down edition. This new juggernaut of cable television is no cookie cutter, not one bit restrained, nor some kind reproduction of the same old triteness like the crap cluttering the basic networks. Expect the unexpected with “Shameless”
The ensemble show is about the Gallagher family, a twisted, untamed, unapologetic group of misfits that live with their drunken and often times uncompassionate father, Frank (portrayed flawlessly by William H. Macy). He is the perpetual screw-up of the group and isn’t a father to aspire to become. Frank’s boisterous, rambunctious, and selfish. On the other side of the worn down coin is the leader of the tight-knit clan, Fiona (superbly characterized by Emmy Rossum). She serves as not only the eldest child of Frank’s, but also the role of an unlikely mother surrogate to her siblings. Fiona is independent, selfless, but flawed. She’s the girl next door, if the girl next door liked to party, work odd jobs, and looked after five wild adolescents. Nonetheless, she keeps everyone’s spirits up through the likelihood of adversities. To round out the collection of smart, but directionless rebels, we have Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, baby Liam, and boyfriend Steve. Each original personality is distinctively diverse, but when trouble seizes to rise, the family (minus Frank regularly) bounds together like a wolf pack. They may be strapped for cash, act completely unorthodox, and follow the beat of their own individual drum, but the group never gives up on the importance making it through the day as a whole unit.
“Shameless” is a nitty-gritty depiction of family life with real hurdles to jump. It’s the perfect portrait of a lower class suburban family besieged with the daily hardships of surviving in this troublesome day and age. Low on funds, but affluent with love and support for one another, watching the Gallagher bunch roll with the punches is outrageously engrossing. Entertaining characters and plotlines covering delicate family terrain with daring nature makes the potential of the series immeasurable. Raw and tragic with frequently humorous anecdotes, “Shameless” is absolutely compelling and simply a riot to watch. If it continues to strive ahead from episode-to-episode like it has, it will be without a doubt a show that one should not miss out on each and every episode.
Published on February 12, 2011 by Mountain Views News.
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n07/p10.htm
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