Shows You Should Be Watching: Shameless (US version)

In 2011, Showtime premiered their new cable series Shameless, an export of the UK hit from 2004. As usual, once a UK series hits it big, Hollywood cannot resist the urge to remake it for U.S. audiences and pass it off as an original form of entertainment. For every successful translation like The Office and Being Human, there are miserable failures such as Coupling, Free Agents and Teachers. Basically, the translations are usually more fail than pass or even never-will-be's like in the case of remaking Red Dwarf, Spaced and Absolutely Fabulous. However, Showtime invested into a concept that goes against every grain found in the usual family situational comedies found in the States, and the result is a smashing success. 

Shameless revolves around the everyday lives of the Gallagher clan, an extremely dysfunctional family residing in the poor South Side of Chicago. The family’s patriarch Frank (William H. Macy) is an absolute mess of a human being, who scrapes by in life using the most despicable methods. He is an alcoholic who does "shameless" things such as claiming cash social security from his deceased sister, borrowing money from gangster he has no intention of repaying and living off government checks for a bogus disability just to drink his life away. Making matters worse is that his eldest daughter Fiona (Emmy Rossum) is left to play mother and father to her siblings ever since Mom left town and Frank is a deadbeat…even though he still has a room at their home. 

Her sibling responsibilities include Lip (Jeremy Allen White), a genius who could be a very successful individual if he only applied himself; Ian (Cameron Monaghan), a closet homosexual who desperately yearns for a career in the military; Debs (Emma Kenney), the little girl with an old soul; Carl (Ethan Cutkosky), who is bound for juvy and jail when he reaches those respective ages to qualify; and little mixed baby Liam, who was not fathered by Frank. Then there are Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton), neighbors and close friends who treat the Gallagher as part of their family.

While each of them has their own plights in life, Fiona is the most tragic because she is playing the role of a single parent and holding several crappy jobs when most girls her age are out enjoying their youth. Things change when she meets Steve (Justin Chatwin), a handsome car thief who is accepting of Fiona’s situation in life, but genuinely cares for her nonetheless. However, the good-natured Steve is hiding the fact that he hails from a wealthy family and wants no part of the lifestyle of his white-collared, well-to-do family tradition. Essentially, he is from the anti-Gallaghers in life and is insistent to hide his true identity from Fiona.

Meanwhile, Frank downs copious amounts of booze and scams people in order to crash at their pad and dodge his angry family who want as little interaction with him as possible, although he constantly crashes the house for some type of hand-me-out. His latest victim is Sheila, an agoraphobe on the outs with her hubby with a promiscuous daughter Karen (Laura Wiggins). Since she never leaves the house, she is unaware of how much of a scumbag Frank truly is and believes him to be a righteous man who really cares for her.

  

As you can see, there are a lot of characters in show, each that are unique and likable to watch…yes, even Frank in a weird way. Each week, the family deals with a situation, most of the time involving them in some sort of scam to make ends meet, as they try to survive without the comfort of having caring parents to support them. Then there are series-wide story arcs, such as the inclusion of Karen and Steve for example, that continue through every episode. The show did well enough that a second season was ordered for this year, but it really deserves more press than it is currently getting at this time. As of this writing, not one bad episode has aired. Even the transitional season opener linking the first season finale and the second premiere was even thoroughly enjoyable. Thus far, each episode feels very fresh and hopefully the creators can keep it up for several season to come.

With all of his drunken proclamations he spouts to justify his lack of a morally upscale existence, Macy should have received an Emmy for last season and should definitely be in the running for one based on his performance thus far in season two. You really will forget that it is Macy you are watching and actually seeing the dreadful Frank Gallagher on your screen. That withstanding, there is not one weak acting job in the whole bunch, even from the little ones with excellent casting choices. Combine some dark humor with interesting story lines and an outstanding cast, and you have a full on hit for your viewing pleasure.

It is rare that a show concerning odd characters who contrast how the All-American family is usually portrayed on television are made completely affable and people you cheer for to succeed. Whether you subscribe to cable or have Netflix, Shameless is a show that you should definitely be watching, even if you feel a bit shameless for doing so.

Airs every Sunday night at 10pm ET on Showtime.