Shameless (2011 TV series)
Encyclopedia
Shameless is an American television drama series
that airs on Showtime on Sundays at 10 pm/9 pm Central. It is based on the award-winning British series of the same name
broadcast on Channel 4
. The series is set in Chicago
's South Side Canaryville neighborhood. The series premiered on January 9, 2011. The show's second season, which began shooting on July 5, will premiere on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
of Frank Gallagher, a single father of six children. While he spends his days drunk, his kids learn to take care of themselves.
The show's producers sought to distinguish it from previous American working-class shows by highlighting how Frank's alcoholism
affects his family. Paul Abbott
, creator of the original, said, "It's not My Name Is Earl
or Roseanne
. It's got a much graver level of poverty attached to it. It's not blue collar; it's no collar." When John Wells
, the showrunner, began pitching the show, he had to fight efforts to place the show in the South or in a trailer park. He explained, "We have a comedic tradition of making fun of the people in those worlds. The reality is that these people aren't 'the other' — they're people who live four blocks down from you and two blocks over".
in January 2009. By October 2009, the development had moved to Showtime. John Wells Productions filmed a pilot episode for the cable network in December 2009. William H. Macy
stars in the lead role as Frank Gallagher. Also joining the cast were Emmy Rossum
as Fiona, and Justin Chatwin
as Steve. Paul Abbot, whose semi-autobiographical telescript became the pilot episode for the original UK version, is credited as an executive producer on the US version.
In April 2010, Showtime green-lit the series with a twelve-episode order. In late August, Joan Cusack
was cast as Sheila, a romantic interest for Frank, replacing Allison Janney
, who portrayed the role in the pilot. Production began in mid-September.
A preview of the pilot aired on December 12, 2010, after the season 5 finale of Dexter
. The first season officially began airing on Showtime on Sunday, January 9, 2011.
Although the series is set in Chicago, the show is mostly filmed in Los Angeles, with the exterior scenes filmed in Chicago.
in 2003. The episode airing January 30, "Casey Casden", received 1.45 million total viewers, making Shameless the best performing first-year drama on Showtime.
said that "Shameless is excellent, compelling television from the first moment. As long as it stays true to the roots of the original, it's going to be essential viewing". The show's average score on Metacritic
is a 66, which is a generally favorable review. Tom O'Neill of the Los Angeles Times
acknowledged the Emmy buzz around Shameless, especially the performance of Emmy Rossum, stating "she didn't have much Emmy buzz" after Shameless debuted in January, but that has changed over the past few weeks after she gave powerhouse turns in recent episodes such as 'But at Last Came a Knock'".
Dramatic programming
Dramatic programming in the UK, or television drama and television drama series in the US, is television program content that is scripted and fictional along the lines of √a traditional drama. This excludes, for example, sports television, television news, reality show and game shows, stand-up...
that airs on Showtime on Sundays at 10 pm/9 pm Central. It is based on the award-winning British series of the same name
Shameless
Shameless is a British television drama series set in Manchester on the fictional Chatsworth council estate. Produced by Company Pictures for Channel 4, the first seven-episode series aired weekly on Tuesday nights at 10pm from 13 January 2004...
broadcast on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. The series is set in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's South Side Canaryville neighborhood. The series premiered on January 9, 2011. The show's second season, which began shooting on July 5, will premiere on Sunday, January 8, 2012.
Premise
The series follows the dysfunctional familyDysfunctional family
A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often abuse on the part of individual members occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children sometimes grow up in such families with the understanding that such an arrangement is...
of Frank Gallagher, a single father of six children. While he spends his days drunk, his kids learn to take care of themselves.
The show's producers sought to distinguish it from previous American working-class shows by highlighting how Frank's alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
affects his family. Paul Abbott
Paul Abbott
Paul Abbott is a BAFTA award-winning English television screenwriter and producer. Abbott has become one of the most critically and commercially successful television writers working in Britain today, following his work on many popular series, including Coronation Street, Cracker and Shameless,...
, creator of the original, said, "It's not My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl
My Name Is Earl is an American television comedy series created by Greg Garcia that was originally broadcast on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States...
or Roseanne
Roseanne (TV series)
Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
. It's got a much graver level of poverty attached to it. It's not blue collar; it's no collar." When John Wells
John Wells (TV producer)
John Marcum Wells is an American theater and television producer, writer and director. He is best known for his role as executive producer and show runner of the television series ER, Third Watch, and The West Wing. His company, John Wells Productions, is currently based at Warner Bros. studios in...
, the showrunner, began pitching the show, he had to fight efforts to place the show in the South or in a trailer park. He explained, "We have a comedic tradition of making fun of the people in those worlds. The reality is that these people aren't 'the other' — they're people who live four blocks down from you and two blocks over".
Main cast/Characters
- William H. MacyWilliam H. MacyWilliam Hall Macy, Jr. is an American actor and writer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He is also a teacher and director in theater, film and television. His film career has been built mostly on his appearances in small, independent films, though...
as Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, spirited, independent kids, who without him would be... perhaps better off. He is careless, selfish and completely narcissistic, and has done nothing but collect his disability checks and get hammered for years.
- Emmy RossumEmmy RossumEmmanuelle Grey "Emmy" Rossum is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She first starred in a string of movies including Songcatcher , An American Rhapsody, and Passionada . However, it was her role in Mystic River that garnered her wider recognition...
as Fiona Gallagher is in the difficult position of being the oldest Gallagher child, she is 21, so most of the responsibility and child-rearing falls on her young shoulders. This blossoming young woman takes it all in her stride - she's clearly been doing it for a long time. She works a few dead-end, minimum wage jobs to bring in money and enjoys going out dancing with her girlfriends. She does suffer from insecurity and feeling low when it comes to men, especially when cute, privileged Steve starts showing interest.
- Jeremy Allen WhiteJeremy Allen WhiteJeremy Allen White is an American actor. He is best known for his role the in the Showtime television drama series Shameless. The series premiered in January 2011.-Television:-Movies:-External links:...
as Phillip "Lip" Gallagher is the second Gallagher child and the most academic, he is 17. He's a straight A student with big plans for himself, and he's a whiz at science. He earns money tutoring his classmate Karen in physics, and she returns the favor in unusual ways.
- Cameron MonaghanCameron MonaghanCameron Riley Monaghan is an American actor. He first appeared as Winthrop Paroo in the 2003 TV movie, The Music Man and appeared opposite Adam Sandler in the 2006 movie Click as Kevin O'Doyle. He made a few guest appearances on Malcolm in the Middle as Dewey's classmate Chad...
as Ian Gallagher is the third Gallagher child, he is 15 and apparently the most like their mother. He's in Army ROTCArmy Reserve Officers' Training CorpsThe Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps is the United States Army component of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. It is the largest ROTC program, with 20,000 ROTC cadets in 272 ROTC programs at major universities throughout the United States.The modern Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps...
at school and works at a local grocery store. He's also having a secret affair at work, which his brother Lip discovers and questions him about relentlessly. He is gay, but only a handful of people - including Fiona and Lip - know about it.
- Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher. One of the middle Gallagher children, she is 10, Debbie is helpful and has a good heart. She's willing to bring her baby brother to school for show and tell when there's no one else to watch him, put a pillow under her father's head when he's passed out on the floor, and collect money for charity year round - only some of which she keeps for herself.
- Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher is the second youngest Gallagher child, he is 8. He shares a room with older brothers Lip and Ian, who try to keep their more adult interests from him. Carl has a few secrets of his own, including breaking every rule he can find.
- Shanola HamptonShanola HamptonShanola Hampton is an American actress. She is currently starring in the television drama series Shameless.-References:...
as Veronica Fisher, The Gallagher's neighbor. A sassy, sexy woman, Veronica is always willing and able to lend a hand, go dancing with gal-pal Fiona or party down with Frank. She's smart and wants to pursue a medical career - if only she hadn't gotten fired from the hospital for stealing supplies. Veronica and her man Kev are totally hot for each other, and their wild sex life borders on adventuresome.
- Steve HoweySteve Howey (actor)Steven Michael Robert "Steve" Howey is an American film and television actor, best known for his role as Van Montgomery in the television series Reba. His roles also include the films Supercross, DOA: Dead or Alive, and Bride Wars...
as Kevin "Kev" Ball is the bartender at Frank's bar and the Gallagher's neighbor and friend. He's a good guy who's willing to give Frank drinks on credit and cash his disability checks for him. He and Veronica have a crazy hot sex life and he's totally into her, as long as she's not implying that he's stupid.
- Justin ChatwinJustin ChatwinJustin Chatwin is a Canadian film actor. He played the son of Tom Cruise's character in the Steven Spielberg-directed War of the Worlds, a leading role in the 2007 mystery/thriller The Invisible, and Goku in Dragonball Evolution...
as Steve/Jimmy Lishman is a handsome, well-bred guy with a lot of aggressive energy. He's pursuing Fiona's heart, and he's not afraid to punch out and moon a notorious bouncer to defend her honor. He drives a sports car, wears an expensive watch and throws money around liberally, which Fiona finds off-putting; however he might not be all that he seems.
- Laura Slade WigginsLaura Slade WigginsLaura Slade Wiggins is an American television and film actress and musician. She is best known for her role as "Karen Jackson" in the Showtime television series Shameless.-Personal life:...
as Karen Jackson is Lip's tutoring student and neighborhood bad girl. Apparently, 'Science just turns her on' and she is happy to repay Lip's tutoring with an unusual form of payment. Her mother is a bit "off" and her father is increasingly losing his patience with them both.
- Joan CusackJoan CusackJoan Mary Cusack is an American film, stage and television actress. Throughout her career, Cusack has appeared in many films as well as appearing in stage productions....
as Sheila Jackson is an agoraphobic, Frank's main love interest and a bit 'nutty' about shoes. While it's difficult for her to even think about leaving the house, she invites Frank into her home with open arms to take advantage of her cooking, disability checks and bedroom hospitality. Her clown-obsessed husband Eddie (that still resides in their basement) isn't making things any easier for her while she tries to cope with her phobias, Frank and raising their daughter Karen.
Recurring cast
- Amy SmartAmy SmartAmy Lysle Smart is an American television and film actress and former fashion model.-Early life:Smart was born in Topanga, California. Her mother, Judy Lysle , worked at a museum, and her father, John Boden Smart, was a salesman...
as Jasmine - Pej Vahdat as Kash
- Brennan Kane Johnson & Blake Alexander Johnson as Liam Gallagher
- Tyler Jacob MooreTyler Jacob MooreTyler Jacob Moore is an American actor currently playing Tony in the US television series Shameless. He is also slated to play Pastor John Tudor in GCB , the controversial new comedy series by ABC.-Filmography:-References:...
as Tony Markovitch - Joel MurrayJoel MurrayJoel Murray is an American actor who has starred in film and on television.-Early life:Murray, one of nine children, was born and raised in Wilmette, Illinois , the son of Lucille , a mail room clerk, and Edward J. Murray II, a lumber salesman. Murray, along with his siblings, grew up in an Irish...
as Eddie Jackson - Jane LevyJane LevyJane Colburn Levy is an American actress. She currently stars as Tessa Altman on the ABC comedy series Suburgatory.-Life and career:...
as Mandy Milkovich - Madison DavenportMadison DavenportMadison Danielle Davenport is an American teen actress and singer, best known for her role as Quillo in Over the Hedge. Davenport has also starred in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl as Kit's best friend Ruthie Smithens....
as Ethel - Marguerite MoreauMarguerite MoreauMarguerite Moreau is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles on the television series Blossom, her role as Katie in the comedy cult film Wet Hot American Summer, and her role in The Mighty Ducks series of films...
as Linda - Noel Fisher as Mickey Milkovich
- Chloe WebbChloe WebbChloe Webb is an American actress.Webb was born in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York. Her New York theater debut was in the original cast of the long-running musical satire Forbidden Broadway...
as Monica Gallagher
Development and production
HBO began developing an American version of Shameless after striking a deal with John WellsJohn Wells (TV producer)
John Marcum Wells is an American theater and television producer, writer and director. He is best known for his role as executive producer and show runner of the television series ER, Third Watch, and The West Wing. His company, John Wells Productions, is currently based at Warner Bros. studios in...
in January 2009. By October 2009, the development had moved to Showtime. John Wells Productions filmed a pilot episode for the cable network in December 2009. William H. Macy
William H. Macy
William Hall Macy, Jr. is an American actor and writer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo. He is also a teacher and director in theater, film and television. His film career has been built mostly on his appearances in small, independent films, though...
stars in the lead role as Frank Gallagher. Also joining the cast were Emmy Rossum
Emmy Rossum
Emmanuelle Grey "Emmy" Rossum is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She first starred in a string of movies including Songcatcher , An American Rhapsody, and Passionada . However, it was her role in Mystic River that garnered her wider recognition...
as Fiona, and Justin Chatwin
Justin Chatwin
Justin Chatwin is a Canadian film actor. He played the son of Tom Cruise's character in the Steven Spielberg-directed War of the Worlds, a leading role in the 2007 mystery/thriller The Invisible, and Goku in Dragonball Evolution...
as Steve. Paul Abbot, whose semi-autobiographical telescript became the pilot episode for the original UK version, is credited as an executive producer on the US version.
In April 2010, Showtime green-lit the series with a twelve-episode order. In late August, Joan Cusack
Joan Cusack
Joan Mary Cusack is an American film, stage and television actress. Throughout her career, Cusack has appeared in many films as well as appearing in stage productions....
was cast as Sheila, a romantic interest for Frank, replacing Allison Janney
Allison Janney
Allison Brooks Janney is an American actress, best known for her role as C.J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.- Personal life :...
, who portrayed the role in the pilot. Production began in mid-September.
A preview of the pilot aired on December 12, 2010, after the season 5 finale of Dexter
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
. The first season officially began airing on Showtime on Sunday, January 9, 2011.
Although the series is set in Chicago, the show is mostly filmed in Los Angeles, with the exterior scenes filmed in Chicago.
Ratings
The first episode of the series, "Pilot", was watched by 982,000 viewers, which makes it the network's biggest turnout for a series premiere since Dead Like MeDead Like Me
Dead Like Me was an American-Canadian comedy-drama television series starring Ellen Muth and Mandy Patinkin as grim reapers who reside and work in Seattle, Washington. Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, the show was created by Bryan Fuller for the Showtime network, where it ran for two seasons...
in 2003. The episode airing January 30, "Casey Casden", received 1.45 million total viewers, making Shameless the best performing first-year drama on Showtime.
Reviews
Critical reaction to the series has been mostly positive. Tim Goodman of The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
said that "Shameless is excellent, compelling television from the first moment. As long as it stays true to the roots of the original, it's going to be essential viewing". The show's average score on Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
is a 66, which is a generally favorable review. Tom O'Neill of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
acknowledged the Emmy buzz around Shameless, especially the performance of Emmy Rossum, stating "she didn't have much Emmy buzz" after Shameless debuted in January, but that has changed over the past few weeks after she gave powerhouse turns in recent episodes such as 'But at Last Came a Knock'".
Accolades
- Joan Cusack was nominated for a Primetime Emmy AwardPrimetime Emmy AwardThe Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming...
for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Sheila. - William H. Macy was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television AwardCritics' Choice Television AwardA Critics' Choice Television Award is an accolade presented by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association . It was established in 2011, and its first ceremony was held on June 20, 2011 and streamed live on VH1.com.-History:...
for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Worldwide release
| Country | Network | Premiere Date |
|---|---|---|
| W | December 2011 – present | |
| WOWOW WOWOW WOWOW was the first private satellite broadcasting and pay TV station in Japan. It has its headquarters on the 21st floor of the Akasaka Park Building in Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo... |
December 2011 – present | |
 New Zealand New ZealandNew Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
TV2 | November 2011 – present |
 Norway NorwayNorway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
Canal+ Canal+ Canal+ is a French premium pay television channel launched in 1984. It is 80% owned by the Canal+ Group, which in turn is owned by Vivendi SA. The channel broadcasts several kinds of programming, mostly encrypted... |
March 2011 – present |
 Slovenia SloveniaSlovenia Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of... |
POP Brio | December 2011 – present |
| More 4 | April 2011 – present | |
| Showtime | January 2011 – present | |