Shameless Netflix Binge

Seriously, I’m Binge Watching Shameless

I don’t know how many of you have heard of the Showtime series Shameless, but whatever the number, it should be higher.  It’s an American adaptation of a British show and stars William H. Macy as the unrepentant alcoholic father of 6 whose barely adult daughter is raising her siblings.

Set in Chicago, the show takes us into the life of Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum) as she tries to keep food on the table and her younger siblings out of trouble in their downtrodden neighborhood on the city’s south side.  In season 1 she meets a new man (Justin Chatwin), does anything she can to scrape together the money to pay the bills, worries about her father despite his (many, many) failings and manages to have a little fun once in a while.

Fiona’s siblings include high school aged brothers Phillip (aka Lip) played by Jeremy Allen White, and Ian played by Cameron Monaghan.  Lip is whip smart, sarcastic, and good at coming up with ways to make a buck using his academic talents.  Ian works at a local convenience store and has a pretty big secret he’s keeping even from his older brother.  Debbie, Carl and toddler Liam make up the rest of the family (Carl is a budding sociopath, in a good way, sort of).

Down the block live Veronica and Kevin.  Kevin owns the local pub where Frank spends a great deal of his time.  V is Fiona’s closest friend and the couple helps out when they can.  They also have tons and tons and tons of sex.

In fact, there is a lot of sex in general on Shameless.  And lo and behold, they’re all shameless about it.

Additional characters include Joan Cusack as the agoraphobic home-bound mother of Lip’s friend (with benefits) Karen, and Mickey and Mandy Malkovich, a pair of delinquent siblings from the neighborhood.

What I love about Shameless is that it completely lives up to its name – there is nothing they won’t discuss, no taboo they won’t challenge, nowhere they won’t go.  Shamelessly.  And somehow it works, coming together to be funny, sweet, occasionally touching, sometimes tragic and always, always chaotic.

William H. Macy appears to be having the time of his life playing rapscallion Frank Gallagher.  He’s almost always drunk, usually belligerent, kind of filthy and just an all around dirt bag.  He’s funny and pathetic and horrifying all at the same time.  This isn’t comedy for the faint of heart – know that going in and you’ll be fine.  Lots of bad language, drug and alcohol use, nudity and sex.  Perfect!

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Comments

  • Sue Millinocket

    February 23, 2017 at 6:10 pm
    Reply

    I don't work for Netflix, so can't start them. But I'll keep an eye out for it and put it on the list if it shows up!

  • Rachael

    October 20, 2015 at 10:41 am
    Reply

    I Totally agree with you, about Shameless! (The US version though...) I'm still sooo unsure WHY Netflix has not put in up yet?! It's so good! Soo much better than the UK version! It makes me soo mad sometimes!!! […] Read MoreI Totally agree with you, about Shameless! (The US version though...) I'm still sooo unsure WHY Netflix has not put in up yet?! It's so good! Soo much better than the UK version! It makes me soo mad sometimes!!! Haha ughh!! because even though I have seen them all, I think everyone else should be able to also. It's just not fair to the people with Netflix! :X Read Less

    • suemillinocket
      to Rachael

      October 20, 2015 at 1:41 pm
      Reply

      I love this show. I have a DVD subscription so can get it through Netflix. I assume there are all sorts of reasons things don't go to streaming - contracts and licensing and blah, blah, blah. But […] Read MoreI love this show. I have a DVD subscription so can get it through Netflix. I assume there are all sorts of reasons things don't go to streaming - contracts and licensing and blah, blah, blah. But I definitely wish we could have access to this one streaming! Sometimes when an entire series is finished it will stream, but who knows. For now, I'm just glad I can get the DVDs! I've never watched the UK version - I'm not sure I want to try it after getting hooked on the William H Macy version! Read Less

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