The_late_Buddy_Ryan The Showtime remake is an entertainingly "edgy" cable comedy, but the original UK series is the real deal. Some of the plot embellishments in the first US season may have been worthwhile (I liked Lip's high-school teacher's reminiscence about the Grateful Dead and Karen's father's abrupt disappearance), but overall, even thought they're basically identical, the story lines in the original are a lot sharper and more involving. The UK series is filmed in the kitchen-sink-realist style of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, and you really feel like you're seeing life in a clapped-out council estate (low-rise housing project); despite the frequent Southside location shots, the Chicago Gallaghers still seem to be living in a shabby, neglected corner of Sitcomland.Both casts are great, but we prefer David Thelfall's feral Frank to William H. Macy's shaggy-dog Frank, not to mention Maggie O'Neill's sexpot Sheila to Joan Cusack's ditzbag Sheila; Emmy Rossum (US) is adorable, but Anne-Marie Duff (UK) seems much more in her element as slum goddess Fiona. In Manchester, the teenage brothers are played, convincingly, by age-appropriate actors, and Karen and Mandy seem more like cute 'hood girls than gorgeous young actresses—though, having said that, I concede that bodacious Shanola Hampton (US) makes a more effective webcam stripper than willowy Maxine Peake (UK). The UK series is available on streaming Netflix now; it's British TV at its best. (The US series is American TV at maybe its second or third best.) Doesn't hurt to turn on the CC, though the transcribers are often stumped by the Manc accent ("fat one" for fatwa, "septic isle" for sceptered isle…).

morenoernesto58 the show was great, but like everything else its run its course its not funny anymore different characters not the same without all its main characters gone. It has gotten worst each time since the end of season 5 let it go please don't make it any worse then it is. Normally 3 seasons are enough, because writers tend to lose there creativity, what next bring back some of the old characters back for a last curtain call. As Imention before I loved the show never missed an viewing of any shows,but lately it has gone from good to bad. I just hope the American version does not make the same mistake, I have seen some really good shows in my day, but it pains me that i will not watch anymore shows from shameless season 10 anymore. thank for the previous seasons, and good luck on you next series(P.A)

beresfordjd If Frank Gallagher was not so much of a caricature then this series would have got a 10 from me. Threlfall is a terrific actor and he makes the most of Frank but it is just too over the top. The ease with which he beds women is ridiculous given that he is so awful. It just interferes with the realism of the rest of the plots. The other weak aspect is Maggie O'Neill's portrayal of Frank's partner, Sheila. She really goes for it in a ludicrous performance which just gets on my nerves. The other actors in this are wonderful - Anne-Marie Duff, James Macavoy and the rest of the Gallagher kids are fantastic and always believable. Maxine Peake is such a consummate actress it is unreal - every character I have seen her portray has been brilliant whether comedy or drama. The stories in Shameless are well put together with the usual attention to detail which Paul Abbott is known for. I came very late to this series (this week I have watched series 1 & 2 on demand- thanks Virgin Tivo). Colleagues and my daughter kept telling me how good it was and I can now agree. I have just started on Series 3. I see that the Maguire family are about to take a larger role in this series and that is a pity as they have no redeeming features at all. My daughter is over the moon now I am hooked. Editing this post now after finishing series 7!!! I have watched all seven series in a week and a half!!! I still stand by my assessment but just love the way the stories have rolled out and progressed.Frank is the only consistent character with little development but the Maguire family have been terrific addition to the cast as has various other introductions. Regular characters have left in a very real and natural way and the quality of the writing has been maintained. Even the occasional lapses into fantasy have worked (even though that is usually a sign that they are running out of ideas). This comes second only to Dexter in my estimation- an extremely enjoyable watch.

sandrareay It's a one trick pony, offend as many people as you can over and over again and again and again.... It's like some comedians who are not funny so they rely on bad language and blue humor for their laughs. I like gritty plots, I like working class northern English dramas (that's me too), but this is just tripe. I know some people love it, my cousin is hooked on it. The acting isn't that great although I do have to say that take some characters away and it could be better. I'm not an expert, but that's my opinion. Also I didn't give it a chance, I bought the first season DVD, watched half of it, got bored and gave it to a friend. Who knows maybe I'm missing out. For those who love it, great,we all like different things.