BY ANTHONY DEL VECCHIO
Staff Reporter
The American comedy-drama television series, “Shameless,” premiered its eighth season on Showtime on Nov. 5.
Showtime released the first season of the American version of “Shameless” back on Jan 9, 2011. With this new season only two episodes in, Showtime has already renewed the show for a ninth season and will begin production in 2018.
“I think that it is incredibly powerful yet humorous,” said junior Brian Welch.
Showtime’s version was developed by John Wells and is a remake of a British T.V. series with the same name, which was created by Paul Abbott and aired from Jan 2004 until May 2013.
For those who are new to the series, Showtime calls the series “fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted” and gives a more in-depth description:
“Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be…perhaps better off. When Frank’s not at the bar spending what little money they have, he’s passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.”
“It’s crazy to think others live like that or have that lifestyle,” said senior Madelyn Gerrity. “The show is not hard to follow but is so ridiculous that anything can happen; you just have to keep watching.”
Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy stars as Frank Gallagher, the father, and Oscar-nominated actress Emmy Rossum stars as Fiona Gallagher, his eldest daughter, leading the cast of “Shameless.”
Frank’s children consist of Jeremy Allen White as Phillip “Lip” Gallagher, Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher, Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher, Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher and multiple babies used to play the youngest child, Liam Gallagher.
Other characters focused on, who are outside the Gallagher family, include Shanola Hampton as Veronica Fisher, her boyfriend Kevin Ball played by Steve Howey and Justin Chatwin as Jimmy/Steve Lishman.
Since the original 2011 release, “Shameless” has become Showtime’s longest running and arguably most successful and/or popular series to date.
“I like this show because all the characters are realistic and not picture perfect characters,” said junior Kristina DeMarco. “I can relate to some of them and what they go through in everyday situations.”
Besides the show’s clever themes and plot twists, the material itself can be extremely graphic at time, but that comes with a TV-MA rating. For some, this graphic nature makes for entertaining, realistic TV.
“I think it’s the best part,” said Gerrity. “The best part is that, it’s nothing compared to my actual life, and it gives you a completely different perspective on life.”
While this raw component keeps some glued to the screen, others can’t help but look away when it comes to that.
“It’s not a typical show I’d watch, and a major thing that turned me off from the show was how graphic it was sometimes,” said junior Jessica Durray. “It seems like there’s a sex scene every episode; it was a little too much”.
“Shameless” airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime.
