W H Macy drives this essential piece of television viewing surrounded by an excellent ensemble cast. I think it's hugely underrated, amazingly funny, ferociously energetic yet quietly poignant too.

It was painful sitting through the Pilot, my friends told me it was so awesome and I feel completely let down. I kept telling myself maybe it will get better but it really didn't. I stomached maybe 20 minutes into the second episode and couldnt take anymore.

Sad show. They stay using the LORDS name in vain which is so wack. If you can't entertain an audience without disrespecting JESUS then you clearly have no talent!

William H. Macy is a truly great actor. For anyone who ever seen in the movie, "Door To Door", or, ":Fargo", you can appreciate the amazing range and depth of his talent. But there are other great and budding starts on this show too. At times the action is so fast I need to do a digital rewind to keep up, but I like it that way. Never a dull moment and nothing drags. And the characters in this show are very real sometimes almost too much so. Really intense at times. This is another series that helps me understand another side of our nation's cultural fabric.

At times it is rough but it shows how some people undoubtedly really live. There are times I am completely grossed out but laughing at the same time. The broadcast networks really have their hands tied their backs in that department. Shameless is not a series for everyone, but for those who enjoy their entertainment a little on the wild side with real and sometimes brutally honest human emotions exploding all over the place its worth a shot.… Expand

Shameless never seems to amaze me. Just when I thought I saw the best episode yet, the next sunday it would be outdone. I give this a 9 and recommend it to all of my friends, no-one is yet to say they dont like it.

This show is wicked fun. It is a black comedy with lots of heart and great characters about a very unconventional family sired by a man (William H. Macy) who is truly in every sense of the word "shameless."

Just the rebound lay I've been looking for since The Riches was robbed from us via writers strike. It looks a lot like her, but without all the weird gypsy nonsense.

"Shameless" is not soley a comedy; the banally nonsensical imitation of real life accompanied by an ersatz laugh track aggregated from a mechanized device. The show feels too veritable for such "la-di-da" pretension. At its root, "Shameless" is a candid reflection from the brusquely mundane lens in which we view the ordinary world; entwining together the idiosyncracies and inner-apprehensions of its characters, each bringing forth something a bit different to the serried table. Moreover, the joint consensus of the series as a whole is not fixed; the ride for some may be a bit too bumpy, a wee bit flashy, or perhaps all too dark. Nonetheless, this crass Showtime adaptation, is a masked gem lead by the acting mentorship of Macy, who when on-screen, steals the show, albeit by his drunken, reckless indescretion. Incidentally, Cusack also hands in a worthy performance, however, her acting feels slightly over-done in parts. Other notables are Rossum, who reels the audience in as the bolstering older sister, notwithstanding only a handful of raw moments, barring the plethera of "Skin to the Max-esque" copulation. Also, White's character is a conciliatory antithesis to the chaotic others, as he represents the intellect and rationale of the household; an atypically divided clan whose priorities are centrically positioned. His reserved, but argumentative sardonicism works. As a whole, "Shameless" is an acquired taste that may take a few episodes to develop. But, the "not-for-everyone" stigma shouldn't be placed here, as it pins drama against humor, and with a blend of prurience, knows exactly how to differentiate, and conflate the two as one. The end result: subject matter that controllably stays germane to its intention: struggle is real and normal to have.… Expand

This show is just Crazy fun, I love it, and just in case the witty comedy isn't your thing you still get to see a fair share of naked boobs and also some ass.

You will love this show, every character is his own world, from crazy, spaced out kids, to troublesome teenagers, to drunk and sexually twisted adults. Highly recommended, can't wait for season 2.

I think that the USA shameless is diabolical. it in no way portrays the original shameless, Im interested to see how the political side of frank is shown in the USA shameless. the original frank is an amazing actor, and is a Shakespearean actor, against this guy who is playing the usa frank, their is no contest. the REAL frank is better ! the banter and what makes the dark side of the drama funny, and not so depressing is removed, and i find the U.S.A version is , boring, with no wit, or sarcasm, and has no originality.… Expand

Starting around episode 4, the wheels come off and the show becomes this strange caricature of every weird character you've ever seen exposed to all at once. It started out decent but got too weird/unbelievable. (What's with all the scenes in a bathroom?)

Shameless is both funny and touching, sometimes going over the top in both directions. It's the performances of the cast, especially Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Allen White that keeps me coming back for more. The show can be irresponsible at times, but mostly it's just a lot of fun.

Whilst i liked this show, the music editing, acting and direction was really annoying and cheesy, I much prefer the UK version and would recommend it to anyone especially fans of this US version, i find it seems so much more realistic in the uk version (for one people are more normal looking than hollywood looking), the direction and narrative is much more stylish and gritty. characters such as kev, frank, shiela and steve are much better played. the parts people seem to like in this US show are soo much better in the UK version in my opinion. However i may be slightly biased as i grew up beside a UK council estate and met characters and was a part of communities similar to these, and thus you may not relate to it the same way i do, similar to perhaps my relation to this show relative to that of US viewers. Also the same could be said for the office UK and US versions however i can understand why people would prefer the US version as it is a totally different sense of humour and the UK in so cringe worthy at times its impossible to watch without ripping your own face off, however the UK version of shameless has the same sense of humour and so far the same plot more or less, just better done. Overall i think it is a good adaptation but if you like it i would urge you to try out the original.… Expand

Never seen the original UK version, but this show is GREAT! It had me hooked from the first episode. The Gallaghers are just a bunch of fun. From the outrages living conditions to the amount of love that they have for each other deep down. I found this family to be very real. The actors do an amazing job of portraying characters that we can relate to and love. Great job by everyone involved in the series. Can't wait for season 2.… Expand

The Best show of the year by far.i would like to spend a year in Gallagher household and experience the hardships and toughen my character but overall improve my sense of humor.Im following...

The negative reviews of Shameless are incomprehensible. This is one of the best television series of the last decade. It is truly top notch entertainment with excellent acting, outstanding writing, and exceptional direction. It's always compelling and unpredictable. I love this show!

This show balances things very well homosexuality, under-age drinking, sex, loneliness; a drunken, oblivious and sometimes abusive father (William H Macy) etc. all of which equates into one of the most dysfunctional families on television. It's gritty, realistic by many standards; applaud the writers for their ability to get a laugh out of you and at least attempt to get a tear out of you. Emmy Rossum is very heartfelt and at her best here and Justin Chatwin is charming like never before together they have great chemistry; both of whom were nearly screwed over thanks to Dragon Ball: Evolution.… Expand

This is what I expect from Shotime. The depth of each character in the show is astounding. The fact that it is a lower class family doing thing to the best of their ability, "stretching" honesty, and playing the hand they are dealt should speak to majority of the US population. Despite the family's deeds, they obviously are not malicious in their actions (with the exception of Frank, who symbolizes Murphy's law to the T), and if you can't get behind them, then you should obviously go back to watching Nick Jr.… Expand

Absolutely my favorite show of 2011, and I have a feeling it will still be my favorite after 2011 is long over. The cast is amazing, the plot is engaging and even with its sometimes over the topness it still manages to be believable. A huge plus for me is the constant Hungarian references and the heavy usage of music form Hungarian bands in the background. KUDOS to the creators.

This show grows on me more and more each episode. Many of the story lines can be beyond ridiculous, but it always delivers humor along with a touching story of a group of heroic kids getting by despite a worthless father.

the characters in this show are absolutely dysfunctional and hysterical. its funny how they steal breakfast every morning from this dorky truck driver and have the neighbor distract him everytime. I also love how when the father is missing, the kids all go out looking under park benches and in even in coffins in stores.hes quite the drunk that mr gallagher. thank god for this show. it truly cracks me up. Oh and you cant forget about the time the family borrowed an elderly woman with alzheimerz so the father could keep getting away with cashing his great aunts checks.lol. i still cant believe shes buried in their back yard lmfao… Expand

I never saw the original, so I have nothing to compare it to, so this will not be a part of my review. The first episode was ok - as with most pilots, you first have to get a feeling for the pace of the story and the characters, before you can really appreciate a show. It had some slow moment, had some great moments, but after 3 episodes I can say, that it is getting better and better and represents an good mixture of amusement and "shock" (well for me no real shock, but for some ppl the sexual themes might be shocking). All in all a definitely above average drama show with likable characters and much potential to become really good!… Expand

I thought the show was a well done adaptation of the UK version. I have been a fan of the UK version for quite some time and was skeptical as to if the US could pull it off. The chemistry , the environment the lifestyle all very well done. One of my new favorite shows.

macy goes over the top but that's fine with me. the big surprise for me is that emmy rossum can really act. will watch some more. saw rossum in the day after tomorrow and was not impressed but she has changed my mind.

Having never seen the UK show, and being one of the people that like the US version of the OFFICE better than the original I thought I would give this a crack. Now yes the show has some cliche points and William Macy is just a complete waste of time and the show would be much better with him not in it. I still found the show entertaining and a long way removed from the same DIY house, weight loss, reality shows or the same CSI, crime drams 's that are flooding the net works.

The characters are a good start, the plot and subject matters interesting if you actually look at what is being said, and if you have the brain and want something different then this show will spark your interest.

Lets hope it doesnt just fall away and get cancelled like everything else that has some substance and dares to be less main stream.… Expand