You may or may not know of Showtime's critically acclaimed show, "Shameless." If you don't, you're about to get informed. Disclaimer: This article is about to be very biased, because I have managed to watch four and a half seasons in a week and a half.
Beginning in 2011, the show details life in the south side of Chicago. If you are familiar with the area, you will know that this is not a typical setting for a TV show, let alone a comedy. When I first started watching, I had no idea what this meant. If you're like me in this way, don't worry, you will become familiar fast. The south side is depicted as a low income area ridden with crime. Yet somehow, in a strange way it comes across as an accepting and tight-knit community.
This is definitely due partially to the characters. I can't say enough about how amazing each and every character is, and their importance to the plot development. Shameless centers around a family of (most of the time) 7, made up of six children and their alcoholic father. William H. Macy, an Oscar-nominated actor, portrays alcoholic narcissist Frank Gallagher.
He's been nominated for and won several Emmys, SAG awards, and Golden Globes, and rightfully so. You will despise him, pity him, and sometimes almost enjoy him. The rest of the cast includes Emmy Rossum as 21 year old eldest Gallagher child, who keeps the family on track. Chances are, even if you have not seen an episode of the show, you have heard of Lip Gallagher, played by Jeremy Allen White. My personal favorite, he gives insight into the struggle of attending and keeping up with college with little to no financial support. These, as well as the rest of the younger children, make you feel like you belong in the family.
So many important themes are acknowledged throughout the show's seven seasons so far. This, to me, is the most noteworthy aspect. I have never watched a show that promotes acceptance of so many lifestyles. Ian, the middle Gallagher, comes out as gay in the very first episode. He deals with homophobia and even encounters his first experience with a transgender character, and learns lessons about acceptance. The show proves its authenticity time and again with storylines including a transgender child, disabled guest characters and its awareness of mental illness.
If i could describe the show in one word to someone who has never seen it, it would be "diverse." I, along with many others, appreciate the accuracy of the casting and the controversial plot lines it follows. In the state that the world is in, "Shameless" provides a glimpse into the parts of life that we sometimes try to avoid, and sheds light on parts that we otherwise would know nothing about. Not to mention, you literally cannot stop watching it. Well, maybe I just have real commitment to finishing the episodes that are available on Netflix. I have recommended this show to basically everyone i know, and they have all been completely immersed in it. I would encourage anyone to watch, and experience the amazing cast and plot for yourself. Appropriately named, this show has no shame.
