It's emotional pornography. Which is fine if that is what you need. Everyone needs to look at emotional porn every once in a while. Some people want emotional porn all the time. It can be addicting; hence the popularity of soap operas.

But let's not pretend it is smart and literate just because we like it. Internet porn isn't art and emotional porn isn't smart and literate. Don't let that stop you from looking at it, though. It's ok to like it.

Just be careful. Don't let it rule your life, ok?

This is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. I "sacrificed" my Mac Mini so it could play PAL DVD's and ordered the entire set, series 1-5, a couple of months ago. Each season just gets better and better. I introduced my brother and parents to them a couple of weeks ago while they were in town for a visit. We watched several seasons while they were here b/c anytime we had down time they asked to watch some more. It's hilarious, it's jaw-dropping, and yes, the characters know no shame. Highly recommended.

I adore this series; I've been badgering BBC America to please release at least season 2 on NTSC, since I've watched season 1 countless times (which is saying a great deal, since I don't like television in general).

In reply to Thomas Roger's assertion that the characters view authority figures with contempt: it works both ways. The authority figures treat the council estate residents without outright disdain, e.g., Lip's teacher, who didn't want to let him do A levels, despite the boy's good grades, because the man was clearly convinced that all poor people are stupid and undeserving and would merely waste any opportunity given them; he only starts to listen when Steve addresses him confidentially in the language of the middle-class: "you know how these people are. ..." Even Fiona's erstwhile suitor, the working-class kid who became a policeman, attempts to undermine her relationship with Steve by arguing that a middle-class guy like Steve couldn't possibly be serious about a poor girl like Fiona, who has no material advantages to offer, and whose poverty and needy family would certainly destroy their relationship in the end. So the contempt for authority is actually rooted in the contempt of the more economically advantaged classes for their less well-off fellow human beings.

Ultimately, I have to disagree with Mr. Roger's statement that Frank is a "likable" asshole. He's not at all likable -- he's self-serving, selfish, cruel, neglectful, hurtful, hypocritical, miserly, self-pitying, lazy, and has no ability whatsoever to recognize his behavior for what it is -- but that doesn't make his character any less interesting. What kept me glued to the screen, despite this horrible man, was the way his children still manage to care about him: they are the redeeming characters in the show, the figures of compassion, love, caring, and transformation -- the true survivors, and let's hope that they do indeed inherit the earth.

They finished season 2 and have started season 3.

I, too, have sent letters to BBCAmerica about showing the later seasons. Can't wait till all the seasons are playable in US format...

"(We) know, to a man, how to throw a party!"

Shameless is indeed hugely enjoyable. I remember reading of dismay in the UK when it premiered- think of the children!- but at heart the characters are likeable, and loving towards each other at heart. They have a solidarity that are actually pretty good "family values", despite the schemes. And it's very funny. More please!

I was interested to read that McAvoy is married to Fiona in real life! They met on the show.

British TV good! American TV bad!

Then it would be kewl.

That's how my husband described the show after we watched the first season on DVD. It can be outrageously funny and sometimes just outrageous. But it does have a heart, and the ensemble cast is phenomenal. I agree that the UK is making some very smart television these days that is well worth putting in your Netflix queue. While you're at it, add the BBC miniseries State of Play, which is bound to be better than the Hollywood feature remake currently in the works.

It is a brilliant show and the cast is great. I am desperate to see more than the first season!

As for McAvoy's breakout role, however, while he is great in Shameless, he is AMAZING fun in State of Play (as is the whole cast). So, if you get Shameless to see McAvoy, also find State of Play (I think they are both Paul Abbott productions).

by being featured in this article.

The first series was ok...afterwhich it was a haze of mismatched stereotypes (Mancunians are not Scousers)...no doubt written by South London Tarquins.

"credibility"

Since Salon failed to report that Jerry Lewis was cited over the weekend for trying to smuggle a gun in his luggage I thought I would let readers know.

So the homophobic jerk finally shows his true right wing, gun nut colors. Now he can join the likes of Charlton Heston and Dick Clark where he belongs.

ps sorry for posting on this article but i couldn't find anyplace else