Emmy Rossum to Explore Sex While Parenting William H. Macy in Shameless
Whether or not you've seen the award-winning British drama series Shameless, you'll likely enjoy Showtime's adaptation this winter. That is, if you are a fan of serious film actors crossing over into premium cable under the skilled wing of an expert showrunner (John Wells, whose credits include ER and West Wing) working his magic on a comically dysfunctional-yet-heartwarming series.
Showtime's Shameless features William H. Macy as a working class single father who boozes through the day and defers to his harried daughter Fiona -- played by Emmy Rossum -- to raise herself and her six brothers and sisters as they beg, borrow and steal to support the family. Like the U.K.'s Frank Gallagher (played by David Threlfall), Macy's Frank Gallagher is an unemployed former convict who finds difficulty caring for his rag-tag brood, but feels comfortable preaching about the prejudices against the poor from a bar stool.
Both Macy and Rossum seem like they have the potential for Emmy nominations -- particularly Rossum, who looks more than convincing as overworked, under-appreciated teenager playing mom -- and if the show finds an audience, Shameless could last 8 seasons like its U.K.-based series. In the meantime...
VERDICT: Sold -- not only on the American version but tempted to track down the British original.
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While the U.K. "Shameless" had fallen apart a bit by Season Four (I haven't seen the last three or so), the first three seasons had real, unaffected charm. So it makes my skin crawl a bit to see someone as recognisable as Mr Macy stepping into the role of Frank Gallagher - he should be a dissolute disgrace that we warm to nonetheless, and that's a bit tricky carrying as much into the role as William H does. Still, there's no doubt he's got chops, so I guess we'll see - but he looks here a bit like he's trying to stick close to David Threlfall's performance, which would be unfortunate 'cos it's kinda inimitable.
And the thing's always seemed so... Manchester! It's the Gallaghers, ffs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKloG5xyhKM
I take solace that it's on Showtime and not on ABC/NBC/CBS, but this looks rather awful, I think. "We know how to party!", Macy says at the end of the trailer (it's pretty much word-for-word the same as the UK original that bit), but compared to Threlfall's Frank Gallagher, Macy seems like he should be sitting in the corner drinking a cup of coffee.
I'll give it a chance, but I doubt it will catch on. I notice, too, they're trying to sell it with Emmy Rossum; was last year's Dragonball Evolution that much of a hit? Or are they still trading off the success of The Day After Tomorrow?
looks too quirky for its own good.
I wish I would have read your post. But unfortunately the code is messed up on my end. Is it just me? I can barely see the box for leaving comments. You may want to give it a check...