Shameless has been transmitting on these shores for some time now, chronicling the weird, skuzzy, bloodshot world of Frank Gallagher and his ultra dysfunctional family and friends. Of course, it’s more than a mere piss-up and between the cracks in the paving stone lies some real heart.
It’s a much loved show, underlined by the fact that people have resorted to arguing about it being not as good as it used to be… yes it is… no it isn’t… yes is it… no it… you get the idea.
So brace yourself as you’re going to look at it through American eyes. Of course, this is always pretty weird. The Office took some getting used to when it went Stateside (and in some respects, is better than the UK equivalent). Will Shameless follow suit?The American version features all the same characters, but of course, they look a lot different to the UK residents of the Chatsworth Estate.
Frank Gallagher is played by William H. Macy who, in the American version, seems to retain a certain poshness in his voice. Maybe that’s just for the sake of being able to understand him in the trailer. We can only hope he nails the drawled garbling deliveries of David Threlfall.
Elsewhere, the cast is similarly attractive and ‘real’ looking and it’ll be really interesting to see how they are translated into an American setting.
The American take on Shameless premieres on January 9th (10pm ET/PT) and us Limey bastards will no doubt get to see it on Channel 4 or More 4 sometime after that.
Anyway. Watch the trailer and make your own mind up about it.
Tom J says
At first I read the title as “Shameless Trailer” and immediately thought of that social network crap!
phoneynamus says
This looks awful. love the UK version but this just looks awful!
Andrew Arthur says
Ya no doubt UK Version of Shameless ROCKS you cant come close to UK Frank Gallagher he is a classic.
I was hoping the USA version had the same small broke run down area where people work in america a crazy family with a different name not gallagher DAM THEY DIDNT EVEN COME UP WITH A UNIQUE STORY IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME. I cant wait for the next UK season to start… By the way I am Canadian I started watching Shameless when it first came out.
Daniel says
jesus…. this looks just awful…. the uk version is soooooooo much better!!
uk version=epic
usa version=fail….
its just awful…
craig says
Your basing this on a trailer???
you do know that they are using the same script? Means it’s the same story line, which in the first series of shameless was brilliant.
Why do people on the internet feel so free to judge in such extremes, If you had watched the series and said it was shite then fair enough, but you watched a trailer!! get some perspective.
danny says
What a load of *BEEP* taking the *BEEP* out of us Brits with this dumb remake USA style it wont last it will never be like our UK verson EPIC
usa style Major fail and uproar from brits just cancel the show
boothy says
cant wait to watch it over here…its a great format, it should work.
Shakey says
For god sake America can’t you come up with your own ideas. You even hire British actors to your shows to make them better (Hugh Laurie for one example) you may as well hire David Threlfall it might be watchable then.
Thrash says
spoiler ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it will be different from original episode three already was, The Beatles did alright learning American rock-n-roll, so we should be alright using your shows, and hey maybe our fiona and steve wont get big heads and leave the U.S version because that pretty much Killed the U.K. original, people leave that show like dropping flies, SCATTER!!!! Trelfall IMO will never be duplicated he is the only reason i still watch the show.
timmy says
im after watchin the usa version and its the biggest load of shit i have ever seen i love the uk shameless but the americans are just takin the piss now can the not come up with there own show the keep turnin all the english ones shit…..
paul ryan says
The whole point of a trailer is to get you interested in the show
America wake up n smell the coffe we started with britains got talent then what comes on ah yeah americas got talent now youve gone to take a classic English comedy and try n ruin it take a day off america n get some new ideas long live the chatsworth estate David Threfnall aka Frank and cast your all legends keep it English.
matt says
what a load of crap. I mean come on my 14 year old could do better with a few mates and beers. And this is not just crap I am ashamed that British broadcasters feel the need to air it. WHY????????????? let the yanks keep it. Its not like its good for anything else.
to quote a good man EPIC FAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
matt says
why oh why do the Americans feel they have to copy us. You change a few words and call it the american language . OK side walk makes sense but that’s just one trust me this is not your second. Stick to blowing up astronauts your good at that. Oh love MacDonald’s and K.F.C. Oh that’s (2) “well done” Its not fast food its american food because we never thought of that. don’t worry though we will be kissing your ass when we run out of oil peace love and occupation :-)
Louise says
Wow! Just watched the pilot of this show. It is the opposite of the Waltons but more real and the family members likeable. Fiona is such a talented actress. Epic success for me.
richie says
I watched a few, I didn’t like it much. It may be OK
if you hadn’t watched the originals. Why did they buy the
american series, they could have re-shown series one.
Rosa says
I’ve tried twice to watch, no scrap that, bear, this appalling mish mash mess of an offering. The original Shameless had a context in the failing Blair era. They’d been promised the world and it’s mother and gotten nothing but shameful war mongering, continued poverty for the poor and an excuse to print money for property developers and art dealers. At it’s core the writing had a distinctly British sensibility and surreal humour. The vast sprawling estates like Chatworth don’t exist in America. It also had heart and a message. Frank, no matter how appalling a father, had a conscience and was played with something approaching a bold child that simply couldn’t help himself. Like all great anti heroes his ranting contained shades of unpalatable truths. By contrast it’s USA counterpart is a thoroughly depressing, a moral, dank and squalid affair. The humour has been leeched out leaving nothing but a flat, miserable concept that simply doesn’t work, on any level. It’s not even remotely funny. It’s wince inducingly dreadful. American writes some of the most brilliant home grown television in the world. The Wire, The Sopranos, Weeds… why on earth they forced this into being is anyone’s guess. Here’s hoping someone shouts NO the next time something like this is suggested.
cis says
The UK version is rubbish
cis says
The UK version is trash