Sunday Night the Season Premier of Shameless

[TotallyOz]

One of the best shows on TV returns this Sunday night. Shameless. If you have not seen it, go back and watch Season 1 from the beginning to catch up. It is a really well done show!

[Guest Jovianmoon]

I've never heard of it but now I'm interested.

 

I might look for it at the video library (there's one in my city that has a large selection of gay movies and gay TV series).

 

Does it have anything to do with the timeless message of that great Pet Shop Boys song of the same name? Kind of like Absolutely Fabulous?

 

Pet Shop Boys - Shameless:

 

I know what you think
It's clear as mud in your eyes
We're the plastic poseurs and prostitutes
You've obviously come to despise

 

But you don't know nothing
You're not hot enough to matter
You don't understand it's the glamorous life
A dream that no one can shatter

 

[CHORUS:

We're shameless
We will do anything
To get our fifteen minutes of fame
We have no integrity
We're ready to crawl
To obtain celebrity
We'll do anything at all]

 

I'm ambitious
Believe me, I'm going to be big
I'm a slave to glamour
Applause and clamour
My makeup, my wardrobe, my wigs

 

Don't call me pathetic
I'm harder than you'll ever guess
Relentlessly tough, for when the going gets rough
The tough get their picture in the press

 

[CHORUS]

 

Tell me you love me
Admit it, you're really impressed
Would it not amuse you
For me to seduce you
Have you ever seen me undressed?

 

We're shameless
We will do anything
To get our fifteen minutes of fame (Give me fifteen minutes)
We have no integrity
We're ready to crawl

To obtain celebrity
We'll do anything
With anyone
Go absolutely anywhere
For anything
At all

[Guest timmberty]

its about a typical dysfunctional british family .. i live near enough of them. not to bothering watching it.

[Guest Jovianmoon]

its about a typical dysfunctional british family .. i live near enough of them. not to bothering watching it.

 

Although born, raised and grown in Australia, I owe my existence to a dysfunctional British family... Well, okay, maybe not dysfunctional - but very odd indeed. Try being the only Australian-born member of any group - "He don't know whether he's one thing nor tother..."  etc.

 

Oh well, I might have a look at the show regardless...

[Rogie]

I watched the first few episodes then lost interest.

 

It's a kind of latter-day slice-of-life, set in good ol' Manchester - but nowhere near me thank goodness!

 

Shameless was where I first came across James McAvoy - Last King of Scotland, Atonement . . .

[Guest Jovianmoon]

So, on the whole, it sounds quite... depressing. Like Coronation Street?

[Rogie]

No I wouldn't say it was depressing, quite funny actually. I just got bored with the characters (also, see my comment below).

 

Coronation Street is based in Salford, so I suppose that was a separate area at one time but is now part of 'greater Manchester'.

 

I loved it when I was a kid. Such strong characters. And one guy has been in it since day one (December 1960), although he's a bit of a bore off screen, boasting how many women he's been to bed with blah blah blah. On the other hand he is a good supporter of deaf charities (being 'hard of hearing' himself, as am I).

[Guest Jovianmoon]

No I wouldn't say it was depressing, quite funny actually. I just got bored with the characters (also, see my comment below).

 

Coronation Street is based in Salford, so I suppose that was a separate area at one time but is now part of 'greater Manchester'.

 

I loved it when I was a kid. Such strong characters. And one guy has been in it since day one (December 1960), although he's a bit of a bore off screen, boasting how many women he's been to bed with blah blah blah. On the other hand he is a good supporter of deaf charities (being 'hard of hearing' himself, as am I).

 

Okay, thanks. I might still give Shameless a go then. As for Coronation Street, well, I can understand the significance of the history of the show as you describe it but that's definitely not my cuppa. That's not to detract from the actor you mentioned - when otherwise-invisible minority groups are presented in a positive light that can only be a plus. I'm still waiting for a mainstream drama to include an HIV-positive character. Other than in the original Degrassi High (Canadian show - much to be commended) back in the 1990s, as far as I know that's not happened. 

[TotallyOz]

The one I watch is based on American family and it is fabulous. Everyone I know loves it. It is funny, witty and clever. It also has some gay characters.

[Guest jomtien]

 It also has some gay characters.

 

Do they wear condoms?  

[TotallyOz]

Do they wear condoms?  

Don't you think that comment is inappropriate in this thread about a Hollywood TV show? These discussions can only be had with porn shows. Get up to date Jomtien!

[Rogie]

I didn't know it was an American production you were referring to Michael. I must admit I was a bit taken aback you starting a thread praising it. Maybe the American version is better! There's no law that says the original has to be best. I don't think I shall be rushing to watch it though. Almost every time I visit a store selling videos I buy one or two, but I just stick 'em on the shelf when I get home where they gather dust so I have a huge backlog of dvd's to watch - old classic films, loads of recent stuff as well - but, definitely no porn.

[TotallyOz]

I didn't see the British version but will try to find it. I do think the US version is amazing and has one of my favorite actors William H. Macy.