Shameless

Once in a while, there comes along a TV drama series that makes you glad the medium was invented. A series that makes you glad to be alive; a series that breaks your heart that you have to wait a whole week to see the next episode. Shameless is such a series.

The Gallagher family consists of dad Frank and his six children (their mum apparently abandoned them years ago). Frank spends most of his time out drinking, only returning to the family's council house on a run-down Manchester estate when he's dragged home comatose by the police in the early hours of the morning. The result is that the six kids more or less bring themselves up, with the eldest - 20-year-old Fiona - acting as the token mum.

From all this, it should make for depressing viewing. But the beauty of Paul Abbott's semi-autobiographical drama is that it's not even remotely depressing. The six Gallagher kids, their friends and neighbours form an extended family where everyone loves and supports everyone else; and the result is bawdy, rude, but above all uplifting, heartwarming and fun. The performances are uniformly excellent and to single anyone out would be unfair. The first episode does a wonderful job of introducing the large cast of characters - not just in a cursory way either, but in sufficient depth to make you care about this assortment of misfits enough to want to tune in next week to see what befalls them next.

This is what TV should be. Watch it.

I've seen every episode, accepted the downturn in quality (you have to, it's inevitable standards will fall after 9 years… ) but still enjoyed most of it. The finale was OK, nothing more than that. They whitewashed Franks character; growth would have been OK if they hadn't tried to do it within the space of a third of an episode…

… and as much as people felt like the supporting characters were unnecessary, they still deserved a proper send-off. The series might have started off about the Gallaghers, but it wasn't always like that, and the last episode shouldn't have pretended any different… It all felt a bit rushed. You have a whole series to say goodbye, and yet you leave the majority of your wrapping up 'til the last episode? Just saying, i've seen the winding down of televisual institutions done better, before. If i hadn't been prepared for the last episode before it aired, i might not have guessed it had reached the end.

It's amazing how quickly TV evolves and its easy to forget the trailblazers who lead the way. Paul Abbots Shameless hit UK homes in the early noghties on typical Channel 4 audience figures. By the last episode everyone was talking about it. People at least had a peak at it. It received admiration as much as it received complaints, fact was the perfect portrait of the northern underbelly.

Series 2 Would build on the success that had been left but a darkness loomed, not the silly OTT story plots that provided comedy. Nope the departure of Fiona and Steve was near. And although the addition of Marty was a plus the maguire clan was something that would haunt this show in the latter years. With their ever changing cast playing different brothers who never speak and then later turning Shameless into the Mimi Maguire show.

But for now the seasons passed on with great one of stories and longer term events, The Amazing Christmas Special, Sheila vs Monica, Marty and Sue, Kelly Ball, The knockin shop all great additions.

But the drip drip of main cast, Lip, Ian, Sheila, Vee, Kev start to become a gap to big to fill, especially with the Maguires who now have names.

The inconsistently with the story lines of this family from major players to murderers to people selling second hand out of date lettuce to make money. The Maguires are as scary as a Substitute teacher on her first day on the job. Micky is a great character however and could be a son of anyone.

By the time Libby arrives (Go ooooon Go ooooon Go oooooon) The show is finished but instead of DNR they try this, end up with another kid in the house. Stella disappears at some point and there's an old crow that gets overplayed time and time again.

I guess the main problem is Debbie as now left to join the Army something never discussed before, her friend maxine is still around but moves out. Ian and Carl fall out, Ian leaves.

Only Carl and invisible Stella remain. But the show switches to maguire plot lines..... No this was based on Frank Gallagher and his shameless way of living.

Season 9 is hard to view and 10 is no better but 11 OMG now that is SHAMEFUL. The last episode is OK but 5 cast members return.

Should have been one of the best ever but ruined by too many seasons

unbelievably well thought out drama. the grim setting against a council estate in manchester is juxtaposed brilliantly with the warmth of the characters, who are fantastically well-acted. the story lines are well thought out and the issues well-observed. and it's so bloody funny. i've never been taken by soaps, every one has left me cold apart from shameless. but this here, this is eastenders for a new generation. quality quality quality. so much so that it has inspired my first (and no doubt last) post on this forum. two last points: do not listen to the one negative review. look at his/her profile. every review out of hundreds is negative. does this person not have anything better to do that sit about whinging about things? secondly, great to see some American shameless fans. there are some out there that 'get it'. spread the word my friends. and to the big American corps... by all means take the name and the concept and do your own thing with it. that's just more money in channel 4's pocket to keep on producing masterpieces such as this. i salute you channel 4.

Co-written by the writer behind 'Clocking Off', This is one the most stand-out, must-see series British television has produced. The exploits of the Gallagher family are no-holds-barred and guaranteed to either offend the viewer, or cause them to slide off their chair and roll around the floor, laughing their behinds off.

Or both.

If you're offended by social depravity, bad hygiene, lawlessness, homosexuality, heterosexuality - any kind of sexuality, or Mancunians then be warned. If not then watch this comedy/drama and prepare to laugh like a drain.