Shameless had a powerful run on Showtime from 2011 to 2021.
For 11 seasons, the comedy-drama charted the trials and tribulations of the bombastic Gallagher household and people of their orbit.
Like many collection, it has had a second life in streaming, because of a profitable Netflix deal that introduced it to houses across the globe.
It’s not too stunning that the present resonated throughout its preliminary run and past.
For probably the most half, Shameless tackled points plaguing individuals on low incomes and the lengths they go to make ends meet.
As a remake of the hit British collection of the identical identify, it broke free from the unique by taking the characters markedly completely different instructions.
Initially, considerations had been that it was too just like its British counterpart, resulting in questions on its long-term viability.
Shameless Tackled Many Controversial Storylines
However Shameless excelled as a result of it was unafraid to deal with storylines different collection wouldn’t contact with a barge pole.
Whereas I liked Shameless, I’m not blind to the truth that it had many lulls within the storytelling division all through its run.
Had the collection ended with Season 8, or at a push, Season 9, I might have regarded again on it rather more fondly as a result of by the top, it was all about frightening a response from viewers due to the outlandish happenings on-screen.
I think about Emmy Rossum was glad to be away from it earlier than the ultimate two seasons as a result of they deviated so considerably from what the present was about within the first place.
Any long-running present runs the chance of veering too far off track, however Shameless had little to say in its latter seasons.
The collection was primarily held collectively by its unimaginable ensemble, who bought pitiful materials that was a 180 from what they’d have gotten within the earlier seasons.
Shameless Season 11 ended with out closure for any of the characters. The consensus was that the creatives needed us viewers to consider that life goes on for the Gallaghers and their buddies.
As somebody who watched it for a decade, I believe it was extra of a slap within the face as a result of Showtime promoted the collection’ ending like loopy and implied that the tales for the characters would come full circle.
Shameless Ran Out of Fuel Lengthy Earlier than Its Finale
It was evident that the creatives felt there was nonetheless life within the present and weren’t writing it prefer it was the top, maybe holding out for a revival down the road.
Showtime has launched new iterations of its legacy collection, together with Dexter and The L Phrase, which means that one other present set within the Shameless universe is probably going.
Given the collection’s success on streaming, it’s clear there’s nonetheless an viewers for the present, however what might a brand new entry realistically cowl that the unique didn’t?
The collection finale additionally killed Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy). There’s a case for watching how the household would react in his absence.
However when you concentrate on how absent he’s been of their lives all through the years, there isn’t a lot to be mined from that.
Frank ought to have been written out far earlier as a result of, by the top, the character was getting into the identical circles, and there was nothing compelling for him to do.
Then there’s the solid. A lot of them, similar to Emmy and Jeremy Allen White, most likely wouldn’t be taken with an encore.
Since her departure, Emmy has moved on, whereas Jeremy is receiving essential popularity of his work on The Bear.
The Solid Stays In Demand
Then there’s Shanola Hampton, presently headlining NBC’s addictive drama Discovered. The solid of Shameless was excellent, however I’m having fun with watching them unfold their wings elsewhere.
Many TV reveals have come again and excelled with reboots, however Shameless doesn’t strike me as a present that needs to be thought of for a derivative.
If a reboot that includes a completely new solid of characters in a unique location had been doable, I’d be reasonably intrigued.
What’s your tackle a future for Shameless, TV Fanatics?
Do you assume it’s value bringing the collection again in any capability?
Hit the feedback.
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