I actually subscribed to Showtime for this and it was completely worth it. I stumbled upon the original (UK version) last year before I even knew about the U.S. remake. The UK Shameless was unlike anything I'd ever seen on TV here and immediately I became fascinated with it. I couldn't tell if it was a comedy or drama. Finally, I decided it was both. However, after the first two seasons, the show started to go downhill. It had its moments but hardly any of the cast stayed. This is where I'm hoping the US version goes differently. Already this show has established itself as more than just a "remake". I have to say that this is one of the few American remakes that I like better than it's original. I don't know if it was just because it's easier to relate to or because the US Lip is so amazing... but either way I love this show. The first two seasons are very different than that of the UK version. So if you've watched the original and don't want to give this a try, I strongly recommend you change your mind. Another person who reviewed the show compared the characters from both versions which I thought was great so I'd like to give my own input. *Also note there may be spoilers for UK version.
Frank- US is better: I think the UK Frank is drunk way too often, and yeah, I get that he's an alcoholic/ a drunk, but there's no reason that after hours and hours of sleep he should still wake up wasted, slurring his words. US Frank is just more realistic to me.
Fiona-US is better: While watching the UK version, I found Fiona to be really annoying the entire time she stayed in the show. She had her moments but US Fiona is generally more likable. I think it's not just the acting, but the changes made by the writers/creators/whoever of the show.
Steve-UK is better: It's kind of a close call, but the UK actor's really good looking and he always seemed more in love with Fiona than the US Steve does with US Fiona. UK Steve and Fiona have extremely good chemistry but I just realized that the actors got married in real life so that helps make the relationship more realistic.
Lip-US is so much better: I just love Lip. I like the drama surrounding the UK Lip more, but US Lip has swag.
Ian-US is better: I didn't really like Ian as a character in the UK version (actor was too awkward?) but the US Ian is more likable. I'm more interested in his story lines.
Debbie-UK is better: As a little girl, she was much cuter, but then as the show went on you could see her character develop and I always liked her.
Carl-UK is better: Kind of an unfair comparison because judging on the first two seasons alone they would be equal. Since I've seen every season of the UK, I know how Carl turns out there and he is by far the best of all the Gallagher children. I love the actor and his character just as much as US Lip.
Liam is a baby. It would be unfair to compare.
Karen- hate them both equally, but US is better
Sheila- US is better: It's Joan Cusack. UK Sheila was like a completely different character and I thought she was super annoying.
Veronica- equal, like them both Kevin-uhhhhh equal but it's a hard decision because I love the UK Kevin... and the US Kevin. Kevin's a great guy.
Mickey-same Mandy-US is better: I liked the first actress to play US Mandy in season one, but they replaced her. I still like her though. Like with Lip, I like her UK story line more, but her story in this version is so out there.
So yeah, that's basically all my comparisons. I have to say that this show is absolutely amazing- probably one of the best shows on TV now. I'm surprised by every episode and I'm always left wanting more. I think it's very well written and very believable/ relate-able in a comical kind of overdone way. The whole family is lovable and despite the fact that they're not always 'good' I find myself cheering them on at every obstacle they face.
Frank- US is better: I think the UK Frank is drunk way too often, and yeah, I get that he's an alcoholic/ a drunk, but there's no reason that after hours and hours of sleep he should still wake up wasted, slurring his words. US Frank is just more realistic to me.
Fiona-US is better: While watching the UK version, I found Fiona to be really annoying the entire time she stayed in the show. She had her moments but US Fiona is generally more likable. I think it's not just the acting, but the changes made by the writers/creators/whoever of the show.
Steve-UK is better: It's kind of a close call, but the UK actor's really good looking and he always seemed more in love with Fiona than the US Steve does with US Fiona. UK Steve and Fiona have extremely good chemistry but I just realized that the actors got married in real life so that helps make the relationship more realistic.
Lip-US is so much better: I just love Lip. I like the drama surrounding the UK Lip more, but US Lip has swag.
Ian-US is better: I didn't really like Ian as a character in the UK version (actor was too awkward?) but the US Ian is more likable. I'm more interested in his story lines.
Debbie-UK is better: As a little girl, she was much cuter, but then as the show went on you could see her character develop and I always liked her.
Carl-UK is better: Kind of an unfair comparison because judging on the first two seasons alone they would be equal. Since I've seen every season of the UK, I know how Carl turns out there and he is by far the best of all the Gallagher children. I love the actor and his character just as much as US Lip.
Liam is a baby. It would be unfair to compare.
Karen- hate them both equally, but US is better
Sheila- US is better: It's Joan Cusack. UK Sheila was like a completely different character and I thought she was super annoying.
Veronica- equal, like them both Kevin-uhhhhh equal but it's a hard decision because I love the UK Kevin... and the US Kevin. Kevin's a great guy.
Mickey-same Mandy-US is better: I liked the first actress to play US Mandy in season one, but they replaced her. I still like her though. Like with Lip, I like her UK story line more, but her story in this version is so out there.
So yeah, that's basically all my comparisons. I have to say that this show is absolutely amazing- probably one of the best shows on TV now. I'm surprised by every episode and I'm always left wanting more. I think it's very well written and very believable/ relate-able in a comical kind of overdone way. The whole family is lovable and despite the fact that they're not always 'good' I find myself cheering them on at every obstacle they face.
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