Shameless
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dysfunctional family dramedy has booze, drugs, and sex.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Shameless
Community Reviews
Based on 81 parent reviews
Great show.
Report this review
AMAZING STUFF
Report this review
What's the Story?
Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy), the main character of SHAMELESS, is a single father who deals with alcohol and drug addiction as he tries to raise six kids. This means it's often up to his oldest daughter, Fiona (Emmy Rossum), to keep the rest of the family in line, often at the cost of her own well-being.
Is It Any Good?
Not all viewers have seen the original, critically acclaimed series that inspired this remake. But like its British counterpart, this Shameless is a complex, often harrowing, family drama with comedic elements, which casts Macy as a generally unlikable "alcoholic" father who leaves his six children to fend for themselves.
The U.S. version starts as a sexed-up, in-your-face shocker that throws any of the original series' subtleties out the window. But a strange thing happens a few episodes in, once you get past seeing an elementary schooler swilling a beer in plain sight of his family members, who only seem mildly annoyed that he's drinking it. You find yourself rooting for the Gallagher kids (admirably anchored by Rossum and Jeremy Allen White and Cameron Monaghan, who play her two younger brothers), even though they'd probably try to rip you off if you met them in person. The series cleverly explores the lives of those living at the margins of American society, as is the case of the Gallaghers, who experience poverty and try their best to lead satisfying lives.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about alcoholism and the real-life consequences of substance abuse. How does this affect families, particularly those with children? Does the show handle the topic responsibly and/or realistically?
Does living in poverty justify acting outside the law and doing anything possible to survive?
How do the Gallaghers compare to families you know? Do the show's graphic depictions of drinking, drugs, and sex glamorize the family's behavior in any way?
Liam doesn't seem to grapple with any identity issues despite being the only Black child in an otherwise all-White family. Do you think this is realistic? What is it like for children of color raised in predominantly White families?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 9, 2011
- Cast: Emmy Rossum, Joan Cusack, William H. Macy
- Network: Showtime
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Sitcoms for Your Next Family Binge-Watch
TV Shows for the Modern Family
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate