Shameless: The Complete First Season (BBC/DVD)

I ordered this DVD without having seen or heard anything about the series, and I was more than pleasantly surprised. It was thoughtful, funny, and generous, even while maintaining a gritty realism. Whenever an episode or storyline started to drift into the ridiculous or melodramatic it was quickly intercepted by a brutal but honest (and hopeful) reality. And even when their characters were at their most unlikable, the actors brought to them a warmth and passion that kept you involved. (In my opinion episode six is one of TVs best examples of the diversity of emotion that can be explored in under an hour.)Basic plot: Single father Frank Gallagher [David Threlfall], whose wife disappeared about three years ago, lives (sometimes) on a council estate in Manchester (England) with his six children (Fiona, Lip, Ian, Carl, Debbie, and Liam), aged 20-3, respectively. Other central characters include the children's neighbors, a young couple named Kevin and Veronica, and Fiona's well-to-do boyfriend Steve [James McAvoy]. Together they deal with relationships, poverty, abandonment, their father's alcoholism, debt collectors, and the local police. It's not an easy life, but the family is determined to enjoy it whenever and however they can. There *is* some violence (fist fights), nudity, drinking, lots of swearing, and even one extremely inappropriate, even illegal, sexual relationship, but it is addressed and responded to reasonably (though definitely not in the PBS-broadcast sort of way). The younger children/characters really seem to peak in the second half of the season, as they become more integral to the plot. Their additional screen time is well-deserved, as they are all exceptionally talented actors.As for the DVD itself, it is, of course, Season 1. Although Season 4 recently finished airing, this is the first installment to be released on DVD in the US. Disc 1 consists of episodes 1-4 (45 min. each) and Disc 2 contains episodes 5-7 and two bonus features: a brief "Meet the Cast" and an interview with Paul Abbott. Suffice to say this is a bare-bones DVD release for this day and age, but the show's quality warrants the purchase. Also note, subtitles are on by default for anyone who has trouble with the accent.

I bought this DVD because I thought James McAvoy was tremendous in "The Last King of Scotland," where hekept up with his co-star's showy, scenery-chewing performance (for which he won an Oscar). McAvoy had toplay it close to the vest in this film, because of his part--that of a young man drawn into the vortex of aninsane, volatile dictator, and McAvoy doesn't miss a beat. He was marvelous.So I bought "Shameless," and it is wonderful in every department: the writing, the directing, and primarilythe acting were all spectacular. I laughed, and then, once, I was brought to the point of damp eyes. Man, thisDVD is worth the money. I can't wait for the other three seasons. (Also, I've read that McAvoy is cast in thefilm version of "Atonement," Ian McEwan's stunningly good book. Twenty stars for this, if possible.

As the show is really really good note that the accents are really really thick. Sub-titles could be needed. No joke.

I recieved DVDs in perfect condition, however I thought this was the American version. It's not. It is in English language& is still a good show. Has a little bit longer make out scene in the beginning which was better but I still prefer the American version. I love this show, very entertaining! NOT for children though, in my opinion.

I had already watched the entire first season of SHAMELESS US, so the British version came off as a less-interesting imitation (even though the Brit version came first) with a far less-attractive cast.

If you at all like British comedies and dramas this show is a must have. It will make you laugh, cry and feel as though you are there, living life with these people just trying to get through each day as it comes.The series does have some nudity, sexual situations and adult language, along with petty crime, not so petty crime and substance abuse. If you are not all that familiar with British speech and slang you will want to use the subtitles and may find yourself looking up some references on the internet but if you can live with these things you are in for some excellent entertainment.I'm very much looking forward to the rest of the seasons being released on USA region DVD.

Thought it was the American version of Shameless, told it was very good, therefore disapointed when i recieved the British version, should have been clearly marked on ad first bad sale from AmazonP/S to all the comments from readers guess you all walk on water and have never made an error in a purchase. Rude people are just such a waste

I just love this series. The best life satire of all times... it's funny, offbeat, graphic drama follows the lives and loves of the Gallagher family/ friends in a small neighborhood in Manchester. The mother figure of the family is big sister Fiona and her siblings who she looks after-- Carl, Ian, Debbie and baby Liam, by the way, the father is a total drunk SOB. Their chaotic lives of sexual adventures of all sorts, love and deception are a hilarious mockery of the world family as it is today. I laughed at the travesty of it all...it definitely was the most entertaining parody of life--dysfunctional at its finest! ...now, this is real life depicted. Just brilliant! Highly recommended for adult viewing! LOVE IT!