Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17753 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-10-30
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 1188 minutes

DVD Description

The Shameless 1-3 Box Set features all episodes from the first three series of this blisteringly funny and offbeat Channel 4 drama. Written by Paul Abbott ("Clocking Off"), Shameless follows the rollercoaster lives and loves of the rather dysfunctional Gallagher family from Manchester. Mum went AWOL years ago, and Dad stayed at home with the six children only to hit the bottle… and sometimes the kids. The real head of the family is big sister Fiona (20), who looks after Carl (11), Debbie (9) and baby Liam (3). She is occasionally helped, more often hindered, by reluctant virgin Lip (16) and the actively gay but very private Ian (15). Welcome to a hectic world of sexual adventures, triumphs, love, scams and a fair bit of crime on a rough Manchester housing estate, where wheel-less cars are the norm and the moving ones are stolen.

Synopsis

This box set--containing all episodes from the first three series of the offbeat TV drama Shameless--promises plenty of laughs from Manchester's most dysfunctional family, the Gallaghers, and their neighbours, the Maguires, as they go about their very anarchic lives. Join Frank and his six kids, for whom there is never a dull moment on the Chatsworth housing estate.

Customer Reviews

The best series this century?
A recent survey revealed that Shameless is particularly popular with viewers in the North-West, where it is set - a feature it shares with Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. There, however, the comparison ends!

If anyone considering purchasing this set has only seen the odd episode then do take the plunge and buy: it works best if you see the episodes in order, and you'll want to see your favourite bits again and again. The adventures of the residents of the Chatsworth estate, and in particular the Gallagher family, are a reflection of a Britain no one in the establishment wants to admit exists: unhappy lives, shattered dreams and very little hope. Yet the genius of Shameless is that it is as much comedy as it is drama, and you are always rooting for the underdogs, whatever mistakes they may have made.

The series' creator based it on his own early life and the fact that he suffers from bipolar disorder perhaps explains his sympathy for the disenfranchised, the struggling and the mentally ill. Indeed, this series, through characters like Shiela and Marty, almost celebrates mental illness - certainly promoting tolerance and understanding.

Everyone will have their favourite characters including the ever-indignant, ever inebriated Frank, troubled lovers Fiona and Steve or next-door neighbours Kevin and Veronica. Best of all for my money, though, are the kids, in particular Lip (apparently cocksure but in reality often frightened and insecure), Ian (in whom Lip confides, but who has secrets and worries of his own), Carl (always trying to understand and live up to his older brothers) and Debbie (wise way beyond her years - but still able to surprise). Their storylines are generally the funniest, though they all have their moments of pain and distress.

Looking back, this review may make Shameless sound rather earnest and serious and it would be a mistake to think that. It must be stressed again how hilarious it is. Great writing, great acting, great direction...it all makes for a marvellous series, arguably the best so far of this new millennium. Not even the terrific Life on Mars comes close!

British television at it's very best
I agree 100% with the reviewer below...Shameless is indeed one of the best (if not the best) show to come out of good old Blighty in many a long year. It is a difficult show to pigeon-hole for whilst it is so side-splittingly funny you be rolling on the floor with laughter there are many beautifully acted and poignant moments that remind you why British actors/actresses are still regarded as the best in the world! The quality of acting and writing are such that it is impossible to favour one character over another - each is well-rounded, thoughtfully considered and (clearly) played with genuine affection by the actors/actresses.
Original, witty, endearing, pants-wettlingly funny and superbly cast...Shameless is truly the pinnacle of television excellence.
Eagerly anticipating Season 4 on DVD!

Let's party!
Shameless is probably my all-time favourite with each series managing to live up to the one before. The storylines are always strong and the acting excellent. (One or two of the actors have gone on to big things).

Basically it's a good laugh even though some of the issues are serious. It's anarchic, hilarious and very near-the knuckle. (Too near for some!) There is a fantastic range of dysfunctional characters who mostly live off benefits or crime. Whatever else, they know how to party on the Chatsworth estate. Scatter!