It’s tough to write my What I’m Into post this month because I haven’t noticed really being into much of anything, well… except my one dirty little secret.
You see, my husband is a big television watcher. If he’s home, the television is on. I usually read or goof around on social media while he watches. I don’t enjoy television much and don’t typically turn it on if I’m traveling or my husband isn’t home. I like quiet time to read much more than the singing, dancing, moving box.
But, every once in awhile, I find myself reading the same paragraph repeatedly because I’ve become interested in a television show my husband is watching. This is how I became addicted to Sons on Anarchy, Dexter and my latest, embarrassing obsession, Shameless.
My reading has slowed WAY down this month because I’m addicted to Shameless and am binge watching it. Seriously, this show is a train wreck that I can’t look away from.
Shameless is about the Gallagher family, although labeling them a family is a bit strange because the six children’s parents often disappear and they’re usually better off when the parents are gone.
The oldest sister, Fiona (played by Emmy Rossum), typically is the “responsible” guardian of the Gallagher clan, making sure the other children mostly stay out of jail, juvie or foster care by keeping them from getting caught doing all of the things they shouldn’t do. The children lie, cheat, steal, have sex, drink, and do drugs, seemingly at every age. Most of what they do is to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, but some of it is just for fun. Oh, did I mention where they learned their wayward lifestyle? Most likely from their father, Frank (played by William H. Macy), who frequently is seen in the show running scams, doing dru,gs and waking up confused and sleeping outside more than any person should be able to survive. Monica, the children’s mother, is pretty much just missing. Bipolar, off her meds and almost always self medicating, Monica (played by Chloe Webb) just shows up from time-to-time to make the children’s lives even more chaotic.
The casting in Shameless is amazing, including my husband’s favorite character, a family friend named Kevin, (played by Steve Howey) who owns the local bar and shoots internet porn for money with his wife and Fiona’s best friend, Veronica (played by Shanola Hampton). I tried to think of my favorite character for this post, but I just can’t decide. That’s what makes this show so great. They’re all actually pretty terrible people, but you want them to get away with whatever they’re doing and come out on top.
I’m embarrassed by my Shameless obsession because it’s just not a good, hearty, family show (although, admittedly, neither is the Dateline or Law & Order SVU that I watch). In fact, our teenage daughter usually accuses us of “watching our porn again” when she walked into the room to find us watching it. Yes, this show has a ridiculous number of sex scenes, a silly amount of nudity and a pathetic focus on drug use. But, if you ever think your family is dysfunctional, I promise the Gallaghers have them beat.
If you’re not easily offended and enjoy cheering for the underdog, check out Shameless. You’ll be glad you watched it, even if it causes you to choose Netflix over reading for a few weeks.
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