PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST FALL PREVIEWS 2017: SHOWTIME: SHAMELESS {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's 2017 Fall Preview PALEYFEST events in Los Angeles. This evening celebrates "Shameless," the comedy series, based on the British series of the same name, about the misadventures of the Chicago-based Gallagher clan, made up of six kids and one deadbeat dad, Frank.
Host Rene Reyes (director of public programs and festivals, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces the eighth season premiere, which is then screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 130297.)
After the screening, Stacey Wilson Hunt (Hollywood editor, New York Magazine and Vulture) moderates the following panelists: executive producer/writer John Wells; and cast members Emma Kenney (Debbie Gallagher), Jeremy Allen White (Lip Gallagher), William H. Macy (Frank Gallagher) and Emmy Rossum (Fiona Gallagher).
The panelists touch on such topics as: the actors' enjoyment of watching the episodes together and seeing one another's work; Wells' collaboration with Paul Abbott, who created the original British series, and his desire to adapt an American version before Abbott's pilot was even written; using "exaggerated" versions of real events in the writers' lives on the show; Rossum's excitement at being cast on the spot, despite her doubts that the unusual show would be picked up; how Macy "begged" for the role and his confidence that the show would be a success; his past work with Wells on "E.R."; White's initial interest in portraying Ian, played by Cameron Monaghan, and his views of Lip as a character; Kenney's memories of joining the show at age ten and her parents' lack of concern about the explicit material; Wells' commitment to honoring Abbott's real family, who directly inspired the Gallaghers; many networks' and executives' doubts that families like the Gallaghers "really exist in America"; how the actors have "literally" and emotionally grown into their parts over seven seasons; the show's "second life" and new crop of fans since appearing on Netflix; many viewers' sense of kinship and familiarity with the troubled characters; embracing "a different kind of acting" in the show's long takes and emotional scenes; Wells' funny memories of young Ethan Cutkosky, who plays Carl, and his "natural" acting style; how shooting and editing the show in an urgent, "messy" style to reflect the characters' lives often shocks guest actors; some of the show's defining moments, including Eddie Jackson's (Joel Murray) suicide in season one and Mickey's (Noel Fisher) defiant coming-out scene; many moments featuring "passed-out Frank" and the siblings' love for one another; whether fan favorite Mickey will return and potentially reunite with love interest Ian; the challenges of shooting in both Chicago and Los Angeles simultaneously; their bond with the real family who lives in the "Gallaghers'" house; Chicago fans' appreciation for the show and its depiction of "the parts we haven't seen" on television; Rossum's recent directorial debut and her confidence in the other actors' and writers' knowledge of the show; the show's reflection of recent current events and "the mythology of meritocracy" in America; engaging in a new "conversation" about social and economic divides; Wells' past work on the idealistic "West Wing," compared to the more matter-of-fact "Shameless"; Debbie's experience as a hardworking teen mother; Wells' confession that he still ponders ideas for his former shows, like "E.R."; their ideas for the show's conclusion and hopes for their characters, including Rossum's desire for Fiona to "make it"; her platonic bond with new neighbor Nessa (Jessica Szohr); Frank's "golden years" and Macy's sense that he has improved as an actor through his work on the show; White's hopes that Lip will maintain his sobriety and improve his life; Debbie's new career as a welder and Rossum's concerns about Kenney's actual welding abilities; whether the writers take the actors' suggestions for their characters; and their ideas for theoretical crossovers with other series, including "Mr. Robot," helmed by Rossum's husband Sam Esmail, "House of Cards" and "Empire."
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:47:06
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 130283
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Stacey Wilson Hunt … Moderator
- Emma Kenney … Panelist
- Jeremy Allen White … Panelist
- William H. Macy … Panelist
- John Wells … Panelist
- Emmy Rossum … Panelist
- Paul Abbott
- Ethan Cutkosky
- Sam Esmail
- Noel Fisher
- Cameron Monaghan
- Joel Murray
- Jessica Szohr