PaleyArchive ColorBars TopBanner2

SHAMELESS: MEET THE GALLAGHERS {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)

Summary

The first in this comedy series about the misadventures of the Gallagher clan, made up of six kids and one deadbeat dad, Frank, who lives on a council estate in Manchester. In this episode, Frank describes his six fun-loving kids and the parties they throw on the estate, which are often broken up by police. Sixteen-year-old Phillip, called "Lip," tutors his neighbor Karen and is pleased when she offers to "pay" him in sexual favors. At home, however, he is stunned to find gay pornography belonging to his brother, 15-year-old Ian. As 21-year-old Fiona enjoys an evening at a nightclub with her friend Veronica, her purse is grabbed by a thief, and an onlooker, Steve, gallantly chases the robber. Fiona and Veronica are further impressed when he stands up to the rude bouncer, and they depart the club all together. Lip confronts Ian angrily with the magazines, and Steve visits the Gallagher home as Veronica tends to his injuries. Veronica heads for home with her boyfriend Kev, and when Fiona and Steve are left alone, he tells her that it took him a month to work up the courage to talk to her at the nightclub. Things get hot and heavy between them in the kitchen, but the moment is spoiled by the arrival of the police, who drop off a passed-out Frank, as is the routine. Embarrassed, Fiona sends Steve away, though he visits the next day and tells her that he is sincerely interested in her, but she tells him that she is "not looking."

Lip brings Ian to Karen's house to "test" him, but when her father catches her underneath the table, he flies into a rage at her behavior and leaves the family. Fiona is stunned when a new washer-dryer is delivered to their home to replace their broken one with flowers and a note from Steve. Fiona calls him and tells him that she is not interested in his charity, but he convinces her to accept it. Ian heads to his job at a convenience store, and Lip helps Karen to clean up her father's mess and questions her about Ian's "response" to her. Lip visits Ian at work and quickly realizes that he is having a sexual relationship with his co-worker, Kash, who is married with children. The two argue, and Ian furiously orders his brother to keep quiet. Ian and Fiona talk over Frank's passed-out body, and Ian points out that Steve sincerely cares for her. Fiona reconsiders and calls Steve, who proves his interest in her and tells her that she is "not fake," like everyone else in town, and the two meet up. Over lunch, she agrees that she is put off by his apparent wealth and easy life, but he then admits to her that he is a car thief, not a legitimate salesman.

He accompanies her to her home, but they are again interrupted by Frank, who rambles on about the challenges of single fatherhood and the departure of his wife several years previously. Fiona is embarrassed at first, but Veronica and Kev soon arrive and the evening turns into a party. Steve and Fiona end up cozily sharing her bed, and in the morning, Lip asks Ian for frank details about his dating life, hinting that he has come to accept it. Fiona is surprised to find that Steve has made breakfast for her siblings, and they all sit down to the meal together, for once appearing like a normal family. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: Channel 4
  • DATE: January 13, 2004
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:48:58
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:84645
  • GENRE: Comedy
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Families; Britain
  • SERIES RUN: Channel 4 - TV series, 2004-2013
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • George Faber … Executive Producer
  • Charles Pattinson … Executive Producer
  • Matt Jones … Executive Producer
  • Paul Abbott … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
  • Emma Burge … Producer
  • Diana Barton … Line Producer
  • Mark Mylod … Director
  • Murray Gold … Music by
  • Anne-Marie Duff … Cast, Fiona Gallagher
  • David Threlfall … Cast, Frank Gallagher
  • James McAvoy … Cast, Steve McBride
  • Maggie O'Neill … Cast, Sheila Jackson
  • Maxine Peake … Cast, Veronica Fisher
  • Dean Lennox Kelly … Cast, Kev Ball
  • Jody Latham … Cast, Lip Gallagher
  • Gerard Kearns … Cast, Ian Gallagher
  • Steve Pemberton … Cast, Eddie Jackson
  • Chris Bisson … Cast, Kash Karib
  • Kelli Hollis … Cast, Yvonne Karib
  • Rebecca Atkinson … Cast, Karen Jackson
  • Rebecca Ryan … Cast, Debbie Gallagher
  • Anthony Flanagan … Cast, Tony
  • Luke Tittensor … Cast, Carl
  • Elliott Tittensor … Cast, Carl
  • Joseph Furnace … Cast, Liam
  • Danny Martelli … Cast, Bouncer