Showtime’s ‘Shameless’ latest in working class Irish dramas

about what really goes on behind closed doors.

Shameless does not portray Irish people in a negative way, in fact, the characters are proud of who they are regardless of their obstacles and their situation. They stick together through thick and thin and have intimate and loving relationships which is a good thing. The characters are unique and have depth and are never shallow. Although some of the scenes are shocking if not obscene, it makes me wonder if they are only acknowledging the real world and being brutally honest.

I think it's a very nasty portrayal of people of Irish heritage, and if it was about a family named "Schwartz" or "Goldberg" it'd be banned from any network.

I was looking forward to this but it is nothing but low class smut. Will definately set parental controls, if not ban ShowTiem alltogether. how can Irish Americans be proud of this sheet?

Will be interesting to see how the British series'Shamless' translates on American TV-how Americans of Irish descent respond to it's portrayal of Frank and those around him.Generally speaking,here in the UK the show is enjoyed by the Irish-we don't take it seriously.

Posted by Pittsburghkid on Jan 09, 2011, 02:38 PM ESTI hate to tell you this, but the term Irish-American does not exsist. ........ a term that is only allowed for Jews, Latinos and PRs.

I hate to tell you this, but the term Irish-American does not exsist. We are all American. We are classified by our government as White. I am of mostly Irish blood, but my cousin are not. I have German, and Italian cousins. Irish-American is a term for my greatgrandfather, and grandfather. I do not relate to that term. I am a White American. I have to put that on employment applications, so that is my idenity. I can not say power to -----, because that would be racist.

Not a good representation of most Irish Americans with the boxing, drinking and general lay about themes. Did I mention before I hate boxing?

Patrick, do you think that maybe these portrayals are a continuation of a side of life that Jim Sheridan (an Irish immigrant from Dublin by way of Canada) began exploring in his film "In America". The NY Times review of "In America" (11/26/03) describes his neighbors in the film as "a harmless collection of addicts, hustlers and ordinary poor folk".