British "Shameless" or American "Shameless"

Which is better, and why?

American, pretty much the only time I would say that about an American remake. It started off worse when it tried to copy the british version but once it found its own footing something about it just works better for me.
American. One of the few times an American remake of anything works better than the original.
Agree completely with R1. I was put off by the idea of a remake, but watched out of curiosity. The first season was not terrible, but it was so note-for-note like the first season of the UK version, and Wm. H. Macy so hammy, that I disliked it. The second U.S. season has been good, playing down Macy and playing up some strong actors (especially the Fiona and Lip characters.) I can't think, either, of another remake where the American version the equal to or better than the UK original.
I really liked the British version but I agree with everyone else. The American version is the better of the two. The American version balances comedy and pathos much better. For the most part, the casting is also better. The characters are more real and less zany characters than they were in the British version. I do miss James McAvoy as Steve.
UK one hands down. NO YANK could play the MacGuires especially Mimi and Mickey. There was absolutely no reason for a remake as the 9th series is currently airing and it is done in English. Why can't Americans just watch the originals? What is the fear of a lilt in tongue? I never could fathom the fact that great British programming cannot transfer to the US like their programmes do in the UK. We all speak the same language! These remakes are pointless.
Madame Lillian
I don't understand why none of the characters has a Chicago accent.
The US version seems censored. Think of the early UK scenes between Ian and the dude he was fucking. Also I much prefer the UK Ian character.
gay scenes were deliberately tame because actor who plays ian was underaged...
british is better
[quote]Why can't Americans just watch the originals? Because of the greed of the UK producers. They can make twice the money for the same project by selling the remake rights to American production companies; the few networks that show original UK shows in this country can't compete with that kind of money. I hate remakes, but the kneejerk blaming of Americans for their existence is wrong. They couldn't exist if their original producers weren't willing to whore them out.
[quote]I don't understand why none of the characters has a Chicago accent. Joan Cusack is actually from Chicago, although she employs some weird over the top speech affect for comedic value.
I watch nearly every British show I can find on American TV but I agree the American Shameless is more enjoyable. The actors click better, it has better pacing and more humor than I remember from the UK version. I do agree the gay material is toned down in the American version, which is typical. Now that Cameron Monaghan is over 18 they can't use that excuse anymore, so I'm hoping we'll see some raunchier gay scenes to go with the non-stop hetero ones.
I can't wait for the American version of Downtown Abbey!
American
There is absolutely no question that the British version of Shameless is far better than the American version. I am an American through and through but the American version doesn't even come close. The acting, cinematography (fits the script), the chemistry, the casting, the timing, everything is better. It's wayyy more believable. After watching the UK version, the American version is almost painful to watch. Every episode (UK) leaves you wanting more and you feel invested in the story, while it's difficult to get through an American episode.
William%20S
The American version is more watchable and more glitzy, which sort of works against the ethos of the show. I dislike enough about the show that I should be put off. But I'm not. And I like the American remake best to boot. I think it's funnier. Is the actor that plays US Ian family?
I've been watching the UK version over the last couple of weeks. Netflix only has the first 5 seasons available, so I'm going to have to find other methods to watch 6-9. It hooked me in immediately, and I'm completely head-over-heels in love with Mickey Maguire/ Ciaran Griffiths. I've gone back to a couple episodes just to watch his parts. I'm going to give it plenty of time before I try to watch the US version. I want to give it a fair chance without the UK version fresh in my head.
I%20Love%20Norma
Loved the UK version until they made Ian Gallagher son straight *gag*. That turned me off so much I didn't bother to watch the seasons that followed. I just watched a two part Brit murder mystery drama called 'a mother's son' and it features Annabelle Apsion (who played Monica Gallagher in the UK version of Shameless) as grief stricken mom.
I agree with r1
David Threlfall is hideous to look at and hammy as hell. W.H. Macy is watchable and a better actor. I prefer Anne-Marie Duff's Fiona to Emmy Rossum's, though.
I agree with R18
American version. William H. Macy is a just a hapless drunk loser. The UK version's father was truly evil. Not someone I want to watch.
I agree with [R20]
As to why Americans cannot watch the originals. because a deep british accent is not easy to understand. Sorry just true so its not sellable to american advertisers. plus they like to put alot of product placement in American shows, especially when there on cable TV and there are no commercials.
Me
British is by far better, and the Ian character is the perfect example of it. The very fact that they thought a REAL Ian would upset Americans compromises the show.
I agree with R22
I concur with R23. I sought out the British Shameless after loving the first season of the remake on Showtime. And the accent was so thick that I had trouble following it without subtitles.
OMFG I'm so sick and tired of hearing this BS excuse.. and you wonder why people call Americans stupid, R26? English isn't even my first language, and I have no trouble what so ever understanding the British version. Maybe you're just an idiot?
Exactly r27. How stupid do you have to be to not understand a slightly different pronunciation of your own language? I think it comes from being extremely isolated. If you're even remotely educated, you've spent some time listening to British people speak.
Calm down, R26. I'm not an idiot. I just don't want to invest the time to watch six seasons of a show I have to strain and rewind to understand. The dialect is very thick. I watch a lot of British shows like Absolutely Fabulous, but this one was a bit harder to follow.
[quote]I watch a lot of British shows like Absolutely Fabulous But that's a terrible show. Totally unfunny and stupid.
[quote]The very fact that they thought a REAL Ian would upset Americans compromises the show. What does that mean? Ian in the British version is so disappointing. He went straight, for God's sake. How is that real?
R29, yet I understand it without any problem, and English isn't even my first language. You're just lazy, end of story.
What show are you watching R21? American Frank is far more vile than his British counterpart. He seems to intentionally want to hurt his kids and the quest and scheming for cash is truly disgusting. Brit Frank by comparison is simply petty. Sure he's always after a quick buck and an opportunist, but not on the same grand scale Macy paints. Brit Frank is a great anti-hero with 11 justified seasons, but yank Frank is just a cunt. I find the core cast of US Shameless kinda grating after the first two seasons, but, like the Brit original, the supporting cast are fantastic.
R10 "They couldn't exist if their original producers weren't willing to whore them out." So, you think the UK production companies are refusing to allow shows to be aired in the US and are insisting on selling the rights to a remake instead? Are those poor put-upon US networks being forced at gunpoint to ask to remake a show instead of just airing the original? How does that work? How, exactly, are they being forced to remake a show instead of broadcasting the original? I think that was the original question. What happens is a US network decides that they aren't making enough money from showing the original - they can't do product placement and they think people won't watch it (and thereby drive up advertising revenue) if it isn't set in their own backyard. So they remake it to suit American tastes, with all of the edges softened to allow for the religious right and the conservative attitudes. Otherwise the advertisers wouldn't want to pay.
R32, if anyone suffers from idiocy - it is you. Your level of existence is not the standard from which others are to be judged. Just because you understand it doesn't mean everyone does. Have you ever heard of hearing impairments? Half of americans can't understand ebonics, does that also make them idiots? Look beyond yourself; there is a world full of different people out here.
I loved THE WIRE, but I admit I have to watch it with the closed captions on.
Ha. I'm kiwi, but admit I had a tough time with Brit dialogue sometimes. Those are thick accents! The scene where Marty tells Karen he gave Kev a handjob I had to replay over and over because I couldn't work out what he said. I wish the Milkovich family was more developed. A black Mimi would've been awesome! The american version often leaves me wondering why I still watch. Again, the core cast is so unlikable. And if Debbie was my daughter, I can guarantee she would get a back hand across the mouth. Little bitch.
But R35, you still don't get it.. English is English. Who cares about the accent? You're supposed to understand your own language. I understand it without any problem what so ever, and English is not my first language. And yes.. if half of Americans have trouble understanding various different British accents, they certainly are idiots, and live up to the stereotypical stupid american. I understand Irish, Scottish, Manchester accent, Liverpool accent etc without any problem. And most other people from my country have no problem at all watching tv shows from the UK without subs, because get what.. we actually understand what they say! I just can't fathom how English speaking people can have trouble understanding their own language, but whatever.
The British Lip is cuter than the American Lip, and the American Ian is way cuter than the British Ian. And James McEvoy is sexier than Justin Chatwin.
R38, you don't get it...you are still trying to judge everyone by your standards and experiences. This thread is not about what "YOU" can understand. Everyone is not you. Different people have different abilities. I do think we all understand our language. It's the lack of pronunciation, lack of diction and overall speed that presents the problem. And get down off your high horse - who cares how many accents you understand - that is no indicator of intelligence, more so exposure. Also, how do you know what most people in your country have a problem with? you took some kind of survey?
LOL, R40.. at least I can understand my own language. You're still an idiot. I'm done discussing this.
British. It doesn't bow down to the delicate Americans.
There are just some things that are better than others; get over it. The UK version of Top Gear destroys the sick crap that's called Top Gear here in the US. In the same manner US Shameless is simply better than the UK one. No contest.