Shameless

[mrmody]

Anyone watch “Shameless” (USA version)? It is one of my favorite new shows. Besides getting to see Emmy Rossem topless on a regular basis, the show if one of the few shows on television to deal with the dysfunctional lives of the white underclass. The dysfunctional white underclass filled many of the IFB churches in Glen Burnie, Maryland; I was misfortunate to attend as a child. (Why couldn’t my parents just pick a nice main-line Protestant church in a more upscale neighborhood like Severna Park or Annapolis?) My parents made me attend church with the type of people they did not want as neighbors.

The father Frank Gallagher is played by William H Macy. Frank Gallagher reminds me of some of the people who would show up at my old church. In my church’s desired to “save” people, they would dredge through worst of white trash society. The most unkempt people would say ‘the sinner’s prayer” and many church members were naive enough to believe these new converts had actually changed. Soon enough, things would go missing at the church; there would be less money in the offering plate. Robberies would increase at church member’s homes. Soon the “new convert” would asked to leave, often find another IFB church and pull the same scam again. (And Glen Burnie is full of Baptist churches, many within walking distance of each other).

My father, who came for a Christian Reform tradition, believed the church should focus on witnessing it better neighbors.

So if Frank Gallagher show up at your church, keep an eye on your stuff.

[C_Fresh]

Did you by chance ever go to Anchor Baptist Church? My family attended there when I was really young (I barely remember it) back when Dan MacAvoy was the pastor.

[redbeardiam]

We have been watching season one. My wife calls it 'Shameless boobies,' but the storyline has sucked us in nonetheless. Let's just say I'm not allowed to watch it by myself.

[Darrell]

I watched the first couple series of the Brit version. I usually don't have much taste for US remakes of Brit shows.

[redbeardiam]

Yeah, I think we're all done with this one. The last episode we watched just put us over the 'I really don't feel good about putting this in my brain' line.