Shameless (season 8)

The eighth season of Shameless, an American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, was announced on December 19, 2016, a day after the seventh season finale.[1] The season, which premiered on November 5, 2017,[2] consisted of a total of 12 episodes.[3]

Shameless
Season 8
DVD Cover
Starring	William H. Macy Emmy Rossum Jeremy Allen White Ethan Cutkosky Shanola Hampton Steve Howey Emma Kenney Cameron Monaghan Isidora Goreshter
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	12
Release
Original network	Showtime
Original release	November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05) – January 28, 2018 (2018-01-28)
Season chronology

This is also the last season to feature Isidora Goreshter as series regular, as she announced her departure from the series following the season finale.[4]

Cast and characters

See also: List of Shameless (American TV series) characters

Main

• William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher[5]
• Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher[5]
• Jeremy Allen White as Philip "Lip" Gallagher[6]
• Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher
• Shanola Hampton as Veronica "V" Fisher[7]
• Steve Howey as Kevin "Kev" Ball[6]
• Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher[6]
• Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher[8]
• Isidora Goreshter as Svetlana Yevgenivna Fisher

Special Guest

• Dermot Mulroney as Sean Pierce
• Richard Flood as Ford Kellogg[9]

Recurring

• Christian Isaiah as Liam Gallagher
• Jim Hoffmaster as Kermit
• Michael Patrick McGill as Tommy
• Alan Rosenberg as Professor Youens
• Ruby Modine as Sierra Morton[10]
• Zack Pearlman as Neil[11]
• Elliot Fletcher as Trevor
• Juliette Angelo as Geneva
• Alicia Coppola as Sue
• Scott Michael Campbell as Brad
• Levy Tran as Eddie
• Jessica Szohr as Nessa Chabon[12]
• Perry Mattfeld as Mel
• David Brackett as Duran
• Sharon Lawrence as Margo Mierzejewski
• Faran Tahir as Adeeb[13]
• Raffi Barsoumian as Bahir
• Sammi Hanratty as Kassidi Gallagher
• Chet Hanks as Charlie
• Tina Ivlev as Freelania Alexeyevich
• Scarlet Spencer as Alexandra "Xan" Galvez

Episodes

Main article: List of Shameless (American TV series) episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	U.S. viewers (millions)
85	1	"We Become What We... Frank!"	Iain B. MacDonald	John Wells	November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05)	1.86[14]
Fiona begins renovating and renting out apartments in her new building. Frank returns from the monastery and begins to apologize to everyone he has wronged in the past. Lip tries to get his drinking problem under control while also trying to win back Sierra. Debbie gets a new job and begins night school where she's learning to become a welder. Ian tries to win back the heart of Trevor by helping teens at the youth center. Carl begins selling the meth that Monica left him and his siblings before she died while also staying in shape for military school over the summer break. Liam is used by the faculty of his new school to show off the school's diversity for prospective parents. Kevin learns some disturbing news about his health and Veronica tries to take back the Alibi from Svetlana.
86	2	"Where's My Meth?"	Anthony Hemingway	Nancy M. Pimental	November 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)	1.37[15]
Fiona grapples with evicting someone from the apartment building. Frank finds a job for the first time and tries to be a respectable citizen. Lip tries to sabotage Sierra's relationship. Ian goes with Trevor to a chub bar in an effort to fix their relationship. Carl tries to sell Ian's portion of Monica's meth but makes a troubling discovery about her. Liam visits a rich friend's house and is astonished by the luxury that others have. Kevin is sent off to a cancer support group and finds people he can relate to, trying to be ready for the operation that is coming.
87	3	"God Bless Her Rotting Soul"	Michael Morris	Krista Vernoff	November 19, 2017 (2017-11-19)	1.34[16]
While Kevin's tumor is benign, he becomes obsessed with being healthy and, upon researching his genetics, discovers that he comes from an inbred community in Kentucky. Fiona's evicted tenant destroys her room so Fiona attempts to find a new renter but comes into conflict with Nessa's girlfriend, Mel. Neil breaks up with Debbie. Ian continues to struggle with Monica's death. Lip tries to help Professor Yeouens deal with his alcoholism. Frank, now going by Francis, remains committed to becoming a better person. Svetlana tries to sell the Alibi, forcing Veronica to visit her in prison and make a deal, resulting in her release and partial-ownership of the bar. Monica's partner Eric threatens the Gallaghers and they dig up her body in order to retrieve the meth. At the storage unit, they give Eric his drugs and the money that they had on them as well as intending to sell Carl's hot tub for extra money but its still not enough. Eric threatens them until Frank steps in and tells Eric of what the Gallagher family went through that night and he will take what they could provide but threatens him with the same fate as Monica if he comes near his family ever again. Eric is intimidated and agrees while the Gallagher children are amazed by their father's brave actions and he leads them out with Fiona praising her father on his actions. After that, Monica is laid to rest again, Carl pays Eric with the hot tub money and Fiona puts Mel in her place.
88	4	"Fuck Paying It Forward"	Regina King	Dominique Morisseau	November 26, 2017 (2017-11-26)	1.59[17]
Frank or Francis now is helping as much as he can at home such as giving Lip helpful advice and deciding to be more fatherly to Liam by joining the PTA at Liam's school, and meets a potential love interest amongst the mothers. Fiona is furious when Sean, now clean and married, returns to try and make amends. Lip is sex-crazed, and ends up sleeping with his co-worker, Eddie (Levy Tran). Ian lets a shelter girl of Trevor's sleep over to help her out of a bad spot, and gets chewed out by Trevor for it, but later they make amends, and Ian promises to try and find a living situation for some of the shelter kids. Debbie has moved back in, and is sad to be missing Franny's growing up because of work. Carl attempts to catch a junkie breaking into houses on the block. Another black child join Liam's school. Kevin and Veronica meet Kevin's family; Kev is overwrought with emotion, whereas Veronica fears his family is racist.
89	5	"The (Mis)Education of Liam Fergus Beircheart Gallagher"	Iain B. MacDonald	Sheila Callaghan	December 3, 2017 (2017-12-03)	1.51[18]
Fiona tries to raise the profile of the neighborhood; Ian helps Trevor raise money for a youth shelter; Carl loses his scholarship; Lip stands up to a friend; Frank teaches parents about the working class.
90	6	"Icarus Fell And Rusty Ate Him"	Zetna Fuentes	Mark Steilen	December 10, 2017 (2017-12-10)	1.52[19]
After she discovers one of her tenants dead, Fiona is forced to reflect on her own life, as the rift between her and Ian grows deeper. Meanwhile, Lip enlists Carl's help to search for his AA sponsor, Brad, after he started drinking again. After having sex with Duran, Debbie has a pregnancy scare and tries to get a morning-after pill. Frank enjoys having his first-ever credit card, while Kev and V are making discoveries about their sexualities.
91	7	"Occupy Fiona"	Iain B. MacDonald	Molly Smith Metzler	December 17, 2017 (2017-12-17)	1.58[20]
Ian keeps testing Fiona's patience, and starts a "Occupy Fiona" movement next to her building. With the support of Brad, Lip tries to help Youens for his DUI trial, after the latter's fifth drunk driving conviction. Meanwhile, an unemployed Frank goes on a job hunt, while Debbie is facing a rude doctor at her own work. Carl gets close to Kassidi, one of his rehab clients, who comes up with a plan to get him easy money. An unsure Kev is learning how to sexually dominate V.
92	8	"Frank's Northern Southern Express"	Emmy Rossum	Nancy M. Pimental	December 31, 2017 (2017-12-31)	0.81[21]
Fiona considers moving into one of her apartments, while she tries to get closer to Ford. Frank starts a business, by smuggling Muslims and drugs through the US-Canada border. Meanwhile, Lip interviews new AA sponsors, and discovers something about Charlie, Sierra's boyfriend. Ian confronts a pastor preaching gay conversion, as Carl tries to reconcile his job with Kassidi, his new mercurial girlfriend. As she tries to find a new job and some money, Debbie thinks she may be pregnant again. Kev starts showing his dominating tricks against Svetlana at work, to the pleasure of V.
93	9	"The Fugees"	Jeffrey Reiner	Dominique Morisseau	January 7, 2018 (2018-01-07)	1.65[22]
Frank's business takes a turn for the worse, as it sends him on the run through the Great White North. Ian's run-in with a minister brings about some unexpected and new allies. Meanwhile, Fiona tries and fails to fit in with Ford's group of friends, while Carl's new girlfriend Kassidi suffers separation anxiety. As he gets closer to Eddie, Lip must decide whether to tell Sierra about Charlie's secret baby or not. Debbie finds a new money opportunity thanks to the dog she is watching. After a visit from a former employee, Svetlana reveals to Kevin and V how bad she feels about her current miserable life.
94	10	"Church of Gay Jesus"	Anna Mastro	Sheila Callaghan	January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)	1.52[23]
Ian tries to get a handle on his newfound fame and attention from his "followers", as Frank finds a way to cash in. Meanwhile, Fiona struggles with her conscience as she decides to help the worker who fell off her roof. Lip deals with the sudden death of someone important to him, while Debbie starts doing some dangerous welding gigs. As Carl finds himself forced to marry Kassidi, Kev and V decide to help Svetlana to find a sugar daddy.
95	11	"A Gallagher Pedicure"	Iain B. MacDonald	Mark Steilen	January 21, 2018 (2018-01-21)	1.52[24]
Fiona's homeless tenants sue her, while barricading themselves inside her apartment. Frank considers his retirement, while Lip decides to help a terrified Sierra against her newly released father. Despite warnings, Ian wants to provide sanctuary to a runaway teen, as Carl is showing Kassidi his life before dating her. After her injury, Debbie decides to sacrifice her toe surgery over her school, as she can't pay for both. As Kev and V are unable to get her a sugar daddy, Svetlana finds an unconventional solution to her problem.
96	12	"Sleepwalking"	John Wells	John Wells	January 28, 2018 (2018-01-28)	1.73[25]
With the help of Ford, Fiona decides to "go Gallagher" to get rid of her homeless tenants and their lawsuit. Frank enrolls Liam in planning a burglary at his rich friend's house, but Liam is having second thoughts. After things got out of hand, Ian is forced to hide from the authorities. Debbie considers joint custody of Franny with Derek, in exchange for child support. As Lip makes a decision regarding his life and his relationship with Sierra, Carl tries to find a way to go back to military school behind Kassidi's back. Meanwhile, Kev and V help Svetlana to go through with her scheme.

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Shameless

No.	Title	Air date	Rating (18–49)	Viewers (millions)	DVR (18–49)	DVR viewers (millions)	Total (18–49)	Total viewers (millions)
1	"We Become What We ... Frank!"	November 5, 2017	0.7	1.86[14]	0.5	1.16	1.2	3.02[26]
2	"Where's My Meth?"	November 12, 2017	0.5	1.37[15]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
3	"God Bless Her Rotting Soul"	November 19, 2017	0.5	1.34[16]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	"Fuck Paying It Forward"	November 26, 2017	0.6	1.59[17]	0.6	1.26	1.2	2.86[27]
5	"The (Mis)Education of Liam Fergus Beircheart Gallagher"	December 3, 2017	0.6	1.51[18]	0.5	1.42	1.1	2.93[28]
6	"Icarus Fell And Rusty Ate Him"	December 10, 2017	0.5	1.52[19]	0.6	1.40	1.1	2.92[29]
7	"Occupy Fiona"	December 17, 2017	0.5	1.58[20]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
8	"Frank's Northern Southern Express"	December 31, 2017	0.2	0.81[21]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
9	"The Fugees"	January 7, 2018	0.7	1.65[22]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
10	"Church of Gay Jesus"	January 14, 2018	0.6	1.52[23]	0.5	1.37	1.1	2.90[30]
11	"A Gallagher Pedicure"	January 21, 2018	0.5	1.52[24]	0.6	1.38	1.1	2.89[31]
12	"Sleepwalking"	January 28, 2018	0.6	1.73[25]	0.5	1.27	1.1	3.00[32]

References

1. Andreeva, Nellie (December 19, 2016). "'Shameless' Renewed For Season 8 By Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
2. Jade, Saura (August 7, 2017). "TVLine Items: Shameless Return Date, DC's Legends Hails Caesar and More". TVLine. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
3. "Showtime(R) Picks Up Eighth Season of Its Hit Series "Shameless"". The Futon Critic. December 19, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
4. Goreshter, Isidora (January 28, 2018). "All good things must come to an end". Instagram. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
5. Goldberg, Lesley (December 14, 2016). "'Shameless': Emmy Rossum Resolves Salary Standoff, Paving Way for Season 8". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
6. Callaghan, Shelia (June 21, 2017). "we're back, babies!". Twitter. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
7. Hampton, Shanola (June 21, 2017). "When you get an email with your first table read of SEASON 8 on a show you've been on since the pilot, you can't help but give God praise!!!". Twitter. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
8. Paolo, Lyn (June 21, 2017). "@cameronmonaghan See you soon..." Twitter. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
9. Petski, Denise (August 24, 2017). "'Shameless' Casts Richard Flood; Merit Leighton Joins 'Alexa & Katie'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
10. Modine, Ruby (June 26, 2017). "First table read". Instagram. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
11. Kenney, Emma (June 26, 2017). "GIRL VS VEGGIE BURGER. a truthful & telling series by @zackpearlman. friday night shoot vibezzz". Instagram. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
12. Goldberg, Lesley (June 22, 2017). "Shameless enlists Jessica Szohr for Season 8 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
13. https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/trailers/891863-shameless-season-8-trailer-and-poster#/slide/1
14. Metcalf, Mitch (November 7, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.5.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
15. Metcalf, Mitch (November 14, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.12.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
16. Metcalf, Mitch (November 21, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
17. Metcalf, Mitch (November 29, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
18. Metcalf, Mitch (December 5, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
19. Metcalf, Mitch (December 12, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
20. Metcalf, Mitch (December 19, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.17.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
21. Metcalf, Mitch (January 3, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.31.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
22. Metcalf, Mitch (January 9, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.7.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
23. Metcalf, Mitch (January 17, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.14.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
24. Metcalf, Mitch (January 23, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.21.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
25. Metcalf, Mitch (January 30, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.28.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
26. Porter, Rick (November 17, 2017). "'American Horror Story: Cult' triples in cable Live +7 ratings for Oct. 30-Nov. 5". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
27. Porter, Rick (December 7, 2017). "'The Walking Dead' laps the field in cable Live +7 ratings for Nov. 20-26". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
28. Porter, Rick (December 15, 2017). "'The Walking Dead' outpaces everything else in cable Live +7 ratings for Nov. 27-Dec. 3". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
29. Porter, Rick (December 21, 2017). "'Top Chef' premiere more than doubles in cable Live +7 ratings for Dec. 4-10". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
30. Porter, Rick (January 26, 2018). "'Nashville' grows by 400 percent in cable Live +7 ratings for Jan. 8-14". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
31. Porter, Rick (February 1, 2018). "'Assassination of Gianni Versace' posts solid gains in cable Live +7 ratings for Jan. 15-21". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
32. Porter, Rick (February 8, 2018). "'Waco' premiere doubles in cable Live +7 ratings for Jan. 22-28". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

External links

• Official website
• Shameless – list of episodes on IMDb