Shameless is a comedy drama centering on the large, dysfunctional Gallagher family and their circle (mostly working class and petty criminals). It ran in the UK from 2004 to 2013, while an American version debuted on Showtime in 2011.

Muppet Mentions

US version

• In the first season episode "Three Boys," when a fake wedding for Veronica is planned, she wonders how to get a priest. Debbie says "You could hire an actor. Remember the guy who played Elmo at my birthday party?" Fiona is surprised she remembers. Debbie: "He took his head off. It was traumatizing."

• Beginning in the second season, a Baby Elmo plush can be seen hanging in a doorway of the Gallagher's upstairs hallway.

• A recurring character is named Kermit. In the second season episode "I'll Light a Candle for You Every Day," Frank remarks that it's an interesting name, "like the frog, right?" Kermit explains the name's origins, concluding "way before the frog."

• Malik's child holds a Cookie Monster baby toy in season two's "A Beautiful Mess."

• In the fifth season episode "The Two Lisas," Holly tells Carl "Go away, Muppet."

• In the ninth season episode "Down Like the Titanic," Carl is studying to apply to West Point. When a question about Grover Cleveland comes up, Carl assumes it's the one from Sesame Street.

UK version

• In the series 9 episode "Cop Killer," Mimi says a cop in the bar puts "people in big jail, not on Fraggle Rock with all the other nonces" (referring to UK prison slang "fraggle" for vulnerable or mentally ill inmates).

• The series also frequently used "muppet" in the UK slang sense, rather than as an intentional reference.

Connections

• Anthony Anderson played Marty Fisher in "Three Boys" (2011)
• John Aylward played Bill Darrgen in "Requiem for a Slut" (2016)
• Joan Cusack played Sheila Jackson (2011-2015)
• Lea DeLaria played Barb in "Frank's Northern Shuttle Express" (2017)
• Paul Dooley played Ralph in "Mo White!" and "Weirdo Gallagher Vortex" (2018)
• Rachel Dratch played Paula Bitterman in four episodes (2019)
• Randall Einhorn directed the third season episode "The Helpful Gallaghers" (2013)
• Louise Fletcher played Peg Gallagher in four episodes (2011-2012)
• Harry Hamlin played Ned Lishman (2012-2014)
• Emma Kenney played Debbie Gallagher
• William H. Macy played Frank Gallagher
• Joshua Malina played Arthur Tipping in five episodes (2020-2021)
• Mary Mara played Nance in "A Long Way from Home" and "Frank the Plumber" (2013)
• James McAvoy played Steve McBride on the UK series (2003-2005)
• Rebecca Metz played Melinda (2015-2016)
• Arden Myrin played Dolores in five episodes (2016)
• Emmy Rossum played Fiona Gallagher (2011-2019)
• Bob Saget played Father D'Amico in "Face It, You're Gorgeous" (2018)
• Brent Sexton played Patrick Gallagher in "When There's a Will" (2013) and "Going Once, Going Twice" (2016)