From Gallaghers to Berzattos: Comparing the Dysfunctional Families of ‘Shameless’ and ‘The Bear’

by

As a devoted film enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the Berzatto clan’s tumultuous journey for four seasons, unfolding within and around their eponymous restaurant. However, long before Jeremy Allen White donned the chef’s hat as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in “The Bear,” he was part of an even more chaotic family: the Gallaghers. For nine seasons, White brought Phillip “Lip” Gallagher to life in the American adaptation of “Shameless.

In the TV series titled “The Bear“, White portrays Carmy Berzatto, who effectively assumes the role of family leader despite maintaining a somewhat detached stance towards them. Viewers have been captivated by Carmy’s relationships with his sister Sugar Berzatto (Abby Elliott), reminisced about moments shared with his brother Michael (Jon Bernthal) through flashbacks, witnessed emotional outbursts from their mother Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis), and many more characters who span from blood relatives to individuals closely associated with the Berzatto family.

In the TV show Shameless, White’s character, Lip, frequently clashed with his father, Frank (William H. Macy), and siblings, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) included, much like how the Berzattos struggle. However, the internal struggles of Lip are strikingly similar to those of Carmy, as they both possess a keen intellect and seem destined to be their own downfall.

The Chaos In ‘Shameless’ Makes ‘The Bear’ Look Cool, Calm, and Collected

In the United States, the show “Shameless” debuted in 2011, running concurrently with its British version for three seasons. Like its British counterpart, which delves into the hardships of the working-class Gallagher family in Manchester, England, the American adaptation also tackles themes such as poverty, addiction, and family dynamics. However, it takes place in Chicago instead.

In the American version of “Shameless,” William H. Macy portrays the character Frank Gallagher. Frank is frequently unemployed, battling alcoholism and drug addiction, and constantly seeking his next source of these substances. He’s also a less-than-ideal father figure as he often neglects his kids, only reappearing when he requires their help or resources. Despite his love for them, he allows them to manage on their own most of the time.

Philip “Lip” Gallagher (played by Jeremy Allen White) is the second-born child of Frank (Gallagher), with Monica (Chloe Webb). Siblings for Lip include Ian (Cameron Monaghan), Carl (Ethan Cutkowsky), Debbie (Emma Kenney), and Liam (Christian Isaiah). As Lip and Fiona attempt to look after their siblings, they sacrifice their own youth and the chance at personal lives. The siblings, particularly Ian, Carl, Debbie, and Liam, present numerous challenges for Lip and Fiona, underscoring the difficulties of being part of the Gallagher family.

Friends and Neighbors in ‘Shameless’ Complicate the Lives of the Gallaghers More Than Anyone in ‘The Bear’

The Gallagher kids face similar challenges as their elders. For instance, Fiona grapples with alcoholism and addiction, Lip has a drinking problem, Ian deals with bipolar disorder, just like his mom, Debbie is excessively attention-seeking to a potentially harmful degree, while Carl exhibits traits of sociopathy. Liam, being the youngest, hasn’t fully manifested his parental traits yet, although the identity of his father remains unclear.

The relationships and friendships of the Gallagher siblings are often unpredictable and turbulent, as demonstrated by Fiona’s frequent changes in boyfriends, including a car thief named Steve and Jimmy, depending on his criminal status. Ian’s partner, Mickey Milkovich (Noel Fisher), is known for his aggression and resentment towards the world, while Lip has an up-and-down relationship with Mickey’s sister, Mandy. In comparison, Carmy’s affection for Claire Dunlap in “The Bear” seems sweet compared to the tumultuous relationships seen in “Shameless,” not to mention the pleasant surprise of seeing how well Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and his ex-wife Tiffany (Gillian Jacobs) get along.

In contrast to the Berzattos, the Gallaghers share a single residence, though this arrangement shifts over time on the series. Living so closely together inevitably exposes them to each other and introduces a dash of disorder, with their vibrant neighbors further fueling the chaos in their lives. As a bar owner, Kevin Ball (Steve Howey), and a sex worker, Veronica Fisher (Shanola Hampton) are characters who naturally attract an array of intriguing individuals into their orbit, and these people seem to find their way into the Gallaghers’ lives at every turn.

Compared to Frank Gallagher in ‘Shameless,’ Donna Berzatto Is a Model Parent

The degree of Frank Gallagher’s poor fatherhood is hard to express in words. An alcoholic who literally robs from the mouths of his children, Frank is as filthy physically as he is despicable morally. Screen Rant highlighted some of Frank’s most appalling actions, including losing a bet that put his son at risk, feigning cancer in his son, and preventing a dying woman from receiving a life-saving heart transplant.

In 2012, William H. Macy talked about the character with Vulture:

The character is a compulsive individual. What gives him away when he’s not telling the truth? His lips are moving. I find this aspect of his portrayal intriguing. He doesn’t adhere to a consistent narrative or routine; instead, he reacts to each situation in the moment. It’s exhilarating to perform. It offers a sense of freedom. He is unburdened by his past and future, as well as any social or familial obligations. If you asked him to commit to helping more people, it would likely last only a day and a half.

Similar to Frank, Donna Berzatto has a strong addiction that’s hard to forget, especially when remembering her captivating performance in the sixth episode of Season 2, titled “Fishes.” Jamie Lee Curtis noted that Donna was deliberately crafted to bring instability, but her recovery in Season 4 hints at potential growth for the character. In an interview with Time, Curtis expressed,

In this rephrased version, the text conveys: She truly displays the anguish and hardships of her own childhood, marriage, and motherhood to three children. It’s at these times when Carmen becomes more compassionate and acknowledges, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t there for you.” This is when it becomes clear that Carmen is now empathizing with Donna and the challenges she has faced.

Donna dedicates effort into cultivating a strong bond with her kids, an area where Frank’s involvement has been mostly superficial. Frank isn’t a villain, but despite his frequent promises to quit drinking, swindling, and mistreating others, these changes have never been sustained.

Read More

2025-07-06 21:36