Shameless Episode 1, Series 1

From the opening scene, we get the impression that several of the characters involved have anti-social traits. This is often classicaly stereotyped with the north of England, as they often have higher rates of crime. This is an example of straight from the beginning, stereotypes being used to appeal to the audience - as they can relate due to the realism. As the main character, Frank Gallagher, introduces the audience to his family and there way of life; a mid-shot of his daughter Debbie is shown and intertextuality is used, as she recreates a pose by Vinnie Jones in the 1998 film 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. This makes the sequence more dynamic and appealing to a wider audience - perhaps more intellectual. As the opening sequence continues, it becomes apparent that the family value 'partying' more than other aspects of life, such as education and careers. This again ties in with the traditional stereotype of people from the North, as they are often assumed to be 'uneducated' and 'lazy'.

The concept of sexuality is explored further into the program, as 'Ian', the oldest son is discovered to be gay by his brother 'Lip'. Lip finds his stash of homosexual pornography in his bedroom, he looks around, shocked - and as he does, the mise-en-scene use of a Kylie Minogue poster adds humour to the situation. When Ian is confronted, he cries - again playing to the homosexual stereotype of femininity. Ian already has an unstereotypical teenage appearance, making him seem more 'different' from the start, however, when Lip talks to him he makes him seem almost alien, and frowned upon for being different. This gives us as the audience an insight into how sexuality is dealed with in different cultures. Lip however, juxtaposes Ian's character - as he is almost the perfect stereotype of a typical teenage boy. For example, he has a sexual encounter with Karen, and is then very boastful about it to hhttp://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/is peers. He is also very exaggerative, as is the case with most boys in his situation, whereas the actual situation was very awkward and uncomfortable - however, amusing to watch as an onlooker.

The next scene involves Steve and Fiona. They conform to another stereotype of the North, by being drunk, disorderly and aggressive. For example, whilst both drunk at a nightclub - Steve gets into a fight with another man, and then punches the bouncer. When they return home and Steve informs the other characters of the incident, they all know who the bouncer was - showing the closeness of communities in the north especially in areas like the one featuered (as everyone knows everyone). As Steve and Fiona begin to get close, romantic music is playing and birds are tweeting softly - creating a perfect yet surreal atmosphere with hints of almost fantasy. However, this build up then juxtaposes their actual sexual encounter, as when it comes to it is almost trashy in a way due to the fairly graphic shots, and groaning. As they make love, Fiona repeatedly makes the 'ni, ni, ni' sound - another case of intertextuality, as this is featured in a Monty Python production.