Shameless (season 9)

The ninth season of Shameless, an American comedy-drama television series based on the British series of the same name by Paul Abbott, was announced on November 8, 2017, following the season 8 premiere.[1] The season premiered on September 9, 2018,[2] and consisted of 14 episodes, split into two seven-episode parts.[3] The second half of the season premiered on January 20, 2019.[3] The season also includes the 100th episode of the series.

Shameless
Season 9
Promotional poster
Starring	William H. Macy Emmy Rossum Jeremy Allen White Ethan Cutkosky Shanola Hampton Steve Howey Emma Kenney Cameron Monaghan Richard Flood Christian Isaiah
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	14
Release
Original network	Showtime
Original release	September 9, 2018 – March 10, 2019
Season chronology

On August 30, 2018, Emmy Rossum announced that she would leave the series following the ninth season.[4] On October 7, 2018, Cameron Monaghan announced that the sixth episode of the season would be his last one.[5] However, Monaghan appeared in "Found", the season finale, and returned to the series in season ten.[6] Christian Isaiah and Richard Flood, who portrays Liam Gallagher and Ford Kellogg respectively, were promoted to the main cast.

Cast and characters

Main

• William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher[2]
• Emmy Rossum as Fiona Gallagher[2]
• Jeremy Allen White as Philip "Lip" Gallagher[2]
• Ethan Cutkosky as Carl Gallagher[2]
• Shanola Hampton as Veronica "V" Fisher[2]
• Steve Howey as Kevin "Kev" Ball[2]
• Emma Kenney as Debbie Gallagher[2]
• Cameron Monaghan as Ian Gallagher[2] (episodes 1-6, 14)
• Richard Flood as Ford Kellogg[7] (episodes 1-7, 9)
• Christian Isaiah as Liam Gallagher[2]

Special guest

• Dan Lauria as Maurice "Mo" White[8]
• Dennis Cockrum as Terry Milkovich
• Katey Sagal as Ingrid Jones[9]
• Courteney Cox as Jen Wagner[9]
• Noel Fisher as Mickey Milkovich[10]

Recurring

• Scott Michael Campbell as Brad
• Amirah Johnson as Alexandra "Xan" Galvez
• Juliette Angelo as Geneva
• Kate Miner as Tami Tamietti
• Ashley Romans as Alex[8]
• Paul Dooley as Ralph
• Jess Gabor as Kelly Keefe[11]
• Joy Osmanski[12] as Dr. Kwan
• Luis Guzmán as Mikey O'Shea[11]

Guests

• Sammi Hanratty as Kassidi Gallagher
• Bob Saget as Father D’Amico[11]
• Andy Buckley as Randy
• Sharon Lawrence as Margo Mierzejewski[13]

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	U.S. viewers (millions)
97	1	"Are You There Shim? It's Me, Ian"	Iain B. MacDonald	Nancy M. Pimental	September 9, 2018	1.31[14]
Most of the parents of The Hopkins Academy PTA test positive for STDs and is revealed that Frank had extramarital affairs with all infected females. Ian makes friends in jail, and continues his Gay Jesus antics inside. Debbie fights for equal pay at work after finding out she was being paid less. Lip juggles taking care of Xan. Carl has to prove himself at military school, while Kassidi is waiting for him outside the school.
98	2	"Mo White!"	Erin Feeley	Molly Smith Metzler	September 16, 2018	1.12[15]
Fiona and Ford fight over a risky investment opportunity. Frank makes money by field working in local political campaigns. Carl thinks of going to West Point, but learns he has to do a lot more to have any chance of admission. Kev and V try to find the perfect preschool for the twins, at the lowest possible cost. Debbie protests for women rights because of unequal pay. Lip is asked to sponsor a new member of AA while also struggling to take care of Xan. Because of the PTA incident with Frank and the mothers, Liam gets kicked out of Hopkins Academy.
99	3	"Weirdo Gallagher Vortex"	Kat Coiro	Joe Lawson	September 23, 2018	1.05[16]
Ian searches for religious inspiration. Liam makes a deal with another student at his new public school. Carl takes on helping terminal dogs from being put down and convinces V to return to being a dominatrix to get him a recommendation to West Point. Kev works to make the guys at the bar more respectful to women. Frank learns Mo White is hiding something that could ruin his chances. Xan breaks her arm and Lip tries to take responsibility for her. Debbie befriends a welder whom she later learns is female, and Fiona and Ford continue to not meet eye to eye about her life decisions.
100	4	"Do Right, Vote White!"	Mark Mylod	John Wells	September 30, 2018	1.09[17]
It’s Election Day and everyone has a different view of whom to vote for. Frank and Mo continue to work to gain last minute voters with surprising results. Debbie begins a roller coaster relationship with fellow female welder, Alex. Gay Jesus builds an international following, and some non-believers, and Ian struggles to find his role in it. Carl is challenged to a duel for his West Point recommendation letter and worries he’s gone soft because of his volunteer work. Xan’s mother comes back and Lip has to make a decision about who will care for the girl long term. Kev and V embrace the clientele change at the bar and become consultants for other male dominated bars. Fiona takes a political stance at work and with Ford. Liam learns his school wants to move him up a couple of grades next year.
101	5	"Black-Haired Ginger"	William H. Macy	Philip Buiser	October 7, 2018	1.00[18]
Lip gets an unexpected day off and struggles to maintain his sobriety. Kev is asked to speak at a women’s convention and becomes more aware of the dangers of being female. Frank’s new anti-rejection drug has a negative side effect he can’t cope with. Carl attends a West Point luncheon where he meets Kelly, who mistakenly believes he took advantage of her when she passed out from drinking. Ian struggles to decide how to plead at court. Fiona lets Ford down while searching for Ian. Liam is propositioned by a girl at school who tries to convince him he got her pregnant. Debbie tries to make amends with Alex and explores her sexuality.
102	6	"Face It, You're Gorgeous"	Allison Liddi-Brown	Nancy M. Pimental	October 14, 2018	0.92[19]
Ian tries to prepare for serving time. Lip becomes a sober coach for a famous actress played by Courteney Cox. Kev and V have to make lifestyle choices after their daughter brings a dildo to show and tell. Fiona struggles to scrap together money to stay in the senior housing deal. Frank searches for a new “Monica”. Ford’s secret finally comes out and leaves Fiona reeling. Ian finds a huge surprise waiting for him in prison.
103	7	"Down Like the Titanic"	Silver Tree	Molly Smith Metzler	October 21, 2018	1.00[20]
Ian leaves a gift to remember him by. Frank works to make himself home with Ingrid. Carl studies for West Point with Kelly and Liam. Kev and V argue about having another baby. Lip attends Brad and Cami’s christening and gets to know Cami’s sister better. Fiona struggles with the money problems she’s having and ends up having to cut her losses and return home, much to her dismay. Debbie and some of her fellow welders teach Ford a lesson.
104	8	"The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Alibi"	Zetna Fuentes	Joe Lawson	January 20, 2019	0.80[21]
Fiona's downward spiral continues and Debbie steps in to pick up the slack at the Gallagher house. Ingrid ropes Frank into fulfilling her lifelong dream. Tami shows Lip a different version of adulthood.
105	9	"BOOOOOOOOOOOONE!"	Loren Yaconelli	Philip Buiser	January 27, 2019	0.84[22]
Frank searches for ways to finance Ingrid's vision for their future together. Fiona's anger issues cause problems at Patsy's. Lip is forced to confront his real feelings for Tami. Debbie has truly taken her new role as head of the Gallagher house by the reins, demanding each resident of the house pay their equal share, rationing each of the utilities, and changing the locks when each sibling doesn’t meet their requirements. V and Kev, determined to reunite their foster son Santiago with his family, travel to Indiana with the best intentions at heart, but evidently put Santiago’s poor uncle in more danger than he was in to begin with. Carl decides he can’t keep seeing Kelly in good faith, so as not to keep her from achieving her dreams.
106	10	"Los Diablos!"	Roberto Sneider	Nancy M. Pimental	February 10, 2019	1.14[23]
Frank meets his match in a fellow participant in the Hobo Loco competition. Fiona has a dark encounter at Patsy's that scares her into cleaning up her act. Debbie throws herself into home improvements as she gets closer with Kelly.
107	11	"The Hobo Games"	Iain B. MacDonald	Molly Smith Metzler	February 17, 2019	0.97[24]
The finals of the Hobo Games have arrived, and Frank faces off against his friend and greatest opponent. Lip prepares to officially adopt Xan, but his plans collide with Fiona's partying. Debbie develops feelings for someone surprising.
108	12	"You'll Know the Bottom When You Hit It"	Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini	Joe Lawson	February 24, 2019	0.81[25]
When a blackout hits the South Side, Kevin and Veronica come up with a plan to bring the neighborhood together. Carl grows suspicious of Debbie's attempts to get closer with Kelly. Fiona receives guidance from an unexpected person.
109	13	"Lost"	Iain B. MacDonald	John Wells	March 3, 2019	1.13[26]
Frank's injury gets in the way of everyone's plans; Fiona attempts to get her life back on track; Lip grows frustrated with his relationship with Tami; Carl gets some bad news about his future; Debbie finally makes a move on Kelly.
110	14	"Found"	John Wells	John Wells	March 10, 2019	1.35[27]
Having gotten the money from Max, Fiona quits her job at the gas station and having been motivated by her court hearing and a visit with Ian, resolves to truly start her own life. Frank is recovering from his leg injury and will be on bed rest for months as his children get annoyed with him and get him a nurse to handle him. Kelly shanghaied Carl into quitting his job and going back to school and better his future. Lip and Tami come to blows on her decision for their baby and soon reach an understanding. Debbie finds Liam has to meet a list of demands for him to come back home. Kev gets his charisma back and decides to make a business out of his religious persona. At the end, the family throw a goodbye party for Fiona but she has already set out and they continue anyway. Ian spots his sister's plane and silently wishes her luck on her journey.

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	"Are You There Shim? It’s Me, Ian"	September 9, 2018	0.5	1.31[14]	0.4	1.06	0.9	2.37[28]
2	"Mo White!"	September 16, 2018	0.4	1.12[15]	0.5	1.22	0.9	2.34[29]
3	"Weirdo Gallagher Vortex"	September 23, 2018	0.4	1.05[16]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
4	"Do Right, Vote White!"	September 30, 2018	0.4	1.09[17]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
5	"Black-Haired Ginger"	October 7, 2018	0.3	1.00[18]	0.5	1.03	0.8	2.03[30]
6	"Face It, You're Gorgeous"	October 14, 2018	0.3	0.92[19]	0.5	1.10	0.8	2.02[31]
7	"Down Like the Titanic"	October 21, 2018	0.3	1.00[20]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
8	"The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Alibi"	January 20, 2019	0.3	0.80[21]	0.4	0.95	0.7	1.75[32]
9	"BOOOOOOOOOOOONE!"	January 27, 2019	0.3	0.84[22]	0.4	1.05	0.7	1.89[33]
10	"Los Diablos!"	February 10, 2019	0.4	1.14[23]	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
11	"The Hobo Games"	February 17, 2019	0.3	0.97[24]	0.5	1.06	0.8	2.04[34]
12	"You'll Know the Bottom When You Hit It"	February 24, 2019	0.2	0.81[25]	0.5	1.22	0.7	2.04[35]
13	"Lost"	March 3, 2019	0.4	1.13[26]	0.5	1.10	0.9	2.23[36]
14	"Found"	March 10, 2019	0.5	1.35[27]	0.4	1.12	0.9	2.46[37]

Critical reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the ninth season 70%, based on 10 reviews. The critics consensus reads, "Shameless enters its ninth season on a tight budget of fresh stories left to tell, but still finds some rich new notes of characterization -- all while gracefully bidding adieu to Emmy Rossum."[38]

References

1. Andreeva, Nellie (November 8, 2017). "'Shameless' Renewed For Season 9 By Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
2. Gelman, Vlada (July 26, 2018). "Shameless Season 9 Trailer: Lip Plays Dad, Ian Is 'the Gay Che' and More". TV Line. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
3. Hibberd, James (August 6, 2018). "Shameless season 9 will be super-sized, and split in half". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
4. Holloway, Daniel (August 30, 2018). "'Shameless' Star Emmy Rossum Says She's Leaving Showtime Series". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
5. Lawrence, Derek (October 8, 2018). "Cameron Monaghan is also leaving Shameless". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
6. Goldberg, Lesley (January 31, 2019). "'Shameless' Renewed for Season 10 at Showtime". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
7. Petski, Denise (June 14, 2018). "'Shameless': Richard Flood Upped To Series Regular For Season 9". Deadline. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
8. Petski, Denise (June 22, 2018). "'Shameless': Dan Lauria & Ashley Romans Set To Recur In Season 9". Deadline. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
9. Holloway, Daniel (August 24, 2018). "Katey Sagal, Courteney Cox Join 'Shameless' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
10. Lesley, Goldberg (October 14, 2018). "'Shameless' Bids Cameron Monaghan a Fitting Farewell". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
11. Petski, Denise (September 11, 2018). "'Shameless': Jess Gabor & Luis Guzmán To Recur In Season 9". Deadline. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
12. Osmanski, Joy (August 15, 2018). "TV: Shameless". Joyosmanski.com. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
13. Sharon Lawrence [@sharonlawrence] (August 31, 2018). "Bittersweet news, especially since today might week be my last onset with the talented @emmyrossum . 🎬🎼🎭Witnessing her #Fiona up close in @SHO_Shameless is a privilege-anticipating her next move as a storyteller is exciting 💪🏻👏🏻🙌🏻" (Tweet). Retrieved September 1, 2018 – via Twitter.
14. Metcalf, Mitch (September 11, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
15. Metcalf, Mitch (September 18, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
16. Metcalf, Mitch (September 25, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.23.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
17. Metcalf, Mitch (October 2, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.30.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
18. Metcalf, Mitch (October 9, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.7.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
19. Metcalf, Mitch (October 16, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.14.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
20. Metcalf, Mitch (October 23, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.21.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
21. Metcalf, Mitch (January 23, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
22. Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
23. Metcalf, Mitch (February 12, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
24. Metcalf, Mitch (February 20, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.17.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
25. Metcalf, Mitch (February 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
26. Metcalf, Mitch (March 5, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
27. Metcalf, Mitch (March 12, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
28. Welch, Alex (September 24, 2018). "'Mayans M.C.' premiere leads, 'It's Always Sunny' does well in cable Live +7 ratings for Sept. 3-9". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
29. Welch, Alex (September 27, 2018). "FX dominates with 'American Horror Story,' 'Mayans,' and 'Always Sunny' in cable Live +7 ratings for Sept. 10-16". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
30. Welch, Alex (October 18, 2018). "'The Walking Dead' and 'American Horror Story' lead the cable Live +7 ratings for Oct. 1-7". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
31. Welch, Alex (October 29, 2018). "'American Horror Story' and 'Mayans M.C.' land high in the cable Live +7 ratings for Oct. 8-14". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
32. Welch, Alex (February 4, 2019). "'Project Blue Book' lands high again, 'Teen Mom 2' wins 18-49 in cable Live +7 ratings for Jan. 14-20, 2019". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
33. Welch, Alex (February 8, 2019). "'Teen Mom II' leads, 'Suits' returns with solid gains in cable Live +7 ratings for Jan. 21-27". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
34. Welch, Alex (February 28, 2019). "'Deadly Class' leads percentage gains in the cable Live +7 ratings for Feb. 11-17". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
35. Welch, Alex (March 7, 2019). "'The Walking Dead,' 'Project Blue Book' lead viewer gains in the cable Live +7 ratings for Feb. 18-24". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
36. Welch, Alex (March 14, 2019). "'Deadly Class,' 'Suits' score biggest percentage gains in the cable Live +7 ratings for Feb. 25 – March 3". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
37. Welch, Alex (March 22, 2019). "'The Walking Dead' earns biggest 18-49 and viewer gains in cable Live +7 ratings for March 4–10". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
38. "Shameless S09". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved November 30, 2019.

External links

• Official website
• Shameless – list of episodes at IMDb