North Texas Daily

Are you f—ing serious? You’re trying to tell me you weren’t paying attention at all these last few weeks? Whatever. Here’s what happened on “Shameless:”

Emmy Rossum is calling it quits.

Yes, that Emmy Rossum. Fiona Gallagher, the main character of the longest running program to ever grace Showtime, is leaving following this year’s Season 9. Or maybe she’s just ”moving up the street,” as Shanola Hampton, who plays Veronica Fisher, says. Who cares. Bottom line is, we (might) have a problem. Meaning “Shameless” (might) be in dire need of a solution.

And thanks to the power of pure speculation, I’ve come up with a few.

Aunt Viv it:

You’re reading an article about television, so I’m going to assume you get the reference. And I know what you’re thinking: “How could you? This isn’t an ‘Indiana Jones’ movie — we can’t go swapping things around hoping nobody notices!”

Well, why not?

Why not replace Rossum with a new actress? Why not take on some new liberties with the character and breathe fresh life into the season-to-season “Fiona-formula?” Throw out a tongue-in-cheek head nod to Fiona’s “new look.” Add a dash of “Gee Fiona, you been working out? You’re lookin’ a little different” for laughs, and everything should shake out just fine.

That worked for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” But that was only Season 3 for Will Smith and crew. “Shameless” is staring down the barrel of doing “Friends” numbers. Now tell me, could you really imagine anyone besides David Schwimmer goofing up Ross’s love life? Didn’t think so.

Changing the guard:

Speaking of ’90s sitcom’s, it was recently reported by Deadline that Bob Saget of “Full(er) House” fame is set to make a few appearances this season. Don’t like the idea of Frank being the emotional anchor for seasons to come? Well you might be in luck.

There’s no confirmation on exactly what role Saget will be playing this season. Only that the character will be an “unlikely” one for Saget. With Season 9 leaning into more political themes, it’ll be interesting to see where two of televisions most-watched dads come into play.

Whatever the case is, anyone could come out of Season 9 a fan favorite and be offered a spot in the main rotation. For a writers room as even-handed as the one working on “Shameless,” it means the avenues only get wider from here.

This is by far the most viable, and most likely, option moving forward. But one remains.

Don’t:

I’ll start by saying this; there’s little-to-no chance of this scenario happening. People love “Shameless.” Thankfully we have the power of pure speculation.

Ten seasons is a feat. Should it happen, it’ll be a testament within itself to the way audiences have connected with the unpredictable world of the Gallagher’s. But 10 seasons is a lot — hell, nine seasons is a lot. And maybe this is a sign.

William H. Macy, who plays Frank Gallagher, has already expressed interest in playing another great long-term role. Plenty of other cast members have begun to branch out onto other projects, and schedules will only get busier from here on out. The time is most likely coming for “Shameless,” and maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Should Showtime decide to pull the plug after this season or the next, “Shameless” will undoubtedly be given a proper send off. And when that time comes, regardless of what happens in between, I have a feeling Fiona Gallagher will be there.

After all, she’s just up the street.

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