Jeremy Allen White's Shameless Has Already Saved The Bear

The Bear has the potential to be a great show from beginning to end, and the reason for this comes down to an example set by Shameless. The common denominator between these two TV shows is, of course, Jeremy Allen White, who serves as the profoundly memorable star of the ongoing The Bear. This is easily one of White's best performances yet, and that's really saying something after Shameless.

Shameless is what first made White a household name. The series premiered in 2011 and, after a slow start, gained significant attention and critical acclaim. White played the complicated and lovable Philip "Lip" Gallagher for all 11 of Shameless' seasons. Though his performance was strong in each episode, the show itself saw a rapid decline in quality beginning with season 9. Now, it seems White recognizes the downfalls of long-running TV shows.

The Bear Has Learned An Important Lesson From Shameless

Shameless remains Showtime's longest-running scripted series in the way of seasons, and there's no denying it was something spectacular. However, like most shows that go on for so long, things fell apart before the end. It's a real shame, since finishing things off on a low note can really undermine the overall impression of what was truly a great TV show. It's a tough lesson for the industry to learn, but White's comments indicate that The Bear won't repeat Shameless' mistakes.

White recently discussed The Bear and its future, expressing how much he has enjoyed playing Carmy and working with creator Christopher Storer and his fellow cast members. He stated that he is used to working on long-running programs like Shameless and that he could continue The Bear for just as long. However, White also acknowledged that dragging things out isn't typically good for a story:

"I did Shameless for so long, so that's what I'm sort of used to in television. You do it for a decade-plus. But I know it's hard to maintain the continuity and the level of storytelling when you go for that long. But it's difficult. I love that cast so much. I love Chris Storer so much. We shoot that show so quickly. I love Carmy so much. I could do it for a long time, but I don't know how much longer we'll do it for."

White's comments indicate that he recognizes that Shameless' continuity and quality declined as seasons nine, ten, and eleven dragged the story forward. The show's hype and widespread approval vanished. While White clearly enjoys working on The Bear, it's also evident that he recognizes the risk of taking a story too far. It's a lesson effectively learned.

The Bear Is All Set Up For A Perfect Ending

Just as Shameless was consistently great for its first several seasons, critical reception for The Bear has been overwhelmingly positive. The show holds an impressive 93% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, with each season deemed "Certified Fresh." Still, it's worth noting that there is a very gradual decline from season 1's 100% score and the 84% earned by season 4. If FX wants to end things on a high note, it may be time to wrap things up.

There has so far been no confirmation that The Bear will end with season 5, but the story certainly seems to be heading toward a natural close. The finale of season 4 saw Carmy reveal that he would be stepping away from the titular restaurant, instead heading out into the world to experience life in a different way. It really feels as if this detail is meant to carry us into a final arc. If The Bear really has learned from Shameless, then it should be saved from that unfortunate slump.

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  The Bear

  

  9/10

  Release Date June 23, 2022

  Network Hulu

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    Ebon Moss-Bachrach

    Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich

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  Shameless

  Release Date 2011 - 2021-00-00

  Network Channel 4

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    William H. Macy

    Frank Gallagher

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