{alltv} Macy 'Shameless' in new role

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William H. Macy spends much of the first episode of Shameless passed out.

So it had to be asked: Did he get full pay for that?

"Full pay, yup," Macy confirmed. "Hazard pay, as a matter of fact. I didn't get stepped on."

Of course, getting stepped on philosophically is a specialty of Macy's character Frank Gallagher in Shameless, which debuts Monday, Jan. 10 on The Movie Network and Movie Central. Or at least, that's the way Frank sees it.

"Oh man, we're riding that very, very fine line every single show," said Macy, referring to Frank's capacity to be essentially unlikable.

"He is despicable. He's a complete narcissist. He's an addict. We ride the line and I think that's what I was hired to do, to make sure you don't just sign Frank off. I bring as much charm to it as I can, which is a weird word to use for Frank.

"It would be so much easier if he just went out and got a job. But he's such a schemer. It's compelling to see someone who's striving, even if what he's striving for seems crazy."

This version of Shameless, which originates on the U.S. cable network Showtime, is an American adaptation of a long-running British drama.

Macy's Frank is the patriarch of a large downtrodden family in Chicago. Emmy Rossum also stars as Frank's eldest daughter Fiona, who has become the de facto mom for the clan.

Macy, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Fargo, understands Shameless might be depressing if not handled deftly.

"It's not an issue with our show, but I agree with you," Macy said. "When I go to the theatre or when I turn on TV, I would rather laugh. But drama mixed with comedy is my favourite.

"When I watched the British version (of Shameless), it occurred to me that it looks like a kitchen-sink drama, but in fact it's farce. Wait until you see where they take this thing."

Macy's real-life wife is actress Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives, and he said he eventually was drawn to a TV role in part because of how much his wife loves her job.

"Also I've done a lot of independent films but that market is quite troubled now," Macy said. "So when the independent film market got pretty sketchy, and it remains sketchy, I started looking for a TV series because I just love acting and I'd like to act more.

"If you ask me, I would say the best stuff anywhere is on television. It's not just the cable companies. Everybody's doing outrageous stuff.

"The other day we watched the wife's show, Housewives, and it was fantastic. Then I watched The Office, astounding. Then I watched 30 Rock, just astounding. Then I watched Californication. It doesn't get much better than that."

Macy obviously hopes TV viewers add Shameless to their personal "astounding" lists.

"Shameless has its darker side, but the family loves each other so much and the bond is so unbreakable," Macy said.

"The world that they live in is so wacky, it's just a treat."