Showtime launches two new series

Showtime aired two new series tonight, 'Episodes,' starring Matt LeBlanc playing himself (sort of) and 'Shameless' starring William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. HBO used to be the home of edgy must-see water-cooler series but has been shown up by the upstart Showtime.

'Episodes' is a half hour comedy about two British comedy writers who created an award-winning show for British TV. They are wooed by a slimy American executive and come to Los Angeles to recreate their series for an American audience. The main character in the British series is played by a distinguished and very portly actor (he played Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter movies) who must audition for the American network execs. He's quickly deemed too British and not right for the role he originated. Little by little the Brits learn that the American network head hasn't actually seen their show, though his sycophantic support staff has. The Brits are told they are in luck because a hysterically funny actor is available and ready to return to television: Matt LeBlanc.

The series really sends up Hollywood in a wink-and-nod 'Entourage' manner but has the added element of the incredulous Brits.

The real winner for the evening was 'Shameless' the hour dramedy about a struggling Chicago family and their shiftless drunk of a father. The mother is long-gone and oldest daughter Fiona moves heaven and earth to keep her five younger siblings clothed, fed and cared for while also working at any kind of job to keep a roof over their heads. Oldest brother Lip (short for Philip) is a science whiz with big plans for himself, brother Ian wants a career in the military but has a secret involving his married male Muslim boss, younger brother Carl is a budding criminal, youngest sister Debbie has a good heart and will care for her dad when he's passed out on the floor and the family is rounded out by baby Liam who looks nothing like the rest of the clan.

Responsible Fiona likes to blow off steam and catches the eye of wealthy well-bred Steve (played by a smoking hot Jason Chatwin) when she's out dancing with her neighbor Veronica. When a purse-snatcher steals Fiona's purse, Steve pursues him but the thief gets away. When the bouncer refuses to let them back in Steve punches him and gets in a skirmish then goes home with Fiona and Veronica (who was accepted to nursing school but never got to attend) who tend to a cut on his head. Sparks fly between Steve and Fiona but they are interrupted by the police dropping off a drunk and passed out Frank. Fiona is sure Steve was slumming and she'll never hear from him again but is surprised when he shows up. He seems too good to be true and tries to kill Fiona with kindness but she's still pretty sure he'll get bored or fed up with the chaos that reigns in the Gallagher household and refuses to put all her eggs in his basket, as it were. But like so many other things on this show, not everything is at it appears and Steve's got a secret, too. The show has a gritty realism and no aspect of life for the Gallaghers is sugar-coated. The show is based on a British TV series set in hardscrabble Manchester, England and is helmed by John Wells who was the show-runner for 'ER' and 'The West Wing.' The show carries Wells' trademark a-lot-of-things-happening-at-once style and has smart writing.

'Episodes' airs Sunday night at 8:30 central; 'Shameless' follows at 9 central.