Ghosts on CBS consistently provides the perfect dose of hilariously wholesome humor in almost every episode, making it the kind of series worth adding to everyone’s must-watch list. It’s hard to invest in TV shows nowadays when the threats of cancelations continue to loom over our heads by executives who’d axe content at any given moment. It’s also tricky to watch something when it’s inspired by an existing version. But the intriguing thing about this series is that it’s worth it regardless.
In all honesty, I was one of the folks initially hesitant to start Ghosts on CBS because I’m a fan of the original BBC version. My desire to give the series a chance is based on my appreciation for lead actress Rose McIver as an actress, but I held off for a bit, scared that it might not hold up. Except it does, and it manages to be compelling in every way while honoring the original series and simultaneously doing its own thing. So, if, like me, you’re apprehensive about giving this one a try, we’re here to convince you to jump on the bandwagon immediately.
1. The Premise Is Constantly Entertaining
The narrative options with both the CBS and BBC versions are endless. A mortal couple moves into a mansion haunted by various ghosts, where they’re bound to the property because it’s where they died. With the number of ghosts featured, there’s always a story to be told, and the higher episode count allows viewers to get to know them better. The tireless discourse on social media about shows now running shorter than normal, taking away from the viewing experience can get tricky. A comedy can always get away with more episodes because of its short, 20-ish minute runtime, but a drama? This is where British television does better by limiting episodes to 10-13 while still telling a compelling story without added drama that often comes at the expense of character development.
Here, there are countless places where the story can go that would still honor the characters. Some of them, quite literally, have an eternity to process all sorts of issues and changes from their pasts while adjusting to the modern world. At the same time, the show’s lore can continually evolve and develop. The detail that the characters are constantly learning and creating new ways to make their days pass makes the show an absolute delight. Add in some clever twists, and every episode becomes an entertaining gem.
2. Ghosts on CBS Features a Solid Marriage
One of the things we’re constantly championing here at Lady Geeks is the depiction of steady marriages on our screen. Madam Secretary did it beautifully. The Gilded Age continues to stun us in this regard, and now, Ghosts on CBS joins the limited but brilliant list. We’re romance fans above everything else, and watching Samantha “Sam” (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) navigate through their marriage makes the series excellent.
What’s especially compelling is the detail that Sam is the only one who sees the ghosts, which could’ve easily complicated her relationship with Jay. Instead, the series finds innovative ways to work around the details, ensuring that the two of them consistently evolve and grow together. While we don’t get their meet-cute or see how the two fell in love, it’s an absolute, refreshing joy to watch them navigate through marriage with healthy communication. Often, TV show writers feel that the inclusion of a happy union could bore viewers, but shows like Ghosts prove that the opposite happens. It makes the series more gripping and nuanced.
3. The Performances Are Fantastic
Alongside McIver and Ambudkar, Ghosts on CBS stars Sheila Carrasco, Asher Grodman, John Hartman, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Danielle Pinnock, Rebecca Wisocky, and Román Zaragoza. While some of these performances aren’t new faces to me personally, others are far more impressive than I thought they’d be, making the series that much easier to appreciate.
There’s not a single performer who feels out of place or someone who doesn’t mesh perfectly into the layered pot of delightful characters. And because the series gives each of the ghosts proper moments to shine, it allows their respective actors to bring their best foot forward, diving deep into the psyche of their characters’ hearts to bring to our screens something new and entertaining to grip onto.
4. The Friendships Are Deeply Wholesome
Someone who’s a known chicken like me would never invest in a show titled Ghosts. Yet, when I learned that it’s ultimately a series about friendships? You don’t have to ask me twice. The reason Ghosts on CBS works, maybe even a little more than the original BBC version, is entirely due to the friendships that develop within the ghosts and with Sam. Jay is also included in this, even when he can’t see them.
A series without solid friendships to enhance the dynamics isn’t one that stays memorable for long. For as entertaining as they are, they seldom become comfort watches for many viewers, but this is where Ghosts will stick out and stand the test of time. It’s present in how attached the ghosts are to Sam, each other, Jay, and inadvertently, the viewers, which makes it so easy to care about the characters and their story. I binged the series in one go and immediately felt compelled to re-watch it because the friendships alone make the large manor feel deeply cozy.
5. It Utilizes Surprising Tropes Well
One of the most intriguing things about Ghosts on CBS is that the series excels at utilizing familiar tropes. There are more romances than Jay and Sam’s marriage, which might be the most shocking detail because it’s not why they happen but how. It is something that should remain spoiler-free for viewers who haven’t seen it because it makes the development feel that much more earned. Simultaneously, how the series touches on modern teachings to older characters somehow feels refreshing. This is a common trope in fantasy where a human character is thrust into an unfamiliar world, which makes the premise that much more enjoyable. And here? It’s just perfect, hilarious, and outright bonkers sometimes.
In short, Ghosts on CBS is deeply hilarious, warm, and full of the kind of wholesome heart that makes the best sitcoms timeless. It’s sweet and smart in its execution of marrying different timelines, and it’s transparent about how friendships can change people for the better. There’s a lesson in almost every episode, deliciously spoon-fed in a way that works to enhance the plot while allowing the characters to evolve.
Ghosts is currently streaming on Paramount Plus.
First Featured Image | Poster Credit: ©CBS