Ghost Whisperer | |
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![]() Ghost Whisperer title card |
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Format | Supernatural, fantasy, Thriller, Drama |
Created by | John Gray |
Starring | Jennifer Love Hewitt David Conrad Aisha Tyler (2005-2006) Camryn Manheim (2006-) Jay Mohr (2006-2008) Christoph Sanders (2008-) Jamie Kennedy (2008-) |
Country of origin | ![]() |
No. of seasons | 4 |
No. of episodes | 71 (List of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
John Gray Ian Sander Kim Moses James Van Praagh (Co-executive producer) Jeannine Renshaw (Co-executive producer) Mark B. Perry (Co-executive producer) |
Producer(s) | Joe Dishner Jennifer Love Hewitt[1] |
Running time | approx. 43 minutes |
Distributor | USA: CBS Paramount/CBS Studios through: CBS Television Distribution Non-USA: ABC through: Disney-ABC International Television |
Broadcast | |
Original channel | CBS |
Picture format | 480i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV) |
Original run | September 23, 2005 – present |
External links | |
Official website | |
IMDb profile | |
TV.com summary |
Ghost Whisperer is an American television drama-fantasy-thriller that premiered on CBS September 23, 2005.[2] The show was developed by Spiritual medium James Van Praagh and created by John Gray. It currently stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Conrad, and Camryn Manheim. Formerly Aisha Tyler and Jay Mohr were part of the regular cast. Ghost Whisperer airs Friday nights at 8/7c.
Contents |
It was CBS Productions' final series before folding into CBS Paramount Television with the merger of Paramount Television for the second season in 2006 (the CBS Productions name would be re-activated in 2008 when 90210 premiered).
The show's title is a reference to the main character Melinda Gordon (portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt), who lives in the town of Grandview, New York with her husband Jim (David Conrad), a medic from Mercy Hospital, and who has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. The show is also one of several fantasy television programs about young women with gifts for supernatural communication such as the NBC show Medium, and canceled shows Joan of Arcadia, Tru Calling, 1-800-Missing, Wonderfalls and Afterlife.
Season two of Ghost Whisperer premiered on September 22, 2006 and ended on May 11, 2007, again airing Friday nights on CBS during the same timeslot.[3] CBS officially renewed the show for a third season placing it in its regular Friday 8 p.m. time slot. (Eastern US Time) The third season premiered September 28, 2007. Due to the writers strike 12 episodes were completed before the strike. However, once the strike ended, CBS has announced that the show would return April 4, 2008 with 6 episodes. [4] On February 15, 2008, CBS renewed Ghost Whisperer for a fourth season.[5]
Ghost Whisperer will be broadcast in reruns, not only on ION Television, but also on Sci Fi and WE TV.[6]
It was announced on June 12, 2008 that Jamie Kennedy would join the cast as a psychology professor Eli for the fourth season of Ghost Whisperer and Jay Mohr would be leaving after appearing in the first episode in season four as his character Professor Rick Payne takes a sabbatical. [7] Previously recurring cast member Christoph Sanders also joined the regular cast at the start of the fourth season. The fourth season of Ghost Whisperer premiered on Friday, October 3, 2008 and will consist of 26 episodes.[8][9]
Ghost Whisperer is an episodic series that follows the life of Melinda Gordon, a young woman who has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. Each episode deals with one or more ghosts seeking Melinda's help in relaying a message or completing a task that will put the spirit to rest, and allow them to "cross over" into The Light, a metaphor presented by the show as its conception of Heaven. Crossing over is when a spirit leaves earth and goes to heaven.
Despite the episodic structure of the show, plot lines that span two or three episodes (normally during season openers and finishers) develop and progress throughout the rest of the season. The first season arc introduced the show's first antagonist, Romano, a negative entity in a black hat, who attempted to do the exact opposite of Melinda and gather earthbound souls and bring them to the Dark Side. The story climaxed in the season finale when a plane crashed in Grandview, and Melinda and Romano both attempted to sway the souls to the Light, and staying on earth, respectively. Her best friend Andrea Moreno was killed in the plane crash and, in a story that would carry over to the second season, was being swayed by Romano to stay earthbound.
In the second season, two new characters (Delia Banks and Professor Rick Payne) are introduced, both of whom, by season's end, come to learn of Melinda's power and become survivors that ghosts want messages passed to through Melinda. The second season arc revolves around the thinning "veil" between the living and the dead, evident in certain situations in second season episodes. By the end of the season, a second Ghost Whisperer was introduced. His arrival in Grandview sets the final events of a disastrous prophecy in motion, and the strengthening of the dark side over the Light.
The beginning of each episode normally revolves around Melinda first encountering the ghost(s) that will be crossed over in the episode. In their normally brief appearances, Melinda collects clues she later researches. After gaining a significant piece of information that drives the episode's plot further, the ghost(s) normally open up to her, and tell her how it is she can help them find peace. Often, the messages the ghosts want Melinda to pass are confusing and as a result, she is normally met with questions and scepticism by those she is trying to give the message to the families, friends and lovers of the ghosts. By the end of each episode, Melinda is usually able to complete her task and cross the ghost(s) from the respective episode over.
# Eps | Timeslot (EDT) | Season Premiere | Season Finale | Rank | Viewers (in millions) |
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Season 1 | 22 | Friday 8:00 PM | September 23, 2005 | May 5, 2006 | #41 | 10.2[10] |
Season 2 | 22 | Friday 8:00 PM | September 22, 2006 | May 11, 2007 | #44 | 9.9 [11] |
Season 3 | 18 | Friday 8:00 PM | September 28, 2007 | May 16, 2008 | #64 | 9.3 [12] |
Season 4 | 26 | Friday 8:00 PM | October 3, 2008 | TBA | *10.14 |
Note: * as of 12/19/08.
The series is based on the work of "Spirit Communicator" James Van Praagh,[13] who is co-executive producer[14] and constantly updates a blog about the show through CBS.[15] The stories are also said to be based in part on the work of "Spirit Communicator" Mary Ann Winkowski.[16]. Development of the show dates back to at least two years before its premiere.[17]
The show is currently produced by Sander/Moses Productions in association with CBS Paramount Network Television (originally CBS Productions in season one) and ABC Studios (originally Touchstone Television in the first two seasons).
The show is filmed on the Universal Studios back lot in Hollywood.[18] One area on the lot is Courthouse Square from the Back to the Future trilogy, though it has been drastically modified to portray Grandview. For example, the clock tower present in Back to the Future has been completely covered up. Cast and crew members also believe that the set gets visits from real spirits.[19]
Sound effects are completed at Smart Post Sound[20] and special effects at Flash Film Works.[21]
The hair stylist for the show’s protagonist, Melinda Gordon (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt), was five time Emmy award nominated hair designer Michael Reitz.
After the season one finale, John Gray, the show's creator, signed a two-year contract with CBS, which would all but guarantee a third season.[22] Season three is also supposed to bring about new executive producer P.K. Simonds.[23]
There are two places in afterlife, when the ghosts "cross over": The Light and the Dark Side. These two places are one of the main points of the show.
When Melinda helps ghosts cross over, they see a bright light. The Light is identified with Heaven. The Light is invisible to viewers and shown only a few times such as in episodes The Vanishing, The One, Giving up the Ghost (briefly) and The Gathering. Almost all the spirits Melinda helps in the show cross over into the light.
Not all spirits cross over into the Light. Some cross over to the dark side. The dark side is identified with hell. Spirits who are trapped in this Limbo are exposed to hate and anger.
However, some ghosts remain earthbound, whether because of an evil force, or unfinished business. Some do not even know they are dead. These spirits can reside above the surface (such as ghosts that haunt people) or in The Underneath (where evil spirits stay).
Year | Group | Award | Result | For |
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2006 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films | Best Actress on Television | Won | Jennifer Love Hewitt |
Emmy Awards | Outstanding Main Title Design | Nominated | ||
Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Television Actress | Nominated | Jennifer Love Hewitt | |
Teen Choice Awards | TV - Choice Breakout Show | Nominated | ||
Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a Television Series (Comedy or Drama) - Guest Starring Young Actor | Won | Joseph Castanon | |
2007 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films | Best Actress in a Television Program | Won | Jennifer Love Hewitt |
Emmy Awards | Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) | Nominated | Episode: Love Never Dies | |
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actress: Drama | Nominated | Jennifer Love Hewitt | |
2008 | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films | Best Actress on Television | Won | Jennifer Love Hewitt |
TV Land Awards | Favorite Character from the "Other Side" | Nominated | Jennifer Love Hewitt | |
Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actress | Nominated | Jenna Boyd |
A series of webisodes entitled Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side have been released on the Ghost Whisperer website.[24] A total of eight webisodes were produced and extras (such as trailers and behind the scenes) are available for viewing. The story follows Zach (played by Mark Hapka), a young delivery boy who dies while delivering a package. He soon learns how to do things in the spirit world, and gets revenge on Danny, the man he thinks killed him, and his former best friend. Melinda from the television series doesn't appear in the internet series as it takes place entirely in the spirit world. However, ghosts from the television series have appeared in some webisodes.
In the second season finale of Ghost Whisperer, one of the characters from The Other Side, Mark, made an appearance while trying to get help from Melinda before being taken into the Dark Side leaving the internet series in its own cliffhanger.
The second season of The Other Side premiered on the CBS website on January 18, 2008.[24]
It has been recently discovered that andshamethedevil.net[25] is a site linked to Ghost Whisperer. The site is mentioned in the Season 3 premiere. If you visit the site and click on the word bloody, it leads to another site rubloodymary.com
Also, recently discovered: If you click on the star in the upper right hand corner, the site appears to crack into pieces. Those pieces can be removed by dragging, revealing this message:
"Meet Me In The Underworld"
Also in really tiny letters at the bottom read the words: "bloody mary. bloody marry. bloody mary."
Another site discovered to be a part of Ghost Whisperer. rubloodymary.com is mentioned in episode 302 - "Don't Try This At Home" - which prominently features the Bloody Mary Urban Legend. When visiting rubloodymary.com if you click and hold down anywhere on the main page and scrub you can erase the image, revealing another image underneath that reads "...until she is trapped underground." Above that there is a countdown timer that, doing the math, counts down to Friday, October 26, 2007, episode 305 of Ghost Whisperer aired that night.
Other features: There is a stories link that takes you to a book with a Bloody Mary tale in it. The very last line reads "I hope she doesn't go in the church."
Finally, there is an email address to connect to, and several links, some to the Ghost Whisperer Myspace page and ghostwhisperer.com and one that links back to andshamethedevil.net which is another secret Ghost Whisperer site.
The Region 1 DVD releases are distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment/CBS DVD, while releases in all other regions are distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (formerly Buena Vista Home Entertainment).
Season | Specifications | Special Features | Release dates |
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1[26][27] |
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2[28] |
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3[28] |
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Title | Author | Summary | Corresponding Season |
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Revenge (September 30, 2008) |
Doranna Durgin | A ghost brings his killer upon Melinda, but can the ghost stop the person before it is to late? | Season 2+ |
The Haunted (October 15, 2008) |
Carrie Smith, Becca Smith | A ghost claiming to be the Egyptain God Osiris arrives in Grandview with the intent of creating darkness which would prevent Melinda from helping other ghosts. | Season 2+ |
Plague Room (November 25, 2008) |
Steven Piziks | Melinda has trouble crossing some ghosts over into the light, enter new Ghost Whisperer Wendy King. Melinda becomes upset when she learns of that Wendy requires fees and traps the ghosts forcing them into the light against their will. | Season 2+ |
Ghost Trap (March 31, 2009) |
Doranna Durgin | Has not yet been released | Season 2+ |
Title | Author | Summary |
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Spirit Guide (November 25, 2008) |
Kim Moses, Ian Sander |
A guide to communicating with ghosts in the real world as well as a guide to the show. Includes interviews, photos, and an episode summary. |
Country | Local Title | Literal Translation | Network | Weekly Schedule |
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Sony Entertainment Television | |||
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Ghost Whisperer | Seven Network | Tuesday 9:30pm | |
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ORF 1 | Monday 00:30am | ||
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Ghost Whisperer | VTM | Tuesday 22:00pm | |
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Melinda entre deux mondes | Melinda between two worlds | PlugTV | |
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Ghost Whisperer | Sony Entertainment Television | Monday 7:oopm | |
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Ghost Whisperer | CTV | Friday 8:00pm | |
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Melinda entre deux mondes | Melinda between two worlds | Ztélé | |
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Kanal 4 | Wednesday 8:55pm | ||
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Ghost Whisperer | TF6 | broadcasted between 2006-2007 | |
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Ghost Whisperer – Stimmen aus dem Jenseits | Kabel 1 | Wednesday 8:15pm | |
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Ghost Whisperer | JakTV | Varies | |
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Ghost Whisperer | RTE One | Weekdays 3:25pm | |
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Ghost Whisperer - Presenze | Ghost Whisperer - Presences | RaiDue / Foxlife | Wednesday 9:00pm |
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הלוחשת לרוחות | Ghost Whisperer | yes stars 2 | Tuesday 9:00pm |
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TV land | Tuesday 8:00pm | ||
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Dvasių Užkalbėtoja | Ghost Whisperer | LNK | Saturdays and Sundays 12:50am |
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Ghost Whisperer | 8TV Star World |
Monday 9:30pm Unknown |
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Almas Perdidas | Lost Souls | Azteca 7 Sony Entertainment Television |
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Ghost Whisperer | NET 5 | Sunday 8:30 pm | |
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Ghost Whisperer | TV2 | Friday 8:30 pm (Season One)/Monday 9:30 pm (Season 2 - 3)/ Monday 8.30 - 10.30 (Season 3 Finale)/ Season 4 (TBA) | |
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Zaklinacz Dusz | Souls Whisperer | Fox Life | |
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Em Contacto Entre Vidas |
? Between Lives |
Fox Life SIC |
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Говорящая с призраками | Ghost Whisperer | Fox Life | |
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Ghost Whisperer | MediaCorp TV Channel 5 | Friday 10:00pm | |
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Entre Fantasmas | Between Ghosts | Cuatro (channel) Fox |
Sunday 10:00pm Unknown |
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TV4 AB | |||
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Ghost Whisperer | TSR | ||
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TV4 AB | |||
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Ghost Whisperer | Star World | ||
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Ghost Whisperer | Living | Tuesday 9:00pm | |
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Ghost Whisperer | CBS | Friday 8:00pm | |
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Almas Perdidas | Lost Souls | WAPA-TV | Tuesday 10:00pm |
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Voces del más allá | Voices from Beyond | Televen |
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