Ghost Whisperer
| Ghost Whisperer | |
|---|---|
 Ghost Whisperer title card | |
| Genre |
Supernatural drama Fantasy Thriller Procedural drama Mystery |
| Created by | John Gray |
| Starring |
Jennifer Love Hewitt David Conrad Aisha Tyler Camryn Manheim Jay Mohr Christoph Sanders Jamie Kennedy Connor Gibbs |
| Composer(s) |
Mark Snow (2005–2010) Dan Beyer ("Body of Water") |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 107 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Jennifer Love Hewitt (Season 5) John Gray (Seasons 1-3) Ian Sander Kim Moses |
| Producer(s) |
Joe Dishner[1] Jennifer Love Hewitt |
| Running time | 42-44 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Sander/Moses Productions (2005–2010) Touchstone Television (2005–2007) ABC Studios (2007–2010) Paramount Network Television (2005–2006) CBS Paramount Network Television (2006–2009) CBS Television Studios (2009–2010) |
| Distributor |
North America:
Paramount Domestic Television (2005–2007) Disney–ABC International Television (2007-present) |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Picture format |
4th (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original release | September 23, 2005 – May 21, 2010 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval |
Ghost Whisperer is an American television supernatural drama series, which ran on CBS from September 23, 2005, to May 21, 2010.[2]
The series follows the life of Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt), who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. While trying to live a normal life as possible—she is married and owns an antique store—Melinda helps earthbound spirits resolve their problems and cross over into the light, or the spirit world. Her tasks are difficult and at times she struggles with people who push her away and disbelieve her gift. In addition, the ghosts are mysterious and sometimes menacing in the beginning and Melinda must use the clues available to her to understand the spirits' needs and help them.[3] The show was created by John Gray and was produced by Sander/Moses Productions, executive producer, and Jennifer Love Hewitt in association with ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios.[4]
On May 18, 2010, CBS canceled the show after five seasons.[5]
Premise
Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is a young woman from the town of Grandview, New York, who has the ability to see and communicate with the dead. Melinda lives with her husband, Jim Clancy (David Conrad), and later their son Aiden (Connor Gibbs). She owns a shop called "Same As It Never Was Antiques". Ghosts seek 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. Those who died with unfinished business become earthbound and cannot cross over, and Melinda, as their earthly representative, helps them to find peace. The show does not present the ghosts as having sinned; rather it is the spirits' own guilt that condemns them, and their own fear of judgment that keeps them from "crossing over" into an afterlife.
The series also starred Aisha Tyler as Andrea Marino, Melinda's best friend, who runs the antique shop with her. Andrea is killed in the first season finale. During the second season, Melinda meets Delia Banks (Camryn Manheim), a struggling real estate agent who forms a friendship with Melinda and who eventually agrees to run the antique shop with her. Delia is shocked to find out about Melinda's abilities; in fact, at first she claims Melinda needs psychological help. Delia eventually accepts Melinda's gift, though she remains skeptical at times. Delia has a son named Ned Banks (Tyler Patrick Jones seasons 2-3, Christoph Sanders thereafter) who finds out about Melinda's gift long before his mother does.
Melinda also forms a friendship with Rick Payne (Jay Mohr), a professor at Rockland University. He helps Melinda solve the conflicts of ghosts throughout the second and third seasons. He departs in the fourth season premiere for an expedition in the Himalayas.
Production
Development
Ghost Whisperer is based in part on the work of Mary Ann Winkowski.[6] Development of the show dates back to at least two years before its premiere.[7] James Van Praagh was a co-executive producer and consultant on the show.[8]
The show was produced by Sander/Moses Productions in association with CBS Television Studios (originally Paramount Network Television in season one and ABC Studios (originally Touchstone Television in the first two seasons) and CBS Paramount Network Television in seasons two and three).
The show was filmed on the Universal Studios back lot in Los Angeles.[9] One area on the lot is Courthouse Square from the Back to the Future trilogy, though it has been drastically modified to depict Grandview. For example, the clock tower in Back to the Future has been completely covered up. The front of Melinda and Jim's house is also the same set used by the Finch family in the film adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird. Cast and crew members said they believed that the set got visits from real spirits.[10] After the show's cancellation and shortly before the sets were torn down, Jennifer Love Hewitt filmed a tour demonstrating the ways in which the areas were different from those shown in the TV broadcast.[11]
Sound effects were completed at Smart Post Sound.[12] Visual effects for the pilot and some season one episodes were completed at Flash Film Works.[13] Visual effects for nearly the entire series were created at Eden FX.[14]
Creator John Gray grew up in Brooklyn, New York, which is not far from Grand View-On-Hudson (also called Grand View), west of the Hudson River. Piermont is often referenced in episodes as the neighboring town, which is accurate to real life as Grand View is actually located just north of Piermont. Professor Rick Payne worked at the fictional "Rockland University", and, perhaps not coincidentally, the actual village of Grand View is a village located in Rockland County, New York.
Cast
| Actor | Character | Seasons | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||
| Jennifer Love Hewitt | Melinda Gordon | Main | ||||||
| David Conrad | Jim Clancy / Sam Lucas | Main | ||||||
| Aisha Tyler | Andrea Marino | Main | Special Guest | |||||
| Camryn Manheim | Delia Banks | Main | ||||||
| Jay Mohr | Professor Rick Payne | Recurring | Main | Special Guest | ||||
| Tyler Patrick Jones / Christoph Sanders | Ned Banks | Recurring | Main | |||||
| Jamie Kennedy | Professor Eli James | Main | ||||||
| Connor Gibbs | Aiden Lucas | Main | ||||||
Broadcast
The first season premiered on September 23, 2005, and ended on May 5, 2006. It received an average of 10.20 million viewers. 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. CBS officially renewed the show for a third season placing it in its regular Friday 8 p.m. ET time slot. The third season premiered September 28, 2007. Twelve episodes were completed before the Writers Guild of America strike, and once the strike ended, CBS had announced that the show would return April 4, 2008, with six episodes.[15] On February 15, 2008, CBS renewed Ghost Whisperer for a fourth season.[16] For the fourth season, Jamie Kennedy joined the cast as Psychology professor Eli James. Jay Mohr left after the first episode as the plot had his character, Professor Rick Payne, going on sabbatical (Mohr took a role in Gary Unmarried).[17] Recurring cast member Christoph Sanders joined as a regular cast member. The fourth season of Ghost Whisperer premiered on Friday, October 3, 2008, and concluded on May 15, 2009, and consisted of 23 episodes.[18][19] In an interview by P.K. Simonds with E! Online, it was announced that Ghost Whisperer would return for a fifth season.[20] CBS renewed Ghost Whisperer for the fifth season on May 20, 2009, which began airing on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 8pm ET and ran for 22 episodes.[21][22]
Syndication
On May 5, 2008, it was announced that the first three seasons of Ghost Whisperer were purchased for $169.8 million ($700,000 per episode, per network) for syndication by SyFy, ION Television, and WE TV. Episodes began airing in Summer 2009 on ION, and in Fall 2009 on SyFy and WE.[23] The first four seasons began airing in syndication on CBC Television in Canada on August 31, 2009.[24]
Cancellation
On May 18, 2010, citing rising costs and a decline in viewership, CBS announced that Ghost Whisperer would not be renewed for another season.[5] ABC expressed interest in picking up Ghost Whisperer for Fall 2010;[25][26] however, on May 27, 2010, Michael Ausiello reported that ABC had passed on renewing Ghost Whisperer for a sixth season.[27]
Zap2it declared Ghost Whisperer is the second "most missed axed show" after a poll determined 19.4 percent of voters would miss it.[28]
In October 2010, Jennifer Love Hewitt thanked the fans of the show for their support in a goodbye video (filmed in June, 2010), saying "Your love and support has meant everything to the cast and crew of Ghost Whisperer and we will all miss you guys very, very much. Go get our DVDs, think about us, miss us and know how much we all will miss you. Much love."[11]
In January 2011, Hewitt told the press of her opinion about the cancellation, saying "When you’ve taken people on a journey for so long, the least you can do is give them a goodbye. For a show that was about unfinished business, we didn’t get to finish."[29]
Episodes and U.S. ratings
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | U.S Seasonal rankings
(based on average total viewers per episode) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season premiere | Season finale | Rank | Rating/share
(18-49 demo) |
Viewers
(in millions) | |||
| 1 | 22 | September 23, 2005 | May 5, 2006 | #47 | 2.9/10 | 10.20 | |
| 2 | 22 | September 22, 2006 | May 11, 2007 | #44 | 3.0/10 | 9.90 | |
| 3 | 18 | September 28, 2007 | May 16, 2008 | #64 | 2.4/8 | 8.67 | |
| 4 | 23 | October 3, 2008 | May 15, 2009 | #34 | 3.7/11 | 10.62[30] | |
| 5 | 22 | September 25, 2009 | May 21, 2010 | #54 | 1.9/6 | 7.78[31] | |
Episodes in the first half of the fourth season won their time slot every week in viewers, and across all age demographics, including the 18–49 age bracket, and also usually won the night for CBS as the most-watched show on Friday nights.[32] Furthermore, fourteen episodes from Season 4 surpassed 10 million viewers, with another seven surpassing 11 million viewers.[33]
Other media
Webisodes
Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side is a series of webisodes released on the Ghost Whisperer website.[34] Starting in Season 2, a total of eight webisodes were produced for every season.
The first two seasons follow 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 his best friend Danny, who he thinks killed him. Season 3 of the webisodes deals with a ghost named Marc (played by Justin Loyal) trying to help his high school crush Olivia (played by Jaimi Paige) find true love as her fiancé George does not love her. The fourth and final season of the webisodes deals with the ghost of a man named Bo (played by Matt Knudsen) who haunts James Tyler (played by Mark Lutz) and his family after they move into their new home.
Melinda from the television series doesn't appear in the internet series as it takes place entirely in the spirit world. However, characters from the webisodes have appeared in the television series. In the second season finale of Ghost Whisperer, Zach 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. Zach later made another appearance and crossed over in season three of Ghost Whisperer. Marc and Olivia make brief and uncredited appearances in episode 21 of season 4 of Ghost Whisperer.
Internet promotion
andshamethedevil.net[35] is a site linked to Ghost Whisperer. The site is mentioned in the Season 3 premiere. By clicking on the star in the upper right hand corner, the site appears to crack into pieces. Those pieces can be moved by dragging, revealing this message: "Meet Me In The Underworld". Small type at the bottom of the page read the repeated words: "bloody mary. bloody mary. bloody mary." Also clicking on the word 'bloody', it leads to another site rubloodymary.com. There is a hidden message under the graphic. By holding down the mouse key and dragging it around, a new image will appear along with the message. andshamethedevil.net is no longer used as promotion for the show and has since been turned into an unrelated advertising blog, although rubloodymary.com can still be accessed by typing the address into an address box in an internet browser.
In the series, penthius.info is often used by Melinda to look up information about the families and ghosts that she is investigating in Grandview. A real world version of this site was created in February 2008. The site description read: "Penthius.Info is a free search engine and video super site based on the search engine in the television series The Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt." It was first mentioned in a post on TV.com by misscalais,[36] a fan who created the site to promote the show.
Video game
In July 2009, Legacy Interactive announced a licensing agreement with CBS Consumer Products to develop a video game based on the Ghost Whisperer television series. The game is set to debut on the PC and Mac and include characters and themes from the show.[37] On November 1, 2010, a developer diary was posted on the game's website, detailing areas in the game and confirming that Melinda, Jim, Delia and Eli will feature. The release date, which was initially early 2010, was changed to 2011 and the subtitle announced in the original press release, Shadowlands, was dropped from the game. The game was written by Emmy award winning television writer Lance Gentile.[38] It was released on April 19, 2011, exclusively at Wal-Mart.
Novels
Revenge
Plague Room
Ghost Trap
Graphic Novels
The Haunted
The Muse
Reference Books
Ghost Whisperer: Spirit Guide
In this book we are treated to exclusive behind the scenes material as well as guides on episodes and music from the first three seasons
Awards and nominations
| Year | Group | Award | Result | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series—Guest Starring Young Actress | Nominated | Jenna Boyd | |
| 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 | Isabelle Fuhrman | |
| 2009 | GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character) | Nominated | Episode: Slam |
| Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special Visual Effects For A Series | Nominated | Episode: Ghost In The Machine | |
| Outstanding Music Composition For A Series (original Dramatic Score) | Nominated | Episode: Leap Of Faith | ||
| Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films | Best Actress on Television | Nominated | Jennifer Love Hewitt | |
| Visual Effects Society Award | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series | Nominated | Episode 403 "Ghost in the Machine"—Armen Kevorkian, Arthur J. Codron, Matt Scharf, & Stefan Bredereck | |
| Visual Effects Society Award | Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Broadcast Program or Commercial | Nominated | Episode 404 "Save Our Souls" / Claridon Ship Shots, Eric Hance | |
| 2010 | Saturn Award | Best Series on Television | Nominated | |
| Saturn Award | Best Actress on Television | Nominated | Jennifer Love Hewitt | |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress | Nominated | Madison Leisle | |
| Young Artist Awards | Guest Starring Young Actor 14 and Over | Nominated | Hunter Gomez | |
| 2011 | Young Artist Awards | Guest Starring Young Actress Ten and Under | Nominated | Joey King |
| Young Artist Awards | Guest Starring Young Actor 14-17 | Nominated | Billy Unger | |
| Young Artist Awards | Guest Starring Young Actor 14-17 | Nominated | Joey Luthman | |
| Young Artist Awards | Guest Starring Young Actress Ten and Under | Won | Samantha Bailey | |
| Young Artist Awards | Reoccurring Young Actor Ten and Under | Won | Connor Gibbs |
DVD releases
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).
On March 17, 2015, CBS DVD will release Ghost Whisperer- The Complete series on DVD in Region 1.[39]
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International broadcasts
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International versions
| Country | Local name | Network | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tamil Nadu |
Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval | Sun TV | Tamil |
 Spain |
El don de Alba | Telecinco | Spanish |
Derivations
Episode 6 of Season 5 Head over Heels has a comparison to The Ring 2002 when Samara drives the horses insane like when Sean is around them and they go crazy.
See also
References
- ↑ Ghost Whisperer
- ↑ Ghost Whisperer Cast & Details, TV Guide website. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
- ↑ ""The Ghost Whisperer". Variety.com". Archived from the original on June 17, 2009.
- ↑ http:// abcstudiosmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=CB2043&type=lead
- 1 2 Ausiello, Michael (2010-05-18). "Breaking: CBS cancels 'Ghost Whisperer' and 'Old Christine' | Ausiello | EW.com". Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ↑ "Real-life 'Ghost Whisperer' inspires Living TV - TV dramas - MSNBC.com". TODAY.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Ghost Whisperer on LivingTV". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ John Gray, creator of the show
- ↑ Universal Studios Hollywood - What's New
- ↑ "SCI FI Wire - The News Service of the SCI FI Channel - SCIFI.COM". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- 1 2 "Ghost Whisperer: Hewitt says goodbye to cancelled show - canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Ghost Whisperer Television Show-Mix Checks in on Creating Audio Sounds for Ghost Whisperer TV Show". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Flash Film Works - Ghost Whisperer". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "EDEN FX". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ TV returndates,0,7656374.story "Living Sets Series Return Dates" Check
|url=value (help). Retrieved 2008-02-13. - ↑ "http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/livingTV-renews-11-tv-series-for-the-2008-2009-season-what-about-the-rest/#more-1323". Retrieved 4 October 2014. External link in
|title=(help) - ↑ "http://www.buddytv.com/articles/ghost-whisperer/ghost-whisperer-jamie-kennedy-20458.aspx". Retrieved 4 October 2014. External link in
|title=(help) - ↑ "http://www.tv.com/story/11434.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=news&tag=headlines;title;2". TV.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014. External link in
|title=(help) - ↑ "http://www.tv.com/ghost-whisperer/show/33483/story/11434.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=headlinessh&tag=headlines;title;0om_act=convert&om_clk=headlinessh". TV.com. Retrieved 4 October 2014. External link in
|title=(help) - ↑ Who Got Jennifer Love Hewitt Pregnant?, E! Online, March 13, 2009
- ↑ "Fall TV: CBS Announces Premiere Dates". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
- ↑ "CBS unveils fall schedule - Entertainment News, TV News, Media". Variety. 2009-05-20. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ↑ and in Canada on CBC."Ghost Whisperer" to Haunt ION, SyFy and WE, Broadcasting & Cable, May 5, 2008
- ↑ "Ghost Whisperer". Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ↑ Schneider, Michael (May 18, 2010). ""Ghost Whisperer" to ABC's Friday lineup? It's possible". Variety.com. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
- ↑ Ausiello, Michael (2010-05-19). "Latest upfront headlines (including 'Ghost Whisperer' scoop) | Ausiello | EW.com". Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ↑ Ausiello, Michael (2010-05-27). "Exclusive: ABC passes on 'Ghost Whisperer' | Ausiello | EW.com". Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ↑ Rick Porter (18 May 2010). "'Ghost Whisperer,' 'FlashForward,' 'Law & Order': Which canceled show will you miss most? - Zap2it - News & Features". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ Jay Bobbin (3 January 2011). "Jennifer Love Hewitt 'bummed' for 'Ghost Whisperer's' Melinda - Zap2it - News & Features". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "ABC Medianet". Archived from the original on 23 June 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ Cynthia Littleton (March 27, 2009). "'Ghost Whisperer' beats the odds - Entertainment News, Weekly, Media". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Story - Entertainment". Vancouver Sun. May 9, 2010. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
- ↑ The Other Side 2 - Ghost Whisperer on Living TV
- ↑ "and-SHAME-the-devil". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "misscalais profile - TV.com". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ "Press Releases and Game Reviews". Legacy Games. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
- ↑ "Ghost Whisperer Developer Blog, Episode 1". Ghost Whisperer Game. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
- ↑ 'The Complete Series' Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt
External links
 |
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Ghost Whisperer |
- Ghost Whisperer at the Internet Movie Database
- Ghost Whisperer at TV.com
- Ghost Whisperer at Yahoo! TV
- Ghost Whisperer at Living TV (UK)
- House of Ghost Whisperer
- (Italian) Ghost Whisperer Italia
- "Scoop: 'Ghost Whisperer,' 'Tree Hill' do time warp (again)" by Michael Ausiello, EW.com