In this series, the characters are desperately trying to get sucked off. Wait! It isn’t what you think! Let me explain…
The story begins with Jay and Samantha, who suddenly inherit a mansion. Being young and hip (and fairly broke), they decide to turn it into an upstate BnB. There’s just one problem – Sam takes a tumble down the stairs, is rushed into hospital and falls into a deep coma.
When she comes round, she finds she’s developed the ability to see and hear ghosts. And the eight spirits in this haunted house really, really want to be seen and heard! Turns out that five per cent of all humans become ghosts upon their death – doomed to walk unnoticed among the living, tied to the place in which they died for eternity. Unless, that is, they can somehow rise to the next plane of existence.
But when you’re not au fait with current terminology (Thorfinn, the Viking was killed by lighting while exploring America in 1000AD; Alberta, the resident songstress, was poisoned in the 1920s), your grasp of innuendo leaves a lot to be desired. And so rather than talking of ‘ascension’, our ghosts hope to ‘get sucked off’ – much to the amusement of the new homeowners!
There are numerous other gently humorous moments in this superb CBS comedy, based on a BBC production of the same name. And while comedy is the main order of the day, there are also poignant moments that will (excuse the pun) definitely haunt you.
It’s interesting to see how quickly the older ghosts become addicted to reality television, and how even those who died in the 80s and 90s are easily taken in by internet scams. (‘He’s a Nigerian prince! And he needs our help!’)
Add to that the fact that various ghosts have unique powers (the hippie, who met her demise while hugging a bear in a drugged-up state, can make anyone stoned; the civil war veteran who died of dysentery can set off a powerful stink on command!), and you have all the makings of a delightfully comedic romp.
CBS’ Ghosts certainly isn’t going to win any awards, although Rotten Tomatoes does put it at 92 per cent. But this excellent ensemble cast and its silly, genial wit make for easy, softly spooky viewing. I binge-watched both seasons over a long weekend. And I can’t wait for the next!
