Ghosts Review: CBS’s Haunted-House Sitcom Is a Triumph of Warmth and Wit

There is a particular kind of magic in a show that knows exactly what it is. The 2021 CBS series Ghosts is that rare thing: a network sitcom that is both wildly silly and genuinely warm. Created by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, based on the British series of the same name, it finds a near-perfect balance between broad physical comedy and sharp, character-driven writing.

The premise is simple and effective. Sam and Jay, a young couple from the city, inherit a sprawling, dilapidated country estate called Woodstone Manor. They plan to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. There is one problem: the house is haunted by a diverse group of ghosts who have died on the property over the centuries. After a near-death experience, Sam gains the ability to see and hear them.

Trailer, via CBS.

Meet the Dead Residents

The ensemble cast is the show’s greatest asset. Each ghost is a distinct personality with a clear comedic function. There is Sasappis, a witty and observant Native American from the 16th century. There is Isaac, a pompous and closeted Revolutionary War officer who is perpetually insecure about his legacy. Pete, a cheerful and nerdy former scoutmaster, died in an archery accident and is endlessly optimistic. Hetty, a snobbish Gilded Age heiress, provides the show’s most cutting one-liners.

Then there are the simpler, more physical comedians. Trevor, a finance bro who died in the 1990s wearing only his underwear, and Thor, a Viking who is convinced he is the group’s leader. Rose McIver plays Sam with a bright, energetic sincerity that makes her the perfect straight-woman to the chaos around her. Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay is the perfect foil, a man who cannot see the ghosts and must take his wife’s word for what is happening in his own home.

What makes the show work is that the ghosts are not just jokes. They are people with regrets, desires, and a deep, complicated history with the house. Isaac’s fear of being forgotten, Hetty’s hidden vulnerabilities, and even Thor’s loneliness are treated with respect. The relationships between the ghosts, built over decades of shared eternity, feel genuine and lived-in.

Living Couple, Dead Roommates

The central relationship between Sam and Jay is the heart of the show. Jay’s inability to see the ghosts is a running gag, but it also creates real conflict. He feels left out of a huge part of his wife’s life. Their dynamic is refreshingly mature for a sitcom; they communicate, they argue, and they always find their way back to each other.

The series also builds out the world beyond the manor. The arrival of other ghosts, like the basement-dwelling “dirt people” or the ghost of a cholera victim in the well, expands the mythology. The show introduces rules for its supernatural world—ghosts can pass through some barriers but not others, and they can be “sucked off” to the afterlife when they resolve their unfinished business—and then plays with those rules for comedic and dramatic effect.

Each episode introduces a new scenario, a new piece of ghost lore, or a new comedic set-piece. One episode might focus on a ghost trying to possess Jay, another on a historical reenactment gone wrong, and another on the ghosts trying to influence a visitor’s review of the B&B. The variety keeps the show fresh.

Sharp Writing, Fast Jokes

The writing on Ghosts is a masterclass in modern sitcom structure. The episodes are tightly plotted, with jokes landing at a rapid-fire pace. The show is not afraid to go for a big, silly visual gag, but it also excels at quick, subtle one-liners. The pacing is perfect; a 22-minute episode feels full and satisfying without ever feeling rushed.

The show’s commitment to its own internal logic is part of its charm. The ghosts have been in the house for decades or centuries, and they have their own routines, rivalries, and alliances. When Thor insists on being called “Thor” and not “Thorfinn,” or when Isaac is mortified by a historical inaccuracy in a podcast, the actors play it with the gravity of a Shakespearean tragedy.

This is a show that rewards careful viewing. Background jokes, throwaway lines, and character details are planted early and paid off later. The relationships between the ghosts evolve over time. Enemies become friends, secrets are revealed, and the dynamic of the group shifts.

Why It Works So Well

Ghosts takes a simple, high-concept premise and executes it with precision, humor, and heart. It is a consistent source of laughter, but it is also a story about found family, about legacy, and about the importance of moving on.

The show has proven to be a hit with audiences and critics alike, leading to multiple seasons and a dedicated fanbase. In a landscape crowded with cynical reboots and edgy dramedies, Ghosts stands out for its unapologetic earnestness and its commitment to simply being funny.

The show’s schedule of new episodes has been a staple of the CBS fall lineup, bringing a consistent dose of comedy to Thursday nights. Its blend of slapstick and sophisticated writing has a broad appeal that is increasingly rare in the fragmented television landscape.

This is a show that understands its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: a smart, funny, and consistently entertaining half-hour. It does not need to be edgy or dark to be compelling; it finds its power in sincerity and genuine character work.

It is a joy to watch.

Ghosts is a triumph of casting, writing, and tone. It will make you laugh out loud, and it might even make you care deeply about a group of people who have been dead for centuries. It is funny, it is warm, and it is a complete success. 9.7 of 10.

CBS · comedy TV · Ghosts · Rose McIver · sitcom review