CBS is betting that viewers who loved Ghosts will warm to vampires. The network’s new comedy Eternally Yours takes the premise of its hit adaptation and flips it: what if the spirits were blood drinkers instead?
The show follows Charles and Liz Blythe, a married couple in 1526 Austria. Charles is a vampire who sank his fangs into Liz’s neck, and now they are stuck together for 500 years. The series opens with the pair in a rut, wondering if 500 years of marriage is enough. Their daughter Emma, played by Helen J. Shen, is also a vampire — the show’s writers note there is no better cure for diphtheria — and she has kept her secret from her parents while dating a human named Max, played by Jaren Lewison.
The setup is simple. Max shows up at the Blythes’ doorstep on official Social Security Administration business, and it is not long before he learns the household’s secret. The twist is not a spoiler, though — it is the entire premise.
The Blythe Family
The Blythe household includes Jesse, a fitness trainer who spray tans to avoid disappearing in the gym’s mirrors, and his wife Phyllis, played by Rose Abdoo. Phyllis is kept oblivious to the vampire situation through frequent mind wipes. The couple has two teenage sons, Henry and Mort.
- Henry is a brooder like Edward Cullen
- Mort is frustrated that his only power is reading the mind of Argus, the family dog
- Both sons are described as not exciting stuff
The show is a supernatural comedy, not a horror show. The characters are aware of their condition.
The Pilot Review
The first episode is the only one currently available for review. It sets up the family dynamic and introduces the stakes of being a vampire in a suburban household. The show’s creators, Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, first pitched the idea 11 years ago. Their adaptation of BBC One’s Ghosts for CBS gave them a shared creative braintrust, and the 8:30 p.m. Thursday time slot suggests CBS wants this show to land with the same audience.
The creators have a clear track record with this kind of comedy. Ghosts has been a hit for CBS, and the network is hoping the vampire angle will carry over. The holiday specials mean Ghosts will not return with season 6 until early next year.
| Show | Time Slot | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ghosts | 8:30 p.m. Thursday | Season 6 returns early next year |
| Eternally Yours | 8:30 p.m. Thursday | About to stake out the slot |
The show is a comedy with a clear sense of tone, and the cast is capable across the board. The premise is simple, but it is the kind of idea that travels well — a family of vampires trying to live normal lives in a world that does not know what they are.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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