Ghost Whisperer

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Part thriller, part weepy drama.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show about a woman who talks to the dead isn't age appropriate for younger kids. Most of the ghosts look like regular people, but some do look like decomposed bodies and may be scary for kids. That said, the show's overall tone is sentimental and eerie rather than frightening. Other than the concept of an afterlife, the program doesn't allude to religion in any way. Some mild language.

  • The main character does good deeds for others.
  • Lots of suspense. Some ghosts (particularly in later episodes) can be scary, but overall the show is more sad than frightening.
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

In GHOST WHISPERER, Jennifer Love Hewitt stars as Melinda Gordon, a woman with the ability to speak to "earthbound spirits." Although she tries hard to lead a normal life, Melinda finds it impossible due to the ghosts' constant cries for her help. Inevitably, her compassionate nature compels her to give in.


Is it any good?

 

Some of Melinda's encounters with spirits involve unpleasant/potentially scary sights -- like semi-decomposed bodies. But others aren't as serious or visually disturbing. For example, a nagging wife begs Melinda to tell her husband where she left their safe deposit key, a deceased mom becomes exasperated over her son ignoring a pretty girl, etc. Hewitt has helmed a few bombs -- from Time of Your Life to The Audrey Hepburn Story. But in this case, she does seem to have staying power.

Like the ghosts featured on the show, Ghost Whisperer is in a purgatory of its own. It can't seem to decide whether it's a supernatural thriller or a weepy sentimental drama. This obvious ploy by the show's producers to appeal to both the male and female demographics winds up being Ghost Whisperer's downfall. One minute you're crying, the next you're scared to turn around. The show comes off as uneven, underdeveloped, and void of satisfaction. And the plot line surrounding Melinda's EMT husband, Jim (David Conrad) is thin and trite -- he saves lives, she saves the dead.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about death and spirituality. Why does Melinda feel compelled to help the dead around her? Is her gift a blessing or a curse? David considers giving up being an EMT because he lost one of his patients. What would you do in that situation?


This review was written by Marjorie Kase
Kid, 13 years old
January 4, 2011
 
Awesome for 11+ but not any younger
I CAN'T believe that they canceled the 6th season! It was like the ONLY show I watched at the time. Freaky for under 11 because there will be blood. I cried when Jim died.

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Kid, 12 years old
June 29, 2011
 
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
my whole family watches it all the time even dominikia(3) and dredia(13months)

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Teen, 14 years old
February 7, 2011
 
It's Good
I like watching the show but it doesn't really come one a lot...

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Teen, 16 years old
November 6, 2010
 
Great Show
This is my favorite TV show of all time. It's so entertaining! Melinda is a really great role model. There is a little bit of language and some episodes are violent and might be scary for younger viewers. Overall, it's a fabulous show.

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Adult
April 24, 2010
 
Great family show
My little sister (10) has been watching this show for years and enjoys it. Melinda is a great role model- always trying to do the right thing ;)

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Parent of 2 year old
April 15, 2011
 
perfect for teens, boys and girls, and for familys with older children
I love this show so much, i just turned 18 and i am starting to understand alot of things in life, one of them are moral vaules, helping people and doing the right things, this show for sure makes me wanna be a good doer, a plus side ghost have always intrest me because i have seen one.

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Teen, 16 years old
April 13, 2011
 
Thumbs up!
Melinda is amazing! The stories of the ghosts she crosses over are almost always moving and heartfelt, and there are some creepy watch-though-your-fingers moments. This show never gets too gory or horrific, and the storylines are always grabbing.

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Teen, 18 years old
July 25, 2010
 
I like this show, it was interesting to watch and got tied into the story line. Scary moments, ghost often start out scary only to be misunderstood and then everything is happy and fine.

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Kid, 12 years old
May 16, 2010
 
3
safe but violen

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Teen, 17 years old
August 21, 2010
 
Love It!!!
I love this show! My friends and I have been watching it since we were like 10. It's great! In terms of language, violence, and sexual behaivor, it's a lot more apropriot than most dramas. The language isn't that bad, and there really isn't anything "too sexy." Sometimes the ghosts or Melinda's visions of how the ghosts died were scary for my younger brother, but that's about it.

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This review was written by Marjorie Kase
This review was written by Marjorie Kase
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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