Parents' Guide to

Ghost Whisperer

By Marjorie Kase, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Part thriller, part weepy drama.

TV CBS, Syndicated Science Fiction 2005
Ghost Whisperer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 11 parent reviews

bettywhite1
bettywhite1 Adult
January 16, 2022
age 11+

granbabys

my ganbabys loved it my ganson who is 12 and my twin grangirls who just turned 11
2 people found this helpful.
Katherine M.
Katherine M. Adult
September 20, 2020
age 14+

Feel Good meets Suspense/Mystery

The way this show was done is so fascinating, there are several oddball concepts - even for a ghost based show - but that's more so in the later seasons. Some of the backstories of the ghosts are very sad and/or more mature than others so keep that in mind. In the first couple of seasons its honestly pretty light hearted 80% of the time excluding a few scenes, in the later seasons however while it's still lovey dovey at times, there is much more violence and scary images/concepts. Things to keep in mind: deals with bullying, abuse, death obviously, major/minor violent events, attempted suicide/murder, assisted suicide, mild gore, reincarnation, a fortune telling book, homosexuality, cancer, comas, other illnesses/diseases, close calls and mild craziness

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
2 people found this helpful.
See all 11 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (33):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

TV Details

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