Ghost Whisperer Producers Talk "Stage Fright," New Season
Ahh! It's great to have Ghost Whisperer back on the air tonight. Two weeks ago, we asked you about your favorite moments on Ghost Whisperer and man did you share! T.Davis, Erin Lee, Jen71 and many others posted that their favorite part of the show is the relationship between Melinda and Jim because they're a loving couple that supports one another. We love that GW sports a functional, successful marriage. As we move forward this season, Mel and Jim's passion for each other grows and added to that is the new joy of parenting. Make sure you tune into CBS at 8/7c on Sept. 25 to see their growing family in action!
Dcc_fan4life: So you like the GW ghost stories and how the writers "go from scary to heart warming in the same episode without getting so freaky that you want to leave the room." We couldn't have put it better ourselves. Our understanding from reading the posts from all you GW fans (here and all over the web) is that you really dig the mythology of the show and that you absolutely track the rules and they are meaningful to you beyond the world of GW. One rule that you've caught on to occurs at the beginning of most episodes when our ghost characters are in their 'death condition' (They look like they did the moment they died). Then, as Melinda helps them resolve the unfinished business that's keeping them earthbound, they start to look like they looked in life. A good example of this is evident in tonight's episode, "Stage Fright" when guest actor Johnny Pacar plays the deceased Miles Maitland, a thespian who dies tragically during a live theatre performance!
We're prepping right now on a show that starts shooting next week (right after Ian finishes directing episode 506), in which a ghost has 3 phases — she's ravaged by death, then midway through the show, Melinda has a revelation that helps the ghost understand part of her mystery. Then, before our ghost crosses over (when the ghost knows exactly what happened that's kept her earthbound) she manifests into the vibrant self she was before she died. There have been times in which we've had as many as six transition stages for the ghost when the journey and the healing have been particularly complex. Next time we do that, we'll give you a heads up and show you what the various stages are.
Did you happen to see in the New York Times that two ghosts were sited on the beachfront mansion property where the deceased actress Marion Davies lived and partied with swank Hollywood celebs? (As you probably know, Marion Davies was the love of William Randolph Hearst's life and he built a mansion for her in Santa Monica, CA. Once the spot for movie star parties during the 1930s, it is now a public pool and beach club overlooking the Pacific surf) In the middle of the night a security guard said he sighted two people dancing in the guesthouse. However, when he went to investigate—no one was there. Do you think it was Miss Davies was dancing with Hearst? You know they never did marry.
If you've had any ghost sightings recently, you may want to ask Mary Ann Winkowski to help you figure out the meaning behind your encounter. In the next couple of weeks, we'll introduce you to a web site where you can interact with Mary Ann — as you know, she's a technical consultant on Ghost Whisperer and a real life ghost buster — we've seen her in action. She'll be responding to questions in a new "Ask Mary Ann" column. We like to think of her as the Ann Landers of the Spirit World.
As we continue to count down until the premiere on Sept. 25, each week we will give you some insider information on what's new in Season 5. First, let's talk about the status of our characters. We gave you the tip of the iceberg when we talked about what happened at Comic-Con. Now, let's go deeper!
Ghost Whisperer is jumping five years into the future and that means big changes in everyone's lives. Now, Melinda is not only helping earthbound spirits cross over—she's also a working mom on the go! And like most mothers, Melinda worries about her son. However, her fears reach beyond "is he okay playing in his room alone" to "who is playing with him in his room when I'm not there?"
In Season 5, Jim is a doctor at Rockland Memorial Teaching Hospital and the show will take full advantage of his medical knowledge to indentify ailments of Melinda's ghosts, predict causes of death and solve other spirit mysteries! We'll see Jim fully embrace the role of a proud father and strong provider for Melinda when she needs a shoulder to lean on or a sympathetic ear. And occasionally, a ghost may follow Jim home in search of his helpful wife. But there's more — there's an exciting mystery embedded in Grandview's hospital where Jim works. We're certainly going to peel that onion this season.
Tonight in episode 420, "Stage Fright," a soap opera film crew descends on Grandview, turning the town upside down. And they've brought a ghost with them. As Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) unravels the mystery of the ghost's identity and agenda, she unearths a story as soapy as the show it's disrupting. Meanwhile Jim's (David Conrad) memories have fully returned, and a new plan has been laid out for his post- Sam future.
"Stage Fright" was written by Emmy winner Mark B. Perry and was directed by Emmy winner Eric Laneuville.
This episode guest stars Emmy nominee Kellie Martin as Cally O'Keefe (Life Goes On and ER), Thad Luckinbill as Grant Harper (The Young and the Restless), Daytime Emmy winner Lesli Kay as Suzanne Zale (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Soap Opera Digest Award nominee Amelia Heinle as Brook Dennis (The Young and the Restless).
Musically this episode features BMI Award winner Lily Allen's smash hit song "22" (Capitol Records), Augustana's "Sweet and Low"(Epic Records) and indie band: Minnutes' song "Le Fantasy."
Also, check out Ghost Whisperer Tarot Cards, an interactive game that allows the spirits to tell your future.
Enjoy tonight's episode and we'll catch up with you again next week! Tonight we're off to teach a master film making class at USC. Got a new question we haven't answered in a previous blog? Post...post...post. We love hearing from you!
Kim and Ian
