Movies

Ghosts

BBG News

While Sam and Jay may appear ready for parenthood, a look behind the scenes of Ghosts, the CBS sitcom, indicates that they won’t be welcoming a child anytime soon. The ghost characters in CBS’s Ghosts are actually the show’s main focus, and at times it seems as though Sam and Jay’s storylines take a backseat. Whether Sam is working on a book about Isaac’s war experiences or Jay is launching a restaurant, these events don’t receive as much emphasis in the series as the adventures of Thor, Sass, Isaac, Hetty, Alberta, Flower, Pete, and Trevor.

It’s not entirely accurate to consider Sam and Jay as mere supporting characters. The conclusion of Ghosts season 4, which leaves us hanging, demonstrates that the duo plays a crucial role in the larger narrative of the series. This is because human characters like Sam and Jay drive the many adventures the ghosts embark on, as they are the ones who can interact with the physical world. The ghosts themselves are limited in their actions, which is evident from the numerous tasks they assign to Sam and Jay. Thus, plotlines such as Elias stealing Jay’s soul hold significance, even though Sam and Jay might appear as secondary characters in their own show at times.

BBC’s Ghosts Was Inspired By Friends As A House-Sharing Sitcom

The Show’s Creators Admitted Friends Was A Major Influence

At the Seriencamp Conference recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Charles Harrison, a producer from BBC Studios International Scripted Formats, discuss the foundation of the original British version of Ghosts. The BBC series from 2019 shares a striking resemblance with the CBS show in its initial concept, as both narratives follow a young couple who receive an inherited family estate from a distant relative. After the two leading ladies, Allison from the BBC and Sam from CBS, undergo near-death experiences, they acquire the unique ability to communicate with the deceased, adding a supernatural twist to their new lives in these grand estates.

Harrison pointed out that the structure of the show resonates deeply with the British mindset, explaining, “For the past two decades in Britain, our TV has been focused on striving for homeownership.” In an interesting spin on this concept, he further explained that acquiring this long-sought home results in “You’re never alone – and you get a flat-share comedy instead.” Harrison also mentioned that the show bears similarities to ‘Friends’, which unexpectedly explains why Sam and Jay are unable to have a child during the series.

BBC’s Ghosts Ended With The Heroes Having Children

Most Hang Out Shows Wrap Up Once The Main Characters Pair Off

Almost all sitcoms tend to conclude when the primary characters become parents, as this shift in their lives significantly alters the focus of the show. For instance, Sam and Jay can no longer fully engage with Sass’s romantic entanglements, Thor’s personal dramas, or Flower and Trevor’s disputes because they are now taking care of a baby. This new responsibility often requires more attention and time, causing the narrative to evolve away from the initial theme of young characters dealing with their personal and professional challenges together. This change can be seen in shows like ‘Friends’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’.

Ghosts Actor Character Name
Brandon Scott Jones Isaac Higgintoot
Roman Zaragoza Sass
Danielle Pinnock Alberta
Rebecca Wisocky Hetty
Richie Moriarty Pete
Asher Grodman Trevor
Devon Chandler Long Thor

In various sitcoms like “The Big Bang Theory,” “Seinfeld,” “New Girl,” and even the latest “Ghosts,” it’s evident that shows centered around socializing can struggle when main characters decide to start a family and abandon their friends. While there may appear to be significant differences between “Ghosts” and “Friends,” in truth, “Ghosts” embodies the classic hang-out show concept even more so than many of its predecessors. This is because the ghostly characters are confined to the mansion, ensuring they’re always together in every episode. The interactions among these characters drive the plot, and introducing a child would create unnecessary complications due to the ghostly nature of the setting.

Sam and Jay Can’t Have A Child In CBS’s Ghosts

The Couple’s Time Is Already Occupied With The Ghosts

Fortunately, Sass’s enigmatic Ghosts backstory and Alberta’s budding romance with Pete provide ample other storylines for the sitcom to explore, rather than focusing on them. However, it’s difficult to ignore that Sam and Jay can’t have a child in Ghosts due to their commitment to the show’s main characters, the ghostly spirits. In contrast, Marshall and Lily had children earlier on, while Barney and Ted didn’t welcome kids until the very end of How I Met Your Mother’s series finale.

In the series “New Girl”, the main characters didn’t have children until the final episode, with exceptions being Cece and Schmidt. Their child was introduced through a time jump before the final season began. The show “Ghosts” stands out as an example where children might disrupt the casual nature of the series more than others because having ghosts demanding Sam and Jay’s attention would be inappropriate if they were also raising a child. The ghosts already require a lot from the couple, and this dynamic works primarily because the ghosts are more entertaining than Sam and Jay on their own.

Despite the fact that Sam and Jay cannot raise a baby in the world of Ghosts as currently portrayed, there’s still a chance for viewers to witness their parenthood. If they can successfully navigate the challenges presented by Patience in season 4 of Ghosts, it could be indicative that they are prepared for parenthood together. However, due to the series setup, this remains impossible within the realm of Ghosts. Luckily, the BBC series found a solution to this dilemma, and the CBS sitcom can learn from its example. In the final season of BBC’s Ghosts, the central couple, Mike and Allison, welcomed a child into their family.

CBS’s Ghosts Can Borrow The Original Show’s Ending

Sam and Jay Should Have A Child To End The Series

In another scenario, the series finale of Ghosts might involve Sam and Jay welcoming a new addition to their family. This would symbolize that they aren’t abandoning the ghostly presence in their lives but rather carrying forward what they’ve learned from them. As they embark on this fresh journey, they could be seen taking with them the lessons and experiences gained during their time with the spirits.

In simple terms, having Sam and Jay raise a child at Woodstone Mansion might be just as unrealistic as Schmidt and Cece raising their daughter in their small loft, or the Friends characters living in the same apartments while caring for multiple children. Similarly, if more ghosts depart from the show ‘Ghosts’, it would make sense for the main couple to move forward in the series finale by taking a bold step that breaks away from the show’s inherent limitations.

If you love keeping up with ScreenRant’s prime-time updates, simply click the link below to subscribe to our weekly Network TV newsletter. By selecting “Network TV” in your preferences, you’ll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes insights straight from the cast and creators of your favorite shows!

Read More

2025-06-06 16:18

Previous post Jai Courtney’s Serial Killer Uses Sharks to Torture and Kill Victims
Next post Emotional Sam Thompson reveals consequences of agonising 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge as he admits he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the finish after horrific calf injury