Ghosts: The Rare Sitcom Keeping Christmas Specials Alive

by

Traditionally, TV sitcoms released new holiday episodes annually, but with today’s shorter seasons, only Ghosts continues that tradition. It’s especially fun because the show’s star, Rose McIver, previously starred in Netflix’s Christmas Prince movie series, adding an extra layer of holiday connection.

Rose McIver stars in Ghosts as Sam, who has the unique ability to see ghosts. While the show’s supernatural premise naturally fits the cozy feeling of Christmas, Ghosts really stands out for its dedication to creating memorable holiday episodes. It consistently makes Christmas a big event in a way that other comedies just don’t.

Ghosts Is A Rare Network Sitcom To Get Critical Acclaim & A Franchise

Ghosts stands out in the current world of TV comedy. It’s the only network sitcom right now that’s both well-regarded by critics and loved by a large, dedicated audience – and it’s continuing to grow in popularity. While most sitcoms today either get good reviews or attract a lot of viewers, Ghosts has managed to achieve both.

The British comedy Ghosts received several BAFTA awards. When it was remade for CBS in the U.S., it won the Astra TV Award for Best Cast Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2025, and a Saturn Award for Best Genre Comedy Television Series.

I’m a huge fan of Ghosts, and it’s so well-deserved that it’s been nominated for so many Critics’ Choice Awards, especially for Best Comedy Series and the amazing acting! It’s also cool to see that the show’s creators, Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, are recognized as some of the most influential people working in television – they really know what they’re doing!

The show is now recognized alongside Abbott Elementary as one of the few traditional sitcoms regularly considered for major awards. It’s disappointing that Ghosts hasn’t received Emmy or Golden Globe nominations, as those awards often go to shows that blend comedy and drama, like The Bear, rather than straightforward sitcoms.

Both Abbott Elementary and Ghosts are popular, but Abbott Elementary‘s focus on the challenges of public schools often appeals to awards show judges. Ghosts, being a more unusual fantasy show, needs to stand out more to get noticed. Also, Abbott Elementary is focused solely on its original series, with no plans to expand into a larger franchise, unlike some other shows.

Unlike some shows, Ghosts is quickly gaining popularity. It’s already proven successful in the UK, US, and Australia, and they’re currently working on versions for France, Germany, and Spain. This ability to adapt to different markets is similar to The Big Bang Theory, which is still incredibly popular and has led to spin-offs like the new Stuart series. Interestingly, The Big Bang Theory wasn’t always a critical favorite during its original run.

Unlike many sitcoms these days, Ghosts is a hit. It’s getting good ratings, positive reviews, award nominations, and lots of buzz online and in real life – like when fans enjoyed a special Ghoststhemed exhibit at a museum in Pennsylvania. In a TV landscape where sitcoms are becoming less common, Ghosts* isn’t just holding on; it’s showing that a funny, well-written show about interesting characters can still become a long-lasting favorite.

Ghosts Makes Christmas A Two-Part Event Every Year

Photo: CBS via CBS Entertainment.

While Halloween seems like the perfect fit for a show about ghosts, Ghosts has surprisingly made Christmas its most important holiday. At its heart, the show is about the families we choose, unresolved issues from the past, and supporting each other, and these themes really come to life during Christmas episodes.

Unlike many sitcoms today, Ghosts genuinely embraces the spirit of Christmas. Each season features a two-part episode that combines fantastical elements, hilarious situations, and heartfelt moments. The show even playfully acknowledged its yearly Christmas tradition within its fifth season’s holiday episode.

Season 2 of Ghosts finally delivered a Christmas episode, and it was full of romantic comedy mishaps. Bela and Trevor try to take their relationship to the next level by briefly controlling Eric’s body, while Sam gets possessed by Thor, who experiences Christmas for the very first time and unexpectedly embraces the holiday spirit.

Although Season 3 had to be cut short due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, the Christmas episode of Ghosts Season 4 is incredibly moving. Jay has a significant moment connecting with his parents, and Pete gets valuable time with his family, even if it’s in an unusual way. This episode doesn’t just use Christmas; it uses the holiday to help characters heal and find resolution.

Season 5 of Ghosts is leaning heavily into the Christmas spirit, with a storyline inspired by A Christmas Carol. Carol revisits a version of the past where she couldn’t see ghosts, which makes Sam question if her ability is actually a blessing or a burden. The episode is a heartwarming mix of humor, nostalgia, and surprisingly touching moments.

Unlike most sitcoms today, Ghosts really focuses on holiday stories. It doesn’t just make you laugh during Christmas; it consistently provides heartfelt moments, explores themes of memory, and delivers satisfying emotional resolutions each year.

Abbreviated Sitcom Seasons Lose An Important Rewatchability Factor

Photo: CBS via CBS Entertainment.

The rise of streaming has completely changed how people watch TV, and this is especially noticeable with comedies. Because shows now have shorter seasons released all at once, the traditional approach of writing episodes tied to specific seasons or holidays no longer makes sense.

The trend of shorter seasons is now affecting traditional network television. Even sitcoms on major networks are getting fewer episodes ordered. A good example is ABC’s Shifting Gears, which, despite doing well in its first season, was only renewed for 10 episodes in season two.

Ebaster Report

Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Ebaster, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content.

Ebaster Report

Dive into the world of movies and TV shows with Ebaster, your source for news, reviews, and exclusive content.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Sometimes, TV networks add episodes to a season after it’s already begun. This can be a good thing, strengthening the story, or a risk if the season’s plot is already well-defined. A prime example is Apple TV’s Ted Lasso season 2, where late additions included both a fan-favorite Christmas episode and one that received criticism.

Shorter TV seasons often mean losing the cozy, enjoyable parts of shows. When seasons are cut down, things like holiday episodes and lighter, character-focused stories are usually the first to go, all in an effort to be more efficient. While this might seem practical, it actually makes shows less fun to re-watch again and again.

Shows like Friends and New Girl remain incredibly popular on streaming services long after they finished airing, and there’s a good reason why. Streamers still benefit from traditional network television because these shows have a large number of episodes. This allows viewers to jump in at any point without needing to catch up on a complex storyline or feel pressured to watch everything in order. People enjoy the comforting, immersive experience of a sitcom – they want to spend time in that world, not just watch a few episodes.

Ten episodes just isn’t long enough to really get invested in a show. You can enjoy a season, but it doesn’t become something you revisit again and again. It’s hard to form those lasting connections and make it a truly comforting, familiar watch over the years.

Ghosts stands out as something special. Unlike many sitcoms today, it embraces longer seasons and gives holidays the attention they deserve, making it a comforting and reliable show to watch throughout the year.

Read More

2025-12-21 21:53