On Set with CBS's Ghost Whisperer

On Friday, March 30^th, CBS television with Sander/Moses Productions and Touchstone Television is launching the first series of webisodes in connection with their second season of Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Executive producers, Ian Sander and Kim Moses, of Sander/Moses Productions along with CBS Entertainment Publicity Manager Katie Barker invited nine journalists to take a tour of the set for GW. The reporters, all from various news organizations, were able to get a demystified peek at the fictitious world of Grandview - the city GW takes place. I was fortunate enough to find myself among them. The tour also allowed us to see the first two webisodes of the series and have a brief chat with the show's star, Ms. Hewitt herself.

In the center of one set, Grandview's courtyard, smashed cars and broken glass littered the empty street as if they were discarded broken toys from a giant boy. The last scene shot here, we learn, is the episode where four cars fall from the sky. It is both eerie and fascinating to see amongst the faux storefronts and green stillness, standing in the set's nucleus.

This was also the set for "Back to the Future" Sander informed us. I kind of chuckle to myself because back in the 80's, the "Back to the Future" movies were my younger brother's favorites - until the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

There, in the chaotic serenity of Grandview's ghost town, the invited press crowded around Sander as he gave a bit of insight to their approach in GW storytelling.

"It's more difficult than just tearing things from the headlines," Sander said. "We try to make it so that it is satisfied within itself still building in the mythology."

The excitement about the web series talk about is obvious.

"If you're a multi-tasker, watching with a television in your lap, the show is even better.

The internet launch includes eight, 2-5 minute webisodes within the next six weeks to finish out the second season in which the webisode series' star, Mark Hapka, will "crossover" to the television finale - episode 22, scheduled to air on May 11^th. The last webisode will air on May 4^th.

Hewitt's character, Melinda Gordon, has the gifted (and cursed) task of communicating with what is referred to on the show as "earthbound spirits" - ghosts who cannot crossover into the light until their unfinished business is taken care of among the living. The show; inspired in part by mediums James Van Praagh and Cleveland, Ohio based Mary Ann Winkowski; tells Melinda's story, as she acts as an intermediary between ghosts and the living they haunt.

Across the courtyard and over Sander's shoulder stands the famed antique shop. Upon entering, however, several of us are a bit surprised to find it almost completely empty. The props that were there were only by the door to give the illusion of a fully stocked and functioning store as Hewitt, visitors or customers are walking out. Inside at a different set location, we were shown that the inside of the antique shop was shot on a separate set with a giant courtyard picture backdrop to give the illusion of being on one site.

Because GW staff consults with real life medium, Winkowski, writers play by the rules.

"We don't deal with this show as a fantasy show, we deal with it as a reality show," said Sander.

Fade in. A young guy lies face down on the ground and slowly awakens to see frightened legs run away from him, hop in a black Saturn SUV and take off. The young man, dazed and confused, gets up from the ground. His bicycle wheel is still spinning. He ambles to his purple helmet, bends over, tries to pick it up, and his hand goes right through it. He tries again and again, but he simply can't!

Even more confused, the young man looks over towards his bicycle and sees himself still lying face down on the ground. Startled, he looks up and around him and sees dark shadowy figures approaching him. In the midst of these scary figures is a pretty young woman who stares at him knowingly.

"What are you looking at?" He asks.

That was our first quick peek into the GW's much anticipated ghost world on the web.

Executive producer, Kim Moses, who, like Sander, touts her own impressive resume of television successes, said, "We get enormous amounts of email asking about the ghost rules." According to what the writers and producers have learned from Winkowski, once a person dies, they don't automatically know how the ghost world works.

"You're on a learning curve," said Moses.

To satisfy thorough followers, GW fans can soon expect the rules to be posted on the webisode page.

The major difference between this new internet series and the television episodes will be that the former is narrated from the perspective of the ghosts, where as the television series speaks from the perspective of the living.

"A cool thing would be to get a big following here [on the internet] that crosses back over to television." Moses said excitedly. "The future lies in the merging of these medias."

Another notable difference viewers may notice between the two is that the television series is created by a team of writers with New York based creator, John Gray as senior writer.

"We couldn't do this [show] without the internet." Moses said.

John Gray's writing-directing credits include "The Seventh Stream" for Hallmark Hall of Fame and also co-wrote and directed "Brian's Song," a remake of the 1971 film.

The webisodes, however, are created through a collaborative effort.

Currently, the GW site incorporates the now almost standard web features such as games and secret messages, as Moses admits that CBS has been a late comer to the internet scene. But with the launch of the GW webisode series, CBS seems to be attempting to make up for lost time.

When the webisode's leading newcomer; Mark Hapka, who comes from a strong theater background and has never been on television before; was informed by the leading lady that he will be co-starring with her in the season finale, he was in tears and nearly fainted, according to the producers.

Right before a shoot, in perfect makeup, jeans, sneakers, but still exposing ample cleavage and donning an arm sling we were not allowed to inquire about, Jennifer Love Hewitt, smiled graciously at us as we sat in a semi-circle around her ready to take notes and fire questions.

When asked about how it feels to play Melinda this season compared to last season, Hewitt states, "I'd say it's more exciting. I'm more comfortable with the character." For the first time last season, Hewitt played the role of a wife.

Now that the second season's nearing its end, what would Hewitt like to see happen with her character?

"I'd like to see her get to stick up for herself a little bit more," said Hewitt. "Melinda is so nice even when doors are being slammed in her face." Heweitt went on, "I'd also like to do more with kids. I feel that in a way, Melinda is a lot like a child. There is an innocence about her." Hewitt said. "She's like a 5-year-old trapped in a 30-year-old body."

Hewitt's onstage marriage with Jim Clancy, played by David Conrad, has been noted for his sweetness and his portrayal of the "perfect man." When asked how she feels about this portrayal, Hewitt responds. "I feel like, finally on tv there's a good marriage." Hewitt continues on with a laugh, " I don't know, hopefully we inspire people...to get married."

Hewitt also reveals that the finale finally lets the viewers in on why the dark entities have such a fixation on Melinda.

In line with similar supernatural shows like "Medium" and "Tru Calling," GW gets the message out that there are "others" out there, however, this season's theme for the show, according to Hewitt is, "the dark side is winning."

You can catch the premiere GW webisode on March 30^th by going to http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ghost_whisperer/ . You can also catch the rest of the series on television, Fridays on CBS 8-9pm EST/ PT.

This Friday, real life dog whisperer, Cesar Millan, guest stars as he helps Melinda and her expanding family ward off a ghost dog.