Ghosts Series Five (2023)

Ghosts Series Five (2023) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

See my reviews of series one, series two, series three, and series four!

The new money-making scheme for Alison and Mike (the guest house burned down at the end of the last series, so no more rentals) is selling some land to real estate developers to make a golf course. A lot of complications ensue with the ghosts and with the neighbors, especially the annoyingly snooty Barclay Beg-Chetwynde. The other big change is Alison getting pregnant, which draws a lot of different reactions from everybody (even snooty Barclay).

The show has a lot of the same fun as in previous series. They are starting to run out of ideas, something they acknowledge with the final episode, which is another Christmas episode. I still enjoyed this outing with the big cast in their haunted house.

Recommended.

Ghosts Series Four (2022)

Ghosts Series Four (2022) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

See my reviews of series one, series two, and series three!

Another set of adventures are in store for Alison and Mike, two owners of a grand English estate called Button House. The property is haunted by a bunch of ghosts from the history of the land, starting from a caveman all the way up to a smarmy 1990s politician. They all died there and have not moved on yet. Alison can see them since she had a knock on the head. The ghosts are a bit tedious at times, demanding a lot of attention and not respecting personal space or time. They try to be helpful at times, with mixed results.

Alison and Mike's plan to rent out the guest house finally comes to fruition, causing them a lot of stress as B&B hosts who want good ratings and more customers. Typical shenanigans ensue. There was a surprising moment when one of the ghosts moved on, which is played for laughs and pathos quite effectively.

Mildly recommended--you could jump into the series here but it's better to have more of the backstories to the characters.

TV Review: Ghosts Series Three (2021)

Ghosts Series Three (2021) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

See my reviews of series one and series two!

The travails of Alison and Mike continue through another series of adventures. Most of the episodes (seven in all) are self-contained stories, but an overarching story is establish when a half-sister to Alison shows up. At first Alison is excited, but when she is clearing up some paperwork with her solicitor and mentions her to him, he is concerned that the half-sister (who seems to be older) may have a prior claim over Button House. That awkwardness is compounded by the suspicions of some of the ghosts that this new long-lost sister (who only made the connection when Alison briefly appeared on a tv history documentary that filmed at Button House) is probably a fake.

The show continues to be a lot of fun, working well with the large cast of characters (eight ghosts and two living people is a lot of a half-hour sit-com). The actors are all on top form and the writing is great. I had a lot of fun watching.

Recommended, highly for fans of the previous seasons!

TV Review: Ghosts Series Two (2020)

Ghosts Series Two (2020) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

The travails of young couple Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) continue as they try to turn their inherited haunted house (Button House) into a money-maker. The set of ghosts haunting the home are just as much a hinderance as a help. This second series of adventures provides a lot more of the same from the first series, with the addition of a Christmas episode, because the British love their yuletide ghost stories. A special standout is the episode where one of the ghosts is caught on film, drawing a lot of paranormal investigators to Button House. The actual ghosts are not interested in being exploited in such a cavalier manner, so Alison and Mike have to fake supernatural shenanigans in their actually haunted house. The writing on the whole series is very good. The premise gives them a lot of room for comedy and pathos, with characters from many different periods in English history having their own perspectives, foibles, and moments to shine. 

Recommended, though this is not for little kids--too many adult shenanigans.

TV Review: Ghosts Series One (2019)

Ghosts Series One (2019) written, created by, and starring Matthew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond

Young couple Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) are hunting for a cheap apartment when she gets a call. A distant relative, Lady Button, has recently died. Alison is the only relative left on the family tree so Button House (a grand house and estate) goes to her, if she wants it. The couple are excited about the prospect, hoping to convert it into a posh hotel. The only problem is Lady Button did not do much maintenance, so there's a lot to fix up. Also, the house is full of ghosts of people who died on the grounds, dating from caveman Robin (Laurence Rickard) to smarmy politician Julian (Simon Farnaby). Also, the basement has a group of plague victims who were buried in a pit under the house (they at least stay in the basement).

The ghosts balk at having someone new live in the house, especially with the renovation plans. As Alison is leaning out a window to check on the roof, the one ghost who can move physical objects gives her a push and she falls one story. Mike rushes her off to the hospital. The ghosts' rejoicing is short-lived as the couple returns. Thanks to Alison's bump on the head, she can now see and hear the ghosts. At first, she and Mike write it off as post-concussion hallucinations. Eventually, she is convinced they are really there, even though no one else can see or hear them. Comic antics ensue as the couple tries to make some money out of the house while the ghosts vacillate between trying to get rid of Alison and Mike and trying to help them stay.

The premise is very creative and the varied cast gives lots of opportunities for jokes and pathos. The cast is universally excellent, turning stock characters like a Regency-era poet or a 1980s Scout leader into real people. The ghosts have a good family dynamic as they struggle with being together in the house and what to do about the latest visitors.

Highly recommended--I would rewatch this in a heart-beat. Some of the humor is adult, so use your judgment about allowing pre-teens to see it.