Whisperer suffers in comparison to Medium

[weber_dubois22]

Just because two things look the same doesn't mean they are. Case in point, Medium and Ghost Whisperer. While both may deal with supernatural elements and women who can speak with the dead, these shows couldn't be more different. Ghost Whisperer stars the always too-adorable Jennifer Love Hewitt, with a heart so big even the dead can't resist her.

It's sappy, predictable and overwrought with sentimental drama. By episode's end, all is right with the world, this one and the one beyond, and the dead see the light and "cross over." And then there's Medium -- unpredictable, dark and a little disturbing. It's also based on real-life psychic Allison DuBois, played perfectly by Patricia Arquette, who uses her "gift" to help the D.A. solve grisly crimes.

The fact that Medium is based on an actual medium helps the show's credibility, making it believable even to skeptics. For five years, the show aired to solid ratings and a loyal fan base on NBC. But when the peacock network decided to put The Jay Leno Show on five nights a week, suddenly there was no room for Medium. Thankfully, CBS picked up the series and initially paired it with Ghost Whisperer on Friday nights -- the only downside to the move.

( Read More )