Ghosted

Ghosted

show

TV-14, 2017

WISE
60%

WISE Score

59

Avg. Tomatometer

Adam Scott and Craig Robinson are the budget-brand Mulder and Scully you didn’t know you needed, chasing aliens in a show that’s basically a funny fever dream.

IMDb6.3
RT Critics59%
MC62
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Ghosted is the definition of a 'background show.' It’s funny, the leads are incredibly likable, and the sci-fi premise keeps it moving, but it’s ultimately a casualty of the 'one-season-and-done' era of network TV.

If you’ve already binged Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Parks and Rec and need something new but familiar, this is a solid weekend watch. Just don’t get too attached to the plot—it ends right when it starts getting its footing.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12 and up. While Common Sense Media leans toward 14, the TV-PG rating is accurate; most middle schoolers can handle the mild 'spookiness' and sitcom banter without an issue.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
65

The central partnership between a skeptic and a believer is built on mutual respect and classic buddy-comedy dynamics, though it leans into the typical workplace cynicism of a network sitcom.

Imaginative
70

It puts a comedic, low-budget spin on the secret-government-agency-hunting-monsters trope. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but the 'Bureau Underground' setting is a fun playground for sci-fi fans.

Safe
78

It’s standard network TV fare. Expect some mild language (damn, ass) and sci-fi 'violence' that involves guys in rubber suits and CGI monsters, but it’s always played for laughs rather than trauma.

Enriching
42

It’s pure entertainment. Aside from some light themes about keeping an open mind, it’s mostly just a vehicle for jokes and paranormal hijinks.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • The chemistry between Adam Scott and Craig Robinson is absolute comedy gold and carries the show.
  • It’s a breezy, 22-minute watch that doesn’t demand too much brainpower after a long day.
  • Great for kids who want 'creepy' vibes without the actual nightmares of a real horror show.

What to Watch For

  • The show was canceled after just 16 episodes, so be prepared for a cliffhanger that will never be resolved.
  • Expect some mild 'PG' level language and sci-fi violence that occasionally looks a bit 'man-in-a-suit' dated.
  • The humor can occasionally skew a bit mature with some suggestive jokes, but it mostly stays in the safe zone.

Conversation Starters

  • "If you found out a secret government agency was hunting aliens, would you want to join them or stay far away?"
  • "Why do you think Leroy stays such a skeptic even when he’s literally seeing weird stuff happen in front of him?"
  • "If you could have any 'entrance music' play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?"

Deep Dive

The Mid-Season Identity Crisis

If you start watching and notice the show feels like two different series fighting for dominance, your instincts are right. The first half of the season leans heavily into the X-Files parody, with a cinematic look and a focus on the weirdness of the week. About halfway through, the show underwent a massive creative shift behind the scenes to make it feel more like a standard workplace sitcom.

The result is a bit of a tonal whiplash. You go from moody, fog-drenched investigations to a bright, office-based comedy where the paranormal stuff almost feels like an afterthought. For a lot of viewers, the early episodes are the high point because they actually lean into the "Ghosted" premise. If your kid is a fan of the procedural format, they might find the later episodes a bit aimless.

The Gravity Falls Graduation

Think of this as the perfect "bridge" show. If you have a middle schooler who grew up on Gravity Falls or Scooby-Doo and is looking for something that feels more grown-up without being actually terrifying, this is the sweet spot. It uses the same "skeptic vs. believer" dynamic that has fueled sci-fi for decades, but it keeps the stakes low enough that nobody is going to lose sleep.

The monsters are often guys in rubber suits or slightly shaky CGI, which actually helps keep the "scare factor" manageable. It’s more about the mystery and the jokes than the actual horror. If they’ve already moved on to things like Stranger Things, this might actually feel a little too light for them, but for the 11-to-13 crowd, it’s a great introduction to the genre.

Why the Leads Matter

You aren't watching this for the groundbreaking plot twists; you’re watching for the two guys on the poster. Adam Scott plays the "disgraced professor" archetype with the same high-strung energy he brought to Parks and Recreation, while Craig Robinson plays the straight man with a level of deadpan timing that most actors can't touch.

Their chemistry is the only reason the show survived as long as it did. Even when the writing gets a little thin or the plot doesn't quite make sense, their back-and-forth banter keeps things moving. It’s a masterclass in how a strong comedic duo can elevate "mid" material into something genuinely watchable.

The Hulu "One and Done" Reality

Because the show was canceled after 16 episodes, you need to manage expectations for the finale. There is no closure. No big mystery is solved. It just... stops. This is a common frustration with shows on Hulu that were originally network cast-offs.

Treat it like a long-form sketch comedy rather than a serialized drama. If you go in expecting a satisfying conclusion to the alien conspiracy, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in wanting to see two funny guys react to a slimes-and-tentacles version of Los Angeles, you’ll have a great time. It’s the ultimate "low stakes" binge for a rainy Saturday.

Stills
Ghosted — still 1
Ghosted — still 2
Ghosted — still 3
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Ghosted — still 6
Ghosted — still 7

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