Ghost Whisperer appeared on CBS in fall of 2005 for the first time starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon, who has the ability to see and talk to dead people. She has had this ability since she was a child, as did her mother and grandmother. Melinda is married to Jim Clancy, played by David Conrad, and owns an antique shop where she works with her best friend Delia Banks, played by Camryn Manheim.

The premise of Ghost Whisperer is that in each episode Melinda is required to help someone "cross over." She has help from her good friend, psychologist Eli James played by Jamie Kennedy. Eli has the ability to hear and speak to the dead through an accident he had where he was badly injured. However, he cannot see them.

Jim was shot in an earlier episode and subsequently died, but refused to leave Melinda and cross over. Ghost Whisperer took things to a new dimension when Jim "leaped" into the dead body of a fireman whose soul DID cross over. It took an entire season but Jim finally remembered who he really was and went about adjusting to his new face and body. He and Melinda were married at the end of season 4 even though everyone thinks he is just a good friend to her who wants to help out with her pregnancy. The baby is Jim's.

Ghost Whisperer is partly based on true experiences of Spirit Communicator Mary Ann Wintkowski. In addition, well known psychic James Van Praagh served as consultant on some episodes.