
Since its debut, the U.S. adaptation of Ghosts has proven to be a comedic gem. From mischievous miscommunications to centuries-old spats, the sitcom delivers some of the most laugh-out-loud moments on television. This delightfully quirky ensemble of deceased housemates has turned everyday hauntings into brilliantly absurd comedic gold.
Each episode finds new ways to explore the absurdities of afterlife cohabitation, from Viking antics to 1700s etiquette fails. Additionally, the writers blend sharp writing and impeccable timing. Whether it is a seance gone wrong or an awkward run-in between the living and the not-so-living, some episodes stand out as comedic masterpieces.
A Massive Bombshell Hits in “Pete’s Wife”
Ghosts Season 1, Episode 6
“Pete’s Wife” delivers a more emotionally grounded episode with subtle but effective humor, landing it in the last spot on the list. When Pete’s (Richie Moriarty) living family visits Woodstone, he is confronted with the unexpected truth that his wife had an affair with his best friend after his death. This emotional bombshell is handled with comedic awkwardness and gentle poignancy.
Pete’s eternal optimism is challenged, allowing for character growth and laughs rooted in his sweet, naive personality. The other ghosts attempt to provide moral support, but their efforts are hilariously unhelpful. Isaac’s (Brandon Scott Jones) snark, Thor’s obliviousness and Alberta’s (Danielle Pinnock) bluntness balance out the somber tone. This episode still shines through its honest emotion and understated comedic beats. It is a classic example of the show’s strength of finding laughs in life’s (and death’s) messiness.
Secrets Spill as Hetty’s Husband Haunts the Mansion
Ghosts Season 1, Episode 13, “The Vault”
“The Vault” combines historical mystery with family drama and a good dose of farce. Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) uncover a secret vault in the mansion, only to discover that it houses the ghost of Hetty’s (Rebecca Wisocky) morally dubious husband, Elias (Matt Walsh). His sudden reappearance throws Hetty into a spiral of Victorian indignation and comedic vengeance.
The episode brilliantly compares Hetty’s old-world etiquette with Elias’s crude behavior. This sets the stage for rapid-fire banter and ghostly confrontation. Meanwhile, Jay, still unable to see the ghosts, inadvertently becomes entangled in their feud. The absurdity escalates as the ghosts rally behind Hetty to stage a sort of spiritual intervention. While it delves into Hetty’s traumatic past, it never loses its comedic edge, making it both heartfelt and hilarious.
New Powers are Unleashed in “St. Hetty’s Day”
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 16
“St. Hetty’s Day” finally reveals Hetty’s ghost power. When Jay’s cousin Sunil (Asif Ali) visits Woodstone Mansion for St. Patrick’s Day, he sees Hetty. Her ability to be seen by the living sets off a hilarious series of interactions, particularly when Hetty tries to act alive during her date with Sunil. As she experiments with her newfound ability, the other ghosts weigh in with envy, concern and wild suggestions.
Sam and Jay are caught between wanting to tell Sunil the truth and keeping Hetty’s secret. After a day of chaos, Hetty learns that her powers only appear on St. Patrick’s Day because she has finally accepted her Irish roots. The episode cleverly blends traditional holiday chaos with supernatural twists, showcasing Hetty’s domineering charm and deepening her character.
Trevor’s Work Retreat Turns into a Spectral Disaster
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 4, “The Work Retreat”
In “The Work Retreat,” the humor revolves around Trevor’s (Asher Grodman) awkward situation and the ghosts’ meddling antics. Trevor, whose ghost power involves him being able to touch objects, has catfished his way into a remote financial analyst job. However, he is summoned to a mandatory in-person work retreat. To deal with the situation, Trevor moves the retreat to the Woodstone mansion and asks Jay to pretend to be him.
Meanwhile, Hetty and Sass (Román Zaragoza) stir up trouble by starting a rumor about Pete, which causes chaos among the other spirits. The combination of Jay’s increasingly absurd attempts to maintain Trevor’s cover at the retreat and the ghosts’ interference at the mansion leads to a hilarious clash of situations. The episode’s comedy thrives on the characters’ miscommunications, the escalating tension and the ghosts’ over-the-top antics.
Pete’s Past Haunts Him Throughout “Halloween 3: The Guest Who Wouldn’t Leave”
Ghosts Season 3, Episode 4
“Halloween 3: The Guest Who Wouldn’t Leave” delivers one of the series’ most chaotic episodes, full of awkward reunions and seasonal flair. When Pete’s ex-wife, Carol (Caroline Aaron), pays a visit during a Halloween party at Woodstone, the tension rises. The party itself becomes a place of confusion, costume mix-ups and ghostly interference.
Initially, Pete tries to impress Carol from beyond the grave, but she dies during the party. Now, Pete is forced to face Carol as a ghost while trying to deal with their past when they were alive. In response, Sam and Jay do their best to keep things together as their living and non-living guests collide. Packed with physical comedy and emotional stakes, the episode blends heart with Halloween havoc.
“A Very Arondekar Christmas, Part 2” Brings Ghostly Cheer and Chaotic Traditions
Ghosts Season 4, Episode 9
While both parts of the Christmas episode are among the best of the series, “A Very Arondekar Christmas, Part 2″ is slightly better due to diving into the action. The humor peaks when Thor (Devan Chandler Long) possesses Sam’s body during Christmas dinner, unleashing his Viking-like behavior in a modern setting. Viewers see Rose McIver channel Thor’s over-the-top enthusiasm, including his guttural exclamations and a love for meat.
Sam tries to take control from Thor, especially with Jay’s family visiting. Surprisingly, Jay’s mom gets along with Sam while she is possessed, which improves their relationship. The juxtaposition of Sam’s sweet nature clashing with Thor’s brutish personality, alongside the ghosts’ quirky interference, makes this episode the fifth-funniest episode. It blends heartwarming moments with perfectly timed comedy.
In “Holes Are Bad,” a Backyard Mystery Reunites the Ghosts with Flower
Ghosts Season 3, Episode 8
“Holes Are Bad” stands out as the fifth-funniest episode of Ghosts, thanks to its escalating absurdity and character-driven humor. Sam and Jay leave the ghosts alone for a weekend getaway. Soon enough, the ghosts who have been mourning Flower (Sheila Carrasco) being “sucked off” to the afterlife discover that she is still on the property. They find she has been trapped at the bottom of a well the entire time.
Flower’s casual return, completely unfazed, sparks confusion and hilarity. When Flower mentions meeting “a lady in the well,” Isaac panics. The older ghosts reveal a ghost named Patience (Mary Holland) has been trapped and is out for vengeance, making the wild ghost logic, overblown reactions and bizarre ghost lore memorable.
“Possession” Turns Jay into Hetty in the Funniest Identity Swap Yet
Ghosts Season 1, Episode 10
In “Possession,” the series fully embraces its supernatural silliness with an unforgettable premise: Hetty accidentally possesses Jay. This episode is a masterclass in comedic acting. The humor comes from the total character transformation, with Utkarsh Ambudkar mimicking Hetty’s posture, speech patterns, and disdainful expressions to perfection. From fussing over household propriety to criticizing modern fashion, Hetty-in-Jay causes chaos with every interaction.
Meanwhile, the other ghosts are thrilled by the rare opportunity to interact with the living in a more direct manner. Sam’s attempts to fix things only escalate the chaos, leading to a spectacularly funny climax. She tries different methods to separate the two, including a seance that goes incredibly wrong. “Possession” is one of the show’s best examples of physical comedy and ghostly absurdity in full swing.
Isaac Enjoys His Bachelor Party in “The Polterguest”
Ghosts Season 3, Episode 7
In ”The Polterguest,” Woodstone is thrown into delightful chaos when Alberta hits it off with a mischievous poltergeist attached to a living guest. The poltergeist’s bad-boy energy thrills Alberta. However, there is a catch: he has to stay close to the living guest, which makes their dates awkward. Meanwhile, Isaac and Nigel (John Hartman) throw separate bachelor parties that comically clash in tone.
Sam asks a sex worker, Chris (Deniz Akdeniz), to dance for Isaac. All Chris can see is an empty chair, but that is not the only odd request. The situation escalates when Sam requests dinosaur noises, leading to a bizarre and sidesplitting sequence framed by clever camera work. Between haunted flirtation and bachelor party disasters, this episode is a masterclass in ghostly, awkward comedy.
“The Christmas Spirit, Part Two” Delivers Viking Mayhem & Emotional Revelations
Ghosts Season 2, Episode 10
“The Christmas Spirit, Part Two” is arguably the funniest episode of Ghosts thanks to its chaotic mix of romantic mishaps, supernatural body swaps, and holiday absurdity. The hilarity peaks when Bela, hopelessly in love with the pantless ghost, Trevor, convinces her friend Eric (Andrew Leeds) to let Trevor possess his body, so they can finally share a kiss.
This awkward, ghost-human romance trope is played for maximum comedy. Meanwhile, a faulty sconce zaps Sam, allowing Thor to possess her body. This leads to great physical comedy, as the gruff Viking enthusiastically experiences Christmas as Sam. This episode is the perfect blend of holiday spirit and ghostly mayhem that showcases the show’s sharp writing and ensemble chemistry.