👻 The Haunted Halls of Hollywood: Is Woodstone Manor Divided?
We all love the cozy, chaotic, and downright hilarious vibes of Woodstone Manor. Since its debut, CBS’s Ghosts has been a beacon of light in the sitcom world, blending historical hijinks with genuine heart. But as we move through early 2026, the atmosphere on set is reportedly getting as chilly as a Victorian basement in mid-winter. Word on the digital street—and across some very heated fan forums—is that CBS is being accused of playing favorites with certain cast members.
Wait, what? Our favorite found-family of spirits in a feud? It sounds like something Trevor would tweet about, but the whispers are growing louder. While the show remains a massive ratings juggernaut, having recently been renewed through its sixth season, viewers are starting to notice a shift. From screen time disparities to promotional “V.I.P.” treatment, the “Drama Alert” for 2026 is officially flashing red. Let’s peel back the wallpaper and see what’s really going on behind the scenes.
🎭 The Root of the Rumor: Screen Time and Storylines
In any ensemble show, balancing ten main characters is like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Someone is bound to get scorched. The core of the favoritism accusations stems from how the 2026 episodes have distributed the spotlight.
The “Big Three” Phenomenon
Fans have pointed out that while Ghosts is technically an ensemble, recent arcs seem to heavily revolve around a specific trio: Sam (Rose McIver), Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), and Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones).
-
The Critique: Critics argue that these characters receive the most complex emotional beats and “A-plots,” while others are relegated to “B” or “C” storylines that feel like rehashed gags.
-
The Reaction: Social media is buzzing with the hashtag #JusticeForSass and #MoreAlberta, as fans feel the rich backstories of characters like Sasappis and Alberta Haynes are being parked in the proverbial basement.
The “Gimmick” Trap
Is the show becoming too formulaic? Some viewers claim that “favored” characters get meaningful growth, while others are stuck in a loop of catchphrases. When a character becomes a caricature, it usually signals a lack of investment from the writers’ room, which fans often interpret as the network prioritizing “marketable” stars over the whole group.
💰 Promotional Power: Who Gets the Red Carpet?
Favoritism isn’t just about what we see on Thursday nights; it’s about what we see on billboards, talk shows, and magazine covers. In the high-stakes world of network TV, “promotional push” is the currency of stardom.
H3: The Disparity in the Press Junket
In 2026, the promotional machine for Season 5 and 6 has been in overdrive. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed that certain actors seem to be the “designated faces” for late-night interviews and high-profile press events.
-
The Observation: If you see the same three actors on every talk show while others only appear in group “Zoom” interviews, people start to ask questions. Is CBS trying to build “breakout stars” at the expense of the ensemble’s unity?
-
The Set Vibe: While Danielle Pinnock and Richie Moriarty have frequently praised the “summer camp” vibe of the set, the disparity in external recognition can create a natural friction—even if the actors themselves are too professional to say it out loud.
🔥 Perplexity and Burstiness: The Chaos of 2026 TV
Television in 2026 is weird, isn’t it? With the rise of AI-generated script analysis and instant fan-driven feedback loops, the “burstiness” of drama is at an all-time high. One day everyone is laughing at a Viking joke; the next, there’s a 40-page Reddit manifesto about character marginalization.
H4: The Social Media Echo Chamber
Accusations of favoritism often act like a snowball rolling down a mountain. It starts with one observant fan noting that Hetty (Rebecca Wisocky) didn’t have a line for ten minutes. By the time it hits TikTok, it’s a full-blown “CBS Scandal.”
-
The Analogies: It’s like being at a Thanksgiving dinner where one kid gets the biggest slice of pie. Even if it was an accident, the other kids are going to notice—and they’re going to be loud about it.
🛡️ CBS Responds: The Network’s Defense
Of course, the “Joes” (showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman) aren’t staying silent. They’ve consistently emphasized that the “family dynamic” is the show’s secret sauce.
Writing to Strengths vs. Favoritism
The network’s argument is simple: they write to the actors’ strengths.
-
The Reality: Brandon Scott Jones’s comedic timing is so sharp it could cut glass, so he naturally gets more “reaction” beats. Rose McIver is the literal bridge between the living and the dead, so she has to be in every scene.
-
The Strategy: From a production standpoint, it’s not favoritism; it’s narrative physics. You can’t tell a story about a haunted house without the person who can see the ghosts.
H3: The 22-Episode Grind
The showrunners have mentioned that the intense schedule of a 22-episode sitcom means they are “constantly writing as they go.” In that environment, you lean on what works. If a certain pairing (like Thor and Flower) is testing through the roof with audiences, the network is going to give the people what they want. Is that favoritism, or is it just good business?
💡 The Takeaway: Can the Spirits Reconcile?
Whether the favoritism is real or just a “ghost” of the fans’ imagination, the conversation itself proves one thing: we are deeply invested in these characters. We don’t just want them to be on our screens; we want them to be treated fairly.
The challenge for Ghosts in the coming 2026-2027 season will be to re-balance the scales. If the writers can tap into the untapped potential of the “sidelined” ghosts—giving us the Sasappis death story or more Alberta-centric mysteries—the accusations will likely fade away like a spirit being “sucked off” to the great beyond.
Conclusion
The 2026 “Drama Alert” surrounding CBS’s Ghosts serves as a reminder that even the most lighthearted comedies aren’t immune to the complexities of ensemble dynamics. While accusations of favoritism toward certain cast members have stirred up the fandom, the show’s enduring success and high ratings suggest that the “magic” isn’t gone yet. As long as Woodstone Manor continues to feel like home for its eclectic residents—and its millions of viewers—the show will likely survive this haunting controversy. Let’s just hope the only real “favoritism” involves giving us more of the hilarious, heartwarming stories we’ve come to expect.
❓ 5 Unique FAQs After The Conclusion
Q1: Which cast members are reportedly being “favored”?
A1: While not official, fan discussions often point toward Sam (Rose McIver), Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar), and Isaac (Brandon Scott Jones) as receiving the lion’s share of screen time and promotional focus in recent seasons.
Q2: Has any cast member actually complained about favoritism?
A2: No. Publicly, the cast remains incredibly supportive of one another. Actors like Danielle Pinnock have often gone on record to call the set a “genuine family” and a “summer camp” experience.
Q3: Is Ghosts being canceled because of this drama?
A3: Absolutely not! In fact, the show was recently given a massive two-season renewal, guaranteeing it will be on the air through at least 2027.
Q4: Why do some ghosts seem to disappear for whole episodes?
A4: This is often due to the “ensemble rotation” strategy used in 22-episode seasons to manage production costs and give actors breaks. It’s common for one or two characters to have a “light” week so the others can carry a heavy storyline.
Q5: Will Sasappis’s death finally be revealed in 2026?
A5: Actor Román Zaragoza has expressed hope that his character’s mysterious death will be explored soon. Fans hope that addressing these “missing” backstories will help resolve the current screen-time complaints.