CBS Vampire Sitcom 'Eternally Yours' Premieres to Mixed Reviews

Key points

• The series is a functional spinoff of 'Ghosts,' swapping ghosts for vampires in a supernatural roommate comedy format.
• The pilot episode was criticized for being 'anemic' and lacking a distinct comic voice, despite having a talented ensemble cast.
• The show features a complex family dynamic, including a vampire couple, their vampire daughter, and a human son-in-law who discovers their secret.
• Joe Port, an Altoona native, and Joe Wiseman wrote the pilot script 11 years ago, but it was initially passed on by CBS before 'Ghosts' became a hit.
• The series will air 20 episodes on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET, following 'Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage' on the CBS schedule.

Background

Joe Port and Joe Wiseman are well-known for their work on 'Ghosts,' which they adapted from a British format. Their previous collaborations include 'New Girl' and 'Me, Myself and I.' The success of 'Ghosts' led CBS to revisit their earlier vampire concept, 'Eternally Yours,' which had been shelved for years. The show is part of CBS's fall 2026 lineup, which also includes 'Cupertino' and 'Marshals.'

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg was highly critical, calling the pilot 'anemic' and 'toothless,' arguing that it wasted its potential by overloading the episode with exposition and unexplained vampire rules. In contrast, Variety's Alison Herman offered a more measured take, describing the show as a 'genial riff' on 'Ghosts' that may appeal to fans of the original series. While Fienberg noted the lack of a clear comic voice, Herman acknowledged that the show has 'a few good gags' and a talented cast, suggesting it may need more time to find its identity. The Altoona Mirror focused on the local connection, highlighting Joe Port's background and the show's development history, emphasizing the creators' intent to explore the long-term ramifications of eternal relationships.

Why it matters

The reception of 'Eternally Yours' is significant as it tests the limits of the 'Ghosts' formula and the creative range of its writers. A successful launch could solidify CBS's position in the supernatural comedy genre, while a poor reception might indicate a lack of innovation in the format. The show's performance will also influence the trajectory of Port and Wiseman's future projects and their relationship with CBS.

What to watch

The series will continue airing on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET, with new episodes released on Paramount+ the following day. The first episode of 'Ghosts' Season 6 is scheduled to premiere on October 29, 2026. Viewers will be watching to see if 'Eternally Yours' can develop a stronger comic voice and character depth in subsequent episodes.