‘Ghosts’ executive producer says growing up in Altoona fueled inspiration for show

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – If you have not seen the present “Ghosts” on CBS or Parmount+, chances are you’ll be lacking out on all of the enjoyable that the spirits haunting Woodstone Mansion have with their two residing housemates.

“Ghosts,” now in its second season, is at the moment considered one of highest rated reveals on TV. And one of many ringleaders of the hit present is government producer and Altoona native Joe Port.

“I cherished rising up in Pennsylvania and in Altoona,” Port mentioned. “I do not know another model of rising up, however I loved it.”

Although he resides in LA now, Port nonetheless has sturdy Pennsylvania roots. His mom and brother each nonetheless stay in Altoona, and he says he has tons of household all through each central and western Pennsylvania.

Port additionally loves the Steelers and his one canine even has a crew namesake.

“I used to be scoping out your Instagram and also you had a comparability of your canine, the place he regarded like Artwork Rooney,” KDKA-TV’s Chris DeRose mentioned.

“My canine is known as Rooney and there was a photograph the place he was chomping on one thing that regarded like a cigar so yeah, large fan of Artwork Rooney and the Rooney household,” Port mentioned.

Port has labored on many large tasks through the years, however he and his writing companion Joe Wiseman had been grateful and excited to assist CBS take the profitable British present “Ghosts” and convey it to America.

In fact, whereas the British model of “Ghosts” populates its present with individuals from throughout British historical past, the American model occupies its haunted manor home with individuals from throughout American historical past. Port additionally mentioned that his hometown has been a supply of inspiration for his model of “Ghosts.”

“I grew up a pair blocks away from this place referred to as Baker Mansion, which was like this Gilded Age mansion that was constructed by Elias and Hetty Baker, which was form of an inspiration for the character of Hetty and her robber baron husband, Elias. I haven’t got any precise data that the precise Elias Baker had any evil qualities, but it surely was cool to develop up within the shadow of that constructing after which use it for inspiration afterward,” Port mentioned. 

“Ghosts” has been renewed by CBS for a 3rd season and Port and his solid and crew are excited to maintain engaged on this enjoyable venture.

“The success of the present is simply good in that we get to maintain doing it, you’re employed on a ton of issues and it is at all times onerous work it doesn’t matter what present you are writing on, you set lots into it. So it is clearly rewarding for individuals to truly watch it,” mentioned Port. 

“Ghosts” returns Thursday night time on CBS with an all new episode at 8:30 or you may watch all of the episodes anytime on Paramount+.