Ted Dansen sees "dead people" too. He plays a struggling business owner whose childhood "sixth sense" decides to return to him, after his mother suffers a stroke. At first, the tragedy only brings back the haunting memories of his early Catholic school days, frequently seeing the dead and all but his mother seemingly understanding his unique talent for conversing with the dear departed. As his mother's health deteriorates, he is once again plagued with these loved ones of others around him passing on messages and constantly trying to get the poor guy to do things ... like find missing buried children and finding murderers. This is where he meets Mary Streenburgen (Ted's real life wife), a local detective who gradually comes to believe and utilize the bizarre talents of James Vann Praagh.

This first part of this two part television miniseries deals mostly with James Vann Praagh's journey into his past and his slow acceptance of the powers granted to him by forces unknown. He and his father (Jack Palance) have to deal with these memories, as well as the return of this talent, after the death of mother and wife, Regina (Diane Ladd). James' business begins to fail (like most of our businesses, on and off the internet, in this difficult economy) and he is forced into a small, cheap apartment. His only friend, a recently hired web designer played by Queen Latifa, guides her boss to her own gifted psychic, played by Michael Moriarty (who will be starring in the mega sci fi series, Taken, later this year).

The second part of this story pushes Jack into darker realms, as he must now help the victims of a serial murderer find their killer, before he strikes again. I guess the dead are no more satisfied then the living, simply finding the buried bodies of children murdered by being buried alive wasn't good enough ... they want justice, as well. So, any of you misguided souls hoping and praying a peaceful eternity ... well, fat chance that'll likely happen.

No, according to Mr. Vann Praagh, who by the way, has an upcoming daily series (can any say sci-fi channel's Crossing Over with John Edward?), the dead simply hang around to try to comfort the living, passing on thoughtful and private messages, and generally have nothing better to do than tease the living through a gifted medium. What has always bothered me about this whole industry is the fact that we get no real answers to the mysteries beyond the grave ... except the no one really ever leaves this earth, we just sorta hang around.

But all the blatant self-promotion of this new television personality aside (which was a bit difficult, since he just had to throw in his own commercial during the movie), Living with the Dead in and of itself is a good ghost story with fine performances all-around by cast members, most notably Diane Ladd and Jack Palance as mom and dad. And the weary, bordering on insane, man living with a unique talent he cannot control played by Ted Dansen is nicely crafted.

If you are still dependent on those 900 psychic hotlines, or stubborn enough to still believe in the Blair Witch, then be sure to watch the new series on CBS, Beyond. Otherwise, kick back and enjoy this errie two-parter, Living with the Dead .