Just like her sunshine girl persona, Jennifer Love Hewitt seems like a pretty chirpy person - at least over the phone.

"I've been so blessed with the life I've been given. I constantly wake up excited about what to expect next," the 28-year-old said over the phone from Los Angeles, while on a break from filming the third season of TV show Ghost Whisperer.

The drama is about a young woman, Melinda Gordon, who has the ability to see spirits. She takes it upon herself to help ghosts left behind in the material world to cross over to the spiritual plane. It's a sort of surprise hit for Hewitt.

In the competitive world of TV shows in the US, to be doing a third season is a sure sign of success. "We were astounded by the response to the show," Hewitt said.

The second season of Ghost Whisperer is currently showing every Friday at 10pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.

Unlike Supernatural - a considerably darker drama about spirits - Ghost Whisperer is light fare. After all, each episode usually rounds off on a positive note with Melinda having successfully helped a spirit.

According to Hewitt, one reason for the success of Ghost Whisperer is the development of Melinda. "The show starts off with a girl who wants to be as normal as possible under strange circumstances. By the end of Season One, her best friend dies and that shook everyone up."

"In Season Two, she's a lot tougher and less trusting. The stakes get higher, the show gets scarier - which is what people seem to like," she said.

"In Season Three, everything is at stake. Why is she always being targeted by evil? How does she protect her marriage and her life, knowing that no one among her family and friends is truly safe? Season Three is the discovery season for Melinda, she wants to know where she came from."

Ghost Whisperer fans would be glad to know that Channel 5 has plans to bring the third season to Singapore.

Fluff it may be to some - Variety magazine called the first season a "cloying my heart-(and-soul)-will-go-on drama" - but the show has exerted a considerable influence on some loyal fans.

"I met a (widow), and she told me she could carry on with her life after a marathon session of the show because Melinda made her believe it was possible for her to move on," said Hewitt.

The petite actress, who made her name in the family drama Party of Five in the 1990s - it also starred Lost lead Matthew Fox - has the fresh-faced good looks and perky charm that garnered her a huge teenage fan base during her early days of fame as a TV star.

Years later, while scripts never hesitated to capitalise on Hewitt's considerable assets - the scene of her rain-drenched in a white tank top and screaming, 'Come and get me!' to a serial killer in the thriller I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is now a classic - she has never lost that wholesome charm.

The flipside is that she has rarely strayed far from good-girl roles. But Hewitt is certainly aware of her appeal.

"I enjoy photo shoots where I get to dress up and look a little edgier. I'm lucky enough to be able to work, and that's all I really wanted. So I suppose my looks have helped!" - TODAY/ym