"Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" (1991) TV series 1991-1996

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Hugh Martin

Writer:

Lane Raichert (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

30 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Game-Show

Plot:

Contestants pursue the international thief as junior detectives who must answer questions about geography.

Plot Keywords:

Carmen Sandiego | Detective | A Cappella | Geography | Thief

Awards:

6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Greg Lee	...	Himself - Host / ... (295 episodes, 1991-1995)
Lynne Thigpen	...	The Chief / ... (295 episodes, 1991-1995)
Sean Altman	...	Himself - Tenor: Rockapella (294 episodes, 1991-1995)
Barry Carl	...	Himself - Bass: Rockapella / ... (294 episodes, 1991-1995)
Elliott Kerman	...	Himself - Baritone: Rockapella (294 episodes, 1991-1995)
Scott Leonard	...	Himself - High Tenor: Rockapella / ... (294 episodes, 1991-1995)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Company:

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Trivia:

Each season 65 episodes were produced and shown four times during the season.

Quotes:

Host, Contestant: Do it, Rockapella!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Where in the U.S.A. Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996) (VG)

Do It Rockappella!!!

This was the first national televised game show for PBS. Aimed at kids "Were in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" is a geography trivia game. Before the game three Gumshoes (Contestants) are given a briefing by the Chief Lynn Thigpen about an important landmark that has been stolen by one of Carmen's henchmen/women. After all their is a crime element to this game. With the information the game can began

Round 1: In this round their given clues to the crook's whereabouts in the would though short skits, songs, celebrity appearances etc. The Gumshoes are then shown three possible choices. They must pick the right answer using the cardboards in front of them. Other elements in the round including the Lighting Round in which the Gumshoes are asked toss up question about a certain place in world, and The Chase (beginning with season 2) in which rapid fire toss up question are asked about certain places on a continent of the world.

Round 2: The top scoring Gumshoes go into the field (well to a train station on the set) the last place the crook went to, and place a memory game of sorts. The Gumshoes face a board of important places and landmarks of a city somewhere in the world. The object is to find the Loot (what was stolen), the Warrant, and Crook in that respected order behind the landmarks to win the game.

Endgame: The winning Gumshoe gets the chance to capture crime boss Carmen Sandiego by playing on a big map that resemble some part of the world (North America, South America, Europe, or Asia). The object is place a marker (with a Red Light on top and a wheel on the bottom) on an area of the map that corresponds with the clue given. If correct the marker lights up, and the Gumshoe is given two chances per clue. If they get 7 right within 45 seconds they win a trip anywhere in the lower 48 states (expanded to include North America in season 2).

One of things that made this show popular was the A cappella group called Rockappella. The theme song was done by the group, and they also and did a short song for each of Carman's crooks. Expected for the first season they were no musical instruments used. Rockappella is still working doing commercials for Folgers, and Almond Joy/Mounds. Hopefully someone will do a revival for this show although it would have been nice to have Lynn Thigpen to play the chief. Sadly she passed away recently and she brought something to show as the chief/announcer/antagonist. You really respect her and loved her in the role she played. She was tough, but had a heart of gold

Lynn Thigpen may you rest in peace.