Richards Favorite Videos

Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? was a children’s television game show loosely based on the computer games of the same name created by now defunct Brøderbund Software. Time aired on PBS from 1996 to 1998 and stars Lynne Thigpen as “The Chief”, Kevin Shinick as “ACME Time Pilot Leader” and “The Engine Crew” as various informants. The show replaced Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?.

Before the show begins, the viewing audience sees a live-action Carmen Sandiego in her CGI headquarters. She appears complaining to herself about something and quickly plots to steal the historical “seed” that lead to that something’s existence. She then summons to one of her V.I.L.E. gang members and tells them what to steal and where to go. The Chief then appears and tells the audience that if the stolen object is not returned within twenty-eight minutes (the length of the show), history will be changed forever. Then the show begins.

The new super enthusiastic party-style themesong I always thought was…an odd choice.

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? was a Saturday morning cartoon show based on the Carmen Sandiego series of edutainment computer games. It should not be confused with the better-known PBS game show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. The Earth show was made by DiC Entertainment and originally aired on FOX. Its episodes have subsequently been repeated on both the Fox Family Channel and the Pax network. The series won an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Animated Children’s Program” in 1995.

The C.H.I.E.F. (Computerized Holographic Imaging Educational Facilitator) is the head of ACME. In the Earth series, the traditional role of “The Chief” was drastically retooled, becoming a wise-cracking sentient computer image not unlike Max Headroom. Playing a slightly more important role than his counterparts in the franchise, the Chief was still limited to providing exposition, alerts of Carmen’s recent crime and comic relief. He was voiced by Rodger Bumpass and was also featured in Carmen Sandiego: Junior Detective Edition.

This version of the Chief had a very intimate professional and personal relationship with Carmen. They were both trained as agents when ACME was in its infancy (the Chief more likely created as an attempt at an autonomous robotic agent, complete with android body), and were often partnered up with each other on many cases. They became fast friends, and although he was angered and shocked at Carmen’s defection to a life of crime, he didn’t have the heart to close her file. It’s clear that Carmen also thinks highly of their friendship, having once entrusted the help of ACME agents Zach and Ivy to help restore a virus-stricken Chief back to health after she ‘kidnapped’ him for a Christmas night to ‘relive the good ol’ days’, and once again teaming up with him to capture the criminal Maelstrom, whom they had captured during their detective years and had returned to take his revenge.

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? was a popular children’s television game show loosely based on the computer games of the same name created by now defunct Brøderbund Software. World aired on PBS from 1991 to 1996 and stars Lynne Thigpen as “The Chief”, Greg Lee as “The ACME Special Agent (renamed Senior Agent for Seasons 3-5) in charge of training new recruits” and Rockapella as the house vocal band and comedy troupe. Rockapella featured Sean Altman (tenor) Elliot Kerman (baritone), Barry Carl (bass) and Scott Leonard (high tenor) with Jeff Thacher (vocal percussion) joining in the final season of the show.

World holds the record for being the longest-running game show on PBS and as the second longest running children’s game show in U.S. television history behind Double Dare (for which Greg Lee was a contestant coordinator).

The show is noted for concluding with Greg, the sleuth and the audience pointing and yelling “Do it, Rockapella!” (”Hit it, fellas!” in the pilot episodes) into the camera, signifying the group to begin again their title song for the animated closing credits, which depicted members of Carmen’s gang stealing the names of production staff members against a background resembling a notepad (for the final season a black backdrop with confetti was used). After the credits and in season 2, the audience was invited onto the map to dance and sing the theme song. Greg and Rockapella sang and danced with audience members. Even the eliminated gumshoes would come out once again to dance with the sleuth.

Afterwards (beforewards during the 1st season), the Chief, who has joined in the celebration from her office, said “This is Lynne Thigpen speaking for Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, and remember, (something funny in rhyme)” Sometimes the funny rhyme part wasn’t heard, instead (during some of the 1st season episodes) “See ya Next Time!”.