Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego

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!”.