Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

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.

This game show was one of the greatest of all time. It certainly blows "Who wants to be a millionaire?" out of the water. It had a great host, great questions, and it actually had some sort of plot. I watched this when I was younger and it really taught me a lot about geography while being a really cool show. It also had great music done by Rockapella. I guarantee the theme song will be stuck in your head for weeks. If you ever get a chance to see re-runs, I highly recommend that you do!

Ah the days when TV shows could be great shows and teach kids something in the process. You had to be smart to make it through the world of Carmen unlike some recent game shows which shall go unnamed *cough* Millionaire* *cough*. I watched Carmen as a kid, but if it ever came on again I would tape them all and watch them over and over again, to this day I still know all the word to the theme song. It's shows like this that are missing in the make-up of today's television...and the sooner we can bring them back the better off we will be.

"Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" was a great children's game show. I used to love to watch when I came home from school along with "Wishbone" on PBS. I also have the two computer games of this show: "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" and "Where in the United States Is Carmen Sandiego?". They were fun to play.

"Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" was fun to watch and fun to play along with. Someone I know was even on the show. It was to bad that this show was canceled to soon because it really was a fun and educational show. I was glad tho that "Where in time is Carmen Sandiego?" came along because that show was cool too. I give this show 10/10 stars!

I have to say I was sorry to learn this show isn't around anymore. Educational programming is hard to find anymore and this was a great one, encouraging kids to learn geography but also to hone their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It was a great opportunity for kids to learn something and put it to fun use, and a great chance for kids who study hard and do well in school to be rewarded and celebrated. The show was well-done and entertaining; you can't ask for more than that. I have an interesting perspective because I was a contestant on the show in 1993 and actually won the grand prize. I was 13 and had been bookish and "nerdy" in school, but suddenly I had my picture in the local paper - I felt like such a star. Thanks, PBS and Carmen, for great educational entertainment.