Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?

Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego? That is the question for this review. A game show that replaced Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego, this game show is an edutainment game show that teaches history. Basically, what they did is change a lot of things, and sadly, in the process, got rid of the charm that made its predecessor so memorable.

In this game show, the contestants, known as Time Pilots, are competing to capture Carmen Sandiego. Only this time, with the aid of host Kevin Shinick, the squadron leader, they have to go back in time to chase the VILE villain of the day to get back what was stolen in 28 minutes to prevent history from changing forever. As the show had a smaller budget, the Engine Crew, the replacement for Rockapella, played most of the characters seen in the show.

And because of said smaller budget, Where In Time did away with celebrity appearances and instead, relied on original ways to give clues. One is having a historical figure, played by one of the Engine Crew, coming on board. While it fits the show's subject, it sadly does not feel like when I tuned in to Where In The World to see what celebrity would appear to tell the gumshoes the clues to the next question.

Also, Carmen is now live action, as is her cast of time-traveling troublemakers, which are all new entries, like the cyborg Dr. Belljar, the evil knight Sir Vile, and even wealthy polluter Baron Wasteland. These villains did have some neat gimmicks and even dressed like they were from different eras in time, sadly, the use of live action acting basically ruins the magic that these characters would have. While the game show is fun, sadly, the charm of its predecessor is not present.

This sequel to original Carmen Sandiego game show on PBS was to focus on historic trivia with some geography tucked in. Here are rules to this version.

Pre-Game: Carmen sends one of her crooks back in time to steal something of historic importance thus putting history and time in danger.

Round 1: Begins with three contestants who are called Time Pilots. Like in World they are shown skits, songs, and cast portraying important historic people. In each segment important clues are given. After which three choices are shown and now the contestants must lock in an answer on their podiums rather than using cardboard in the previous show. The first round also has tossup elements too including Data Boosts, and Global Pursuit (similar to "The Chase")

Round 2: After getting the loot back form Carmen's crook. The two top scoring players are given eight events and must put them in order of the most recent event to least recent event. The events are related to the item that was stolen earlier. The time pilots take turn in attempting to navigate though the events correctly. A mistake along the way, and the plot loss the turn and his/her opponent gets a crack but returns to square one (starting with the most recent event). Whoever completes the game restores history and has chance to chase the crooks.

The Trail of Time (End Game): In the Trail of Time the winning time pilot must go though several time portals (they resemble arcs from different time periods) within 90 seconds. In each portal the time pilot must press a button alerting Carmen Sandiego herself that they are ready for her question on history (it's usually related to what was discussed on the program already). The questions are a 50/50 multiple guess. If answered correctly the gate on the portal automatically opens and the pilot can pass and move on. If they miss the question then they must use a hand device (each portal has one just in case) to open the gate which can waste valuable time. If the pilot can beat Carmen then she will be captured and the Time Pilot wins a personal computer. Escapes into time if time runs outs. However the personal boom box is not a bad constellation prize either.

This show only ran for two seasons, and Thigpen was the only pickup from the previous World version. The game play is good but the rest of it falls show still not bad.

"Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?" was a great sequel to "Where in The World Is Carmen Sandiego?". I watched it almost everyday for the two years it aired. I loved this show and its activities. I liked it how characters from the past asked the time pilots the questions and I also liked the final rounds game. I used to play along. This show even helped me in helped me in history class.

I wish they aired reruns of this show and "Where in The World Is Carmen Sandiego?" today, cause I bet a lot of kids would still watch it. I give this show 10/10 stars and believe it was just as good as "Where in The World Is Carmen Sandiego?".

Lynne Thigpen is the only returning cast member from "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" as the Chief. The Only problem with this show is the limited set and no studio audience (or no visible one) but Because of the chronological tie breaker (To find out who the winner is) is by far the most difficult ever in a game show for kids especially for when it does for historical events in Chronological order (Which order from the most recent to the earliest (the loot is this one) but the difficulty doesn't end there The winner has to go through platforms answering questions about what they have learned on the program in a Minute, if they get it wrong they have to move the door open doing some physical lever pulley like thing (Time waster) If they win it (a couple of times a contestant has won but most lose)They get a set of encyclopedias or a computer with subscription to the Encyclopedia Britanica website. Rockapella doesn't appear but there is the engine crew (they lipsync and dance bad for a 1996 dance group) the song for this show is worse than the original which was far better. Contestants answer questions related to events and time periods where the crook has traveled to then they do process of elimination lowest score gets conselation prize second and first place do the chronological tie breaker and the winner goes off and does the platform ending halfway they capture the crook then capture carmen. Both crook and carmen are crude footage of actors who have bad lines and the quality is terrible. Chronoskimmer is the time travel devise the show set is to represent but the footage of the outside is not as good as I hoped it would be for computer technology. based on the game by broderbund and The Learning Company.

I have to admit that I had never ever heard of this show before I was selected to be on it. Back in 1997, I was a young but extremely sexy 6th grader with a dream; a dream to have a sliver of my most awkward-looking years nationally televised. Let me tell you folks, my dream was fulfilled. So I went on the show really hoping to meet that "Listen up, Gum shoes" black chick, but sadly, she wasn't there. The girl dancer with the red hair was really really cute though. I doubt they still show re-runs but if you see an Hispanic boy beat 2 white girls, you'd be looking at me, baby. I am Ben the conqueror. I got a computer & some crappy encyclopedias. Anyway, from the perspective of a contestant, I say this show was pretty sweet and hey, they treated me well.