Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?

1991 · 5 seasons · Family
7.4 Niche

Series finished

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Family

A game show based on the Carmen Sandiego computer game series created by Brøderbund Software.

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Year
1991
Channel
PBS
Studio
WQED · GBH

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

The show was created partly in response to a National Geographic survey revealing widespread geographic ignorance among Americans, with one in four unable to locate the Soviet Union or the Pacific Ocean.

Origins

The show's trivia questions were verified by National Geographic World magazine, which also supplied prizes in the form of magazine subscriptions for contestants.

Filming

The series was taped in New York City at Chelsea Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios, the latter of which also housed the set of Sesame Street.

Filming

A staff of 150 people produced the show, with each season shot in just six weeks and typically three to four episodes taped per shooting day.

Filming

Prospective contestants, aged 8 to 13, were recruited through local New York schools and had to pass a geography test before being interviewed by producers.

Trivia

After the first season finished taping, major geopolitical changes—including the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the breakup of Yugoslavia—made its geographic content outdated, prompting a disclaimer starting in season 2 stating that all geographic information was accurate only as of the recording date.

Effects

Graphic designer Gene Mackles produced roughly two hours of animation for the show using half a dozen Macintosh computers and Macromind Director software due to a tight budget and deadline; he and Chris Pullman won a Daytime Emmy for the effort.

Music

The show's theme song was written by Rockapella co-founder Sean Altman and David Yazbek, and the group performed all the series' music, including short stingers, 'think music,' and comedic sound effects.

Casting

Lynne Thigpen's portrayal of the Chief became so popular that she reprised the role in later Carmen Sandiego PC games as well as in the follow-up series Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?

References

The V.I.L.E. character Kneemoi, a shape-shifting alien from the planet Roddenberry introduced in season 2, is a reference to Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy and the franchise's creator Gene Roddenberry.

Reception

The show won seven Daytime Emmys and a 1992 Peabody Award, and in 2001 TV Guide ranked it No. 47 on its list of the 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time.

Trivia

The format was adapted internationally, including German, Italian, Spanish, French-Canadian, New Zealand, and Malaysian versions, some featuring local musical groups replacing Rockapella, such as the 'Chemistry Boiz' in New Zealand.

Memorable quotes

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Carmen here! Catch me if you can!

Carmen Sandiego Catchphrase taunt to the player

Hello and welcome to ACME, I'm the Chief. But you can call me...well...'the Chief.' We're in the business of tracking down thieves, and we're ultimately after one: Carmen Sandiego! Every creep we've ever collared has been working for her!

The Chief Introducing ACME's mission

You can try to reform me, but I'LL NEVER CHANGE!

A crook Defiant refusal after capture

I'm all yours, flatfoot, but they haven't built a hoosegow yet that can hold me!

A crook Boasting no jail can hold them

To coin a phrase, I didn't think you coppers had enough "cents" to catch me.

A crook Pun after being caught

Aw, man! I hope they don't give homework in the hoosegow!

A crook Worried about jail

I guess the writing's on the wall. I hope I get letters in jail.

A crook Resigned pun after capture

Curses! All my foul plans have gone up in smoke!

A crook Lamenting foiled schemes

Go ahead and read me my rights, but you'll never get Carmen in your sights!

A crook Defiant after arrest

Don't expect me to congratulate you for catching me – I'm a sore loser!

A crook Sore loser after capture

Do you really think you can catch me? Remember, Carmen Sandiego is never far away, but always out of reach.

Carmen Sandiego Taunting the detective

[sweet voice] My dear ACME agents, I know you're only doing your job, [modulated voice] but you won't keep me locked up for long, losers!

Carmen Sandiego Mocking captured agents

Mmm, I enjoy a good challenge. But I'm afraid that soon, you may be out of your league. Farewell!

Carmen Sandiego Farewell after evading capture

You may have stopped me, but you'll never arrest Carmen Sandiego!

A crook Warning about Carmen's escape

It's time to contact my collection of crooked compadres. My coast-to-coast crime spree is about to begin. I've filched the world's finest artifacts. And now, America's greatest treasure will soon be in the hands of Carmen Sandiego!

Carmen Sandiego Announcing a coast-to-coast crime spree

Hello, this is Joe. What? They want to borrow thread?! It's the middle of the night!! Listen close, guard, do NOT give those rascals a spool of thread! Tell 'em to come back in the morning when we're open!

Paul Revere Comic historical phone call

Thomas Edison: Someone really needs to invent a more convenient store - open twenty-four hours a day.

Thomas Edison Joke about convenience stores

Looks like I'm up the creek without a paddle!

A crook Pun after capture

Agh! Looks like I'm in hot water! You made me look like a wet noodle!

A crook Pun about being in trouble

Darn! You got the drop on me before I could make my big splash!

A crook Pun after capture

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