Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego (game show)
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Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego was a U.S. game show, loosely based off the computer game of the same name. It aired on PBS from 1996 to 1998 and was hosted by Kevin Shinick with appearances by Lynne Thigpen as "The Chief" and "The Engine Crew" as various informants. This show replaced Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego.
Before the show begins, Carmen Sandiego is shown onscreen with one of her V.I.L.E. gang members. They discuss stealing an artifact somewhere in history. Once Carmen tells the gang member what to steal and where to go, The Chief tells the audience that if the object is not returned within 28 minutes (the length of the show), history changes forever. Then the show begins.
Contents |
[edit] Cast
[edit] Main
- Kevin Shinick as the host.
- Lynne Thigpen as "The Chief"
[edit] Engine Crew
- Jamie Gustis as Engine Crew #1
- Alaine Kashian as Engine Crew #2
- John Lathan as Engine Crew #3
[edit] V.I.L.E. Gang
- Baron Wasteland (Jamie Gustis)
- Buggs Zapper (Jamie Gustis)
- Dr. Belljar (Jamie Gustis)
- Jaqueline Hyde (Alaine Kashian)
- Mediva (Alaine Kashian)
- Sir Vile (John Lathan)
[edit] Rules of the game
Three kids (ages 10-14) compete. The players are given 100 power points to begin the game, and The Chief briefs the players on what was stolen and what time it was stolen from.
Various skits are performed which give clues to the location the crook went to. After the skit, three possible locations are shown to the players. All players select their answer at the same time, then reveal their answer to the host. The viewer could see the individual choices represented by an individual color. You could see which choice the players had made by the lights in front of their standing space before they actually "revealed" their answer. Any player with the right answer scores 10 power points. If a player is wrong, no points are lost.
[edit] Data Boost
After every other skit is performed, there is a Data Boost. Kevin reads clues in a given subject and gives the players a choice of 2 or 3 answers. The first to buzz-in with the right answer scores 5 power points; if the player is wrong, they lose 5 power points. Several questions like this are asked according to time.
[edit] Global Pursuit
After one skit is performed, the Global Pursuit round is played. This is played like "The Chase" round for a series of questions with three possible answers (all places in the world) were asked. Only one player could buzz in, for 5 power points up or down.
[edit] Ultimate Data Boost
This series of questions are the final ones for the round. This is just like a normal Data Boost but the questions are worth +/- 10 power points and again several questions are asked according to time. The two players with the highest score move on to Round Two, the third-placed player is eliminated from the game.
In case of a tie for 2nd place, Kevin will read clues to a famous person or place. The first person to buzz in with the right answer moves on to Round Two. Like in "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego," the last clue, if needed, would contain the correct answer.
[edit] Round Two
The Chief lists eight events. All the events are related to the artifact that was stolen. The events are put on a board, and the player leading after Round One is given the option on who goes first. Whoever goes first must now list the eight events in chronological order, starting with the most recent event, and finishing with the least recent event. As long as the current player continues to list events in chronological order, they can continue playing. If the player picks an event that breaks chronological order, their turn is over, and their opponent must start again from the beginning.
The first player to successfully list all eight events in chronological order recovers the artifact, wins the game, and the right to play the Bonus Round to catch Carmen & that day's crook.
[edit] Bonus Round "The Trail Of Time"
The player now has 90 seconds to answer six history questions posed by Carmen herself on The Trail Of Time. All questions are related to the artifact that was stolen in that day's show, and are dual-choice (Kevin has, on several occasions, noted that each question used up six seconds of the player's time to ask). The player runs to the first gate and presses a button to activate the question. If the player answers right, the gate will open automatically. If the player is wrong, a device must be operated by the player to manually open the gate, using up precious seconds. The player runs to the next gate and the process is repeated. After the first three gates (sometimes two), the player catches the crook that stole the artifact at the beginning of the show. If the player can get through all 6 gates before time expires, they catch Carmen Sandiego and win the grand prize of a new multimedia Computer. Otherwise, they win a set of encyclopedias and a portable music system with a collection of music. It should be noted that almost all players getting five out of six questions right won, and a player answering four correctly could complete the run, pending sufficient speed on the devices.
[edit] Consolation Prizes
Like on Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? the eliminated contestants get a set of consolation prizes called the ACME Time Kit. Some of the consolation prizes include:
- (only for a final round loss) A 1997 Worldbook Encyclopedia Set
- (only for a final round loss) A Portable Music System with a music library
- A Carmen Sandiego T-Shirt and Hat
- "Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?" for Computer
- A Texas Instruments Calculator
- A Sony Walkman
- 52 Issues of Time Magazine
[edit] Trivia
- The show premiered on Monday, October 7, 1996, following the cancellation of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? the previous Friday.
- The budget was smaller on this version of the show compared to Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? As a result, the grand prize was a computer instead of a trip.
- Unlike Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? scenes involving The Chief in this version were prerecorded. This took away interaction between her and the host, which was sorely missed by fans who enjoyed her and host Greg Lee's interaction on the World edition.
- Many fans of the original Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? disliked this version because of the elimination of Greg Lee, Rockapella and much of the comedy and skits that made the World edition very popular.
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
- Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? Rules @ Loogaroo's Page
- Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? Rules at the Jackpot Page
List does not include shows from networks airing PBS Kids shows but not funded directly from PBS such as KLCS shows.
