Greg, Let's Go To The Map! (I Feel Good!)

Recently, my manager asked me what my favorite game show was. I named a few: The Pyramid, Password, Cram, The Price Is Right, and some other game shows. But recently I was surfing the Net and I found a video of what is truly my FAVORITE game show. It had a very nice 5 year run, a beautiful set, fantastic music, and frankly, made learning so much fun. I'm talking, or course, of Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?. This show was so pivotal in my childhood. There were so many great things about this show...

The concept was (and still is) great. Being a detective was one of my dreams. Chasing crooks for an agency.

The host and announcer are so on point. Greg Lee (who also was Principal White on Nickelodeon's "Doug") was a fantastic host and Lynn Thigpin (may her soul rest in peace) was the best at her role.

Rockapella was propelled by this show; it was how I was introduced by them. I still love their music.

This show never "talks down" to its contestants or viewers.

Geography is a hard subject, and although you had to be a bit world smart, you did indeed learn something if you payed attention.

One of the most ingenious grand prizes on a game show for kids (or almost anyone): A free all expenses paid trip to anywhere in the Continental United States (which, by the way, meant no Alaska, no Hawaii), and you, the Gumshoe, got to choose!

It was funny. There were even comedy breaks between the Chief and Greg, which were hilarious. "Greg, Go Away." Loved It.

It was the longest running game show on PBS, and the second longest children's game show on TV behind Double Dare.

It was just a fun, fun, fun show to watch. Part game show, part variety show, part education show.


I could keep going, but the point is this show is loved by many people, including myself, and I wish I could make a game as successful and loved as this one. I would buy it on DVD in a second. I've included the three part YouTube on the side of this post in the Screeing Room. Make sure you start with Part One (the top video) if you are interested in looking.


The month is almost over, and I've got one more game to go. I told myself that I would stop making games at the end of the month in order to prepare for (hopefully) the trip to LA, and also to tweak the games I have now. People have been very helpful in developing my ideas, and to them I say thank you very much.

My grandfather went back to the hospital recently, and I hope he gets better.

Got a new position at Wheelock; I am doing data entry and analysis, which I am very excited about because that means that I no long have to help people who walk into the office. I get a Wheelock email, a login, and a desk space with a computer in the back, not in the front. Hooray.

Ok, it's time for me to take a shower and get ready to go out. Yes, that's right. I'm leaving to go out real soon.

Possible Outcome #1

Just something that I found while surfing the YouTube Universe. It this a glimpse of me in the future?

In my opinion, I hope I have as much fun as everyone was in this clip. I'll post some more later today.

(YouTube Clip Provided By User "fraziergorge")

Nighttime Stories

Yesterday, I bought some new books in order to create some questions for my new game show. Two books of lists and one book of statistics. I keep two notebooks with me at almost all times: a brown one to write down ideas and rules for rounds, and a white one to write down actual questions and facts that I may encounter in my travels. We tried a few of them last nights, with success. Although there was a little commotion between the players and the "audience," I got a lot of good play time, and some good ideas on how to tweak some rounds.

I hung out with Kayte last night as well. We watched TV while she cut my nails... at times it was very painful and I did not enjoy that too much. But things are fine, and I'm happy in the relationship.

I also have the luck and pleasure to run into JT late last night as well. He just happened to be at Beth Israel Hospital when I was leaving Kayte's dorm. He is on spring break from Centre College (Kentucky). We walked to Ruggles station, and along the way we caught up on how we were doing. He is doing pretty well, which is good because he's not particularly fond of Centre. Frankly I do not blame him; I highly doubt I could survive down there. He's been a few run-ins with racial issues and he's mainly had to fend for himself without any support from his "peers" (and I use this term loosely). Seeing him was one of the big highlights of the night. In fact, I'm about to go meet him for lunch in about an hour.

On my way home, I called Kayte (cause she asked me too). Pretty normal thing to do. However, this time my battery was dying and my phone shut off in mid conversation. She got worried that something happened to me, but I was fine. But it did make me realize how much I mean to her... not saying that I didn't know that already, but I guess it was a "reminder" of some sort.

My grandfather is dying and my mother wants me to get my pants from my suit tailored in case the inevitable happens. I've put it off for a while now, and the reason is because for some reason I'm being a bit superstitious about it... The longer I wait, the longer he lives (I believe)...

My birthday is officially in one month. That's all I have to say about that.

Time for me to get ready to go out to lunch, so I must be off. Stay classy.

I Might Be Smarter... What's It To You?

Breakfast. I don't know how many times I've been told that it is "the most important meal of the day." Most days, I don't have time to have it. However, for some reason I've had more and more time to eat it. In fact, I'll be heading to "Johnny's" soon to eat some French Toast. Mmmmmm.

I finally caught an episode of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, and I have to say, it is somewhat entertaining. The game play itself is formulaic: answer 11 questions and you win $1 Million. But there are some nice elements added: you are accompanied by a 5th grader (out of a pool of 5), who is there with you every 2 questions and takes the same "test" as you. There are three "helps:" you can Peek at the 5th grader's answer and use that, you can Copy the answer (which is just what it sounds), or the 5th grader can Save you on one question if you get it wrong and they get it right. However, if you don't get to the top prize, you must look at the camera and state that "I am not smarter than a 5th grader."

The set is really nice for this show. Many of the sets I've seen for game show are very "sterile:" sleek with metallic colors and light and all that stuff. The 5th Grader set is like a big classroom, complete with desks and a chalkboard, albeit a digital chalkboard. Most of the kids are entertaining, and they have to be since they are child actors. Jeff Foxworthy does a very good job hosting the show. I'm glad that FOX chose someone that would fit the show, instead of someone with just a pretty face.

The questions themselves come from actual textbooks (so they say), and I have to say, some of them were kinda difficult. I personally did not know what year Abe Lincoln was first president (1860). Nor did i know how many cups were in 5.5 gallons (88).

Ratings-wise, 5th Grade has been able to stand on its own, especially on Thursday without the help of American Idol; it was the best in about 8 years.

But enough with that... All this 5th grader stuff is bringing back memories... not all of them good...

I've been hard at work tweaking my game show ideas, thanks to the help of open ears and friends. I think this weekend will be a good time to test them out. I also want to take pictures, so when I do that, I'll post them here.

I got in touch with Wheelock College yesterday, and it seems things are going well over there, but they still could use my help. It will be nice to work with them again. I do miss them a lot, and I miss getting paid on a weekly basis...

I'm almost done with my financial aid crap for Emerson College.

My brother is trying to find an ID so that he can drink in Montreal this weekend. He (stupidly) asked for mine, thinking that I would be more than happy to give my Driver's License. I said no because I use mine all the time. He fought by saying that I was being difficult, and I told him that even if I didn't need it, I was not about to help him drink. Jean is a freeloader, and frankly I am tired of him.

Anyway, I guess that's all for now, but something tells me I'll be writing more later tonight...

This Is Just A Test

To my knowledge, this is my third attempt to keep a blog. But this time, I'm going to make a huge effort to stay true to this one, trying to keep it updated as regularly as often. For now, this is just a test to see if this works.

I make game shows. Yeah, I know it sounds a bit on the "odd" side, but one thing you have to understand is that game shows are my life. I love them. I want to work on one, and eventually, host one. You don't see too many black game show hosts these days, but I hope to be a prolific member of that industry.

I also go to Emerson College, a very expensive communications college. I've taken a leave of absence to earn more money and focus on my game show dream.

I'll stop there for now, but I hope I can keep this thing up for a bit. Who knows, maybe I'll become "popular" or something...