Ghostwriter (1992 TV series)

(Redirected from Todd Alexander) Mystery television series This article is about the American television series that aired from 1992–1995. For the 2019 television series, see Ghostwriter (2019 TV series). For television series with similar titles, see Ghostwriter (disambiguation).

Ghostwriter

Genre	Children's Mystery Fantasy
Created by	Liz Nealon
Starring	Todd Alexander Cohen Blaze Berdahl David López Marcella Lowery Mayteana Morales Tram-Anh Tran William Hernandez Melissa González Lateaka Vinson Sheldon Turnipseed
Composers	Gail "Sky" King Peter Wetzler
Country of origin	United States United Kingdom (seasons 1-2)
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	74 (18 story arcs, with four episodes in each arc, except 1 and 5, which have five episodes) (list of episodes)
Production
Producer	Miranda Barry
Production locations	Brooklyn, New York
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	Children's Television Workshop BBC Television (seasons 1-2)
Original release
Network	PBS BBC Two
Release	October 4, 1992 (1992-10-04) – February 12, 1995 (1995-02-12)
Related
Ghostwriter (2019–2022)

Ghostwriter is a children's mystery television series created by Liz Nealon and produced by Children's Television Workshop (now known as Sesame Workshop) and BBC Television. The series revolves around a multiethnic group of friends from Brooklyn who solve neighborhood crimes and mysteries as a team of youth detectives with the help of a ghost named Ghostwriter. Ghostwriter can communicate with children only by manipulating whatever text and letters he can find and using them to form words and sentences. The series was filmed on location in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It began airing on PBS on October 4, 1992, and the last episode aired on February 12, 1995. It reran on Noggin, a channel co-founded by the Children's Television Workshop, from 1999 to 2003.

Premise

The series is designed to teach reading and writing skills to schoolchildren. Each mystery is presented as a case, covering four 30-minute episodes (except for the first and fifth story arc, where there are five 30 minute episodes); children are encouraged to follow each mystery and use the reading and writing clues given to attempt to solve them just as the Ghostwriter team does.

Episodes

Main article: List of Ghostwriter episodes

Season	Episodes	Originally aired
Season	Episodes	First aired	Last aired
1	34	October 4, 1992	May 16, 1993
2	28	September 12, 1993	April 24, 1994
Special		September 18, 1994 (1994-09-18)
3	12	September 25, 1994	February 12, 1995

Cast

Main article: List of Ghostwriter characters

Sheldon Turnipseed as Jamal Jenkins
Blaze Berdahl as Lenni Frazier
David López as Alex Fernández
Mayteana Morales as Gaby Fernández (1992–1994)
Tram-Anh Tran as Tina Nguyen
Todd Alexander Cohen as Rob Baker (1992–1993)
William Hernandez as Héctor Carrero (1993–1995)
Melissa Gonzalez as Gaby Fernández (1994–1995)
Lateaka Vinson as Casey Austin (1994–1995)
Marcella Lowery as CeCe Jenkins

Critics and merchandise

Ghostwriter was critically acclaimed and honored for presenting a realistic, ethnically diverse world in its two-hour mystery stories. By the end of its third season, Ghostwriter ranked in the top five of all children's shows on American television.

Created as an integrated, branded, multi-media project, the Ghostwriter brand included magazines and teacher's guides, software (Microsoft), home video, games/licensed product, and other outreach materials that reached over a million children each month. There were many Ghostwriter novels released, both novelizations of the TV episodes and new stories. They were released by Bantam Books.

Noggin's website featured exclusive casebook files based on the show.

Broadcast and home release

Ghostwriter has been broadcast in 24 countries worldwide, and generated a number of foreign-language adaptations, including a dubbed over version on Discovery Kids in Latin America marketed as Fantasma Escritor.

Despite its popularity, the program was abruptly canceled after the third season due to inadequate funding after the BBC pulled out of co-producing the show. The original series was rerun from 1995 to 1999 on PBS. From 1999 to 2003, it aired on the Noggin cable network, which was jointly founded by the Children's Television Workshop (now known as Sesame Workshop) with MTV Networks. In the U.K. it aired on the BBC and the Disney Channel at different times. The show's revival The New Ghostwriter Mysteries also aired on Noggin as part of its nighttime programming blocks, The Hubbub and The N.

VHS releases

During the mid-1990s, Ghostwriter was released on VHS by Republic Pictures Home Video. The company released "Ghost Story", "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?", and "Into the Comics" with their respective story-arc episodes edited together into a feature-length format.

DVD releases

Shout! Factory released Season 1 of Ghostwriter on DVD on June 8, 2010. Its supplements are a trivia game and a casebook. The entire series except for the last two story arcs were also released by GPN.

DVD name	Ep #	Release date	Special features
Season One	34	June 8, 2010	Ghostwriter trivia game, Ghostwriter casebook
Season Two	28	TBA
Season Three	12	TBA

Awards and nominations

Writers Guild of America, United States, 1995
- Won, WGA Award (TV) for Children's Script—Carin Greenberg Baker, for "Don't Stop The Music".
Young Artist Awards, 1993
- Nominated, Outstanding Performers in a Children's Program: Todd Alexander, Blaze Berdahl, David López, Mayteana Morales, Tram-Anh Tran, Sheldon Turnipseed

The New Ghostwriter Mysteries

In 1997, CBS aired a new version of the series, The New Ghostwriter Mysteries, as part of their educational Think CBS Kids block, but it was canceled after one season due to low ratings. The new series had little in common with the original, changing Ghostwriter's on-screen appearance, introducing entirely new characters, and getting rid of the serial format of the original series. The series was filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and featured a new team of three kids: Camella Gorik (Charlotte Sullivan), Emilie Robeson (Erica Luttrell), and Henry "Strick" Strickland (Kristian Ayre). Ghostwriter only had two colors, which were silver and gold. Production locations included Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States of America. Episodes ran for 22-24 minutes. Production companies were Children's Television Workshop and Decode Entertainment. It aired on CBS (CBS Preschoolers) (United States) and CBC Television (CBC Preschoolers) (Canada).

Ghostwriter's identity

Ghostwriter producer and writer Kermit Frazier revealed in a 2010 interview that Ghostwriter was a runaway slave during the American Civil War. He taught other slaves how to read and write and was killed by slave catchers and their dogs. His spirit was kept in the book that Jamal discovers and opens in the pilot episode, freeing the ghost.

Radio series

In summer 2006, BBC School Radio produced a radio series of Ghostwriter for primary school students. Character names from the TV series were retained, though voiced by new children. Music and the theme song were also kept, and a new arranged jingle for children to recognize Ghostwriter's appearances was created by Sesame Workshop.

Revival

Main article: Ghostwriter (2019 TV series)

A revival of Ghostwriter aired on Apple TV+, premiering on November 1, 2019. The series was nominated for eight Daytime Emmy Awards.

A spin-off, Ghostwriter: Beyond the Page, premiered on April 1, 2021.

References

Heffley, Lynne (October 3, 1992). "Words Add Substance to 'Ghostwriter'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
Bernstein, Sharon (September 12, 1992). "Fox to Premiere PBS' 'Ghostwriter'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
Bernstein, Sharon (May 17, 1991). "Public TV: 'Ghostwriter' targets third- and fourth-graders, 40% of whom are said to lack basic reading skills. The series will debut in 1992". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
"Ghostwriter Review". EW.com. January 15, 1993. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
Nick Iuppa (September 7, 2001). Interactive Design for New Media and the Web. CRC Press. pp. 248–249. ISBN 978-1-136-13405-0. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
"The Television & Radio Database - Listings for Sunday, 2nd November 1997".
Umstead, R. Thomas (June 11, 2001). "Noggin Adds Interactive Series". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020.
"Ghostwriter: Season One: DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". Dvdtalk.com. June 8, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
"Ghostwriter Typed Up – IGN". Dvd.ign.com. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
"Destination Education, Inc - Search". Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
King, Susan (August 31, 1997). "Educating and Entertaining". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
King, Susan (August 31, 1997). "Educating and Entertaining". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
Honan, Katie (May 6, 2010). "'Ghostwriter' Revisits Fort Greene Past". The New York Times. The Local (blog). Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
Denise Petski (September 10, 2019). "'Ghostwriter': Reboot Of 1990s Kids Series Set At Apple TV+". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
"Emmy Noms for Sesame, Muppet Babies, & More! Oh My! | Muppet Fans Who Grew up - Tough Pigs Muppet Fans Who Grew up – Tough Pigs". May 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Meaghan Darwish (March 5, 2021). "Apple TV+ Spring Shows to Include 'It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown' and a 'Ghostwriter' Spinoff". TV Insider. Retrieved May 7, 2021.

External links

v t e TV series produced by Children's Television Workshop/Sesame Workshop
Post-1970s debuts	Sesame Street The Electric Company (1971) Feeling Good The Best of Families
1980s debuts	3-2-1 Contact Square One Television Encyclopedia
1990s debuts	Ghostwriter (1992) Cro Big Bag The New Ghostwriter Mysteries Dragon Tales
2000s debuts	Sagwa Sponk! Tiny Planets Play with Me Sesame Out There Pinky Dinky Doo The Upside Down Show Panwapa The Electric Company (revival)
2010s debuts	The Furchester Hotel Esme & Roy Helpsters Ghostwriter (2019)
2020s debuts	The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo Mecha Builders Bea's Block
See also	Noggin List of programs broadcast by Noggin Sesame Street international co-productions

Former PBS Kids original programming

1960s–1980s debuts

PBS

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001)
The Electric Company (1971–1977)
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Studio See (1977–1979)
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Don't Look Now (1983)
Newton's Apple (1983–1999)
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Zoobilee Zoo (1988)
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Syndicated

Hodgepodge Lodge (1970–1984)
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Big Blue Marble (1974–1983)
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Learn to Read (1987–1988)

1990s debuts

PBS

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995)
Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992–1995)
Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
Behind the Scenes (1992)
Kino's Storytime (1992–1997)
In the Mix (1993–2012)
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1994–1999)
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Plaza Sésamo (1995–2010)
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Arthur (1996–2022)
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The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998–1999)
Teletubbies (1998–2004)
Noddy (1998–2000)
Zoom (1999–2005)
Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
Dragon Tales (1999–2005)

Syndicated

The Wind in the Willows (1990–1993)
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station (1991–1998)
Gerbert (1993–1997)
Pappyland (1993–1997)
Whirligig! (1993)
Jack Houston's ImagineLand (1994–2000)
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The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–1999)
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Once Upon a Tree (1998–2000)
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Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1999–2001)
Wish*A*Roo Park (1999–2001)
Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle (1999–2001)
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2000s debuts

PBS

Between the Lions (2000–2010)
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Syndicated

The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2003)
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Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
Redwall (2001–2002)
MythQuest (2002)
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My Bedbugs (2004–2005)
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The Shapies (2005–2007)
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Nanalan' (2006)
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Peep and the Big Wide World (2007–2011)
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Raggs (2008–2009)
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2010s–2020s debuts

PBS

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018)
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Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) (2019–2022)
Hero Elementary (2020–2022)
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2023)
Mecha Builders (2024)

Syndicated

Pocoyo (2010–2011)
Scientastic! (2010)
Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2014)
Space Racers (2014–2016)
Mixed Nutz (2014)
Thomas Edison's Secret Lab (2015–2016)
Bug Bites (2016)
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Young Voices for the Planet (2016–2019)
′′Kids for Positive Change′′ (2021-2024)

Current original series template
All programs were distributed by PBS unless noted.
Aired on select public television stations via American Public Television (APT) or another program distributor.
Instructional program.

v t e UPN Kids
Original animated series	Bureau of Alien Detectors (1996–1997) Jumanji (1996–1999) The Mouse and the Monster (1996–1997) Space Strikers (1995–1996)
Live-action series	Beetleborgs (1998–1999) Breaker High (1997–1998) Ghostwriter (1997) Sweet Valley High (1997–1998)
Japanese anime series	Teknoman (1995–1996)
Marvel animated series	Fantastic Four (1998–1999) The Incredible Hulk (1996–1999) Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1998–1999) Spider-Man (1998–1999) X-Men: The Animated Series (1998–1999)
Related topics	Disney's One Too Sunday morning cartoon Weekday cartoon Modern animation in the United States Children's programming on UPN

v t e Children's programming on CBS in the 1990s
First-run animated series	Dink, the Little Dinosaur (1989–91) Muppet Babies (1984–91) The California Raisin Show (1989–90) Garfield and Friends (1988–94) Rude Dog and the Dweebs (1989–90) The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy (1988–90) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990–97) Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1990–91) Mother Goose and Grimm (1991–93) Back to the Future (1991–93) Where's Waldo? (1991–92) Fievel's American Tails (1992–93) The Little Mermaid (1992–95) Raw Toonage (1992–93) Marsupilami (1993–94) The All-New Dennis the Menace (1993–94) Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (1993–94) Conan and the Young Warriors (1994) Beethoven (1994–95) Aladdin (1994–96) Skeleton Warriors (1994) Wild C.A.T.s (1994–95) Stickin' Around (1994) The Adventures of Hyperman (1995–96) Timon & Pumbaa (1995–97) Santo Bugito (1995–96) The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (1995–97) The Mask (1995–97) Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995–97) Project G.e.e.K.e.R. (1996–97) Franklin (1998–99; 2000-02) Anatole (1998–2000) Dumb Bunnies (1998–99) Flying Rhino Junior High (1998–2000) Birdz (1998–99) Mythic Warriors (1998–2000) New Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1999–2000) Blaster's Universe (1999–2000) Rescue Heroes (1999–2000)
First-run live-action series	Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–91) Riders in the Sky (1991) The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys (1992) Beakman's World (1993–98) Fudge (1995–96) Really Wild Animals (1995–96) Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. (1996–97) Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House (1996–97) The New Ghostwriter Mysteries (1997–98) Wheel 2000 (1997–98) The Weird Al Show (1997–98) The Sports Illustrated for Kids Show (1997–98) In the News (1997–98)
Rebroadcasts	Inspector Gadget (1991–92) Cyber C.O.P.S. (1993) CBS Storybreak (1993–95, 1996–98) Rupert (1999)
Related topics	Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue (1990) Modern animation in the United States

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