.gif)
Ghostwriter (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Ghostwriter is an American television program
created by Liz Nelson and produced by the Children's Television Workshop
(now known as Sesame Workshop) and BBC One
. It began airing on PBS
on October 4, 1992, and the final episode aired on February 13, 1995. The series revolves around a close knit circle of friends from Brooklyn
who solve neighborhood crimes and mysteries as a team of young detective
s with the help of an invisible ghost
. The ghost can communicate with the kids 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
.
Ghostwriter was critically acclaimed and honored for presenting a realistic, racially 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. The program was cancelled after the third season, not because of a lack of popularity, but because of a lack of funding. Ghostwriter has been broadcast in 24 countries worldwide, and generated a number of foreign-language adaptations, including a dubbed-over version on Discovery Kids
Latin America marketed as Fantasma Escritor. The show was originally funded by Nike
, Sega
, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the U.S. Department of Education, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television, and PBS viewers.
The producers' intent was to reveal Ghostwriter to be "a famous 15th- to 16th-century writer, but not Shakespeare" at the end of the first season, although this eventually never happened.
D.J. MacHale
, who wrote the pilot episode, stated: "If memory serves, Ghostwriter was supposed to be an ancestor of Jamal's, who was an escaped slave from the south who educated himself and learned the value of reading."
Middle School and Washington Elementary School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn
, New York
. The "team" later expanded to include six (later seven) active members, one MIA member, one member in Australia, two members in England, and three members in 1928.
To become a member of the team, a kid would have to be able to read the words that Ghostwriter manipulates. There was normally an induction ceremony for each new member that joined the team. At this ceremony, they would be given a special pen with a string to be placed around the neck so the members could write to Ghostwriter no matter where they happened to be and to note all of the clues of their investigations. When a team meeting was required, one of the members would use Ghostwriter to send out the message "rally", followed by the first initial of the member that was hosting the meeting. Alex, Jamal, and Lenni also came up with a special Ghostwriter handshake for the team.
Members of the team also use a casebook
. A casebook is a binder with papers for noting all the suspects, evidences against them, and clues for their investigations. As Gaby said, "solving a case is like putting a jigsaw puzzle
together, and the casebook is where (they) keep all the pieces." Basically, a casebook is an effective tool to "start piecin' the puzzle. Organizing stuff, getting it together." Ghostwriter would also read whatever was written within the casebook, and then help the team to find more clues. There's also another casebook especially made for Ghostwriter to help him figure out who he was.
Make a casebook to keep track of all the clues:
) is level-headed and intelligent; the first person Ghostwriter reveals himself to and the de facto leader of the Ghostwriter team. In the first episode of the series, "Ghost Story, Part 1", seventh grader Jamal is cleaning out the basement of his family's brownstone
, when a spirit emerges from a book that has fallen on the ground and begins communicating with Jamal through words.
Jamal lives with his parents and his grandmother (portrayed by Marcella Lowery
); his older sister Danitra is away at college. Midway through the second season, Jamal's young cousin Casey also comes to stay with the family. Jamal's interests include karate
and science; he dreams to one day be "a scientist that performs experiments in outer space." Jamal applies for enrollment in the High School of Science, and in "Don't Stop the Music" he is accepted.
Major cases for Jamal include:
) is the second person to "see" Ghostwriter. A headstrong girl, Lenni is an aspiring singer, rapper
, and songwriter. Lenni lives with her widowed father (portrayed by Richard Cox
from the first season through the middle of the second season, and Keith Langsdale afterwards), in a loft above the Fernandezes' bodega. Lenni's father is a musician. Her mother died when Lenni was a young child. Midway through the series, Lenni's father begins to date a British woman named Sally. Though Lenni likes Sally very much (she was the one who introduced them), she has trouble coping with her father's new relationship.
Major cases for Lenni include:
) is the third person to be introduced to Ghostwriter. A first generation Salvadorian
American and a sixth grader, Alex is an aspiring detective and skilled basketball player. Alex and his younger sister Gaby live with their parents (father portrayed by Shawn Elliot; mother portrayed by Cordielia Gonzalaz from the first season through the middle of the second season and Iliana Guibert afterwards) in the back of the family store (or bodega), which is located under Lenni's apartment. Alex is prone to a hot temper at times, but also displays a notable amount of courage and determination. Alex has several penpals all over the world.
Major cases for Alex include:
in the first two seasons and in "A Crime of Two Cities"; and by Melissa Gonzales
in "Four Days of the Cockatoo" and "Attack of the Slime Monster") is the fourth person to "see" Ghostwriter. She is Alex's younger sister, goes to Washington Elementary, and is best friends with her teammate Tina. She is 9 years old in "Am I Blue?". She is known for being quite talkative. However, she has a good sense of humor which usually manifests when she is teasing her brother, Alex. Of all the team members, Gaby is the one who appears closest to Ghostwriter on a personal level. Twice, she shows belated concern for Ghostwriter's safety ("Just in Time" and "Who is Max Mouse?"), she creates a word "bed" for him ("Who is Max Mouse?"), and she is shown playing a word game with Ghostwriter in "Lost in Brooklyn". She is an aspiring newscaster.
Major cases for Gaby include:
) is a Vietnamese American
girl present in the first case of the series, she does not "see" Ghostwriter until the second case, "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" Despite not being involved with the team on their first case, she investigates it herself for her school and is intrigued by Alex and Jamal's investigation methods after she meets them. She eventually joins the team after meeting Ghostwriter. She wants to be a filmmaker, and is often seen with a camcorder in her hand, which comes in handy during several cases. She attends acting and film classes, and lives with her parents and her brother Tuan and sister Linda in a traditionalist Vietnamese household. Tina is the first person in her family to be born in the United States. Her parents own a tailor shop which she helps run. Her best friend is Gaby, and she has a romantic relationship with Gaby's brother Alex.
Major cases for Tina include:
) is a shy transfer student from a military family. He wants to be an author, and thus writes many different short stories and poems. Rob is aloof and is reluctant to join the Ghostwriter team at first. Rob is often impulsive and frequently gets himself in dangerous situations. He gets himself trapped in an abandoned subway tunnel, tied up by a maniacal stunt actress, and is nearly assaulted by a street gang when he enters their headquarters. Rob has a strained relationship with his father, who wishes Rob played more sports instead of writing. Rob's family decides to move to Australia during the "Lost in Brooklyn" case, and Rob's place in the team is assumed by Héctor.
Major cases for Rob include:
mentoring program. He was born in New York, but grew up in Puerto Rico. He can't read and write English very well. Hector particularly enjoys playing handball
.
Major cases for Hector include:
) joins the cast mid-way through season two. She is Jamal's younger cousin who lives in Detroit, but comes to live with the Jenkins while her mother Emmeline (Jamal's father's sister), is in the hospital being treated for alcoholism. Casey is a practical joker with a fondness for peanut butter.
Major cases for Casey include:
) is an electronics expert, and only appears in the original Pilot Episode "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?". After "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" Craig isn't seen or mentioned again.
immigrants. Catherine and Lucy's father, a physician
, was Frank's foster father and mentor in medicine
. Ghostwriter helps Frank because of his future importance
as a cardiac surgeon
. Catherine was with him when Ghostwriter appears in front of him, and he later writes to Lucy to convince her to help Frank.
After the team helped prove his innocence, Frank eventually followed his mentor's footsteps to became a physician and worked at the Brooklyn Children Hospital. He was also a well-known philanthropist
in the city who would help lower-class families who couldn't afford medical care.
He performed a heart sugery on Reginald "Reggie" Jenkins (Jamal's father) when Reggie was four years old. This was pivotal to the formation of the Ghostwriter Team because if Frank hadn't operated on Reggie, Reggie would have died during his childhood. As a result, Jamal would have never been born and Ghostwriter would never have met Jamal. This meant the other team members would never have met Ghostwriter and the team would never have been formed.
Frank and Catherine are married at some point after they've reached adulthood. Not only Frank fulfilled his destiny as it should be, but Catherine also becomes a successful mystery novelist. Frank died a year before the team meets Catherine, on May 1, 1992, at the age of 76, and Lucy's fate is never revealed onscreen.
Frank, Catherine, and Lucy only appear in the episode "Just in Time". They were portrayed by Louis Todaro, Grace Johnston, and Stephi Lineburg, and the older version of Catherine was by Augusta Dabney
.
. Their parents own a bed and breakfast. They met Jamal and Ghostwriter while Jamal's family was vacationing in London. They only appear in the episode "A Crime of Two Cities". After "A Crime of Two Cities" they are not seen or mentioned again. They were portrayed by Paul Francis and Candace Hallinan.
in "Ghost Story", Joey Shea thereafter) and Jeffrey Baxter (Jon Hershfield). The show's numerous guest stars included Samuel L. Jackson
as Jamal's father Reginald "Reggie" Jenkins in the first season's first-three episodes (later replaced by Dean Irby), Mark Linn-Baker
, Julia Stiles
, Max Wright
, Spike Lee
, Daisy Fuentes
, Orlagh Cassidy
, Judge Reinhold
, Melinda Mullins
, Annabelle Gurwitch
, Robin Leach
, Salt-N-Pepa
, Madhur Jaffrey
, Harry Connick, Jr.
, CeCe Peniston
, David Patrick Kelly
, Charles Mann and Bo Jackson
.
), home video, games/licensed product, and other outreach materials that reached over a million children each month. There were many Ghostwriter books
released, both novel
izations of the TV episodes and new stories. They were released by Bantam Books
.
. GPN is the company authorized by PBS to release all its shows on video. They have the entire series except for the last two cases. These videos are in the original format with each case divided into four or five episodes. Republic Pictures released only three cases (all from the first season) : "Ghost Story", "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" and "Into the Comics." In Republic Pictures' version, the four or five episodes for each case were edited together into a feature length movie. The Republic Pictures version is no longer available in the market, but can still be found in some libraries (US and Canada only). The GPN version was available to the general public for purchase through their website until 2007. Starting mid-2007, GPN is selling only to schools and libraries due to a change in licensing terms. However, the GPN version is still available in some libraries.
. The 5-disc set, running 870 minutes long, was released on June 8, 2010, and cost $34.95 MSRP. Supplements are a trivia game and a casebook http://dvd.ign.com/articles/108/1085566p1.html.
aired a new version of the show, The New Ghostwriter Mysteries
, but it was cancelled after one season due to low ratings. The new show 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 original series was rerun from 1995 to 1999 on PBS
. The UPN Kids
block on UPN
also ran re-runs for a short time in 1997. Then, in 1999, it was syndicated on ABC
for a short time. Later that year it moved to the cable/satellite network Noggin, and subsequently on The N when The N became a part time channel/programming block on Noggin. Ghostwriter aired on The N until 2003.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
created by Liz Nelson and produced by the Children's Television Workshop
Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop , is a Worldwide American non-profit organization behind the production of several educational children's programs that have run on public broadcasting around the world...
(now known as Sesame Workshop) and BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. It began airing on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
on October 4, 1992, and the final episode aired on February 13, 1995. The series revolves around a close knit circle of friends from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
who solve neighborhood crimes and mysteries as a team of young detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
s with the help of an invisible ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
. The ghost can communicate with the kids 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
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Fort Greene is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Part of Brooklyn Community Board 2, Fort Greene is listed on the New York State Registry and on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a New York City-designated Historic District...
.
Overview
The series was designed to teach reading and writing skills to elementary and middle school children. Each mystery was presented as a case, covering four or five thirty-minute episodes; children were encouraged to follow each mystery, and use the reading and writing clues given to attempt to solve them just as the Ghostwriter team does in the show.Ghostwriter was critically acclaimed and honored for presenting a realistic, racially 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. The program was cancelled after the third season, not because of a lack of popularity, but because of a lack of funding. Ghostwriter has been broadcast in 24 countries worldwide, and generated a number of foreign-language adaptations, including a dubbed-over version on Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids
Discovery Kids is an American website owned by Discovery Communications, Inc. created for children. Until October 10, 2010, it was an American digital cable specialty channel, owned by Discovery Communications with television programming for education of children. It was launched in October 1996...
Latin America marketed as Fantasma Escritor. The show was originally funded by Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the U.S. Department of Education, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television, and PBS viewers.
Ghostwriter
The titular character of the series is an enigmatic figure. The mystery of Ghostwriter's true identity is never fully answered, although several clues are given during the course of the series in several of the cases (The following facts are from "Ghost Story", the Pilot episode, unless otherwise stated):- He was a man when he was alive, but is now a ghost.
- He wanted to protect "the children."
- He can only be seen by those to whom he reveals himself.
- He can read and feel emotions.
- He cannot hear.
- He communicates by writing.
- He cannot talk.
- He was alive before the Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of InvestigationThe Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
was formed (1908). ("Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?") - He was alive before Walt DisneyWalt DisneyWalter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
became famous. ("To Catch a Creep") - He was alive before Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. ("Into the Comics") - He cannot see pictures. ("Into the Comics")
- He can travel through timeTime travelTime travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
. ("Just in Time") - He can travel across the InternetInternetThe Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. ("Who is Max Mouse?") - At one point, he remembers he was chased by dogs. ("A Crime of Two Cities")
- He requires team cohesion in order to "survive". ("Get the Message")
The producers' intent was to reveal Ghostwriter to be "a famous 15th- to 16th-century writer, but not Shakespeare" at the end of the first season, although this eventually never happened.
D.J. MacHale
D.J. MacHale
Donald James MacHale , known popularly under the pen name D. J. MacHale, is a writer, director, and executive producer. He has been affiliated with shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Flight 29 Down and Seasonal Differences...
, who wrote the pilot episode, stated: "If memory serves, Ghostwriter was supposed to be an ancestor of Jamal's, who was an escaped slave from the south who educated himself and learned the value of reading."
The Ghostwriter team
When the show began, it was based around four main characters, all students at Zora Neale HurstonZora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston was an American folklorist, anthropologist, and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance...
Middle School and Washington Elementary School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Fort Greene is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Part of Brooklyn Community Board 2, Fort Greene is listed on the New York State Registry and on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a New York City-designated Historic District...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The "team" later expanded to include six (later seven) active members, one MIA member, one member in Australia, two members in England, and three members in 1928.
To become a member of the team, a kid would have to be able to read the words that Ghostwriter manipulates. There was normally an induction ceremony for each new member that joined the team. At this ceremony, they would be given a special pen with a string to be placed around the neck so the members could write to Ghostwriter no matter where they happened to be and to note all of the clues of their investigations. When a team meeting was required, one of the members would use Ghostwriter to send out the message "rally", followed by the first initial of the member that was hosting the meeting. Alex, Jamal, and Lenni also came up with a special Ghostwriter handshake for the team.
Members of the team also use a casebook
Casebook
A casebook is a type of textbook used primarily by students in law schools. Rather than simply laying out the legal doctrine in a particular area of study, a casebook contains excerpts from legal cases in which the law of that area was applied. It is then up to the student to analyze the language...
. A casebook is a binder with papers for noting all the suspects, evidences against them, and clues for their investigations. As Gaby said, "solving a case is like putting a jigsaw puzzle
Jigsaw puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of numerous small, often oddly shaped, interlocking and tessellating pieces.Each piece usually has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture...
together, and the casebook is where (they) keep all the pieces." Basically, a casebook is an effective tool to "start piecin' the puzzle. Organizing stuff, getting it together." Ghostwriter would also read whatever was written within the casebook, and then help the team to find more clues. There's also another casebook especially made for Ghostwriter to help him figure out who he was.
Make a casebook to keep track of all the clues:
- Make a page for each suspect.
- SUSPECT: Who might have done the crime?
- EVIDENCE:Where was the suspect and why would he or she do it?
- Make a page for OTHER CLUES.
- Write facts that may be important to help solve the case.
Jamal Jenkins
Jamal (portrayed by Sheldon TurnipseedSheldon Turnipseed
Sheldon Turnipseed is an African American Actor. He is best known for his role as Jamal Jenkins on the PBS kids' show, Ghostwriter, which earned the actor a 1993 Young Artist Award nomination for Outstanding Performers in a Children's Program "Ghostwriter".-External links:*...
) is level-headed and intelligent; the first person Ghostwriter reveals himself to and the de facto leader of the Ghostwriter team. In the first episode of the series, "Ghost Story, Part 1", seventh grader Jamal is cleaning out the basement of his family's brownstone
Brownstone
Brownstone is a brown Triassic or Jurassic sandstone which was once a popular building material. The term is also used in the United States to refer to a terraced house clad in this material.-Types:-Apostle Island brownstone:...
, when a spirit emerges from a book that has fallen on the ground and begins communicating with Jamal through words.
Jamal lives with his parents and his grandmother (portrayed by Marcella Lowery
Marcella Lowery
Marcella Lowery is an American actress. She was on the television series Ghostwriter, as Jamal Jenkins's grandmother CeCe from 1992 to 1995, and played Miss Noble, the principal on City Guys from the TNBC lineup....
); his older sister Danitra is away at college. Midway through the second season, Jamal's young cousin Casey also comes to stay with the family. Jamal's interests include karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and science; he dreams to one day be "a scientist that performs experiments in outer space." Jamal applies for enrollment in the High School of Science, and in "Don't Stop the Music" he is accepted.
Major cases for Jamal include:
- "Ghost Story": Jamal discovers Ghostwriter.
- "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?": Jamal is accused of burning a local video store, causing discord in the team following his covering up of the facts.
- "Who's Who": In a subplot, Jamal's grandmother is sick.
- "Get the Message": Works with Rob to get the team back together and prevent Ghostwriter from fading away after the discord within the team.
- "Just in Time": Takes place in Jamal's home, circa 1928 . Ghostwriter is also working hard in this case due to the "future" of Jamal's family.
- "Who is Max Mouse?": Jamal introduces the team to the Internet. Also, Jamal is a suspect for causing false fire alarms and changing grades at school.
- "A Crime of Two Cities": Jamal travels to London and gets involved with a mystery that spans the Atlantic Ocean.
Lenni Frazier
Lenni (portrayed by Blaze BerdahlBlaze Berdahl
Blaze Autumn Berdahl is an American Actress, Singer, Voice-over actor, Announcer, and Narrator. She is best known for her roles as Lenni Frazier in the children's television series Ghostwriter and Ellie Creed in the film Pet Sematary .-Early life:Berdahl was born in New York City, the youngest...
) is the second person to "see" Ghostwriter. A headstrong girl, Lenni is an aspiring singer, rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, and songwriter. Lenni lives with her widowed father (portrayed by Richard Cox
Richard Cox (actor)
Richard Cox is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Max Frazier on Ghostwriter. Was nominated for Broadway's 1979 Tony Award as Best Actor for Platinum....
from the first season through the middle of the second season, and Keith Langsdale afterwards), in a loft above the Fernandezes' bodega. Lenni's father is a musician. Her mother died when Lenni was a young child. Midway through the series, Lenni's father begins to date a British woman named Sally. Though Lenni likes Sally very much (she was the one who introduced them), she has trouble coping with her father's new relationship.
Major cases for Lenni include:
- "Ghost Story": Lenni discovers Ghostwriter and meets Jamal.
- "Into the Comics": Gets the team involved in a scavenger hunt so they can win the grand prize, and become characters in a comic book.
- "Get the Message": Lenni's father and Alex and Gaby's father bicker over a car accident, causing discord within the team.
- "Who is Max Mouse?": With Jamal, Lenni becomes a suspect for causing false fire alarms and changing grades at school.
- "Don't Stop the Music": Lenni and the team are given the chance by Smash Records to shoot a music videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for Lenni's song "You Gotta Believe". - "Attack of the Slime Monster": When she applied for a job at Hurston's prom, she teams up with Tina's older brother and even has him as a date.
Alex Fernández
Alejandro "Alex" Fernández (portrayed by David LópezDavid López (actor)
David López is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Alejandro "Alex" Fernández on the PBS kids's show, Ghostwriter. He was born in Queens and was raised in Colombia. His other work includes guest-starring on The Cosby Show and Law & Order. In 2002, it was reported that he was...
) is the third person to be introduced to Ghostwriter. A first generation Salvadorian
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
American and a sixth grader, Alex is an aspiring detective and skilled basketball player. Alex and his younger sister Gaby live with their parents (father portrayed by Shawn Elliot; mother portrayed by Cordielia Gonzalaz from the first season through the middle of the second season and Iliana Guibert afterwards) in the back of the family store (or bodega), which is located under Lenni's apartment. Alex is prone to a hot temper at times, but also displays a notable amount of courage and determination. Alex has several penpals all over the world.
Major cases for Alex include:
- "Ghost Story": Alex discovers Ghostwriter and meets Jamal.
- "To Catch a Creep": Alex runs for class president and encounters much opposition.
- "Who's Who": Alex begins a romantic attachment with team member, Tina.
- "Over a Barrel": Tina & Alex have their first kiss.
- "Get the Message": Lenni's father and Alex & Gaby's father bicker over a car accident, causing discord within the team.
- "What's Up With Alex?": Alex's basketball teammate Kevin offers him marijuanaCannabis (drug)Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
, and Alex struggles to get Kevin out of a robbery scheme.
Gaby Fernández
Gabriela "Gaby" Fernández (portrayed by Mayteana MoralesMayteana Morales
Mayteana Morales is an American Actress and stage performer. Born October 30, 1981, she is best known for her role as Gabriella "Gaby" Fernández on the PBS kids's show, Ghostwriter. She was raised in Hempstead, New York. Growing up, she took ballet and jazz every Saturday. Currently she is involved...
in the first two seasons and in "A Crime of Two Cities"; and by Melissa Gonzales
Melissa Gonzales
Melissa Gonzales is an American actress best known for taking over the role of Gabriella "Gaby" Fernández from Mayteana Morales on the PBS kids' show Ghostwriter. Her other work includes Light It Up and Doin' It Right, a PBS special from 1998 about a group of Chicago kid actors.-External links:...
in "Four Days of the Cockatoo" and "Attack of the Slime Monster") is the fourth person to "see" Ghostwriter. She is Alex's younger sister, goes to Washington Elementary, and is best friends with her teammate Tina. She is 9 years old in "Am I Blue?". She is known for being quite talkative. However, she has a good sense of humor which usually manifests when she is teasing her brother, Alex. Of all the team members, Gaby is the one who appears closest to Ghostwriter on a personal level. Twice, she shows belated concern for Ghostwriter's safety ("Just in Time" and "Who is Max Mouse?"), she creates a word "bed" for him ("Who is Max Mouse?"), and she is shown playing a word game with Ghostwriter in "Lost in Brooklyn". She is an aspiring newscaster.
Major cases for Gaby include:
- "Ghost Story": Gaby discovers Ghostwriter and meets Jamal.
- "Over a Barrel": Gaby gets sick due to tetrachloroethyleneTetrachloroethyleneTetrachloroethylene, also known under its systematic name tetrachloroethene and many other names, is a chlorocarbon with the formula Cl2C=CCl2. It is a colourless liquid widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics, hence it is sometimes called "dry-cleaning fluid." It has a sweet odor detectable by...
contamination in the community garden. - "Am I Blue?": Gaby steals money from the bodega's register to buy a "Galaxy Girl" costume.
- "Get the Message": Lenni's father and Alex & Gaby's father bicker over a car accident, causing discord within the team.
- "Four Days of the Cockatoo": Gaby finds a rare Palm CockatooPalm CockatooThe Palm Cockatoo , also known as the Goliath Cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family. It is the only member in subfamily Microglossinae and the only member of the monotypic genus, Probosciger...
, treasured by a pair of dirty crooks.
Tina Nguyen
Although Tina (portrayed by Tram-Anh TranTram-Anh Tran
Tram-Anh Tran is an American Actress. Born April 17, 1979, she is best known for her role as Tina Nguyen on the PBS kids's show, Ghostwriter. Her parents are Vietnamese, and her little sister, Hanh-Tie Le Tran, guested on Ghostwriter in one of the episodes of the arc, "To Catch a Creep." She...
) is a Vietnamese American
Vietnamese American
A Vietnamese American is an American of Vietnamese descent. They make up about half of all overseas Vietnamese and are the fourth-largest Asian American group....
girl present in the first case of the series, she does not "see" Ghostwriter until the second case, "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" Despite not being involved with the team on their first case, she investigates it herself for her school and is intrigued by Alex and Jamal's investigation methods after she meets them. She eventually joins the team after meeting Ghostwriter. She wants to be a filmmaker, and is often seen with a camcorder in her hand, which comes in handy during several cases. She attends acting and film classes, and lives with her parents and her brother Tuan and sister Linda in a traditionalist Vietnamese household. Tina is the first person in her family to be born in the United States. Her parents own a tailor shop which she helps run. Her best friend is Gaby, and she has a romantic relationship with Gaby's brother Alex.
Major cases for Tina include:
- "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?": Tina first "sees" Ghostwriter.
- "Who's Who": Tina becomes a "girl Friday" for classic movie actress, Lana Barnes, and begins a romance with Alex.
- "Over a Barrel": Tina & Alex have their first kiss.
- "Am I Blue": Alex kisses Tina for not accusing Gaby as a suspect
- "Lost in Brooklyn": Tina begins middle school, and becomes friends with Safira, a new student from Africa.
Rob Baker
Rob (portrayed by Todd AlexanderTodd Alexander
Todd Alexander is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Rob Baker on the PBS kids' show Ghostwriter from 1992 to 1993.-Other work:...
) is a shy transfer student from a military family. He wants to be an author, and thus writes many different short stories and poems. Rob is aloof and is reluctant to join the Ghostwriter team at first. Rob is often impulsive and frequently gets himself in dangerous situations. He gets himself trapped in an abandoned subway tunnel, tied up by a maniacal stunt actress, and is nearly assaulted by a street gang when he enters their headquarters. Rob has a strained relationship with his father, who wishes Rob played more sports instead of writing. Rob's family decides to move to Australia during the "Lost in Brooklyn" case, and Rob's place in the team is assumed by Héctor.
Major cases for Rob include:
- "To Catch a Creep": Rob is introduced as a suspect, but later "sees" Ghostwriter.
- "Into the Comics": After winning the comics contest, Rob joins the team.
- "To the Light": In searching for his homeless friend Double T, Rob is trapped in a subway tunnel.
- "Building Bridges": Rob becomes friends with a former gang member and is attacked in their hideout.
- "Get the Message": Works with Jamal to get the team back together and prevent Ghostwriter from fading away after the discord within the team.
- "Lost in Brooklyn": Rob's last case, moves to Australia.
Héctor Carrero
Hector (portrayed by William Hernandez) joins the cast mid-way through season two. He meets Alex through the Big BrothersBig Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
mentoring program. He was born in New York, but grew up in Puerto Rico. He can't read and write English very well. Hector particularly enjoys playing handball
American handball
American handball is a sport in which players hit a small rubber ball against a wall using their hands.- History :...
.
Major cases for Hector include:
- "Lost in Brooklyn": Hector meets the team and Ghostwriter.
- "Who Is Max Mouse?": Hector defeats Adam, a bully.
Casey Austin
Casey (portrayed by Lateaka VinsonLateaka Vinson
Lateaka Vinson is a former American child actress. She is best known for her role as Casey Austin on the PBS kids's show, Ghostwriter.-Biography:...
) joins the cast mid-way through season two. She is Jamal's younger cousin who lives in Detroit, but comes to live with the Jenkins while her mother Emmeline (Jamal's father's sister), is in the hospital being treated for alcoholism. Casey is a practical joker with a fondness for peanut butter.
Major cases for Casey include:
- "Don't Stop the Music": Casey is suspected of causing pranks on the set of Lenni's music video; and first "sees" Ghostwriter.
- "Attack of the Slime Monster": Casey enters the team in a contest to write a scary story about "Gooey Gus the Slime Monster".
Craig Mitchell
Craig Mitchell (portrayed by Jeremy MillerJeremy Miller
Jeremy James Miller is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Ben Seaver on Growing Pains and its two reunion movies...
) is an electronics expert, and only appears in the original Pilot Episode "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?". After "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" Craig isn't seen or mentioned again.
Frank, Catherine, and Lucy
Frank Flynn, Catherine Canellan, and Lucy Canellan lived in Jamal's house in 1928, all are the children of IrishIrish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
immigrants. Catherine and Lucy's father, a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, was Frank's foster father and mentor in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. Ghostwriter helps Frank because of his future importance
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
as a cardiac surgeon
Cardiac surgeon
A cardiac surgeon is a surgeon who performs cardiac surgery—operative procedures on the heart and great vessels.-Training:A cardiac surgery residency typically comprises anywhere from six to nine years of training to become a fully qualified surgeon...
. Catherine was with him when Ghostwriter appears in front of him, and he later writes to Lucy to convince her to help Frank.
After the team helped prove his innocence, Frank eventually followed his mentor's footsteps to became a physician and worked at the Brooklyn Children Hospital. He was also a well-known philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
in the city who would help lower-class families who couldn't afford medical care.
He performed a heart sugery on Reginald "Reggie" Jenkins (Jamal's father) when Reggie was four years old. This was pivotal to the formation of the Ghostwriter Team because if Frank hadn't operated on Reggie, Reggie would have died during his childhood. As a result, Jamal would have never been born and Ghostwriter would never have met Jamal. This meant the other team members would never have met Ghostwriter and the team would never have been formed.
Frank and Catherine are married at some point after they've reached adulthood. Not only Frank fulfilled his destiny as it should be, but Catherine also becomes a successful mystery novelist. Frank died a year before the team meets Catherine, on May 1, 1992, at the age of 76, and Lucy's fate is never revealed onscreen.
Frank, Catherine, and Lucy only appear in the episode "Just in Time". They were portrayed by Louis Todaro, Grace Johnston, and Stephi Lineburg, and the older version of Catherine was by Augusta Dabney
Augusta Dabney
Augusta Dabney was an American actress known for her role as Isabelle Alden on the daytime series Loving...
.
Sam and Becky
Sam and Becky Wentwood live in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Their parents own a bed and breakfast. They met Jamal and Ghostwriter while Jamal's family was vacationing in London. They only appear in the episode "A Crime of Two Cities". After "A Crime of Two Cities" they are not seen or mentioned again. They were portrayed by Paul Francis and Candace Hallinan.
Other cast members
Other cast members include Lt. Isaiah McQuade (Mike Hodge), and the team's enemies: Calvin Ferguson (Wil HorneffWil Horneff
William Samuel "Wil" Horneff is an American actor.-Biography:The eldest of four children, his parents own the Robin Horneff Performing Arts Center in Waldwick, New Jersey while his father, Van, also owns a gymnastics mat business. He grew up in Saddle River, New Jersey and attended Bergen Catholic...
in "Ghost Story", Joey Shea thereafter) and Jeffrey Baxter (Jon Hershfield). The show's numerous guest stars included Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
as Jamal's father Reginald "Reggie" Jenkins in the first season's first-three episodes (later replaced by Dean Irby), Mark Linn-Baker
Mark Linn-Baker
Mark Linn-Baker is an American actor and director famous for his role as Larry Appleton on the television sitcom Perfect Strangers.-Early life and career:...
, Julia Stiles
Julia Stiles
Julia O'Hara Stiles is an American actress.After beginning her career in small parts in a New York City theatre troupe, she has moved on to leading roles in plays by writers as diverse as William Shakespeare and David Mamet...
, Max Wright
Max Wright
George Edward Maxwell "Max" Wright is an American actor, best known for his role as Willie Tanner in the sitcom ALF.-Biography:Wright was born George Edward Maxwell Wright in Detroit, Michigan....
, Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, Daisy Fuentes
Daisy Fuentes
Daisy Fuentes is a Cuban-American television host, model, and comedian. Daisy Fuentes broke barriers as MTV's first Latina VJ , and as Revlon's first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract.-Early life:Fuentes was born in Havana, Cuba to a Cuban father and Spanish mother...
, Orlagh Cassidy
Orlagh Cassidy
Orlagh Cassidy is an American actress. She attended the acting conservatory at the State University of New York at Purchase...
, Judge Reinhold
Judge Reinhold
Judge Reinhold is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause trilogy.-Early life:...
, Melinda Mullins
Melinda Mullins
Melinda Mullins is an American film, television and theatre actress.-Early life and education:She was born in Clanton, Alabama....
, Annabelle Gurwitch
Annabelle Gurwitch
Annabelle Gurwitch is an American comedic actress. She is best known as the original hostess of TBS's Dinner and a Movie. She is also a noted author and columnist and was most recently the host of Wa$ted! on Planet Green....
, Robin Leach
Robin Leach
Robin Douglas Leach is an English celebrity writer famous for hosting his first show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, in the mid-1980s and into the mid-1990s, which focused on profiling well-known celebrities and their lavish homes, cars and other materialistic endeavors...
, Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
, Madhur Jaffrey
Madhur Jaffrey
Madhur Jaffrey is an Indian actress and food writer who introduced the Western world to the many cuisines of India.- Personal life :...
, Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
, CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston
CeCe Peniston is an African American recording artist and former beauty queen. At the beginning of the nineties, she was considered to be one of the most successful dance club artists in the history of the U.S...
, David Patrick Kelly
David Patrick Kelly
David Patrick Kelly is an American actor and musician who has appeared in numerous films, including some major roles.-Career:...
, Charles Mann and Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
.
Season one (1992–1993)
Highlights from the first season, which premiered in October 1992, include:- Ghost Story: Jamal releases Ghostwriter while cleaning the basement. Jamal, Alex, Lenni, and Gaby come together through the bond of Ghostwriter's mysterious messages to them all, and they all come together to solve a rash of mysterious backpack thefts and their connection to a group of gamers calling themselves the THABTOs. Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. JacksonSamuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
as Jamal's dad and Mark Linn-BakerMark Linn-BakerMark Linn-Baker is an American actor and director famous for his role as Larry Appleton on the television sitcom Perfect Strangers.-Early life and career:...
as the policeman have cameos. This and 'To The Light' are the only stories to have five episodes. The rest all conclude in four. This case is not the original pilot. The next case, 'Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?', was produced first and was intended to be the pilot for the series. One of four cases to be adopted into a book. - Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?: Jamal is angered when Mr. Brinker, owner of the local electronics store, yells at him. But that night, when Brinker's burns down, the shopkeeper accuses Jamal of arson to cover up his own involvement in the fire. Ghostwriter reveals himself to both Craig and Tina. Guest-stars Samuel L. Jackson as Jamal's dad, Max WrightMax WrightGeorge Edward Maxwell "Max" Wright is an American actor, best known for his role as Willie Tanner in the sitcom ALF.-Biography:Wright was born George Edward Maxwell Wright in Detroit, Michigan....
as Brinker, and Jeremy MillerJeremy MillerJeremy James Miller is an American actor best known for his portrayal of Ben Seaver on Growing Pains and its two reunion movies...
as Craig. Craig does not appear again in the series and is never referred to again. This case was the original pilot. Wanting a better introduction to the series, the producers decided to add 'Ghost Story' at the last minute. This is evident from the fact that this case seems to have been filmed inside actual buildings and houses, instead of on a soundstage like the rest of the series. Other indications include Ghostwriter appearing as a plain star instead of the trademark logo and using only the word RALLY without an initial when calling for a group meeting. - To Catch a Creep: Alex has aspirations to become class president, but one of his competitors starts a smear campaign, putting up fliers with embarrassing personal secrets. One of the initial suspects is new transfer student Rob, but that status changes once Ghostwriter reveals himself to him. Dulé HillDulé HillKarim Dulé Hill is an American actor and tap dancer. He is best known for his roles as personal presidential aide Charlie Young on the NBC drama television series The West Wing, and as pharmaceutical salesman-private detective Burton "Gus" Guster on the USA Network television comedy-drama Psych...
appears as a basketball player during two episodes. Rob joins the cast in this case. The actor portraying Calvin Ferguson is replaced beginning with this case. - Into the Comics: The team enters a scavenger hunt-style contest in order to win the chance to be drawn into an issue of Hoodman. Their efforts are hindered by an embittered comic book artist trying to win the contest on his own as his character, Stoop Dude. Meanwhile, Rob continues to be distant from the team, but makes friends with an eccentric homeless poet. David Patrick KellyDavid Patrick KellyDavid Patrick Kelly is an American actor and musician who has appeared in numerous films, including some major roles.-Career:...
makes his first appearance as Double-T and Spike LeeSpike LeeShelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
cameos as Special Agent Pete in this case. - To The Light: Rob takes Jamal to meet Double-T, but they find his usual spot trashed and the poet missing. After tracking down Double-T's daughter, she and Rob trace his usual hangouts, but wind up trapped in a subway cave-in. Rob relies on his wits and Ghostwriter to try to get help and continue the hunt for Double-T. David Patrick KellyDavid Patrick KellyDavid Patrick Kelly is an American actor and musician who has appeared in numerous films, including some major roles.-Career:...
returns as Double-T; Kristy Graves guest stars as Lisa. This and 'Ghost Story' are the only stories to have five episodes. The rest all conclude in four. - Who's Who?: Tina is excited when she lands a job answering fan mail to her favorite actress, Lana Barnes. However, when she starts reading threatening and disturbing notes, she begins to worry. Lana waves off her fears as just letters from a very devoted fan, until she narrowly avoids suffocating in a locked garage. The Ghostwriter Team begin a search for Lana's stalker before her acceptance of an award. Shawn Elliott as Mr. Fernandez, Gretchen Krich as Janine, and Patricia Barry as Lana Barnes guest star.
- Over a Barrel: The team is hard at work at the community garden center when a series of health problems arise: Gaby passes out, several other kids and adults get sick, and even some rabbits die. It's soon learned that a highly toxic chemical, tetrachloroethyleneTetrachloroethyleneTetrachloroethylene, also known under its systematic name tetrachloroethene and many other names, is a chlorocarbon with the formula Cl2C=CCl2. It is a colourless liquid widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics, hence it is sometimes called "dry-cleaning fluid." It has a sweet odor detectable by...
, has been illegally dumped in the ground under the garden and is to blame. The team sets off to find the person responsible for such a dirty act. Caroline LagerfeltCaroline LagerfeltCaroline Eugenie "Carolyn" Lagerfelt is a French-born stage, film, and television actress of Swedish descent, long-based in the United States.-Early life and education:...
as Sally Lewis, Orlagh CassidyOrlagh CassidyOrlagh Cassidy is an American actress. She attended the acting conservatory at the State University of New York at Purchase...
as Officer Cole, Melinda MullinsMelinda MullinsMelinda Mullins is an American film, television and theatre actress.-Early life and education:She was born in Clanton, Alabama....
as Fannie Mae Banner, and Madhur JaffreyMadhur JaffreyMadhur Jaffrey is an Indian actress and food writer who introduced the Western world to the many cuisines of India.- Personal life :...
as Dr. Singhla guest star. - Building Bridges: Plans for the school's talent show are threatened when a gang moves into the neighborhood. Kids start coming to school with black eyes and bandages, and then the school's hallway gets tagged by graffiti artists. Rob's new friend, a former member of the gang, appears to be the prime suspect. Victor SierraVictor SierraVictor Sierra is an actor. He played the role of Victor Torres on episodes from the Ghostwriter.- External Links :*...
as Victor, Eugene ByrdEugene ByrdEugene Byrd is an American actor.-Career:He has been in movies including Dead Man, Sleepers, 8 Mile, Lift and Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, and has the leading role in Confess, for which he won the Break-Out Performance Award at the 2006 Method Fest Independent Film Festival...
as Walter, and Afi McClendon as Jasmine guest star.
Season two (1993–1994)
- Am I Blue?: Galaxy Girl, Gaby's favorite action hero, is coming to town, and Gaby 'borrows' some money from her parents' bodega to buy a costume. When she learns she can't return it, she realizes she must fess up. She gets into more hot water when a valuable model spaceship from the show is stolen and winds up in her room. Someone is framing Gaby, but who? And why? Eddie T. Robinson as Jamal's bully, Judge ReinholdJudge ReinholdJudge Reinhold is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause trilogy.-Early life:...
as Brett Pierce, and Daisy FuentesDaisy FuentesDaisy Fuentes is a Cuban-American television host, model, and comedian. Daisy Fuentes broke barriers as MTV's first Latina VJ , and as Revlon's first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract.-Early life:Fuentes was born in Havana, Cuba to a Cuban father and Spanish mother...
as Galaxy Girl guest star. Gaby has a dream where she hugs Ghostwriter in this episode, and he appears only as a hooded, shadowy figure. - Get the Message: The Ghostwriter team begins to fall apart when arguments and misunderstandings stemming from a car accident between Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Frazier start to form between the team members. The rift between them starts to make Ghostwriter fade away, and the situation is not helped when Calvin Ferguson tries to investigate who 'GW' is (he caught Jamal talking to 'GW' in school). Rob and Jamal get the team back together in time to solve the mystery of an art thief. The case ends with an unknown hand writing a distress call, causing Ghostwriter to abruptly leave the team. Joey Shea as Calvin and Bo JacksonBo JacksonVincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
as the security guard guest star. This is the only case to end with a cliffhanger into the next case. - Just in Time: The hand writing the distress call to Ghostwriter belongs to Frank Flynn, a boy who lived in Jamal's house in 1928. Ghostwriter's strength is pushed to its limits when he has to time travel from Frank and his best friend Catherine in 1928, to Jamal and the team in 1993, and back, in order to help Frank clear his name in the theft of a priceless tea set. Meanwhile, Jamal learns his dad is getting very sick. Louis Tadaro as Frank, Grace Johnston as Catherine Canellan, Stephi Lineburg as Lucy Canellan, Cynthia Crumlish as Mrs. O'Boyle, Thomas Schall as Dr. Canellan, William Hill as Raynard Wilcox, Charles Mann as Mr. Izzo, Augusta DabneyAugusta DabneyAugusta Dabney was an American actress known for her role as Isabelle Alden on the daytime series Loving...
as Catherine Canellan-Flynn, and Laurie Klatscher as the Librarian as guest star. Ghostwriter reveals himself to Frank, Catherine, and Lucy in this case. Catherine Canellan-Flynn is the only adult to ever see Ghostwriter during the series. One of four cases to be adopted into a book. The episode takes place in 1993, the original air date. The book's current time is 1996, the time it was published. - Lost in Brooklyn: Tina befriends a foreign exchange student, Safira, from MozambiqueMozambiqueMozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, whose father is an important ambassador. Their family has had a serious rift, and her brother fled to America after an argument with their dad. Safira intends to find her brother, having written letters to each other since he fled. Meanwhile, Rob learns he has to move to Australia. Cathy RigbyCathy RigbyCathleen Roxanne Rigby , best known as Cathy Rigby, is a former gymnast, actress and speaker.-Early life:Rigby was born in Los Alamitos, California in 1952....
as Mrs. Dozier, K. Todd Freeman as Malenga, and Madala Hilaire as Safira guest star. Ghostwriter reveals himself to Hector. Rob leaves the series and Hector joins the cast in this case. - Who is Max Mouse? A hacker invades Hurston School's computer mainframe, causing frequent fire drills, threatening messages, and altering the grades of Jamal and Lenni. The team gets a 'crash' course in the Internet in its cruder and more basic form, including chat rooms and bulletin boards, sending Ghostwriter through the computer and phone lines in an attempt to catch Max Mouse and stop his reign of mischief. Ellen FoleyEllen FoleyEllen Foley is an American singer and actress, who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the sitcom Night Court. In music, she has released three solo albums but is best known for her collaborations with the singer Meat Loaf.- Early life and career :Foley was born in St....
as Ms. Kelly, Greg Lee as Mr. Aucoin, and Julia StilesJulia StilesJulia O'Hara Stiles is an American actress.After beginning her career in small parts in a New York City theatre troupe, she has moved on to leading roles in plays by writers as diverse as William Shakespeare and David Mamet...
as Erica Dansby guest star. - Don't Stop the Music: Lenni gets the chance of a lifetime when a hip music producer wants to sign her to the Smash Records label and produce a music video for MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. Lenni struggles to come up with an original song, but then nails one out of the park with a song called 'You Gotta Believe.' Lenni and the entire Ghostwriter Team get to go on-set for the filming of the video, but a series of strange accidents happen. Turns out the target isn't Lenni, but Jade, her producer. The team wrestles with the mystery of the accidents, as well as trying to babysit Jamal's cousin Casey. Robin LeachRobin LeachRobin Douglas Leach is an English celebrity writer famous for hosting his first show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, in the mid-1980s and into the mid-1990s, which focused on profiling well-known celebrities and their lavish homes, cars and other materialistic endeavors...
as Marlon, Annabelle GurwitchAnnabelle GurwitchAnnabelle Gurwitch is an American comedic actress. She is best known as the original hostess of TBS's Dinner and a Movie. She is also a noted author and columnist and was most recently the host of Wa$ted! on Planet Green....
as Jade, and Mia KorfMia KorfMia Korf is an American actress. She is probably best known for the role of Blair Cramer on One Life to Live.-Biography:...
as Sonia guest star, as well as cameos from hip-hop artists Salt-n-PepaSalt-N-PepaSalt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
and MTV VJs Doctor DréDoctor DreAndré "Doctor Dré" Brown is an African American radio personality and former MTV VJ.-Career:Doctor Dré is best known for being the co-host of MTV's hip hop music specialty program Yo! MTV Raps with partner Ed Lover. The duo also starred in the 1993 film Who's the Man?...
and Ed LoverEd LoverJames Roberts , better known as Ed Lover, is an African-American rapper, actor, musician, radio personality, and former MTV VJ.-Biography:...
. Victor Sierra also reprises his role as Victor Torres, and Dennis Starolselsky as Kevin and Oren Sofer as Spencer make cameos to foreshadow the next case: What's Up With Alex? MTV is featured prominently in name and in logo during this case. Ghostwriter reveals himself to Casey and she joins the cast in this case. - What's Up With Alex?: Alex becomes detached and moody with Gaby and the Team, and a series of drug-related locker break-ins make them worry Alex may be involved with drugs. This case aired both on PBS and in broadcast syndication with a preface read out by the actors portraying Gaby and Mr. Fernandez before each part. Victor SierraVictor SierraVictor Sierra is an actor. He played the role of Victor Torres on episodes from the Ghostwriter.- External Links :*...
reprises his role as Victor Torres. Dennis Starolselsky as Kevin, Oren Sofer as Spencer, Elan Rivera as Maria, Julia Jordan as Delilah, Jesse Moore as Mr. Johnson, Patricia Maurceri as Mrs. Michaels, Mike StarrMike Starr (actor)Michael "Mike" Starr is an American actor. Starr is notable for his large size, standing 6 ft 3 1/2 in , and has typically been typecast as thugs or henchmen....
as Big Ralph, Kelly Kristjanson as Mary Jo, Jesse Tendler as Arnie, Z. Wright as Jason, and Damien Leake as Mr. Oliver guest star. This case never aired in repeats on Noggin due to its drug content.
Season three (1994–1995)
- Ghostwriter 3-peat Special: Katie Couric visits the set and interviews Lenni and Jamal during breaks of the re-run of the entire 'Am I Blue?' case. Most PBS stations aired the special the week before or the week of pledge drive time, when the stations normally pre-empted Ghostwriter for two weeks.
- A Crime of Two Cities: Jamal is vacationing in London with his parents and they are staying in the bed and breakfast owned by the Wentwood family. While there, Jamal befriends the Wentwoods' children, Sam and Becky. Using Ghostwriter to send messages back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, they work together with the rest of the team to uncover a plot to kidnap the son of a famous author. Paul Francis and Candace Hallinan as Sam and Becky. Ghostwriter reveals himself to Sam and Becky. Julia Stiles appears once again in this case. This is Mayteana Morales' last case playing Gaby. One of four cases to be adopted into a book.
- Four Days of the Cockatoo: Gaby discovers a rare bird not realizing that it is sought by a smuggler determined to claim the bird as his latest taxidermy prize. Melissa Gonzales portrays Gaby beginning with this case.
- Attack of the Slime Monster: No mystery to solve in this case, but the final story finds the Team trying to help Casey write her own story for a contest. One of four cases to be adopted into a book.
Merchandising
Created as an integrated, branded, multi-media project, the Ghostwriter brand included magazines and teacher's guides, software (MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
), home video, games/licensed product, and other outreach materials that reached over a million children each month. There were many Ghostwriter books
Ghostwriter (Book Series)
As with many television shows, Ghostwriter also produced several book stories that never made it to air. This article lists all books based on the show.-The Ghostwriter Detective Guide:...
released, both novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
izations of the TV episodes and new stories. They were released by Bantam Books
Bantam Books
Bantam Books is an American publishing house owned entirely by Random House, the German media corporation subsidiary of Bertelsmann; it is an imprint of the Random House Publishing Group. It was formed in 1945 by Walter B. Pitkin, Jr., Sidney B. Kramer, and Ian and Betty Ballantine...
.
Video releases
During the mid-1990s Ghostwriter was released on VHS by two different companies, GPN and Republic PicturesRepublic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
. GPN is the company authorized by PBS to release all its shows on video. They have the entire series except for the last two cases. These videos are in the original format with each case divided into four or five episodes. Republic Pictures released only three cases (all from the first season) : "Ghost Story", "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?" and "Into the Comics." In Republic Pictures' version, the four or five episodes for each case were edited together into a feature length movie. The Republic Pictures version is no longer available in the market, but can still be found in some libraries (US and Canada only). The GPN version was available to the general public for purchase through their website until 2007. Starting mid-2007, GPN is selling only to schools and libraries due to a change in licensing terms. However, the GPN version is still available in some libraries.
DVD releases
In February 2010, it was announced that Season 1 of Ghostwriter would be released on DVD by Shout! FactoryShout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2003 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
. The 5-disc set, running 870 minutes long, was released on June 8, 2010, and cost $34.95 MSRP. Supplements are a trivia game and a casebook http://dvd.ign.com/articles/108/1085566p1.html.
| DVD name | Ep # | Release date | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | 34 | June 8, 2010 | Ghostwriter Trivia Game, Ghostwriter Casebook |
| Season Two | 28 | TBA | TBA |
| Season Three | 12 | TBA | TBA |
Awards and nominations
- Writers Guild of AmericaWriters Guild of AmericaThe Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....
, USA, 1995- Won, WGA Award (TV) for Children's Script — Carin Greenberg Baker, for "Don't Stop The Music".
- Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
s, 1993- Nominated, Outstanding Performers in a Children's Program: Todd Alexander, Blaze Berdahl, David López, Mayteana Morales, Tram-Anh Tran, Sheldon Turnipseed
After cancellation and The New Ghostwriter Mysteries
The show halted production in February 1995 due to a lack of funding. In 1997, CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
aired a new version of the show, The New Ghostwriter Mysteries
The New Ghostwriter Mysteries
The New Ghostwriter Mysteries is a CBS television show that aired in 1997. It was loosely based on an earlier series on PBS called Ghostwriter...
, but it was cancelled after one season due to low ratings. The new show had little in common with the original, changing Ghostwriter's on-screen appearance, introducing entirely new characters, and getting rid of the serial
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
format of the original series.
The original series was rerun from 1995 to 1999 on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. The UPN Kids
UPN Kids
UPN Kids was a short-lived weekday and Sunday morning children's programming block on UPN that launched on September 10, 1995. During the 1998-1999 season, the block was called The UPN Kids Action Zone. The block aired for 2 hours each day...
block on UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
also ran re-runs for a short time in 1997. Then, in 1999, it was syndicated on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
for a short time. Later that year it moved to the cable/satellite network Noggin, and subsequently on The N when The N became a part time channel/programming block on Noggin. Ghostwriter aired on The N until 2003.
Radio series
In Summer of 2006, BBC School Radio produced a radio series of Ghostwriter for primary school students. Character names from the TV show were retained, though voiced by new children. Music and the theme song were also kept, and a new musical jingle for children to recognize Ghostwriter's appearances was created by Sesame Workshop.Funding
- SEGASega, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
(1994–1995) - NikeNike, Inc.Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
(1992–1995) - Corporation for Public BroadcastingCorporation for Public BroadcastingThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting is a non-profit corporation created by an act of the United States Congress, funded by the United States’ federal government to promote public broadcasting...
(1992–1995) - US Department of Education (1992–1994)
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (1992–1994)
- Pew Charitable Trusts (1992–1995)
- The Arthur Vining Davis FoundationsThe Arthur Vining Davis FoundationsThe Arthur Vining Davis Foundations are a group of charitable foundations established by American industrialist Arthur Vining Davis, onetime Alcoa president and Florida land developer.-History:...
(1994–1995) - National Endowment For Children's Television (1994–1995)
- Viewers Like You (1992–1995)