Mastermind (1972)
Synopsis
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness. Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the contestant's choice, the other a general knowledge round. Wright drew inspiration from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. The atmosphere is helped by Mastermind's famously ominous theme music, "Approaching Menace" by the British composer Neil Richardson. The quiz programme originated and was recorded in Manchester at studios such as New Broadcasting House and Granada Studios, before permanently moving to MediaCityUK in 2011.
First Air Date: 1972-09-11
Last Air Date: 2025-09-08
Number of Seasons: 48
Number of Episodes: 1127
Created By: Bill Wright
Networks: BBC One, BBC Two
Top Cast
- John Humphrys as Self - Host
- Magnus Magnusson as N/A
- Clive Myrie as Self - Host
Seasons
Specials (1976)
No overview available for this season.
Episodes:
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Ep. 1: Supermind
In this fourth year of Mastermind. past winners have been invited to compete for the title ' Supermind.' They will be required to tackle two specialist rounds, and an exacting round of general knowledge. The contestants are: 1972 Mastermind NANCY WILKINSON 1973 Mastermind PATRICIA OWEN 1974 Mastermind ELIZABETH HORROCKS 1975 Mastermind WINNER
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Ep. 2: Supermind
In this Mastermind special, representatives of other intellectual competitions together with the Mastermind Champion 1976 are in contention for the title Supermind The competitors are: Brain of Britain 1976 THOMAS DYER Mensa Brain 1976 Round Britain Quiz panellist IRENE THOMAS Mastermind 1976 To achieve the Supermind title the contestants will be required to tackle Mastermind specialist and general knowledge questions and in addition answer questions set in the style of the other three competitions.
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Ep. 3: Supermind
To achieve the title Supermind will be no mean feat, as this year's Mastermind Special brings together in competition, at the Old Library of the Guildhall in London, four quiz champions. They are: COMMANDER DEREK STUBBS from Malta, Captain of winning Forces' Chance team ELAINE SCRAGG from Macclesfield, Captain of winning Top of the Form team DAVID SHENKIN from Newport, Shropshire, Brain of Mensa 1977 Mastermind Champion 1977 Specialised and general knowledge questions will be asked in the Mastermind style, plus questions reflecting the format of the other three quizzes.
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Ep. 4: Cup Final 1978
Soccer experts from the Arsenal and Ipswich Supporters' Clubs match their wits at Mastermind. JOHN MOTSON asks specialist questions on the clubs concerned, and tests their general football knowledge for the Cup Final Mastermind Trophy.
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Ep. 5: Mastermind International 1979
Title holders from Canada. Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom are offering as their specialised subjects: the Life and Works of Shakespeare, Egypt and the Sudan, Bushranging, Rock Music, Norse Mythology, Irish History and the Roman Revolution. The contenders: John Bond, Australian 'Mastermind' Mark Allan, New Zealand 'Mastermind' Godwin Anaba, Nigerian 'Mastermind' Rosemary James , United Kingdom 'Mastermind' Sir David Hunt , 'Jubilee Mastermind' John Mulcahy,Irish 'Top Score' Winner Barbara Eddy , Canadian winner, '$128,000 Quiz'
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Ep. 6: Cup Final 1979
Soccer experts from the Arsenal and Manchester United Supporters' Clubs match their wits in Mastermind. FRANK BOUGH asks specialist questions about their own clubs, and tests their general football knowledge for the Cup Final Mastermind Trophy.
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Ep. 7: Mastermind International 1980
The Old Library, Guildhall, London, is host to seven countries who are in contention for the Mastermind International title for 1980. The contenders' occupations are as varied as their specialist subjects: a teacher, proof-reader, chemical engineer, retired airline captain, student, conservationist and a research assistant. They are: Rachel Stewart (Australia): Life and Times of Julius Caesar Paul Bowden (New Zealand): World Heavyweight Boxing Championships, 1915-1975 Ehud Fuchs (Israel): Napoleon's Marshals Gerrit Jan Korteling (Netherlands): History of Icons, 4th-15th Century Gina Barreca (USA): Life and Works of Tennessee Williams Lewis Clohessy (Republic of Ireland): Life and Music of Bix Beiderbecke Philip Jenkins (United Kingdom): History of Christianity, AD 35-200
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Ep. 8: Cup Final 1980
Soccer experts from the Arsenal and West Ham United Supporters' Clubs match their wits in Mastermind. Desmond Lynam asks specialist questions about their own clubs, and tests their general football knowledge for the Cup Final Mastermind Trophy.
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Ep. 9: Mastermind International 1981
from Australia The 1981 Mastermind International takes place in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House and is introduced by Huw Evans. The contestants are: Fred Housego (United Kingdom): The Tower of London Bill Fitzgerald (Australia): The Administrations of 20th-century United States Presidents David Harvey (New Zealand): J. R. R. Tolkien 's The Lord of the Rings David Ingoldsby (Republic of Ireland): History of Rock Music 1955-1975
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Ep. 10: Champions - Episode 1
To celebrate Mastermind's first decade, all ten champions return to pit their wits against one another. Over the next three evenings they meet in the Old Library of Guildhall in the City of London. The two top scorers from each group of five champions will go through to the Final on Monday. Tonight's Masterminds are: Elizabeth Horrocks (1974): Arthurian Literature Sir David Hunt (1977): History of Cyprus Philip Jenkins (1979): History of England AD 500-800 Roger Pritchard (1976): Life of Lord Palmerston Nancy Wilkinson (1972): British Wild Flowers
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Ep. 11: Champions - Episode 2
Guildhall in the City of London is the setting when five more Mastermind champions return to the famous black chair to find out which two will join yesterday's winners in the final of this special tenth anniversary tournament. Leslie Grout (1981): Windsor Castle John Hart (1975): Athens and Sparta 750-394 BC Fred Housego (1980): The Normans AD 911-1154 Rosemary James (1978): Norse mythology Patricia Owen (1973): Art and architecture of Constantinople AD 330-1453
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Ep. 12: Champions - Final
To celebrate Mastermind's first decade, all ten champions have done battle over the last two evenings and four of them have won through to the final of this special tenth anniversary tournament Tonight they confront each other in the historic surroundings of the Old Library at Guildhall in the City of London to find out who will win the Caithness Glass trophy.
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Ep. 13: Mastermind International 1982
from New Zealand The 1982 International takes place in Christchurch Town Hall, New Zealand, and is introduced by Peter Sinclair. The contestants are: Leslie Grout (United Kingdom):Windsor Castle John Clarke (New Zealand): History of Chess Desmond O'Leary (Rep of Ireland): History of Ireland Bill McDonald (Australia): Marquis of Montrose 1612-1650 Donald Sykes (Canada): Sherlock Holmes
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Ep. 14: Mastermind International 1983
Oxford University's historic Sheldonian Theatre is the setting as contestants from four nations - Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom - pit their wits against each other in the quest to become the 1983 'Mastermind International'. Magnus Magnusson is host and Cliff Morgan presents the Caithness Glass trophy to the winner of a programme that will be seen by viewers in all four countries. John Egan (Ireland): Life and Music of Bob Dylan Christopher Hughes (United Kingdom): British Steam Locomotives 1900-68 Don Linforth (Australia): Outbreak of World War I Simon Smith (New Zealand): Life of Napoleon III
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Ep. 15: Celebrity Special
The classic quiz show returns for a one-off special celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first final. Four of the country's brainiest celebrities, including Vic Reeves, Janet Street-Porter and Adam Hart Davies, join quiz master Magnus Magnusson to compete for the prestigious title.
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Ep. 16: Doctor Who Special
In a one-off Mastermind Doctor Who Special, four Doctor Who aficionados are put through their paces by Mastermind host John Humphrys to find out who will be crowned the UK's top Doctor Who fan. The prize is presented by Christopher Eccleston
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Ep. 17: Children In Need Special
John Humphrys presents a special edition of the quiz show in which four comedians take on the infamous black chair for Children in Need. Lucy Porter, Mark Watson, Dave Spikey and Stephen K Amos compete to take home the one-of-a-kind Mastermind Pudsey trophy. Subjects include football World Cup finals since 1966, Five Star, the life and works of Steve Martin, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
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Ep. 18: Champion of Champions - Episode 1
John Humphrys presents as four former Mastermind champions compete for a place in the Champion of Champions final. The subjects are Sir Donald Bradman, the Crimean War, National Flags of the World and the poet Edward Thomas.
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Ep. 19: Champion of Champions - Episode 2
John Humphrys presents as Mastermind champions from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s compete for a place in the Champion of Champions final. The subjects include Mike Oldfield, Arthurian legend and British Steam Locomotives.
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Ep. 20: Champion of Champions - Episode 3
John Humphrys presents as four former Mastermind champions compete for a place in the Champion of Champions final. The subjects include King Michael of Romania, the TV Series Arrested Development, Roald Amundsen and The Mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau.
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Ep. 21: Champion of Champions - Episode 4
John Humphrys presents as former Mastermind champions from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s compete for a place in the Champion of Champions final. The subjects are the Bayeux Tapestry, Benjamin Britten, Burial Grounds of London and Pixar Animated Films.
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Ep. 22: Champion of Champions - Episode 5
John Humphrys presents as the four finalists battle it out for the ultimate title, Mastermind Champion of Champions. The subjects are HMS Warrior, Great Mathematicians, Count Rumford and Westminster Cathedral.
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Ep. 23: Comic Relief 24 Hour Panel People Special
Special episode recorded as part of the Live 24 hour panel people comic relief marathon.
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Ep. 24: Motty Mastermind
John Motson, known for his love of football's facts and figures, takes over from John Humphrys in the iconic Mastermind black chair to grill four well-known sporting celebrities. Expect a few passes and some 'I've started so I'll finish' from the iconic commentator as he tests England and Arsenal legend Alex Scott, former world boxing champion Anthony Crolla, football commentator Jonathan Pearce and record-breaking swimmer Mark Foster. But who will be crowned the champion and take home the special trophy?
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