Mastermind (Season 30)

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.

Episode 1 (Episode 1)
Air date: 2003-07-07
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The pre-eminent quiz show that first gripped the nation in the 1970s returns for a new series, the first since 1997. Each week four contenders are interrogated on a chosen subject and general knowledge in the famous black chair by new host John Humphrys, who takes over from Magnus Magnusson.
Episode 2 (Episode 2)
Air date: 2003-07-14
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys tests four contestants on their chosen specialised subjects - Life and Times of Maximilien Robespierre; TV Series Blackadder; History of Victorian Britain 1837-1901; and Life and Films of Audrey Hepburn.
Episode 3 (Episode 3)
Air date: 2003-07-21
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four more contestants brave the spotlight to answer questions on specialist subjects and general knowledge. John Humphrys is the man asking the questions.
Episode 4 (Episode 4)
Air date: 2003-07-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys 's black chair.
Episode 5 (Episode 5)
Air date: 2003-08-04
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys's black chair.
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Air date: 2003-08-11
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four more contestants brave John Humphrys 's black chair. Tonight's specialist subjects are British History post-1945, 20th-century Fashion, English and Scottish Racecourses and their Races, and the Academy Awards.
Episode 7 (Episode 7)
Air date: 2003-08-18
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four more contestants occupy the famous black chair as John Humphrys asks questions on English castles, British television comedy from 1970 to 1990, the flora and fauna of Great Britain and the folk band Fairport Convention.
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Air date: 2003-09-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The Simpsons, Emperor Nero, the Who and Laurie Lee are this evening's specialist subjects. John Humphrys quizzes four more contestants on the famous black chair.
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
Air date: 2003-09-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The House of Godwin AD 1000-1066, the life and films of Grace Kelly, the life and work of chanteuse Dalida and World Cup cricket 1972-2003 are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and a barrage of questions from John Humphrys.
Episode 10 (Episode 10)
Air date: 2003-09-15
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The religious works of Rembrandt van Rijn, BBC radio comedy 1940-1960, the fiction of Graham Greene 1938-1983 and Manic Street Preachers are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and probing questions from John Humphrys.
Episode 11 (Episode 11)
Air date: 2003-09-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The Harry Potter films, English league football grounds since 1945, the songs of Randy Newman and romantic literature 1789-1830 are the specialist subjects as four contestants face probing questions from John Humphrys.
Episode 12 (Episode 12)
Air date: 2003-09-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Red Dwarf, the life and works of Shostakovich, the life and works of Kingsley Amis, and the life and times of Florence Nightingale are tonight's specialist subjects as four more contestants face questions from John Humphrys.
Episode 13 (Episode 13)
Air date: 2003-10-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The films of Alfred Hitchcock; the six wives of Henry the VIII; the history of video games; and the life of Benjamin Franklin are the specialist subjects in the first of the quarter-finals as four contestants face questions from John Humphrys.
Episode 14 (Episode 14)
Air date: 2003-10-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The films of director Vincente Minnelli, the life and works of Dickens, boys' comics and papers 1940-1960 and the city of Buenos Aires are specialist subjects in the second of the quarter-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.
Episode 15 (Episode 15)
Air date: 2003-10-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Lawrence of Arabia; the works of horror supremo Clive Barker; comedian Tony Hancock; and operetta writers Gilbert and Sullivan are the specialist subjects in tonight's third quarter-final. Hosted by John Humphrys.
Episode 16 (Episode 16)
Air date: 2003-10-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Occupants of the famous black chair tackle abstruse questions on pop music of the 1980s; Monty Python; the War of the Roses; and children's books from 1860 to the present day. John Humphrys hosts the last quarter-final.
Episode 17 (Episode 17)
Air date: 2003-11-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Salford's Lowry Centre hosts the grand final as four finalists brave the famous black chair and John Humphrys's rapid-fire questions on the life and works of Marc Chagall, international golfing 1970-2003, life and music of Jim Morrison and life and career of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.