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.
Mastermind (Season 34)
Episode 1 (Episode 1)
Air date: 2007-07-09
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four contestants answer questions on the famous black chair. Tonight's specialised subjects include Tottenham Hotspur FC, The Alan Clark Diaries, the electric guitar and the medieval abbeys and priories of England. With John Humphrys.
Episode 2 (Episode 2)
Air date: 2007-07-16
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys poses questions on French political history from 1815-1914, composer Gustav Holst, Harrison Ford films and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.
Episode 3 (Episode 3)
Air date: 2007-07-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys poses questions on mountaineer Chris Bonington , Thomas Harris 's Hannibal Lecter novels, Kett's Rebellion and the life and music of Tom Lehrer.
Episode 4 (Episode 4)
Air date: 2007-07-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys poses testing questions on Peter Cook , Claude Monet , Errol Flynn and Edward VI.
Episode 5 (Episode 5)
Air date: 2007-08-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Subjects include the first duke of Wellington, Stephen King novels, Johannes Kepler and The West Wing.
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Air date: 2007-08-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialised subjects include Henry Ford, German wines, Jennifer Aniston and Frida Kahlo.
Episode 7 (Episode 7)
Air date: 2007-08-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Subjects include the battle of Gettysburg, Mario Lanza , Dante's Divine Comedy and Sir Edwin Lutyens
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Air date: 2007-08-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are The Royle Family the life and music of Dimitri Tiomkin ; RF Delderfield's Swann novels and the life of Richard Nixon.
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
Air date: 2007-09-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialised subjects are Peter Gabriel and Genesis, author David Eddings , inventor Barnes Wallis and snakes. With John Humphrys.
Episode 10 (Episode 10)
Air date: 2007-09-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The specialist subjects this week are the University Boat Race, the novels of Evelyn Waugh , English coronations since 1066 and the life of Bob Marley.
Episode 11 (Episode 11)
Air date: 2007-09-17
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: This week's subjects are the life and work of William Thomson , Round the Home, the history of Tamla Motown and the career of chess player Alexander Alekhine.
Episode 12 (Episode 12)
Air date: 2007-09-24
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects this week include the life and career of Frank Sinatra , Dorothy L Sayers 's Lord Peter Wimsey books and Polish history between AD 960 and 1696.
Episode 13 (Episode 13)
Air date: 2007-10-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are British Top 20 singles of the 1970s, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels by Alexander McCall Smith , Hornby Railway and Joe Jackson and the Black Sox scandal of 1919.
Episode 14 (Episode 14)
Air date: 2007-10-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects include Irish history 1916-1923, heavy metal band Iron Maiden, life and works of John Piper and the world war series of novels by Harry Turtledove.
Episode 15 (Episode 15)
Air date: 2007-10-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: This week's specialist subjects are the life and work of Joe Orton , American independent cinema, trees of the British Isles and Chelsea Football Club.
Episode 16 (Episode 16)
Air date: 2007-10-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: This week's specialist subjects are the life and work of Joe Orton, American independent cinema, trees of the British Isles and Chelsea Football Club.
Episode 17 (Episode 17)
Air date: 2007-11-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are the naval career of Nelson and Collingwood, the life and works of Primo Levi, the English pop band Erasure, and the life and career of Sir Richard Attenborough.
Episode 18 (Episode 18)
Air date: 2007-11-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's subjects are the life and music of Johnny Cash, the development of photography since 1900, the life and works of Rene Magritte and ships of the Royal Navy from 1945 to 2007.
Episode 19 (Episode 19)
Air date: 2007-11-19
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects are the life and career of politician Charles James Fox, the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association, real ale breweries of Britain and the life and works of writer Marcel Proust.
Episode 20 (Episode 20)
Air date: 2007-11-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's subjects are the Adrian Mole novels by Sue Townsend, the works of French playwright Moliere, the history of sound recording from 1887 to 1925 and European female painters up until 1900.
Episode 21 (Episode 21)
Air date: 2007-12-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects are the Anglo-Boer War, US soul group the Temptations, the Cotton Nero manuscript and Scottish monarchs from 843 to 1371.
Episode 22 (Episode 22)
Air date: 2008-01-21
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: As the contest reaches the semi-finals, specialist subjects are British butterflies, the life of Franz Kafka , 1985 TV drama Edge of Darkness and Red Clydeside 1914-1939, an era of political radicalism in Glasgow.
Episode 23 (Episode 23)
Air date: 2008-01-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Contestants compete for a place in the Grand Final. Today's specialist subjects are: the novels of Joanne Harris , the Cricket World Cup, the life of Mary Tudor and the life and career of Robert Clive - also known as Clive of India. John Humphrys hosts.
Episode 24 (Episode 24)
Air date: 2008-02-04
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In the final first-round heat, the specialist subjects are Punch magazine, the life of Kurt Cobain , the novels of Thomas Love Peacock , and TV series Survivors.
Episode 25 (Episode 25)
Air date: 2008-02-11
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: As the competition reaches the semi-final stage, specialist subjects are British butterflies, the life and work of writer Franz Kafka , cult 1985 TV drama Edge of Darkness and Red Clydeside 1914-1939, an era of political radicalism in Glasgow. With John Humphrys.
Episode 26 (Episode 26)
Air date: 2008-02-18
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: With another place in the final up for grabs, tonight's specialist subjects are the novels of Joanne Harris , the Cricket World Cup, Mary Tudor and the life of Robert Clive - aka Clive of India.
Episode 27 (Episode 27)
Air date: 2008-02-25
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects are the life and career of Bobby Charlton , the Roman Republic to 43 BC, the life and poetry of Wilfrid Owen and the spoof TV programme The Day Today. John Humphrys asks the questions.
Episode 28 (Episode 28)
Air date: 2008-03-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: With another place in the final up for grabs, specialist subjects comprise the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs, the life and work of Italian painter Botticelli, folk/rock group Steeleye Span , and film director Sam Peckinpah. Hosted by John Humphrys.
Episode 29 (Episode 29)
Air date: 2008-03-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects in this semi-final are the novels of Jasper Fforde , the horror films of Val Lewton , the Battle of the Somme and the life of the Prince Regent.
Episode 30 (Episode 30)
Air date: 2008-03-17
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects in the last semi-final are the Barsetshire novels of Anthony Trollope ; Mary, Queen of Scots: American Civil War general William Sherman ; and the Poldark novels of Winston Graham.
Grand Final (Episode 31)
Air date: 2008-03-24
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: The grand final of the quiz where specialist subjects are the history of Venice, actor Steve McQueen, the D-Day landings, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, London Bridge and the Godfather trilogy. With John Humphrys.
Seasons
Episodes 15
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 23
Episodes 23
Episodes 23
Episodes 23
Episodes 22
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 14
Episodes 17
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 31
Episodes 21
Episodes 24