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 35)
Episode 1 (Episode 1)
Air date: 2008-09-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: New series John Humphrys quizzes on Simon Raven, Newcastle United, Edward IV and Laurence Olivier.
Episode 2 (Episode 2)
Air date: 2008-09-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialisms tonight are Billy the Kid, the Short Stories of Saki, the Great Western Railway and the films of John Carpenter. With John Humphrys.
Episode 3 (Episode 3)
Air date: 2008-09-19
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys asks about Noor Inayat-Khan, Ferdinand Magellan, Edith Wharton and Mods
Episode 4 (Episode 4)
Air date: 2008-09-26
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Questions on the late Stuart age, Steely Dan, boxer Joe Frazier and Robert Parker's Spenser novels.
Episode 5 (Episode 5)
Air date: 2008-10-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys asks questions on subjects including Arthur Conan Doyle's Challenger novels.
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Air date: 2008-10-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects this week include Rasputin, the Gospels of the New Testament, and West Indies Test cricket. John Humphrys asks the questions.
Episode 7 (Episode 7)
Air date: 2008-10-17
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys poses the questions as four contestants test their specialist knowledge of Stax Records, the Romney Marsh novels of Monica Edwards, German battleship the Bismarck and the Welsh castles of Edward I.
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Air date: 2008-10-24
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects include Scottish mathematician James Clerk Maxwell and the Mitford sisters.
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
Air date: 2008-10-31
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist topics include the Harry Palmer novels and folk singer Tom Paxton.
Episode 10 (Episode 10)
Air date: 2008-11-07
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist topics comprise the Victoria Cross, chess player Bobby Fischer, the Le Mans 24-hour race, and the life of Thomas Cochrane.
Episode 11 (Episode 11)
Air date: 2008-11-14
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects include the Coventry blitz and the Merthyr Rising of 1831.
Episode 12 (Episode 12)
Air date: 2008-11-21
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist topics comprise the cricketer Ian Botham, the Munros of Scotland, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming.
Episode 13 (Episode 13)
Air date: 2008-11-28
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Topics tonight include rare breeds of British farm animals, Ghenghis Khan and Gothic architecture.
Episode 14 (Episode 14)
Air date: 2008-12-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Topics comprise WC Fields, Jonathan Creek, Tacitus and the life and career of Keith Moon.
Episode 15 (Episode 15)
Air date: 2009-01-30
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's four specialist subjects are the Ashes series of 1902, AE Housman, British punk rock and the Trans-Siberian Railway. With John Humphrys.
Episode 16 (Episode 16)
Air date: 2009-02-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are the Peninsular War, pop singer Morrissey, the history of Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex, and the Great Fire of London. John Humphrys asks the questions.
Episode 17 (Episode 17)
Air date: 2009-02-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are actor Sidney Poitier, British Trotskyism, number one hit singles, and the life and career of model and actress Edie Sedgwick. John Humphrys asks the questions.
Episode 18 (Episode 18)
Air date: 2009-02-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: John Humphrys presents the general knowledge quiz, in which the specialist subjects tonight are the history of Chester Zoo, the Father Brown stories, Edward Carson and Tony Hancock.
Episode 19 (Episode 19)
Air date: 2009-02-27
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's four specialist subjects are John Wesley, Seinfeld, Kazimir Malevich and the Wars of the Roses. John Humphrys poses the questions.
Episode 20 (Episode 20)
Air date: 2009-03-06
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects are the Battle of Coronel and the Falklands War, British birds, sculptor Barbara Hepworth, and Anglo-Saxon kings 871-1016.
Episode 21 (Episode 21)
Air date: 2009-03-13
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In the first semi-final John Humphrys asks questions on Scott's last expedition, Blake's 7, the School stories of PG Wodehouse and the Popish Plot.
Episode 22 (Episode 22)
Air date: 2009-03-20
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are Jackie Stewart, the novels of Wendy Holden, Honore de Balzac and Kraftwerk. John Humphrys poses the questions.
Episode 23 (Episode 23)
Air date: 2009-04-03
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are the novels of George Orwell, musician Gram Parsons, Italian politics and composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
Episode 24 (Episode 24)
Air date: 2009-04-10
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's subjects are the Battle of Coronel and the Falklands War, British birds, sculptor Barbara Hepworth , and Anglo-Saxon kings from 871 to 1016.
Episode 25 (Episode 25)
Air date: 2009-04-17
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In tonight's semi-final the specialised subjects are Scott's last expedition, cult TV series Blake's 7, the School stories of PG Wodehouse and the Popish Plot
Episode 26 (Episode 26)
Air date: 2009-05-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Four contenders compete for a place in the final. Tonight's specialist subjects comprise film director Fritz Lang, tennis legend Billie Jean King, Private Eye magazine and the life and work of Robert Maxwell.
Episode 27 (Episode 27)
Air date: 2009-05-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects for the four semi-finalists comprise the Bonaparte dynasty, former prime minister Herbert Asquith, glam rock band Slade and the life and writings of Gilbert White. With John Humphrys
Episode 28 (Episode 28)
Air date: 2009-05-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects for the four semi-finalists comprise the life and works of Mozart, the ghost stories of MR James, planets of the solar system and Norwich City FC. Presented by John Humphrys.
Episode 29 (Episode 29)
Air date: 2009-06-05
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Specialist subjects in the fifth semi-final are Doctor Who in the 1970s, former US president John F Kennedy, singer/songwriter Billy Bragg and the Montalbano novels of Andrea Camilleri. John Humphrys hosts.
Episode 30 (Episode 30)
Air date: 2009-06-12
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Tonight's specialist subjects are poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, the life of Paddy Mayne, Northampton Town FC and the life and work of Alfred Russel Wallace.
Grand Final (Episode 31)
Air date: 2009-06-19
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Six contenders battle it out to be crowned champion. Their specialist subjects comprise the Lewis and Clark expedition across America, Britain between the wars, Russian novels from 1831 to 1894, songwriting partnership Rodgers and Hart, the Ryder Cup and American presidents of the 19th century. Presented by John Humphrys.

Seasons
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Episodes 17
Episodes 17
Episodes 17
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