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 7)
Episode 1 (Episode 1)
Air date: 1978-09-07
Overview: The 'black chair' stands ready in the centre of the Mastermind arena awaiting the presence of the 48 aspirants to the title 'Mastermind 1978', chosen from the many thousands of viewers who applied to take part in this year's series. The Open University at Milton Keynes is the venue for the first of these opening heats and the contenders are: Jean Robinson, nurse - life and works of W. S. Gilbert Aubrey Lawrence, assistant librarian - Britain between AD 350 and 600 Jonathan Allum, civil servant - 20th-century British philosophy Raymond Fell, Detective Sergeant, New Scotland Yard - notable British poisoners
Episode 2 (Episode 2)
Air date: 1978-09-14
Overview: In this second heat the challenge of Mastermind is faced by four contenders from Northern Ireland. The contenders are; ROY ALCORN, teacher, Hollywood films, 1929-1959 MICHAEL BLOCH, student barrister, life and work of Philip Guedalla JOHN KNIPE , retired civil servant, history of Abbey Theatre, Dublin DAVID MCKIBBIN , teacher, history of professional boxing
Episode 3 (Episode 3)
Air date: 1978-09-21
Overview: Cranfield technical university provides an ideal setting for one of tonight's specialised subjects - History of Aviation. Cranfield has its own airfield and has long-standing associations with the RAF. The contenders are: FELICITY MORRISEY, musician, life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven KEITH BOGLE, librarian, Greek mythology ROBERT GLEESON, bookseller, Westminster Abbey KEITH BLAKE, Fire Brigade Administrator, history of aviation
Episode 4 (Episode 4)
Air date: 1978-09-28
Overview: Tonight an American Attorney takes up the brief on behalf of Thomas Jefferson , one-time President of the USA, which is just one of the interesting specialised subjects in tonight's Mastermird heat. The contenders are: CHRISTINE SHAW, teacher, English history 1603-1660 MICHAEL DIXON, Post Office manager, Life and works of Sergei Prokofiev JOHN GEORGE, Herald, The Papal Conclaves 1799-1878 ANDREW REISH, attorney, Thomas Jefferson
Episode 5 (Episode 5)
Air date: 1978-10-05
Overview: In this visit to Newcastle University, Liverpool, Kirkby, Sheffield and Manchester provide the ' brain power' in this fifth heat of Mastermind. The contenders are ROSEMARY BIRKILL, part-time medical practitioner, History of psychiatry NEIL WRIGHT, medical laboratory assistant, The life of Gaius Julius Caesar FRANK LYNCH, teacher, Classical music 1660-1960 ANTHONY MARTIN, librarian, The reign of the Emperor Augustus
Episode 6 (Episode 6)
Air date: 1978-10-12
Overview: Tonight's Northern group of contestants hail from South Wirral, York, Bolton and Sheffield: ROSEMARY JAMES, teacher, Mythology of Greeks and Romans RAY WARD, graduate, Manned space flight FREDERICK HOUGH, HM Inspector of Factories, The religion of Ancient Egypt JOLYON COOMBS, stage manager, Roman History 146 BC - 44 BC
Episode 7 (Episode 7)
Air date: 1978-10-19
Overview: Contestants from Edinburgh, Inverness, Dumbarton and Falkirk gather at the oldest University in Scotland - St Andrews. There to face a barrage of questions designed to test their specialised and general knowledge, and their ability to concentrate under pressure. The contenders are ELIZABETH WHITE, housewife, The Novels of the Bronte Sisters NEIL SPENCER, Local Government officer, Celtic Culture before AD 1200 JOHN STRATHEARN, teacher, The Clyde Passenger Steamer , 1812-1962 NEIL MACGILLIVRAY, scientific assistant, Israel and the European Zionist Movement from 1858
Episode 8 (Episode 8)
Air date: 1978-10-26
Overview: Nerve, concentration, recall are just some of the attributes required of the contestants taking part in this second Scottish heat from St Andrews University. The contenders are CYNTHIA MUNRO, freelance translator, Life and works of Hieronymus Bosch DOUGLAS BLACK, medical student, Napoleon's '100 Days', 1815 DAVID LEES, schoolmaster (retired), The life of Hannibal IAIN COPLAND, teacher, History of Edinburgh
Episode 9 (Episode 9)
Air date: 1978-11-02
Overview: Tonight sees the inauguration of a new chair at Bath University, the 'Black Chair' of specialised and general knowledge awaiting contestants from Oxford, Mitcheldean, Swindon and France Lynch, near Stroud, to prove their worth in this ninth heat of Mastermind. Kathryn Jones, student - Richard III Donald Walters, rector - R.S. Surtees and fox-hunting Patrick Brough, solicitor- Life and reign of Nicholas II Michael Glover, author - Wellington in the Peninsula
Episode 10 (Episode 10)
Air date: 1978-11-09
Overview: Contestants from Cheltenham, Chipping Campden, Glastonbury and Swansea take up the challenge of Mastermind at Bath University. The contestants are MARGARET SOUTHON, midwife, Alexander the Great SEUMUS STEWART, bookseller, Life and works of Robert Burns JULIAN FETTERLEIN , tax consultant, Life and works of Oscar Wilde COLIN HUNT, freelance translator, The works of John Cowper Powys
Episode 11 (Episode 11)
Air date: 1978-11-16
Overview: Astley Farm, near Leeds, provides Mastermind with its first-ever farmer competitor. A doctor, graduate and lecturer make up the rest of the group, who will be in contention for a place in the semi-finals. Tonight's venue is Hull University. The contenders are - Anne Falloon, graduate: Life of Lord Byron Christopher Booth, farmer: World War II Nicholas Gold, doctor: Life of Admiral Horatio Hornblower Bill Bent, lecturer: Battles in England 1066-1715
Episode 12 (Episode 12)
Air date: 1978-11-23
Overview: This is the final competition of the first-round heats, and apart from tonight's winner, the four best losers over the 12 heats will become known, moving forward to take their place in the special runners-up semi-final. Contenders: OLGA KEVELOS, licensee, Genghis Khan PAUL BOLITHO, librarian History of British Methodism ANTHONY TOOHER, teacher, Life and works of Sir Edward Elgar MICHAEL WALKER, civil engineering technician, Alaska and the Yukon Territory
Episode 13 (Episode 13)
Air date: 1978-11-30
Overview: The crucial stage is now reached with the first of the semi-final matches taking place at Leeds University. The contenders are COLIN HUNT, freelance translator, German literature, 1900-1950 CHRISTINE SHAW, teacher, Life and works of Rudyard Kipling NEIL WRIGHT, medical lab scientist, Astronomy and the Winner of Heat 12
Episode 14 (Episode 14)
Air date: 1978-12-07
Overview: There are four places available in the final of Mastermind for the contestants who win through the semi-final round. One place has already been taken and in tonight's visit to Leeds University the second place will be filled after a keenly fought contest between ROBERT GLEESON, bookseller, London city churches MICHAEL GLOVER, author, Sir Robert Wilson DAVID LEES, schoolmaster (retired), Classical mythology RAY WARD, graduate, Librarianship
Episode 15 (Episode 15)
Air date: 1978-12-14
Overview: Liverpool University, venue of the first-ever Mastermind in 1972, plays host to four would-be finalists in this third semi-final match. The contenders are BILL BENT, lecturer, The geography of England AUBREY LAWRENCE, librarian, History of Rhodes up to AD 1522 DAVID MCKIBBIN, teacher, History of World War I JOHN STRATHEARN, teacher, Military operations of the 1745 Rebellion
Episode 16 (Episode 16)
Air date: 1978-12-21
Overview: The traditional Mastermind match for the best losers from the first round takes place tonight at Liverpool University, in this fourth and last of the semi-finals. The contenders come from Merseyside, Bolton, Manchester and York - a truly Northern occasion. The contenders are: Jolyon Coombs, stage manager - Commedia dell'Arte Rosemary James, teacher - Life and works of Frederick Rolfe Frank Lynch, teacher - European history, 1900-1945 Anthony Martin, librarian - Greek mythology
Final (Episode 17)
Air date: 1978-12-26
Overview: The Mastermind title and trophy are now within the reach of four worthy contenders, who meet tonight in competition at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. ROBERT GLEESON, bookseller, Westminster Abbey NEIL WRIGHT, medical laboratory scientist, Julius Caesar DAVID MCKIBBIN, teacher, History of professional boxing BEST RUNNER-UP
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