Mastermind (1972)
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.
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Episodes
Next episode: S53E13 · 2026-10-19
SpecialsSeason 1Season 2Season 3Season 4Season 5Season 6Season 7Season 8Season 9Season 10Season 11Season 12Season 13Season 14Season 15Season 16Season 17Season 18Season 19Season 20Season 21Season 22Season 23Season 24Season 25Season 30Season 31Season 32Season 33Season 34Season 35Season 36Season 37Season 38Season 39Season 40Season 41Season 42Season 43Season 44Season 45Season 46Season 47Season 48Season 49Season 50Season 51Season 52Season 53
- 1 1. Episode 11997-06-09The first of 13 programmes, introduced by Magnus Magnusson, in the final series tonight comes from Blenheim Palace. Contenders are Stephen Quick, Judith Falcon, Clare Ockwell and I
- 2 2. Episode 21997-06-16Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace. The contenders are Maureen Hichens, Michael Smith, Gareth Ribbon and Michael Settle, and their chosen subjects are
- 3 3. Episode 31997-06-23Tonight's edition comes from the debating chamber of the Cambridge Union Society. The contenders are factory worker Peter Bolt, graduate student Katherine Taylor, mature student To
- 4 4. Episode 41997-07-07Tonight's edition comes from the Cambridge Union Society. The contenders are foster carer Ann Kelly, forensic psychiatrist Akintunde Akinkunmi, artist Leo Stevenson, and Open Univ
- 5 5. Episode 51997-07-14Tonight's edition comes from the Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough. The contenders are Stafford housewife Fiona Redmond; Timothy Robey, a retired teacher from South port; Richa
- 6 6. Episode 61997-07-21Tonight's edition comes from the Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough. The chosen subjects are the life and films of Errol Flynn, the life and poems of Wilfred Owen, English churc
- 7 7. Episode 71997-07-28Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace. The chosen subjects are the life of the prophet Muhammad, the six wives of Henry VIII, the life and works of Jerome
- 8 8. Episode 81997-08-04Tonight's edition comes from the Great Hall at Blenheim Palace. The contenders are Akinade Ajayi, Katrina Campbell, Colin Cadby, and Tony Dart. Their chosen subjects are the life
- 9 9. Episode 91997-08-11The Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon is the setting for the last of the heats. The chosen subjects are the Borgias; the life and children's books of Arthur Ransome
- 10 10. Episode 101997-08-18The first of three semi-finals comes from the Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth. The contestants are quizzed on British naval history, 1939-45, the marathon footrace since 1896, t
- 11 11. Episode 111997-08-24The second semi-final comes from the Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere. The chosen subjects are the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer , wines of France, the life and mus
- 12 12. Episode 121997-08-27The last semi-final comes from the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere. The competitors are questioned about the life and 1860s novels of Wilkie Collins, the city of Prague,
- 13 13. Episode 131997-09-01After 25 years, the quiz series concludes with four contestants competing for the title of Mastermind 1997. The setting for this last final is St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkn
- 14 14. It Started, Now It's Finished1997-09-08Last week's Mastermind final marked the end of the quiz which became a national institution during its 25-year run. This documentary follows the last four contenders to sit in the
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