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.
Watch now
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 11976-09-07This tense, dramatic and highly-rated quiz competition embarks on its fifth series to discover the ' Mastermind ' for 1976. The contenders for the title are faced with a formidabl
- 2 2. Episode 21976-09-14Contenders from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen strive for a place in the Mastermind semi-finals. To succeed they require the knowledge of the specialist, a wide range of general
- 3 3. Episode 31976-09-21Tonight, contenders for the Mastermind title are from Brighton, Bury St Edmunds, London and Cambridge. The venue for this mind marathon is the University of Hull. Contenders: Da
- 4 4. Episode 41976-09-28Two teachers, a warehouseman and a housewife make up tonight's group of aspirant ' Master-minds'. Whoever is to succeed requires supreme concentration, thorough subject specialisat
- 5 5. Episode 51976-10-05Tonight's heat comes from Bangor University in Wales. Contestants are: SIMON ST QUINTIN, bus conductor/driver - History and geography of Ethiopia JANET SAVAGE, medical social wo
- 6 6. Episode 61976-10-12The half-way stage has now been reached in this preliminary round. Contestants in the sixth heat are: JOHN MAYNARD, Security adviser, Life and times of Richard III JUNE MAGGS, Li
- 7 7. Episode 71976-10-19Tonight's heat comes from the University of Leicester, where we welcome four contestants from Northern Ireland. Depth of knowledge, concentration, and nerves of steel will help one
- 8 8. Episode 81976-10-26One of tonight's contestants m the eighth heat will win a place in the semi-final round. - From Leicester University TEDDY VON KOENTGSTAEDTE, teacher - Life and works of Hans Chr
- 9 9. Episode 91976-11-02London University provides the venue for this ninth heat. The contestants are: DENIS VANDERVELDE, freelance management consultant - World Postal History ANN-MARY HILLS, housewif
- 10 10. Episode 101976-11-09Tonight's heat takes place at the University of London and the contestants are VERNON LEEM-BRlGGEN, commissionaire - The war in Burma (1943-45) ANNE' GOLDSTEIN, freelance writer
- 11 11. Episode 111976-11-16A wide area of interests are Covered in the specialist subjects by tonight's contestants, whose professions are as varied as the subjects. Tonight's heat comes from the University
- 12 12. Episode 121976-11-23Tonight's contest comes from Exeter University and completes the first round heats. Contestants: STEWART THOMPSON, Naval Officer - The Rebellion of 1745 DIANA PUGH, housewife - L
- 13 13. Episode 131976-11-30Durham University is the venue for the beginning of this semi-final round with four of the 12-heat winners trying for a place in the Final. They are ALAN ILIFFE, psychologist - E
- 14 14. Episode 141976-12-07with Magnus Magnusson at the University of Durham. Contestants: ALAN BRUFORD, archivist - Life and works of Handel MARY KEAN, housewife - Life and works of Tolstoy JOHN SYKES, l
- 15 15. Episode 151976-12-14Tonight's contestants meet at the University of Bristol. They are: GEORGE SHELDRICK, local government officer - French medieval history 987-1328 LISA DUFFIN, librarian - Life cy
- 16 16. Episode 161976-12-21The University of Bristol is the scene for the last of the Semi-finals. A chance for the four best heat-losers to gain the fourth and final place in this year's Mastermind Final. T
- 17 17. Episode 171976-12-24The Final NICHOLAS SPRUYTENBURG, teacher - Life and times of Edward II ROGER PRITCHARD, civil servant - Life of the Duke of Wellington AMANDA HILL, postal officer - Descendants
Cast
Clive MyrieSelf - HostImages
You might also like
★ 6.3
★ 6.2
★ 6.7
★ 8.8
★ 7.8
★ 8.9
★ 7.9
★ 8.0
★ 8.5
★ 6.3
★ 6.5
★ 7.9
Celebrity Mastermind
★ 6.0
Celebrity Mastermind
★ 6.4Årets Retro
Årets Retro
★ 4.0