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 11980-08-31Tonight Magnus is 'starting' so please stay with him until he has 'finished', the exciting search for this year's champion. Manchester Polytechnic are the hosts for this first heat
- 2 2. Episode 21980-09-07Heat 2 from Manchester Polytechnic Adrian H. Cowell (botanist): Life and times of Prince Rupert of the Rhine John Keogh (local government officer): The house of Godwin, 1016-1066
- 3 3. Episode 31980-09-14Nottingham University is the location for this third Mastermind heat. The four contenders are: Michael Crisp (accountant): Fictional naval heroes Elizabeth Shaw (schoolteacher):
- 4 4. Episode 41980-09-21Four more contenders for the Mastermind title meet tonight in competition at Nottingham University. Amongst them is a law student who is an ex-tv Top of the Former! The contenders
- 5 5. Episode 51980-09-28The Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth, which is celebrating 100 years of existence, is the venue for this fifth heat. The contenders are: Sheila Denyer (laundry worker):
- 6 6. Episode 61980-10-05Four contenders from Wales meet tonight at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth. They are: Erica Austin (barrister/housewife):The descendants of Queen Victoria Bill Be
- 7 7. Episode 71980-10-12The ancient city of Newcastle upon Tyne is celebrating its 900th anniversary, and tonight the City Council are hosts to the following Mastermind contenders: Alan Caig (local gover
- 8 8. Episode 81980-10-19Northern Ireland now takes up the challenge of Mastermind. Its four contenders are meeting tonight at the Civic Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne. They are: John Campbell (travel agen
- 9 9. Episode 91980-10-26The venue for tonight's heat is Girton College, Cambridge. The contenders are: Amanda Cooper (teacher): The career of Bishop Colenso of Natal (1853-1883) Arthur Douch (retired ma
- 10 10. Episode 101980-11-02Tonight's contenders come from Surrey, Dorset, Canterbury and Cambridge. They are: Sylvia Britton (bookshop manageress): Life and work of Vincent Van Gogh Richard Ellender (file
- 11 11. Episode 111980-11-09Question: Where in Britain is the Granite or Silver City? Answer: Aberdeen of course; and the city's university is the location for the first of the Scottish heats. Contenders are:
- 12 12. Episode 121980-11-16This second Scottish heat completes the first round and leads to the semi-finals. Donald James Goldie (student): Arthurian legend in England Helen Harper (housewife): The Peninsu
- 13 13. Episode 131980-11-23Mastermind visits a school for the first time - Christ's Hospital, Sussex, is host for the first of the semi-finals. John Campbell (travel agent) - Novels of Arthur C. Clarke Dav
- 14 14. Episode 141980-11-30Semi-final: this match comes from Christ's Hospital Arts Centre, Sussex. The four contenders competing for a place in the Final are Fred Housego (licensed taxi driver): Collegiat
- 15 15. Episode 151980-12-07The setting for this Semi-final match is the MacRobert Arts Centre, at the University of Stirling. It includes an Englishman specialising in a Scottish Queen and a Scot specialisi
- 16 16. Episode 161980-12-14The MacRobert Arts Centre at the University of Stirling is the setting for this special Semi-final match between the four ' best losers' from the heats. Tonight's winner will fill
- 17 17. Final1980-12-21The historic Porter Tun Room in the City of London is the setting for the culmination of the 1980 series. Of the 48 starters, the four finalists competing for the beautifully engra
Cast
Clive MyrieSelf - HostImages
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