Mastermind

Mastermind
Premiere	September 11, 1972
Airs	Wednesdays
Creator	Bill Wright
Host	Magnus Magnusson (1972-97)
Network/Provider	BBC One
Style	30-minute game show
Company	British Broadcasting Corporation
Seasons	43
Episodes	882 (through season 42)
Status	Currently airing season 43
Origin	UK
Official Site	BBC

Mastermind is a long running quiz show that airs on BBC Two. It is hosted by John Humphrys (originally by Magnus Magnusson). The series is run in a knockout format and there are two rounds to each episode. In the first round, the four "contenders" (as they are invariably called) are asked questions on a specific subject of each contestant's choosing, determined prior to the taping of the episode. In the second, contestants are asked questions relating to general knowledge. Whoever answers the most questions correctly returns in the semi-finals, and potentially in the grand final. Contenders must select a different specialist subject in each round.

Although there is no big prize to be won (just an etched glass bowl) and it is arguably not even the toughest quiz on British television (University Challenge offers a much harder level of difficulty in its questions) it is undoubtedly the most prestigious of all British game shows, and to be selected as a contender on Mastermind is a badge of honour for any quiz player.

The series began in 1972 as, in host Magnus Magnusson's words, "a quiz for insomniac academics" and its dark tone set it apart from other quiz shows. Inspired by producer Bill Wright's experiences as a prisoner of war, the quiz placed its participants in a chair under a single spotlight. The recitation of "Name? Occupation? Specialist subject?" deliberately echoed the military demand for name, rank and serial number, while Magnusson was identified on screen not as "questionmaster" or "chairman" but as "interrogator". The effect was topped off by Neil Richardson's dramatic theme music, "Approaching Menace", which had originally been composed as library music for use in tense dramas. Although the "interrogator" designation disappeared quickly, all of the other elements survive to this day. (The current chair is a replica of the original.)

The series was moved into prime time in 1973, and became a surprise hit. The production office was deluged with applications from potential "contenders", and the series rapidly turned into a television institution. Even when it officially ended in 1997, the show would not die, subsequently appearing in a radio version and then in an ill-fated satellite TV adaptation, which tinkered with the format by adding tension music during the questions and reducing the time alloted for each round of questions. Eventually the BBC bowed to the inevitable and (after a celebrity special at christmas 2002) brought the series back to BBC Two in 2003.

Following the success of the revived series, a Welsh-language version is to be made during 2006. The series, titled Mastermind Cymru ("Mastermind Wales") will be produced by BBC Wales and aired on S4C. It is to be hosted by Welsh news anchor Betsan Powys.

In-Depth

• At a Glance: Additional information about the series

DVD Releases

There are no DVD releases for this show.