Mastermind (1972) | Couchpile

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Mastermind (1972) | Couchpile

1972

15 Episodes

1972

E01

Episode 1

9/11/1972

This new and exciting brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom. They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject with a further two minutes to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board. Tonight's programme comes from The University of Liverpool

E02

Episode 2

9/18/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject with a further two minutes to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board. Tonight's programme comes from The University of Liverpool Contenders Mary Grummitt, Dr Michael Dewar, Vera Gallagher, Patrick Maher Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E03

Episode 3

9/25/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom Tonight's programme comes from the University of Glasgow Contenders Joyce Ligertwood, David Wate, Robert Crampsey, Julius Green Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E04

Episode 4

10/2/1972

Tonight's contenders come from the West of Scotland and the programme was recorded at Glasgow University. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E05

Episode 5

10/16/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom Tonight's contenders represent the North East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E06

Episode 6

10/23/1972

Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E07

Episode 7

10/30/1972

Tonight's contenders represent the South East of England, and the programme comes from the University of Essex, Colchester. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E08

Episode 8

11/6/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom Tonight's contenders represent Wales, and the programme comes from the Llandaff College of Technology, Cardiff. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E09

Episode 9

11/13/1972

Tonight's contenders represent the South-West of England, and the programme comes from Llandaff College of Technology. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E10

Episode 10

11/20/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the UK They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject, with a further period to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board. Tonight's contenders represent the Midlands, and the programme comes from the University of Birmingham. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E11

Episode 11

11/27/1972

This new brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject, with a further period to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board. Tonight's contenders are drawn from the London area, and the programme comes from the University of Birmingham. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E12

Semi-Final 1

12/4/1972

Eleven aspiring Masterminds have won through to the Semi-Finals. In this round the contenders have to prove their ability in a second specialist subject, as well as a further exacting round of general knowledge questions. Tonight's programme comes from Edinburgh. Rev Dr Michael Dewar (Northern Ireland), Nancy Wilkinson (Cambridge), Nicholas Lane (London), Robert Crampsey (Glasgow) Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E13

Sem-Final 2

12/11/1972

In this round the contenders have to prove their ability in a second specialist subject, as well as a further exacting round of general knowledge questions. Tonight's programme comes from Edinburgh. James MacGregor (Kelso), Joan Taylor (Newcastle upon Tyne), David Drake-Brockman (Lymington), Ivan Limmer (Burnley) Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E14

Semi-Final 3

12/18/1972

Tonight's programme comes from London. James Bruce (London), Beryl Leatham Thomas (Oswestry), Frederick Nicholls (Haverfordwest) Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

E15

The Final

12/26/1972

Only three contenders remain to take up the challenge to become Mastermind of the United Kingdom. The Brain Game that requires the co-ordination of specialist and general knowledge, with the ability to answer quickly and concisely. Interrogator Magnus Magnusson

1973

17 Episodes

1973

E01

Episode 1

9/3/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Quick reactions, depth of knowledge, fast recall and concise answers. All these are required in this tense and exciting Brain Game which comes tonight from the University of Lancaster.

E02

Episode 2

9/10/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson When the questions begin, there is no time to ponder or elaborate. Contestants in this Brain Game know the answers immediately - or not at all. Tension mounts again at the University of Lancaster in this second round contest to find the Mastermind of 1973.

E03

Episode 3

9/17/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Greek mythology, words, classical music, 19th-century English literature... four aspiring Master-minds answer questions on these and general knowledge questions in the third round of this contest from the University of Bristol.

E04

Episode 4

9/24/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Quick reactions, depth of knowledge, fast recall and concise answers. The University of Bristol is the setting for tonight's episode of the Brain Game where four contestants answer questions on: Harps, harp music and harpists; Liszt-his life and works; European mountaineering to 1914; Rudyard Kipling-his life and works.

E05

Episode 5

10/4/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Scottish geography and literature, opera and Britain's railways - four new contestants meet in tonight's round from Glasgow University.

E06

Episode 6

10/11/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson In tonight's brain game, from the University of Glasgow: an information scientist answers questions on Frederick the Great; a student on the history of music, 1680-1850; a civil servant on Shakespeare's plays; a teacher on Romano-British archaeology.

E07

Episode 7

10/18/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Tonight's round of the brain game comes from Sussex University, Brighton. Douglas Gibson, a British Airways station officer, answers questions on modern weapons; crossword puzzle compiler Charles Key answers on the city of Paris; editor and writer Phyllis Hartnell on the history of the theatre; and student Stephen Wildman on painting, 1880-1914.

E08

Episode 8

10/25/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson from Sussex University, Brighton

E09

Episode 9

11/1/1973

Magnus Magnusson introduces the ninth heat which comes from the University of Keele. Reginald Drew answers on the Royal Navy, Sally Copeland on classical mythology, Christopher Monro on English literature and Marjorie Elliott on symphony orchestras.

E10

Episode 10

11/8/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson from Keele University, Staffs. Tonight's contestants answer on British geography, Gilbert and Sullivan, the Third Reich and the 19th-century novel.

E11

Episode 11

11/15/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson from the University of Reading

E12

Episode 12

11/22/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson from Reading University In tonight's heat, the last before the quarter finals, Daniel Appleby answers questions on West Africa, Mrs Marilyn Halberstam answers on 19th-20th century crime, Andrew Hardman on the history of Greece and City States to the death of Alexander and Paul Ponder on British birds.

E13

Episode 13

11/29/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Sixteen area Masterminds have won through to the second round of the competition. Four matches will be played and the challengers in tonight's programme are Archie Orton from East Midlands, Rosemary Bown from Northern Ireland, Rev Peter Strange from North East, and John Coleby from Wales.

E14

Episode 14

12/6/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson The challengers in tonight's second round are Paul Ponder from South East, Dr Reginald Webster from North West, Eleanor MacNair and Dr Archie Campbell from Scottish teams.

E15

Episode 15

12/13/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson Sixteen area masterminds have won through to the second round of the competition. Four matches will be played and the challengers in tonight's programme are Charles Key and Richard Snailham from London, Jeffrey Boss from South West and Margery Elliott from West Midlands.

E16

Episode 16

12/20/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson The four best runners-up from the national heats are given a second chance in this match to obtain a place in the final. They are John Colman from North West, Michael York from North East, Patricia Owen from London and Daniel Appleby from South East.

E17

Episode 17

12/27/1973

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson The Final for the title of 'Mastermind of the United Kingdom'

1983

17 Episodes

1983

E01

Episode 1

1/9/1983

Tonight Mastermind enters its second decade and during the coming weeks 48 new contestants will be competing to win television's most prestigious quiz title. They come from every part of Britain, their ages range from 22 to 65 and their occupations include a naval officer, a tube train driver, a doctor, a brewery clerk, a bank manager and a vet. The first four contenders pit their wits against each other at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Geraldine Gregg-Smith, Education welfare officer - Novels of Evelyn Waugh Christopher Price, Civil servant - Novels of the Bronte Sisters Kathryn Tyson, Civil servant - Shakespeare's tragic heroes Diggory Seacome, Schoolmaster - Percussion playing from 1700

E02

Episode 2

1/16/1983

The Royal Agricultural College in the Cotswolds market town of Cirencester is the venue for the second heat of Mastermind 1983. Anne Adams (part-time teacher): Bayeux Tapestry Nicholas Rennison (bookshop assistant): 'The Music of Time' novels of Anthony Powell Edward Towne (schoolmaster): Reign of Edward III Simon Willbourn (pilot): The American manned space programme

E03

Episode 3

1/23/1983

Four contestants from Scotland and Northern Ireland face Magnus in a place he knows well-the school in which he was educated - .the Edinburgh Academy. Patrick Doherty (schoolmaster): Films of John Wayne Euan Fairbairn (naval officer): Career of C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower Frederick Pegg (teacher): American Presidents from F. D. Roosevelt Kalph Roney (writer): Richard Hannay's novels of John Buchan

E04

Episode 4

1/30/1983

'Education is the mother of wisdom and virtue' is the translation of the classical Greek motto of the Edinburgh Academy, where tonight four more contestants pit their wits against each other in the quest to become Mastermind 1983. George Beggs (retired customs official): American Civil War Brian Cooklin (schoolteacher): Women in Thomas Hardy 's novels Alan Shearer (veterinary surgeon): Zulu War 1879 John Wheeler (schoolteacher): British birds

E05

Episode 5

2/6/1983

Three women contestants challenge one man in the fifth heat of Mastermind 1983 at Loughborough University of Technology. Peter Major (schoolteacher): Life and works of Richard Wagner Linda Paxton (housewife): Children of Queen Victoria Mary Schofield (housewife): British Social and Economic History 1760-1860 Sian Thomas (solicitor): Life and works of Colette Director

E06

Episode 6

2/13/1983

Loughborough University of Technology is tonight's host. Robert Douglas (retired sub-post-master): British History, 1714-1815 Madeline Evans (library assistant): Life of Edward IV Susan Scholefield (civil servant): Homer's Iliad and Odyssey Robert Woodcock (driver's mate): European History, 1870-1945

E07

Episode 7

2/20/1983

with Magnus Magnusson from the Froebel Institute College, Roehampton, south west London. Barbara Barrett (sales assistant): The ' Rougon-Macquart' novels of Emile Zola Kenneth Hedley (brewery clerk): Life and works of Sir Edward Elgar Nell Marshall (schoolteacher): Life of Tipu Sultan Robert Moggridgc (schoolteacher): The cathedrals of England

E08

Episode 8

2/27/1983

Froebel Institute College bears the name of the German educator and philosopher Freiderich Froebel, the father of the kindergarten movement. Tonight another four contenders for the Mastermind 1983 title meet at the college in Roehampton. Paul Campion (department store executive): Life and recordings of Caruso Christopher Hughes: (London Underground train driver) British steam locomotives (1900-1968) Karen Stringer (university secretary): Life of T. E. Lawrence Alex Yeats (charity worker): Slavery and the slave trade

E09

Episode 9

3/6/1983

Tonight from one of Britain's newest universities, Loughborough University of Technology. Hilary Aslett (schoolteacher): History of New South Wales 1788-1850 Paul Brighton (research student): Life of W. E. Gladstone Tom Chitty (bank manager): Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington Isabelle Heward (schoolteacher): British and American cinema since 1927

E10

Episode 10

3/13/1983

Two men and two women confront each other at Loughborough University of Technology in this tenth heat of Mastermind 1983. Pauline Buffham (housewife): Life of George III Gwen Kingsley (crystal works tour guide): Life and times of Cosimo de Medici 1389-1464 Alan Mole (civil servant): German history 1870-1945 Ralph Richardson (headmaster): Monumental brasses 1300-1700

E11

Episode 11

3/27/1983

Christchurch College, Canterbury, is the setting as four more contenders do battle for a semi-final plam in Mastermind 1983. CVertne de Vito (schoolteacher): Works of Christopher Isherwood John Edmond (computer systems project manager): Life of Margaret of Anjou Patricia Erridge (civil servant): Opera Robert Peters (minister of religion): Life and Times of Archbishop William Temple

E12

Episode 12

4/3/1983

Last of the 12 heats. Magnus Magusson introduces competitors whose subjects are: the life of Baden-Powell, the life of Richard III, the history of Albania, and the life and music of Vivaldi

E13

Episode 13

4/10/1983

First semi-final, with the lone female contender going for the novels of Jane Austen, the others opting for the Cairngorm Mountains, Lord Liverpool, and the English Civil War

E14

Episode 14

4/17/1983

Another finalist in Mastermind 1983 is chosen tonight as four more winners from the first round pit their wits against each other at Winchester College. Christopher Hughes (London Underground train driver) - The 'Flashman' novels of George MacDonald Fraser Frederick Pegg (schoolteacher) - The life and career of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery, 1887-1976 Nicholas Rennison (bookshop assistant) - Scott's expeditions to the Antarctic Sian Thomas (solicitor) - The Thirty Years War, 1618-1648

E15

Episode 15

4/24/1983

Four winners from the first round programmes meet at Sheffield Polytechnic and compete for a place in the Final of Mastermind 1983. John Edmond (computer systems project manager): The history of Italy, 1815-1929 Gwen Kingsley (crystal works tour guide): The life, times and death of Tutankhamun Margaret Peat (school science technician): The life of Alexander the Great Robert Woodcock (driver's mate): British political history from 1945

E16

Episode 16

5/1/1983

Sheffield Polytechnic is host as the four ' highest scoring losers' in the first round compete for the last place in next week's final of Mastermind 1983. Paul Campion (department store executive): Life of Kathleen Ferrier Peter Major (schoolteacher): The Roman Empire, AD 284-337 Ralph Roney (writer): Classic cars, 1930-1950 Alex Yeats (charity worker): The history of South Africa and South West Africa (Namibia) since 1948

E17

The Final

5/8/1983

Forty-eight contenders started in January and tonight four are in at the 'finish' of the 1983 series. Middle Temple Hall in London is the setting for the final as two men and two women do battle for the title of Mastermind 1983. The winner will receive the engraved Caithness Glass trophy from the Chairman of the BBC, George Howard, and an invitation to represent the United Kingdom in Mastermind International later this year. Contestants: Christopher Hughes (London underground train driver): British steam locomotives 1900-68 Margaret Peat (school science technician): Life of Richard III Kathryn Tyson (civil servant): Shakespeare's tragic heroes Alex Yates (charity worker): Slavery and the slave trade

1975

17 Episodes

1975

E01

Episode 1

9/4/1975

Approximately four minutes of quick-fire specialist and general knowledge questioning confronts four doughty contenders for this year's Mastermind title. Memory, clarity, concentration, tactics, and nerve are all required in this formidable challenge to the intellect. Tonight's contenders are: DENNIS BIRD, Civil Servant JACQUELINE PEARSON , postgraduate student MICHAEL MUNN , lorry driver MARTIN CABOURN SMITH , Chartered Accountant

E02

Episode 2

9/11/1975

This second heat brings together contestants who between them have a wide variety of talent. As they grapple with the answers to questions both specialist and general knowledge, they will require all their mental faculties to be ticking over in top gear in this quest for the title Mastermind 1975. Tonight's contenders are: DOROTHY F. BUSHELL , unemployed RICHARD J. EVERETT , schoolmaster MARGARET ASKEW , journalist ARTHUR GERARD, retired

E03

Episode 3

9/18/1975

Nottingham University provides the setting for tonight's ' Battle of the Polymaths.' The occupations represented are as diverse as the specialist subjects that have been chosen. Tonight's contenders are: CLIFFORD WARNER, Local Government Officer JENNIFER SMALLMAN, librarian REV JOHN GIBSON , priest JOHN HART , schoolmaster

E04

Episode 4

9/25/1975

An American at Oxford University, a Miner, a Chartered Surveyor and a Systems Analyst make up the group who are in contention tonight for the Mastermind title. They are: RICHARD CARDEN, Systems Analyst JACK TOMLINSON, Miner VICTOR SIDE, Chartered Surveyor STEVEN SCHNEEBAUM, Student

E05

Episode 5

10/2/1975

Introduced by Magnus Magnusson from Sheffield University Tonight's contenders are: MARTIN MCCLELLAND, sheetmetal worker GEORGE BULL, solicitor PAULINE FOWLING, teacher KENNETH BURTON, railway clerk

E06

Episode 6

10/9/1975

From which town will tonight's winner emerge? This group of would-be 'Master-minds' come from Northwich, Southport, Liverpaol and Wallasey. Tonight's contenders are: CECIL CRILL, retired Naval Officer JEAN HANDLEY, teacher RONALD MCGOWAN, Inspector of Taxes NOEL FAGAN, unemployed

E07

Episode 7

10/16/1975

Bath University provides the forum tonight for four more hopeful ' Masterminds.' Tonight's contenders are: FRANCIS HOWE, schoolmaster IVOR JEFFERY-MACHIN, Anglican priest GLYN COURT, teacher JAMES COATES, retired bank official

E08

Episode 8

10/23/1975

So far the preceding seven heats of Mastermind have been won by the men. Will the lone woman in tonight's group from Wales win through to the Semi-finals? Tonight's contenders are: RICHARD DALE, schoolmaster GENA DAVIES, unemployed VISCOUNT DAVID TENBY, Member of House of Lords ANTONY CARR, university lecturer

E09

Episode 9

10/30/1975

The venue for tonight's heat is the Open University at Milton Keynes. Tonight's contenders are: PHILIP SKOTTOWE, Barrister GEORGE EARNSHAW, Lecturer JENNY JOHNSON, Histopathologist DAVID BURNS, Local Government Officer

E10

Episode 10

11/6/1975

In the space of 30 minutes over 150 specialist and general knowledge questions will be offered to tonight's four contenders. How many of them will you get right? Tonight's contenders are: ROBERT WORGER, teacher SUSAN WALKER, university language assistant ALEC STEPHEN, teacher NEIL CROCKFORD, risk management consultant

E11

Episode 11

11/13/1975

This 11th heat comes from Scotland's ancient seat of learning, St Andrew 's University. Tonight's contestants are: KATHERINE WATT, retired teacher JAMES MURRAY, retired headmaster FRANCIS LAMBERT, lecturer IAN SMYTH , schoolteacher

E12

Episode 12

11/20/1975

From St Andrews University, Scotland, contestants from Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland, and Scotland battle for a place in the semi-final round. Tonight's contestants are: ALAN BLACKBURN, student ARNOLD O'HARA, teacher TIMOTHY PAXTON, schoolmaster GEORGE JOHNSTON, schoolmaster

E13

Episode 13

11/27/1975

Manchester University provides the venue for this semi-final, the first of four, one of which is reserved for the four best runners-up. Tonight's semi-finalists and their special subjects are: STEVEN SCHNEEBAUM, law student, United States Constitution JOHN HART, schoolmaster, Rome and Romans: 1st Century BC MARTIN MCCLELLAND, sheet-metal worker, British Military Campaigns: 1700-1815 DAVID BURNS, Local Government officer, Life and Reign of Richard III The winner of this match will go forward into the final.

E14

Episode 14

12/4/1975

Tonight's Semi-finalists are from Bournemouth, Wallasey, Bangor (Wales), and Glasgow. They are: IVOR JEFFERY-MACHIN, Anglican Priest, Dutch 17th-century painting NOEL FAGAN, former sales manager, The two World Wars, 1914-18 and 1939-45 ANTONY CARR, university lecturer, Hundred Years' War FRANCIS LAMBERT, university lecturer, Brazil since Independence - 1822

E15

Episode 15

12/11/1975

This third Semi-final comes from Southampton University. MARTIN CABOURN SMITH, chartered accountant, British Naval History of the First World War NEIL CROCKFORD, risk management consultant, Isle of Wight GEORGE JOHNSTON, schoolmaster, Life and Works of Liszt ARTHUR GERARD, retired civil servant, British Cathedrals

E16

Episode 16

12/18/1975

This Semi-final is devoted to the four best runners-up from the initial 12 heats, and it is the last chance for a woman to make it to the Final. But there are three of them lined up against a lone male. So the odds should be in their favour. The contestants and their special subjects are: MARGARET ASKEW , journalist. The Life and Career of Stonewall Jackson JACQUELINE PEARSON. university lecturer. The Life and Works of Christopher Marlowe GENA DAVIES, unemployed, Gemology ALAN BLACKBURN, law student, History of Northern Ireland from 1921

E17

Episode 17

12/22/1975

Four worthy contestants line up for this the final hurdle to the championship title of Mastermind 1975. They are: JOHN HART, schoolmaster, Athens in 5th Century BC FRANCIS LAMBERT, lecturer, Cuban History, 19th century onwards GEORGE JOHNSTON, schoolmaster, French Literature 1600-1900 BEST RUNNER-UP

1987

23 Episodes

1987

E01

Episode 1

1/4/1987

Mastermind is back for its 15th series. The first four of 64 hopeful contenders set out tonight to see who can become Mastermind 1987. The season opens at the University of Aberdeen when contenders from Scotland and Northern Ireland meet to decide who wins the first place in the semi-finals. Jill McFatridge (area reporter to the Children's Panel) The life and times of Ferdinand of Aragon 1452-1516 Gary Fortune (law graduate) Hungarian history 1848-1919 Hilary Frazer (charities advice officer) The history of Belfast 1600-1900 John Crippin (schoolteacher) BBC radio comedy 1947-1967

E02

Episode 2

1/11/1987

The University of Aberdeen is host as four more contenders from Scotland do friendly battle in the quest to find Mastermind's 1987 champion. John Sutherland (retired civil servant) Admiral Thomas Cochrane , 10th Earl of Dundonald, 1775-1860 Eric Forrester (private investigator) The life and works of Robert Burns Sheila Fleming (schoolteacher) The wild flowers of Scotland George Combe (revenue assistant HM Customs and Excise) Battleships and battle cruisers, 1860-1980

E03

Episode 3

1/18/1987

Stockport Grammar School, this year celebrating the quincentenary of its foundation, is host to four contenders from the north of England competing for the title Mastermind 1987. Anthony Attree (Catholic priest) The life and works of Antonin Dvorak Yvonne Weir (retired teacher) The Earls of Orkney, 874-1200 David Kirkham (teacher) The history of the German Democratic Republic John Chester (data communications manager) The railways of Greater London

E04

Episode 4

1/25/1987

From Stockport Grammar School Tonight's four contenders are: Elsie Sadek (retired teacher) The history of Egypt, 1700-1952 Ian Potts (railway signalman) The science fiction works of John Wyndham Frank Crowhurst (Peripatetic teacher) The life and works of Hector Berlioz Rosemary Waugh (commercial and technical assistant) The novels of Evelyn Waugh

E05

Episode 5

2/1/1987

The College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth, is host to four contenders from the west of England. In the drama theatre they compete in the challenge for Mastermind 1987. Peter Bird (writer) Papua New Guinea, 1965-1975, the decade to independence Joan Bridgman (college lecturer) The life and works of Samuel Beckett Michael Newman (chartered surveyor) English antiques, 1660-1830 Jeremy Bradbrooke (general practitioner) The Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71

E06

Episode 6

2/8/1987

Tonight's four contenders all come from the south and west of England and compete in the drama theatre of the College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth. Mira Little (retired) The life and films of Greta Garbo Steve Priestley (House of Commons clerk) Sino-Soviet relations, 1949-1976 Joy Thwaytes (lecturer and writer) John Stow and his survey of London Geoffrey Dearnley (retired headmaster) The life and plays of J.B. Priestley

E07

Episode 7

2/15/1987

The Great Hall of Eltham Palace is the historic setting for this week's Mastermind. The Royal Army Educational Corps host four contenders from the south east of England who seek the title of Mastermind 1987. Stanley Todd (retired teacher) Chamber music, 1750-1950 Ann Kelly (housewife) The life and works of Sean O'Casey Marcia King (patchwork designer) History of the White Star shipping line Alistair Hanson (diamond valuator) Life and works of Franz Kafka

E08

Episode 8

2/22/1987

Four contenders from London and the south east seek a place in the semi-finals. They are the guests of the Royal Army Educational Corps at Eltham Palace. Denise Latimer-Sayer (retired secretary) The life and poetry of Lord Byron Georges Renard (postal executive) Republican Spain and the Civil War, 1931-39 Alison Kelly (freelance lecturer and writer) The life and work of Thomas Chippendale Colin Edgar (local government valuer) The Falkland Islands, 1750-1982

E09

Episode 9

3/1/1987

Tonight Mastermind celebrates its 250th edition. During the last 15 years nearly 1,000 contenders have sat in the famous black chair 5 to be asked around 36,000 questions. Four more contenders now seek a place in this year's semi-finals in the Gulbenkian Theatre at the University of Kent, Canterbury. Donald MacCarron (publicity executive) The history of powered flight since the Wright brothers Michael O'Sullivan (local government officer) The lives and works of the Strauss family, 1825-1940 Peter Chitty (telephonist) History of the British Secret Service, 1909-1940 Margaret Spiller (civil servant) The life and times of Emperor Nero, AD37-68

E10

Episode 10

3/15/1987

The University of Kent at Canterbury is the host to this week's four contenders from London and the south of England. Dorothy Middleton (writer and lecturer) Exploration of Africa, 1788-1888 Kevin Ashman (civil servant) Political history of the United States, 1923-1980 Marjorie Huntley (housewife) The novels of Paul Scott Graham Cooke (civil servant) The life and career of Major-General Orde Wingate

E11

Episode 11

3/22/1987

Tonight's four contenders come from the Midlands and compete at the Assembly Rooms, Derby. Pauline Francescon (part-time visiting lecturer) The life and poetry of Andrew Marvell Brian Davenport (retired warrant officer) The life and works of Pushkin 1799-1837 Andrew Harley (library analyst) The life of the Emperor Tiberius 42BC-AD37 Mike Billson (milkman) The American-Indian wars 1860-1890

E12

Episode 12

3/29/1987

The Assembly Rooms, Derby, is the location for tonight's Programme in which, for the first time on Mastermind, a husband and wife appear in direct competition. Malcolm Seymour (British Rail clerk) English theatre 1570-1620 Christine Hancock (teacher) Life and works of Rembrandt Paul Hancock (Police inspector) The life and times of William Pitt the Elder 1708-1778 Michael Lynch (lecturer) Chinese history from 1911

E13

Episode 13

4/5/1987

Christ's Hospital, Horsham, is the setting for four contenders from London and the south-east seeking a place in the semi-finals of Mastermind. Gery Bramall (translator) Opera 1780-1930 Jeff Wells (bookmaker) The life and paintings of J. M. W. Turner Suzannah Harris (pharmacist) The life and novels of Nancy Mitford William Bellingham (schoolmaster) Nigeria 1900-1966

E14

Episode 14

4/12/1987

Four contenders from London compete in the theatre of the Arts Centre at Christ's Hospital, Horsham. Heinz Spitz (schoolmaster) The first Austrian republic, 1918-1938 Anne Fowler (housewife) The life and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald Alistair Kerr (HM Diplomatic Service) The history of Kenya, 1890-1964 David Roberts (solicitor) History of the US Eighth Army Air Force in Europe, 1942-1945

E15

Episode 15

4/19/1987

The Queen's Hall Arts Centre at Hexham in Northumberland is the location where four contenders from the north and east of England compete for a place in the semi-finals. John Taylor (headmaster) The life and career of Beniamino Gigli Sandra Pitman (teacher) The life and times of Peter the Great of Russia Richard McLaughlin (writer) The history of professional world-heavyweight boxing Paul Henderson (Oxfam district organiser) Russian music 1860-1960

E16

Episode 16

4/26/1987

Tonight sees the end of the first round of Mastermind 1987. The last place in the semi-finals is at stake as four contenders from the north and east of England compete at the Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, Northumberland. Jim Hollingsworth (teacher) The life and works of H. G. Wells Jean Burke (secretary) Tsar Nicholas [number removed]-1918 Keith Scott (chartered accountant) Classical music 1600-1950 Stewart Cross (Department store general manager) Italian Renaissance painting

E17

Episode 17

5/3/1987

Tonight Mastermind reaches the semi-final stage. Four of the early first-round winners compete in the imposing setting of the great transept of Lincoln Cathedral. Alistair Hanson (diamond valuator) The life and novels of Thomas Hardy John Sutherland (retired civil servant) The life and times of John Paul Jones , 1747-1792 Jill McFatridge (area reporter) The 'Flashman' novels of George MacDonald Frazer Ian Potts (railway signalman) The life and times of Alexander the Great

E18

Episode 18

5/10/1987

The great transept of Lincoln Cathedral is the imposing setting for the second semi-final of this year's Mastermind. Four more first-round winners compete for the second place in the final. Georges Renard (postal executive) The French Second Empire, 1852-1870 Jeremy Bradbrooke (general practitioner) The Anglo-American War of 1812-1815 John Chester (data communications manager) The works of Larry Niven Joy Thwaytes (lecturer and writer) The history of the Mary Rose

E19

Episode 19

5/17/1987

The University of Leicester is host for the third of this year's semi-finals. Four first-round winners from Darlington, London and Oxford compete. Paul Henderson (Oxfam district organiser) The life and works of Shostakovich Suzannah Harris (pharmacist) The films of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Mike Billson (milkman) The life and times of Manfred von Richthofen, 1892-1918 Heinz Spitz (schoolmaster) British theatre, 1945-1975

E20

Episode 20

5/24/1987

The last four outright winners in the first round of this year's competition are in contention for the fourth place in the final. The University of Leicester is the setting. Margaret Spiller (civil servant) Minoan Crete Kevin Ashman (civil servant) World cinema, 1960-1980 Jean Burke (secretary) The plays of William Shakespeare Paul Hancock (police inspector) The works of C.S. Forrester

E21

Episode 21

5/31/1987

The last semi-final is reserved for the four highest-scoring losers in the whole of the first-round programmes. The competition has been intense and the four who made it now compete for the last place in the final. The location is the University of Leicester. John Crippin (teacher) The life and works of Raymond Chandler David Kirkman (teacher) The history of the City of York Christine Hancock (teacher) The English novel, 1870-1970 Keith Scott (chartered accountant) The life and works of Anton Chekhov

E22

The Final Five

6/3/1987

Magnus Magnusson introduces a closer look at the five contenders who have made it to the final of Mastermind 1987. Tonight's five will compete on Sunday for the coveted title: Jill McFatridge, an area reporter from Angus, Scotland; Jeremy Bradbrooke, a general practitioner from Trowbridge, Wiltshire; Michael Billson, a milkman from Oxford; Margaret Spiller, a civil servant from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey; and the winner of last Sunday's semi-final.

E23

The Final

6/7/1987

After nearly six months of intense competition, the five finalists out of the original 64 contenders now seek the coveted title of Mastermind 1987. The quarterdeck of the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, is the impressive setting for this final, and the winner will receive the specially engraved Caithness glass trophy from Admiral Sir Julian Oswald, Commander-in-Chief, Fleet. The five contenders are: Margaret Spiller (civil servant) - The life and times of Emperor Nero, AD37-68 John Crippin (schoolteacher) - BBC Radio comedy, 1940-1970 Jeremy Bradbrooke (general practitioner) - The Crimean War, 1853-56 Jill McFatridge (area reporter) - The life and times of Ferdinand of Aragon, 1452-1516 Mike Billson (milkman) - The American Indian wars, 1850-1890

1986

23 Episodes

1986

E01

Episode 1

1/12/1986

Mastermind is back with an extended series. This time, 64 hopeful contenders set out to see who can become Mastermind 1986. This 14th season opens tonight at the University of St Andrews when the first four of the contenders from Scotland meet to decide who wins the first place in the semi-finals. David Campbell-Suttie (retired executive) Jazz, 1910-1927 Thomas Kirkpatrick (head chef) The life and work of Auguste Escoffier 1846-1935 Brian Miller (schoolteacher) The history of World Cup football, 1930-1982 Ivor Cooksey (retired company director) Exploration of the Arctic, c 1550-1909

E02

Episode 2

1/19/1986

The University of St Andrews is host as four more contenders from Scotland and Northern Ireland do friendly battle in the quest to find Mastermind's 1986 champion. Michael MacDonald-Cooper (freelance writer) The Jacobite rising of 1745 Struan Case Robertson (retired soldier) Allenby and the Palestine Campaigns 1914-1918 Iain Bradley (schoolteacher) Life and times of Erskine Childers 1870-1922 Michael Chilton (minister of the Gospel) Russian orchestral music 1840-1943

E03

Episode 3

1/26/1986

The Concert Hall of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester is the setting, as four contenders from the north of England compete in the quest to become Mastermind 1986. Barbara Savage (box office manager) History of modern art from 1848 Leslie Pye (head of braille book production) Life and works of Johannes Brahms Michael Formby (chartered surveyor) History of the Epsom Derby from 1780 Briony Tayler (housewife) The Royal Ballet 1931-1981

E04

Episode 4

2/9/1986

From the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester Tony Ireson (assistant prison governor) Life and works of A. E. Housman Margaret-Louise O'Keeffe (housewife) Life and works of Michelangelo Buonarroti Philip Fleming (solicitor) History of the USA, 1776-1948 Philip McDonald (schoolmaster) History of Liverpool, 1600-1900

E05

Episode 5

2/16/1986

The University of Exeter is host to four contenders from the south and west of England and Wales. In the Great Hall they compete in the challenges for Mastermind 1986. Barrie Brown (officer, Royal Navy) The life and times of Samuel Pepys Patricia Wharton (postgraduate researcher) Life and works of Hilaire Belloc 1870-1953 Richard Aldous (accountant) British history, 1815-1914 John Bowers (chartered town planner) Geography of Wales

E06

Episode 6

2/23/1986

Tonight's four contenders all come from the south and west of England and compete in the Great Hall of the University of Exeter. Stanley Holbrooke-Jones (vicar) Life and times of Sir Walter Raleigh Peter Chapman (retired naval officer) The works of Albert Camus Deirdre Borer (teacher) The 'Ramage' novels of Dudley Pope Gerard Godfrey (accountant) Life and plays of J. M. Synge

E07

Episode 7

3/2/1986

with Magnus Magnusson from The Grand Priory Church of the Order of St John, Clerkenwell, London David le Page (schoolteacher) Life and reign of Louis XI of France, 1423-1483 Nigel Oakley (research scientist) The American War of Independence 1775-1781 Janet Williams (civil servant) Life and work of Peter Warlock Andrew Turek (solicitor) Life and writings of Lord Macaulay

E08

Episode 8

3/9/1986

Four contenders from London and the south east seek a place in the semi-finals of Mastermind 1986 in the Grand Priory Church of the Order of St John in Clerkenwell, London. Barry Ramsay (bank official) Life and works of Benjamin Britten Mary Knox-Johnston (retired dress designer) Life of Perkin Warbeck 1474-99 Albert Bertin (engineer and draughtsman) Life and times of Benito Mussolini Owen Gunnell (schoolteacher) Life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer

E09

Episode 9

3/16/1986

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu provides an imposing setting for four contenders from London and the south of England as they compete for a place in the semi-finals of Mastermind 1986. Donald Crerar (actor) The plays of Harold Pinter Michael Anderson (member of Diplomatic Service) British coins from AD 786 Jean Hossain (schoolteacher) Life and career of Benjamin Disraeli Joseph Hand (legal executive) History of Gibraltar from 8th century

E10

Episode 10

3/23/1986

Tonight's four contenders in the quest for the title of Mastermind 1986 all come from London and the south-east. They compete in the surroundings of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. Julian Lipton (solicitor) Life and plays of Christopher Marlowe Bill Fleming (clerical officer) The works of Rabelais Jane Ennis (unemployed) The operas of Wagner Marcus Taylor (schoolteacher) Life and times of Edward the Confessor 1016-1066

E11

Episode 11

4/6/1986

Four contenders do battle for a place in the semi-finals in the Great Hall of the University of Birmingham. David Winpenny (National Parks Campaign co-ordinator) English architecture 1600-1900 William Tighe (historian) The reign of Elizabeth I of England Hendy Farquhar-Smith (teacher) The history of Edinburgh 1745-1815 Bill Muir (Inspector of Taxes) The works of Dornford

E12

Episode 12

4/13/1986

The University of Birmingham is the host for tonight's four contenders seeking the title of Mastermind 1986. They compete in the surroundings of the Great Hall of the University. Malcolm Highfield (police officer) The life and works of Ralph Vaughan-Williams Vicki Black (part-time teacher) The Hercule Poirot stories of Agatha Christie Ralph Hawtrey (schoolmaster) The life and works of Plato William Hamill-Keays (chartered engineer) The British Army in the Peninsula, 1808-1813

E13

Episode 13

4/27/1986

The London Hospital Medical College in Whitechapel is host to four contenders from London and the south east. Robin Gordon-Walker (government information officer) Labour Government 1964-70 Phillip Clayton (civil servant) Norse mythology Jennifer Keaveney (careers information officer) Life and works of Elizabeth Gaskell Douglas Pickett (examinations officer) Life and works of Richard Strauss

E14

Episode 14

5/4/1986

Four more contenders do friendly battle for the title of Mastermind 1986 at the London Hospital Medical College in Whitechapel. James McLeod (chartered secretary) History of Albania from 1945 Judith Brooks (educational administrator) History of the RAF 1939-45 Peter Cains (research scientist) Life and works of Monteverdi 1567-1643 Timothy Stewart (translator) Life and works of Dante Alighieri

E15

Episode 15

5/11/1986

The Great Hall of the University of Nottingham is the setting as four contenders compete for one of the remaining places in the semi-finals of Mastermind 1986. Gordon Barnes (gas plant operator) The history and development of firearms 1500-1900 Mary Turner (schoolteacher) Life and career of Laurence Olivier Sean Howley (RAF technician) The First World War 1914-1918 Fred Singleton (retired university lecturer) The history of the Yugoslavs 1900-1945

E16

Episode 16

5/18/1986

Tonight sees the last of the first-round programmes, with four more contenders competing for the last place in this year's semi-finals. The location is the Great Hall of the University of Nottingham. David Milnes (solicitor) The history of Nottinghamshire 1066-1939 Vie Bonfiglio (US Air Force) The Spanish Empire in America 1492-1815 Wendy Greene (schoolteacher) The life of Prince Rupert of the Rhine 1619-1682 Roderick Moore (cartographer) Narrow gauge railways of Great Britain from 1863

E17

Episode 17

5/25/1986

Tonight Mastermind reaches the semi-final stage when the first four of this year's first-round winners compete for a place in the final. In the splendid setting of the Nereid Room at the British Museum in London each contender must now take a specialised subject different from the one taken in the first round. Andrew Turek (solicitor) History of The Netherlands 1565-1715 Ivor Cooksey The physical geography of the USA and Canada Philip McDonald (schoolmaster) Life and work of James Brindley 1716-72 Albert Bertin (engineer and draughtsman) Life of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Risorgimento

E18

Episode 18

6/1/1986

The second place in this year's final is at stake, as a further four first-round winners compete in this semi-final, which takes place in the Nereid Room at the British Museum in London. Gerard Godfrey (accountant) The life and reign of Henry VIII Michael Macdonald-Cooper (freelance writer) The poems of Rudyard Kipling John Bowers (chartered town planner) The history of the Isle of Man Michael Formby (chartered surveyor) History and architecture of Lincoln Cathedral from 1072

E19

Episode 19

6/8/1986

The University of Bradford is host tonight, as four more first-round winners compete in the third semi-final of Mastermind. William Hamill-Keays (chartered engineer) The Crimean War Hendy Farquhar-Smith (teacher) Life and works of Sir David Wilkie 1785-1841 Timothy Stewart (translator) Life and works of Beethoven Donald Crerar (actor) European history 1914-1945

E20

Episode 20

6/15/1986

The last four outright winners in the first round of this year's competition are in contention for the fourth place in the final. The Great Hall of the University of Bradford is the setting. Sean Howley (RAF technician) Aircraft of the RAF since 1939 Jennifer Keaveney (careers information officer) Life and work of E. Nesbit 1858-1924 Julian Lipton (solicitor) Victorian politics 1830-1870 David Milnes (solicitor) The operas of Mozart

E21

Episode 21

6/22/1986

The last semi-final is reserved for the four highest-scoring losers in the whole of the first-round programmes. There have been some tremendously high scores and the competition has been intense. The four who made it now compete for the last place in the final. The location is the University of 1 Bradford. Jane Ennis (unemployed graduate) The plays of Schiller Owen Gunnell (schoolteacher)The life a nd reign of King Stephen Malcolm Highfield (police officer) English composers, 1900-1950 Wendy Greene (schoolteacher) The Savoy operas of Gilbert and Sullivan

E22

The Final Five

6/27/1986

Magnus Magnusson introduces a closer look at the five contenders who have made it to the Final. Out of 4,000 applicants, 64 were selected and started to pit their wits and knowledge against the clock and the ordeal of the big black chair. Now these five will compete on Sunday night for the coveted title: Michael Formby , a chartered surveyor from Aintree; Philip McDonald, a schoolmaster from Liverpool; Henry Farquhar-Smith, a teacher from Stamford; Jennifer Keaveney, a careers information officer from Canterbury; and the winner of last Sunday's semi-final for the best scoring runners-up

E23

The Final

6/29/1986

After nearly six months of intense competition during which a new Mastermind scoring record has been set, the five finalists out of the 64 original contenders now seek the coveted title of Mastermind 1986. In the imposing surroundings of the McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh, one of them will receive the specially engraved Caithness glass trophy from the Controller of BBC1, Michael Grade. The five contenders are: Michael Formby (chartered surveyor) The history of the Epsom Derby from 1780 Owen Gunnell (schoolteacher) The life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer Henry Farquhar-Smith (teacher) The history of Edinburgh from 1745 Jennifer Keaveney (careers information officer) The life and works of Elizabeth Gaskell Philip McDonald (schoolmaster) The life and poetry of John Donne

2005

31 Episodes

2005

E01

Episode 1

3/8/2005·30m

The forbidding black chair beckons as the evergreen general-knowledge quiz returns. What weird and wonderful subjects will the four contestants choose? John Humphrys asks the questions.

E02

Episode 2

3/15/2005·30m

The life and works of Benjamin Britten and Sylvia Plath , aircraft of the First World War and the travels of Michael Palin are tonight's four specialist subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E03

Episode 3

3/22/2005·30m

From philosophy to film, pilots to pop stars, tonight's diverse range of subjects are the Pre-Socratics, the life and films of Judy Garland , the Royal Air Force 1939-1945 and the Beatles. With John Humphrys.

E04

Episode 4

3/29/2005·30m

Contestants field questions from John Humphrys on the French Revolution 1789-1794, the life and novels of George Eliot , the history of the World Chess championship and the Trumptonshire Trilogy of Camberwick Green, Trumpton and Chigley.

E05

Episode 5

4/5/2005·30m

The specialist subjects are the Age of the Welsh Princes 800-1283, the life and career of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, the Swallows and Amazons novels of Arthur Ransome and orchestral film scores 1933-1980. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E06

Episode 6

4/12/2005·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects include the Horatio Hornblower novels of CS Forester, English international rugby union since 1990, the life and works of artist Stanley Spencer and English silver 1478-1837. Presented by John Humphrys.

E07

Episode 7

4/19/2005·30m

British political history 1905-2004, the life and career of Muhammad Ali , the musicals of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Conan Doyle 's Sherlock Holmes are the specialist subjects. John Humphrys puts the questions to the black chair's occupants.

E08

Episode 8

4/26/2005·30m

Plays, poetry, piety and pictures all feature, as the contenders demonstrate their knowledge of the life and works of Dylan Thomas , the Old Testament, the films of Clint Eastwood and the life and works of Guillaume Apollinaire. With John Humphrys.

E09

Episode 9

5/3/2005·30m

Contestants answer questions on Henry VIII , Emily Bronte , opera singer Andrea Bocelli and locomotive pioneer Richard Trevithick. With John Humphrys.

E10

Episode 10

5/10/2005·30m

The Clash, the libretti of WS Gilbert , the history of spirits and liqueurs and Ancient Egypt 1570-1070 BC are the specialist subjects. With John Humphrys.

E11

Episode 11

6/23/2005·30m

The series returns after a six-week break with a varied mix of specialist subjects: the Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871, the plays of NoÃ«l Coward, World Snooker championships from 1977 and the life and novels of J.R.R. Tolkien. Host John Humphrys invites the contestants to occupy the forbidding black chair.

E12

Episode 12

6/30/2005·30m

Tonight's varied mix of specialist subjects are: the life and career of political economist and reformer Henry Fawcett , TV sitcom Dinnerladies, the life and work of TE Lawrence, and the literary associations of Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Lake District. John Humphrys fires the questions at the occupants of the forbidding black chair.

E13

Episode 13

7/5/2005·30m

Tonight's varied mix of specialist subjects are: the Harrier and other vertical take-off and landing aircraft; Chequers, the incumbent prime minister's grand country residence in Buckinghamshire; the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett ; and rock giants the Who. John Humphrys fires the questions.

E14

Episode 14

7/12/2005·30m

Specialist subjects for the contestants are the life and career of American president Lyndon B Johnson , the Mughal Empire from 1526 to 1658, 1, Claudius, and the Just William books by Richmal Crompton. John Humphrys poses the questions.

E15

Episode 15

7/19/2005·30m

It's bonnets to ballroom dancing as contestants are quizzed on the novels of Jane Austen, naked eye astronomy in Britain, the American Civil War 1861-1865 and the musical films of Fred Astaire. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E16

Episode 16

7/26/2005·30m

Specialist subjects for the quartet of contestants are the Labour government 1974-79, the life and work of comic songwriters Flanders and Swann, the ecclesiastical calendar and the Manchester music scene from 1976 until 1991. With John Humphrys.

E17

Episode 17

8/2/2005·30m

Specialist subjects are the life and novels of Raymond Chandler , pop group the Go-Betweens, the ex-leader of the Labour Party Hugh Gaitskell , and the films of Hollywood star Bruce Willis. With John Humphrys.

E18

Episode 18

8/16/2005·30m

Specialist subjects for the quartet of contestants are the life and work of Marie Curie , Ireland during the Second World War, the novels of Raymond Zazie dans le Metro Queneau and the history plays of Shakespeare. John Humphrys fires the questions.

E19

Episode 19

8/23/2005·30m

Specialist subjects tonight are the life and times of Charles Edward Stuart (1720-1788), the work of Edward Hopper , 20th-century Parliamentary scandals, and the life of Nancy Mitford. With John Humphrys.

E20

Episode 20

8/30/2005·30m

Specialist subjects are the life and reign of Louis XI of France, the stage plays of Tom Stoppard , cult 60s series The Prisoner, and the life and work of composer Frederick Delius. With John Humphrys.

E21

Episode 21

9/6/2005·30m

Another typically wide-ranging selection of specialist subjects includes the life and work of Sir Peter Scott , national flags, Test cricket since and TV sitcom The Good Life. With John Humphrys.

E22

Episode 22

9/13/2005·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are the life and work of composer Giacomo Puccini , the novels of Sebastian Faulks , European nobility in the 16th century, and the classic sitcom Dad's Army. With John Humphrys.

E23

Episode 23

9/20/2005·30m

Igor Stravinsky , ice dance, Lord Randolph Churchill (the father of Winston) and Status Quo are tonight's specialist subjects. Presented by John Humphrys.

E24

Episode 24

9/27/2005·30m

The life and career of Bishop John William Colenso, the Anne novels of LM Montgomery, European birds and the work of Galton and Simpson are tonight's specialist subjects. Presented by John Humphrys.

E25

Episode 25

10/4/2005·30m

City churches of Sir Christopher Wren , the Sword of Honour trilogy, life and work of George Eastman and the life and films of James Stewart are the subjects as the second round heats begin. With John Humphrys

E26

Episode 26

10/11/2005·30m

The partnership of Rogers and Hammerstein, the history and culture of the Maya, rock group Queen, and the literary work of Lewis Carroll are the topics in this second-round heat. With John Humphrys.

E27

Episode 27

10/18/2005·30m

Britain's first abstract art movement, Vorticism; pleasure piers of the English seaside: the life and work of novelist Elizabeth Smart: and sitcom One Foot in the Grave, are the topics in this second-round heat.

E28

Episode 28

10/25/2005·30m

The life and work of Diego Velazquez , Pink Floyd , the life and work of George Crabbe and wines of the Loire Valley are the topics in this second-round heat.

E29

Episode 29

11/1/2005·30m

The role of Garibaldi in the Italian Unification, The Archers since 1970, the science-fiction novels of Arthur C Clarke, and rivers of Britain and Ireland are specialist subjects in the first of the semi-finals.

E30

Episode 30

11/1/2005·30m

The life and work of physicist Niels Bohr, the "Culture" novels of lain M Banks, the life and career of Warwick the Kingmaker and the life and films of Barbara Stanwyck are the specialist subjects in the second semi-final.

E31

The Final

11/8/2005·60m

It's the climax to this year's contest that, over the past few months, saw 96 contenders whittled down to just six. John Humphrys has the questions.

2006

31 Episodes

2006

E01

Episode 1

3/30/2006·30m

The forbidding black chair awaits its next nervous occupants as the demanding quiz returns for its 30th season. Tonight's quartet of contenders will be answering questions on a typically eclectic mix of specialist subjects - the history of US submarines, Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern books, the Blackadder TV comedy series and the life and works of Ivor Novello. John Humphrys asks the questions and delivers the verdicts.

E02

Episode 2

4/6/2006·30m

The forbidding black chair awaits its next nervous occupants. The quartet of contenders tonight will be grilled for two minutes on the history of American jazz, 17th-century English radicals Gerrard Winstanley and the Diggers, the cult supernatural TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the life and times of medieval monarch Eleanor of Aquitaine. John Humphrys asks the questions and delivers the verdicts.

E03

Episode 3

4/13/2006·30m

The black chair awaits another quartet of contestants. Specialist subjects are Verdi's operas, Inspector Morse, Anne Boleyn and the locomotives of Sir Nigel Gresley. John Humphrys is quizmaster.

E04

Episode 4

4/20/2006·30m

Specialist subjects tonight are the Marlow family books by Antonia Forest, India v Pakistan Test cricket, British dreadnoughts, and Star Wars films episodes IV-VI. John Humphrys is quizmaster.

E05

Episode 5

5/4/2006·30m

Specialist subjects are mountaineering in the UK; US military aircraft of the Second World War; Ian Rankin's Rebus novels; and the life and career of Michael Schumacher. With John Humphrys.

E06

Episode 6

5/11/2006

Specialist subjects are the history and geography of enclaves and exclaves; the life and works of Caravaggio; British TV sitcoms 1970-1990; and the films of David Cronenberg. With John Humphrys.

E07

Episode 7

5/18/2006·30m

Specialist subjects are the life and films of Cary Grant, reformation in England 1500-1600, British track and field athletics, and the life and works of Friedrich Nietzsche. Hosted by John Humphrys.

E08

Episode 8

5/25/2006·30m

Another eclectic mix of specialist subjects includes the history of metal mining in Britain, Kettle's Yard and its artists, the life and films of Lindsay Anderson and the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. With John Humphrys.

E09

Episode 9

6/1/2006·30m

Another eclectic mix of specialist subjects features the films of Stanley Kubrick, Anglo-Scottish warfare, the life and music of David Bowie and cricket's Bodyline Ashes tour of 1932/3. John Humphrys hosts.

E10

Episode 10

6/8/2006·30m

The specialist subjects tonight are the history of the crossword, civic heraldry of the Russian Empire, the life and work of the Venerable Bede, and the history of London Zoo. John Humphrys has the questions.

E11

Episode 11

6/15/2006·30m

Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition aboard the Endurance, the life and works of W. Eugene Smith, the California sound 1965-1975 and the history of forensic science are tackled. With John Humphrys.

E12

Episode 12

6/22/2006·30m

The American Revolution 1775-1783 and the lives and careers of Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, Bette Davis, and Douglas Adams are tackled. With John Humphrys.

E13

Episode 13

6/29/2006·30m

Specialist subjects tonight comprise 20th-century Liechtenstein, the life and work of singer/songwriter Bruce Springsteen, the Titanic, and the life of pioneering nurse Mary Seacole. With John Humphrys.

E14

Episode 14

7/6/2006·30m

Specialist subjects tonight comprise NBA (National Basketball Association) finals from 1985 to 2005, Napoleonic Wars 1796-1815, and the life and work of both author Nevil Shute and film-maker/actor Woody Allen. John Humphrys has the questions.

E15

Episode 15

7/13/2006·30m

Specialist subjects tonight comprise the life and work of acclaimed Argentinian writer and critic Jorge Luis Borges, the history and culture of Arabic dance, Charlton Athletic Football Club and the history of firearms from the 12th to the 18th century.

E16

Episode 16

7/17/2006·30m

Tonight's eclectic range of specialist subjects comprises the philosophy of existentialism, the Little Women novels by Louisa May Alcott, the life and work of Gwen John and mod rockers the Jam. John Humphrys asks questions on these and general knowledge.

E17

Episode 17

7/24/2006·30m

Brain-boxes in the black chair are quizzed on the life and work of Hunter S Thompson, Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, the life and career of Kenneth Williams and the history of the Academy Awards.

E18

Episode 18

7/31/2006·30m

Specialist subjects tonight comprise venomous snakes, the life of British naval officer and colonial governor Robert FitzRoy, Henry Reed's Hilda Tablet plays and World Cup football from 1930 to 2002.

E19

Episode 19

8/7/2006·30m

Prehistoric art up to 8,000 BC, the novels of Charles Dickens, the life and music of Edith Piaf, and the life and films of James Dean, are tonight's specialist head-scratchers. John Humphrys is the inquisitor.

E20

Episode 20

8/14/2006·30m

The political and physical geography of Europe, the rock band Ash, 15th-century Florentine ruler Lorenzo de Medici, and the life and career of darts player John Lowe, are tonight's specialist subjects.

E21

Episode 21

8/21/2006·30m

The history of the modern marathon, Dawn French's show The Vicar of Dibley, the life and times of Anne Frank, and Middle Egyptian literature are the black chair bafflers. John Humphrys is the inquisitor.

E22

Episode 22

8/28/2006·30m

Croatian geography, George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman novels, the life and films of Powell and Pressburger and the life and career of Winston Churchill are tonight's specialist subjects.

E23

Episode 23

9/4/2006·30m

Tackling the history of the Hammer films 1945-1983, the Little House novels by Laura Ingalls, the British motorcycle industry from 1945 to 1985 and the Rolling Stones. With John Humphrys.

E24

Episode 24

9/11/2006·30m

Contestants opt for the band REM, the Roger Brook novels of Dennis Wheatley, the Summer Olympics from 1896 to the present day, and the life and career of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. With John Humphrys.

E25

Episode 25

9/18/2006·30m

Fascist propagandist William Joyce, the Sandman graphic novels of Neil Gaiman, the Nobel Prize and the novels of Jilly Cooper are tonight's specialist subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E26

Episode 26

9/25/2006·30m

John Humphrys asks questions on M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin thrillers, the life and gospel of St Mark, the history of cryptography and code breaking and the life and music of Ian Dury.

E27

Episode 27

10/16/2006·30m

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot novels, German anarchist Gustav Landauer, rock band Led Zeppelin and the writings of HP Lovecraft make up tonight's eclectic range of specialisms. With John Humphrys.

E28

Episode 28

10/23/2006·30m

Specialist subjects include Hercule Poirot novels of Agatha Christie, Gustav Landauer, Led Zeppelin and the fiction of HP Lovecraft. With John Humphrys.

E29

Episode 29

10/30/2006·30m

The Bernard Samson novels of Len Deighton, the life and music of Stevie Wonder, the life and reign of Elizabeth I, and the Reginald Perrin novels and TV shows of David Nobbs comprise another eclectic range of specialist subjects. With John Humphrys.

E30

Episode 30

11/6/2006·30m

The final batch of semi-finalists answer questions on the Regency novels of Georgette Heyer, the work of physician Edward Jenner, the career of former US president Andrew Jackson, and boxing heavyweight championship fights since 1950. With John Humphrys.

E31

Grand Final

11/13/2006·60m

The remaining six contenders, whittled down from 96, answer questions on the life of painter Thomas Girtin, Margaret Mitchell and Gone with the Wind, King Edward VII, the life and fictional works of Albert Camus, television series Porridge and Going Straight, and the Ottoman Empire 1878-1924. With John Humphrys.

2011/12

31 Episodes

2011

E01

Episode 1

11/4/2011·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind gets under way once more as John Humphrys questions four contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Topics in this first heat are the life of Robert Bruce Lockhart, human parasites, the siege of Malta and the life and work of AC Swinburne.

E02

Episode 2

11/18/2011·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The topics are: the Sandman graphic novels of Neil Gaiman, the life and work of Gerard Hoffnung, the Scottish Enlightenment and wines of the Loire Valley.

E03

Episode 3

11/25/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: Maximilian I, The Russian Revolution, Led Zeppelin and British speedway 1945-1970.

E04

Episode 4

12/2/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: The Richard Hannay novels of John Buchan; the Peak District; aircraft of World War II; Billboard no 1 singles, 1955-1994.

E05

Episode 5

12/9/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: Field Marshal Montgomery, the life and career of former world chess champion Tigran Petrosian, the Cathars and the Chicago Bears 1920-1970.

E06

Episode 6

12/16/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: The Life and Work of George Orwell, The Life of Sir Francis Walsingham, The West Wing and The Valley of the Kings.

E07

Episode 7

1/6/2012·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics include the Cambridge Apostles, the life and work of Antonia Forest, the French Revolution and the life and work of Gustav Mahler.

E08

Episode 8

1/6/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are major battles of World War II, Football League grounds, Watergate and the fall of Richard Nixon and the satirical works of Juvenal.

E09

Episode 9

1/20/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are The Archers from 1980 to the present day; the Apollo space programme; the history of China from 1919-1989; and the life and music of Nick Drake.

E10

Episode 10

1/27/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are the history of New York, the Women's Institute, the life and work of Augustus Pugin and Wimbledon Singles since 1990.

E11

Episode 11

2/3/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are the life and work of Mori Ogai, the Anglo-Zulu War, the life of Mary Eleanor Bowes and the films of Clint Eastwood.

E12

Episode 12

2/3/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are Fleetwood Mac 1967 to 1977, the lost railways of Yorkshire, astronomy and the novels of John Updike.

E13

Episode 13

2/10/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are Bing Crosby, Eastenders, Joseph Banks and Britain's last hangman Albert Pierrepoint.

E14

Episode 14

2/10/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are the seven wonders of the ancient world, Enoch Powell, the TV comedy Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, and the life and work of Mary Wollstonecraft.

E15

Episode 15

2/17/2012·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The topics are: the Franco-Prussian war, primitive boats, the detective novels of Agatha Christie and the life and music of Kate Bush.

E16

Episode 16

2/17/2012·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The topics are: the children's fiction of Rudyard Kipling, world passenger liners 1939-79, Motorhead, and the life and work of Federico Fellini.

E17

Episode 17

2/24/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the life and work of Thomas Jefferson Hogg, The Diggers, the life and short stories of Raymond Carver, and Luton Town FC 1965 to present.

E18

Episode 18

2/24/2012

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: the human body, the life and work of James Brindley, the Soviet space programme, and the television career of Victoria Wood.

E19

Episode 19

3/2/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: the sitcom Porridge, Queen Victoria's family, the Golfing Stories of PG Wodehouse and the life and times of Eliza Lynch.

E20

Episode 20

3/2/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: the Coast to Coast Walk, pop music of the 1980s, the satirical works of William Hogarth and the life and works of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

E21

Episode 21

3/9/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the Life and Career of Peter Cook, French Impressionists 1863-1890, Haydn in England and the History of FC Barcelona.

E22

Episode 22

3/16/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions. The subjects are: the Life and Times of Harold Wilson, Eleanor of Aquitaine, the sitcom Seinfeld, and Ludvig van Beethoven.

E23

Episode 23

3/23/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: Nirvana, the Thirty Years' War, the Roy Grace novels of Peter James and the history of Everton FC since 1992.

E24

Episode 24

3/23/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the life and works of William Yeates Hurlstone, the Olympics in London, the What Katy Did novels of Susan Coolidge and the life of Lord Byron.

E25

Episode 25

3/30/2012·30m

In the first semi-final of the series, John Humphrys invites five contenders to answer questions for a place in the Grand Final. Subjects include the novels of Martin Amis; the Life of Lady Jane Grey; the Emperor Caligula; British birds of prey; and rock band The Who.

E26

Episode 26

3/30/2012·30m

In the second semi-final of the series, John Humphrys invites five contenders to answer questions for a place in the Grand Final. Subjects include the life and career of Herbert Chapman; the life and times of Benjamin Disraeli; railways of Great Britain in the 20th century; the life and career of Edward Jenner; and the Blandings stories of PG Wodehouse.

E27

Episode 27

4/6/2012·30m

In the third semi-final of the series, John Humphrys invites five contenders to answer questions for a place in the Grand Final. Subjects include the life and times of Thomas Wolsey, the apostle Peter in the New Testament, heraldy of Britain, the history of the Monaco grand prix and Catherine the Great.

E28

Episode 28

4/13/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to five more contenders in another semi-final. A place in the grand final awaits the winner. Subjects include the US Masters, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, the River Clyde steamers, classical mythology and the East African campaign of World War I.

E29

Episode 29

4/20/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to five more contenders in the penultimate semi-final of the series. A place in the Grand Final awaits the winner. Subjects are - Route 66, Flanders and Swann, the Italian national football team since 1978, the Ramage Novels of Dudley Pope, and British owls.

E30

Episode 30

4/27/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to five more contenders in the last semi-final of the series with the only remaining place in the Grand Final awaiting the winner. Subjects are the life and times of Harold Macmillan, Sir Isaac Newton, the history of the Cayman Islands, the TV series Band of Brothers and the British Civil Wars in the 17th century.

E31

Grand Final

5/11/2012·60m

John Humphrys asks the questions as six contenders battle it out to become the nation's Mastermind in this series' Grand Final. Subjects include: the life and works of JMW Turner; alchemy; the life and music of Tom Lehrer; the Diggers; whales, dolphins and porpoises; and the history of Azerbaijan 1917 - present day.

2010/11

31 Episodes

2010

E01

Episode 1

8/20/2010·30m

Britain's toughest quiz returns for a new series. Host John Humphrys invites four contestants to answer questions in the black chair, first on their chosen specialist subject and then on general knowledge in their quest to become the nations's Mastermind.

E02

Episode 2

8/27/2010·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues. John Humphrys quizzes four more contenders on their specialist subject and their general knowledge. Subjects are the television series To the Manor Born, the life and career of Lance Armstrong, Napoleon's marshals, and the life and works of Charles Ives.

E03

Episode 3

9/3/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are the Tudor monarchy, the travelogues of Michael Palin, postage stamps of the 19th century and Belle and Sebastian.

E04

Episode 4

9/10/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are the Academy Awards, the life of Bertrand Russell, the life and career of Vivienne Westwood, and Julius Caesar.

E05

Episode 5

9/17/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are sharks, Leeds United - the Don Revie years, Louis XIV of France and the Manic Street Preachers.

E06

Episode 6

9/24/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Topics are: The Life and Works of Charles M Schulz; The 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War Two; The Plays of Tennessee Williams; and UK Prog Rock 1968-1978.

E07

Episode 7

10/1/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Topics are the football World Cup finals 1970-2006, the TV plays of Alan Bennett, Bletchley Park and U2.

E08

Episode 8

10/8/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Topics are: the Hannibal Lecter novels of Thomas Harris, the history of Alcatraz, the Carry On films and The Beatles.

E09

Episode 9

10/15/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are the solar system, the life and career of Andy Kaufman, the Scottish Covenanters and the Byrds.

E10

Episode 10

10/22/2010·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the life and films of Marlon Brando, the history of the Tour De France, the life and works of Ralph Reader and 20th-century American presidents.

E11

Episode 11

10/29/2010·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the life and career of Richard Pryor, the Louie Knight novels of Malcolm Pryce, the Grand National since 1960 and the life and works of Robert Doisneau.

E12

Episode 12

11/5/2010·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: the life and career of Richard Pryor, the Louie Knight novels of Malcolm Pryce, the Grand National since 1960 and the life and works of Robert Doisneau.

E13

Episode 13

11/12/2010·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are: Mott the Hoople, the life of Robert Baden-Powell, the geography of South America, and Rameses II.

E14

Episode 14

11/26/2010·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are: History of the SAS; Novels of Evelyn Waugh; Formula 1, 1960-1980; and Life and Films of Charlie Chaplin.

E15

Episode 15

12/3/2010·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects in this edition are: The War Memoirs of Spike Milligan, The Life and Times of Mark Antony, The Life of Lillie Langtry and The History of the Henley Royal Regatta.

E16

Episode 16

12/17/2010·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues. Subjects in this edition are the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan; Burgess and MacLean; the life and works of Lewis Carroll; the life and career of Nikola Tesla.

E17

Episode 17

1/7/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are the films of Alfred Hitchcock, the life and works of John Hunter, the Harry Potter books and the Welsh settlement of Patagonia.

E18

Episode 18

1/14/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are the life and works of John Steinbeck, Iron Maiden, the life of Mahatma Gandhi and English First Division football of the 1970s.

E19

Episode 19

1/21/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics include the life and works of Armistead Maupin, prehistoric Orkney, the films of Michael Mann, and the Finnish Winter War.

E20

Episode 20

1/28/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics are: the Witches of Pendle, the England Football Team in the World Cup, the life and music of Gary Numan, and Operation Barbarossa.

E21

Episode 21

2/4/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics are: The Avengers and New Avengers TV series, the Romanov Dynasty, the history of the London Underground, and Scottish malt whiskies.

E22

Episode 22

2/11/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics are: the life and music of Richard Thompson, the life and films of Ray Harryhausen, King Stephen and the plays of Shakespeare.

E23

Episode 23

2/18/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics are: Dante’s Commedia, Fresh Water Fish of the British Isles, RAF Bomber Command 1939-1945 and the rock band Queen.

E24

Episode 24

2/25/2011·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Topics are: Brandon Family Novels of Peter Tinniswood, Orde Wingate and the Chindits, The Life and Career of Douglas Jardine and British Domestic Politics.

E25

Episode 25

3/4/2011·30m

In this semi-final, John Humphrys quizzes five returning contenders, all aiming to book their place in the Grand Final. The subjects are: Glamorgan County Cricket Club, the Dark Ages in Britain, Thomas Paine, the Jack Reacher novels and the television drama Our Friends in the North.

E26

Episode 26

3/11/2011·30m

John Humphrys hosts another semi-final. Subjects include Sean Connery, world heavyweight boxing, Butch Cassidy, and the life and times of John Adams.

E27

Episode 27

3/18/2011·30m

John Humphrys hosts as five contenders return for the third semi-final. Subjects include Black Books, Oskar Schindler, Richard Brindsley Sheridan, Deep Purple and Martin Luther.

E28

Episode 28

3/25/2011·30m

John Humphrys hosts another semi-final. Subjects include Jane Austen, Scottish Post-Punk Bands, Pre-historic Marine Reptiles and Sibelius.

E29

Episode 29

4/1/2011·30m

John Humphrys hosts as five contenders return for the third semi-final. Subjects include Calvin and Hobbes, Aphra Behn, Ronnie Barker, Burnley FC and John Shuttleworth.

E30

Episode 30

4/8/2011·30m

John Humphrys hosts the last semi-final. Subject's include Clive James, the Discworld novels, the novels of Raymond Chandler and Victorian churches of London.

E31

Grand Final

4/15/2011·60m

John Humphrys hosts the series Grand Final as six contenders battle it out for the title and the glass bowl. Subjects include William Wilberforce, David Byrne, Paintings in the National Gallery and the Life and Career of Frankie Howerd.

2017/18

31 Episodes

2017

E01

Episode 1

7/28/2017·29m

John Humphrys and the famous black chair return for another series of television's toughest quiz. Ninety-six contenders start the journey towards the final but only one can be crowned Mastermind Champion. Subjects tonight are Paul Simon, the feature films of Hayao Miyazaki, the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna and the life and poetry of John Donne.

E02

Episode 2

8/4/2017·30m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Subjects tonight are the four Gospels, Margaret Atwood's MaddAddam trilogy, flags of the world and the colour films of Danny Kaye.

E03

Episode 3

8/18/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Subjects are Clint Eastwood, the Tommy & Tuppence mysteries by Agatha Christie, Duran Duran and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

E04

Episode 4

8/25/2017·29m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Subjects include M*A*S*H, John George Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, English League Football Stadia and U2.

E05

Episode 5

9/1/2017·29m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Subjects are the Fifa World Cup, Alexander the Great, the films of Rupert Everett and the Battle of Agincourt.

E06

Episode 6

9/8/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects tonight are Australian Test cricket, James Ellroy's LA quartet, Kirsty MacColl and King Henry VI.

E07

Episode 7

9/15/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects in this episode are the sitcom Green Wing, the poet Rumi, Julius Caesar and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

E08

Episode 8

9/22/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects in this episode are Gilbert and Sullivan, the Tour de France, Thomas Becket and Coronation Street.

E09

Episode 9

9/29/2017·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects tonight are Academy Award-winning performances by British actors and actresses, the life and paintings of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, RMS Lusitania and Everton FC.

E10

Episode 10

10/6/2017·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects tonight are Crowded House, Super-Middleweight Boxing, Parks & Recreation and Claude Monet.

E11

Episode 11

10/13/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are the films of James Cameron, the artist Georgia O'Keefe, Guns N' Roses and King Henry IV.

E12

Episode 12

10/20/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, Tony Hancock, Eva Peron and Muhammad Ali.

E13

Episode 13

10/27/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. The subjects are Porridge, Peggy Guggenheim, Deep Purple and Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles.

E14

Episode 14

11/3/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are Elvis Presley, the Glorious Revolution, the Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

E15

Episode 15

11/10/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of he classic quiz. Subjects tonight are The Simpsons, venomous snakes, Sherlock Holmes and Alfred the Great.

E16

Episode 16

11/17/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are The Vicar of Dibley, the novels of George Orwell, Roman coinage and Harold Wilson.

E17

Episode 17

12/1/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are the Champions' League, Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, the life and times of Hatshepsut and House of Cards.

E18

Episode 18

12/8/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, Mahatma Gandhi, the Boston Marathon and top-ten singles.

E19

Episode 19

12/15/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are the Harry Potter novels, the Waterloo Campaign, the Battle of the Bulge and Rosalind Franklin.

E20

Episode 20

12/22/2017·28m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. The subjects are Doctor Who, Concorde, The Clash and Sir Francis Walsingham.

E21

Episode 21

1/5/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are the Royle Family, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the Beach Boys and postwar British general elections.

E22

Episode 22

1/12/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are Leonardo da Vinci, the Dreyfus Affair, JS Bach and The Inbetweeners.

E23

Episode 23

1/19/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are Blur, the short stories of David Foster Wallace, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels and the American Civil War.

E24

Episode 24

1/26/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are Red Dwarf, the British Overseas Terrority of St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, the history of Kentucky, and Emperor Tiberius.

E25

Episode 25

2/2/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents the first semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Olympic track and field, the Tolpuddle Martyrs, Egyptian mythology, the graphic novels of Daniel Clowes and President Andrew Jackson.

E26

Episode 26

2/9/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Frasier, Warrington RLFC, Absolutely Fabulous, Jane Austen and Erik Satie.

E27

Episode 27

2/16/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are the films of Paul Thomas Anderson, the novels of Virginia Woolf, the wines of Burgundy, Motley Crue and Kazuo Ishiguro.

E28

Episode 28

2/23/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Pink Floyd, Marshal Georgy Zhukov, Stan Cullis, the works of HP Lovecraft and the films of Tom Hanks.

E29

Episode 29

3/9/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Manchester music, the Battle of Clontarf, ER, Augustus Pitt-Rivers, and the Giordano Bruno novels of SJ Parris.

E30

Episode 30

3/16/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Peep Show, Albert Speer, the X-Men films, King Henry III and the Jack Parlabane novels of Christopher Brookmyre.

E31

Final

3/30/2018·60m

John Humphrys presents the grand final of the classic quiz. The subjects are Golf Majors, the Revolt of the Netherlands, the Hannibal Lecter novels of Thomas Harris, US Constitutional Amendments, Indian Premier League cricket and Hadrian's Wall

1985

17 Episodes

1985

E01

Episode 1

1/6/1985

This 13th season opens tonight at Bristol Polytechnic when the first four of 48 hopeful contenders from Wales and south west England meet to compete for a place in the semi-finals. Winifred Bosworth (secretarial assistant) The life of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine Sharon Colesell (invoice clerk) The life and works of Oscar Wilde Brian Rowlands (school teacher) Greek mythology Jan Evans (freelance translator) The life and works of Dylan Thomas

E02

Episode 2

1/13/1985

with Magnus Magnusson at Bristol Polytechnic Diana Moore (retired civil servant) The prose works of Rudyard Kipling Ian Christie (psychiatrist) The Old Pretender and his sons Sheila Altree (school laboratory technician) The ghost stories of M. R. James Ian McKillop (pharmacy technician, RAMC) History of the Labour Party since 1945

E03

Episode 3

1/20/1985

Ronald Fraser (freelance journalist) The life of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman Michael McWilliam (shop manager) Wines and wine-growing regions of France Elizabeth McCaffrey (solicitor) The Anne books of L. M. Montgomery Neil Butterworth (college head of department) American orchestral music from 1900

E04

Episode 4

1/27/1985

Four more contenders from Scotland compete for a place in the semi-finals when Mastermind comes tonight once again from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. John Simpson (lexicographer) Count Basie and the Count Basie Orchestra Jennifer Glover (chemistry student) Irish myths and legends Herbert Stubbs (teacher) Life of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig Derek Oliver (theatre technical manager) The Western films of John Ford

E05

Episode 5

2/3/1985

The National Railway Museum, York, is host to four contenders from the north of England. Here amid the splendour of steam and railway history one more place in the semi-final will be filled. David Dutton (solicitor's clerk) History of South Africa from 1902 Jack Humphreys (retired company secretary) The fictional works of Joseph Conrad Deborah Gaunt (company director) The Vikings, 793-954 Christopher Rowe (history teacher) Life and works of Leos Janacek

E06

Episode 6

2/10/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from The National Railway Museum, York. Four more contenders from the north of England compete for a place in the semi-finals. Brian Newton Elliot (opera singer) Architecture of York Minster Susan Millard (part-time farmer) 'Hebridean' books of Lillian Beckwith Francis Walker (schoolmaster) Dissolution of the Monasteries, 1523-40 Colin Pickles (inspector of taxes) Life and works of H. Rider Haggard

E07

Episode 7

2/17/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from The Great Hall of St Bartholomew's Hospital, London. Four contenders from London and the south east seek the title of Mastermind 1985 Derek West (parish priest) Life and works of Thomas Telford Malcolm Fry (electrician) Life and works of Gustav MahJpr Catherine Walling (assistant museum curator) Art and archaeology of Minoan Crete, 2000-1450 BC Iain McCoubrey (medical officer, RAF) History of Hong Kong from 1839

E08

Episode 8

2/24/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from The Great Hall of St Bartholomew's Hospital, London Richard Durden (actor) Life of Robert Falcon Scott Clive Bettington (solicitor) The British Raj 1899-1948 Susan Vickers (lecturer) The Diaghilev Ballet 1909-29 Simon Creswell (charity official) The Ottoman Empire 1453-1566

E09

Episode 9

3/3/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from The Great Hall of the University of Reading. Four contenders from London and the south-east compete for a semi-final place. Alan Samson (book editor) The life of Harold Macmillan Jeanette Setterich (receptionist) The 'Amama' Pharaohs c 1417-c 1320 BC David Blackman (civil servant) Life and times of Emperor Franz Josef of Austria Christopher Gibson (schoolmaster) Opera since 1780

E10

Episode 10

3/10/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from the Great Hall of the University of Reading Jo Gable (freelance writer) The Staffordshire Potteries 1928-39 Joseph Kerrigan (clerical assistant) Irish history 1848-1921 Ann Hartland-Swann (wife of a diplomat) Classic French cooking Richard Hills (schoolmaster) Life and music of Gustav Hoist

E11

Episode 11

3/17/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh Four contenders from the Midlands and East Anglia compete for a place in the semi-finals. Richard Bullock (under sheriff) The poetry of John Donne Sandra Moore (teacher) BBC radio comedy series from 1950 John Burke (freelance author) Life and works of Carl Nielsen Clive Evans (unemployed) European history 1815-1900

E12

Episode 12

3/24/1985

with Magnus Magnusson from the Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh The last of the first-round programmes sees four contenders from the Midlands and the east of England compete for the last place in the semi-finals. Ian Meadows (hospital driver) The English Civil War, 1641-7 Rex Walford (university lecturer) The life and travels of Amy Johnson Lynne Steele-Smith (unemployed) The life and works of William Lilly , 1602-81 Roger Stein (schoolteacher) The spy novels of John le Carre

E13

Episode 13

3/31/1985

The semi-final stage of this year's competition is reached tonight in the Great Hall of the University of Lancaster. Four winners of the first-round programmes compete for a place in the final of Mastermind 1985. Sharon Colesell (invoice clerk) The Decameron of Boccaccio Clive Bettington (solicitor) The Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 Catherine Walling (assistant museum curator) British birds Derek Oliver (theatre technical manager) The Second World War

E14

Episode 14

4/7/1985

The Great Hall of the University of Lancaster is the setting as four more winners of the first-round programmes challenge for a place in the Final of Mastermind 1985. Elizabeth McCaffrey (solicitor) The institutions of the European Communities Ian MacKillop (pharmacy technician RAMC) The history of the British newspaper comic strip Francis Walker (schoolmaster) The life and poetry of John Milton Christopher Rowe (history teacher) The lives and voyages of John and Sebastian Cabo

E15

Episode 15

4/14/1985

Tonight's setting is the Taliesin Centre for the Arts at the University College of Swansea, where four winners of first-round programmes compete for a place in the final of Mastermind 1985. John Burke (freelance author) Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars, 1415-37 Richard Hills (schoolmaster) English poetry of the First World War Ian Meadows (hospital driver) History of astronomy/ cosmology up to 1700 Christopher Gibson (schoolmaster) History of Athens, 560-323 BC

E16

Episode 16

4/21/1985

The last place in the final of this year's competition is at stake at the Taliesin Centre for the Arts, University College of Swansea. The contenders are the four best-scoring losers from the first-round programmes. Ronald Fraser (freelance journalist) The life and works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh Rex Walford (university lecturer) The history of British musicals, 1945-1980 Clive Evans (unemployed cost clerk) British politics, 1905-1979 Roger Stein (schoolteacher) The life and works of Edward Elgar

E17

The Final

5/5/1985

The climax of Mastermind 1985 takes place at Robinson College, Cambridge. In January 48 contenders set out to see who could win the coveted Caithness glass trophy. Tonight just the final four are left to do friendly battle to receive that trophy from the Chairman of the BBC Stuart Young. Clive Bettington (solicitor) The British Raj, 1899-1948 Ian MacKillop (pharmacy technician RAMC) History of the Labour Party since 1945 Roger Stein (schoolteacher) The works of John Le Carre Ian Meadows (hospital driver) The English Civil War, 1642-7

2007/08

31 Episodes

2007

E01

Episode 1

7/9/2007·30m

Four contestants answer questions on the famous black chair. Tonight's specialised subjects include Tottenham Hotspur FC, The Alan Clark Diaries, the electric guitar and the medieval abbeys and priories of England. With John Humphrys.

E02

Episode 2

7/16/2007·30m

John Humphrys poses questions on French political history from 1815-1914, composer Gustav Holst, Harrison Ford films and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.

E03

Episode 3

7/23/2007·30m

John Humphrys poses questions on mountaineer Chris Bonington , Thomas Harris 's Hannibal Lecter novels, Kett's Rebellion and the life and music of Tom Lehrer.

E04

Episode 4

7/30/2007·30m

John Humphrys poses testing questions on Peter Cook , Claude Monet , Errol Flynn and Edward VI.

E05

Episode 5

8/6/2007·30m

Subjects include the first duke of Wellington, Stephen King novels, Johannes Kepler and The West Wing.

E06

Episode 6

8/13/2007·30m

Tonight's specialised subjects include Henry Ford, German wines, Jennifer Aniston and Frida Kahlo.

E07

Episode 7

8/20/2007·30m

Subjects include the battle of Gettysburg, Mario Lanza , Dante's Divine Comedy and Sir Edwin Lutyens

E08

Episode 8

8/27/2007·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are The Royle Family the life and music of Dimitri Tiomkin ; RF Delderfield's Swann novels and the life of Richard Nixon.

E09

Episode 9

9/3/2007·30m

Tonight's specialised subjects are Peter Gabriel and Genesis, author David Eddings , inventor Barnes Wallis and snakes. With John Humphrys.

E10

Episode 10

9/10/2007·30m

The specialist subjects this week are the University Boat Race, the novels of Evelyn Waugh , English coronations since 1066 and the life of Bob Marley.

E11

Episode 11

9/17/2007·30m

This week's subjects are the life and work of William Thomson , Round the Home, the history of Tamla Motown and the career of chess player Alexander Alekhine.

E12

Episode 12

9/24/2007·30m

Specialist subjects this week include the life and career of Frank Sinatra , Dorothy L Sayers 's Lord Peter Wimsey books and Polish history between AD 960 and 1696.

E13

Episode 13

10/1/2007·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are British Top 20 singles of the 1970s, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels by Alexander McCall Smith , Hornby Railway and Joe Jackson and the Black Sox scandal of 1919.

E14

Episode 14

10/8/2007·30m

Specialist subjects include Irish history 1916-1923, heavy metal band Iron Maiden, life and works of John Piper and the world war series of novels by Harry Turtledove.

E15

Episode 15

10/22/2007·30m

This week's specialist subjects are the life and work of Joe Orton , American independent cinema, trees of the British Isles and Chelsea Football Club.

E16

Episode 16

10/29/2007·30m

This week's specialist subjects are the life and work of Joe Orton, American independent cinema, trees of the British Isles and Chelsea Football Club.

E17

Episode 17

11/5/2007·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are the naval career of Nelson and Collingwood, the life and works of Primo Levi, the English pop band Erasure, and the life and career of Sir Richard Attenborough.

E18

Episode 18

11/12/2007·30m

Tonight's subjects are the life and music of Johnny Cash, the development of photography since 1900, the life and works of Rene Magritte and ships of the Royal Navy from 1945 to 2007.

E19

Episode 19

11/19/2007·30m

Specialist subjects are the life and career of politician Charles James Fox, the history of the Gaelic Athletic Association, real ale breweries of Britain and the life and works of writer Marcel Proust.

E20

Episode 20

11/26/2007·30m

Tonight's subjects are the Adrian Mole novels by Sue Townsend, the works of French playwright Moliere, the history of sound recording from 1887 to 1925 and European female painters up until 1900.

E21

Episode 21

12/3/2007·30m

Specialist subjects are the Anglo-Boer War, US soul group the Temptations, the Cotton Nero manuscript and Scottish monarchs from 843 to 1371.

E22

Episode 22

1/21/2008·30m

As the contest reaches the semi-finals, specialist subjects are British butterflies, the life of Franz Kafka , 1985 TV drama Edge of Darkness and Red Clydeside 1914-1939, an era of political radicalism in Glasgow.

E23

Episode 23

1/28/2008·30m

Contestants compete for a place in the Grand Final. Today's specialist subjects are: the novels of Joanne Harris , the Cricket World Cup, the life of Mary Tudor and the life and career of Robert Clive - also known as Clive of India. John Humphrys hosts.

E24

Episode 24

2/4/2008·30m

In the final first-round heat, the specialist subjects are Punch magazine, the life of Kurt Cobain , the novels of Thomas Love Peacock , and TV series Survivors.

E25

Episode 25

2/11/2008·30m

As the competition reaches the semi-final stage, specialist subjects are British butterflies, the life and work of writer Franz Kafka , cult 1985 TV drama Edge of Darkness and Red Clydeside 1914-1939, an era of political radicalism in Glasgow. With John Humphrys.

E26

Episode 26

2/18/2008·30m

With another place in the final up for grabs, tonight's specialist subjects are the novels of Joanne Harris , the Cricket World Cup, Mary Tudor and the life of Robert Clive - aka Clive of India.

E27

Episode 27

2/25/2008·30m

Specialist subjects are the life and career of Bobby Charlton , the Roman Republic to 43 BC, the life and poetry of Wilfrid Owen and the spoof TV programme The Day Today. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E28

Episode 28

3/3/2008·30m

With another place in the final up for grabs, specialist subjects comprise the TV series Upstairs, Downstairs, the life and work of Italian painter Botticelli, folk/rock group Steeleye Span , and film director Sam Peckinpah. Hosted by John Humphrys.

E29

Episode 29

3/10/2008·30m

Specialist subjects in this semi-final are the novels of Jasper Fforde , the horror films of Val Lewton , the Battle of the Somme and the life of the Prince Regent.

E30

Episode 30

3/17/2008·30m

Specialist subjects in the last semi-final are the Barsetshire novels of Anthony Trollope ; Mary, Queen of Scots: American Civil War general William Sherman ; and the Poldark novels of Winston Graham.

E31

Grand Final

3/24/2008·30m

The grand final of the quiz where specialist subjects are the history of Venice, actor Steve McQueen, the D-Day landings, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, London Bridge and the Godfather trilogy. With John Humphrys.

1994

17 Episodes

1994

E01

Episode 1

3/20/1994

The forbidding black chair returns, contestants face the gruelling interrogation of questionmaster Magnus Magnusson, and the search is on to find the Mastermind of 1994. Tonight's first round heat comes from the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, where the specialised subjects of the first four competitors are the life and music of Bob Dylan, the life and career of Alexander the Great, the Monmouth Rebellion, and the life and films of Charlton Heston.

E02

Episode 2

3/27/1994

At the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset, where tonight's special subjects are Richard Nixon, Sir Isaac Newton , K S Ranjitsinhji, and the Second Boer War.

E03

Episode 3

4/3/1994

Tonight at the town hall in Rochdale, four more contestants bid for a place in the semi-finals with special subjects on the life and major plays of Anton Chekhov , the history of British native pony breeds c. 1950, the history of rugby league in Britain, and the Inca civilisation.

E04

Episode 4

4/10/1994

From Rochdale Town Hall, where tonight's specialist subjects are the history and historic geography of Ayrshire; the life and career of Catherine de Valois (1401-37); the life and background of Shakespeare; the life and career of John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough. With Magnus Magnusson.

E05

Episode 5

4/17/1994

From the Dome Theatre, Brighton. Tonight's specialist subjects are the history of the Paris Metro to 1985, the life and works of Orson Welles , the life and music of Rossini, and the history of photography (1830-1980). With Magnus Magnusson.

E06

Episode 6

4/24/1994

The contest returns to Brighton's Dome Theatre with specialist subjects on the life and films of Clint Eastwood ; British higher education 1945-80; the life and works of Tchaikovsky; and the life and works of Laura Ingalls Wilder. With Magnus Magnusson.

E07

Episode 7

5/1/1994

Tonight's specialist subjects are the history of the Orient Express and Wagons-Lits Company; the life and reign of Edward IV; the life and career of Fred Karno (1866-1941), and Japan at war (1937-45). Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the Countess of Huntingdon's Hall, Worcester.

E08

Episode 8

5/8/1994

From the Countess of Huntingdon's Hall, Worcester. The specialist subjects are the life and James Bond novels of Ian Fleming ; RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft of the Second World War; classical ballet since 1840; and the coinage of England 1066-1662. With Magnus Magnusson.

E09

Episode 9

5/15/1994

From Rochdale Town Hall. Tonight's specialist subjects are British birds; the life and works of Nevil Shute ; the life and works of Arnold Schoenberg; and the human geography of India from 1947. With Magnus Magnusson.

E10

Episode 10

5/29/1994

From Rochdale Town Hall. The specialist subjects are the history of Yorkshire County Cricket Club 1863-1969, the life and works of Igor Stravinsky , the life and reign of Mary Tudor , British military aircraft since 1914. With Magnus Magnusson.

E11

Episode 11

6/19/1994

From the Dome Theatre in Brighton. Specialist subjects are: British and American pop music 1955-85, the life and works of Kurt Vonnegut , British tunnels and bridges, and spiders.

E12

Episode 12

6/26/1994

From the Dome Theatre in Brighton. Specialist subjects are: the life and cases of Sir Bernard Spilsbury ; the life and works of Japanese prophet Nichiren; the life of Lord Peter Wimsey and novels of Dorothy L Sayers ; and Wellington's military campaign in the Peninsular War 1808-14.

E13

Episode 13

7/24/1994

From Haddo House, Aberdeenshire. The subjects in the first semi-final are the history of the football World Cup, 1930-90; the life and music of Paul Simon; the history of the Labour Party; and the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte. With Magnus Magnusson.

E14

Episode 14

7/31/1994

From Haddo House in Aberdeen. The subjects in the second semi-final are the life and Raj Quartet of Paul Scott ; the life and career of Heinz Guderian ; history of chemistry 1500-1870; and the life and works of James Joyce. With Magnus Magnusson.

E15

Episode 15

8/7/1994

From Oakham Castle in Leicestershire. The subjects in the third semi-final are Anglo-Saxon poetry; 19th century classical music; the history of computers; and American blues harmonica players (1935-65). With Magnus Magnusson.

E16

Episode 16

8/14/1994

From Oakham Castle in Leicestershire. Tonight's five semi-finalists' subjects are: the English garden 1700-1914; the world chess championship since 1886; Wimbledon tennis championships; Samuel Beckett ; Sir Donald Bradman. With Magnus Magnusson.

E17

The Final

8/21/1994

The 22nd Mastermind final comes from Coventry Cathedral, where civil servant John Wilson, George Davidson, a senior lecturer in chemistry, librarian Graham Roe, and English tutor Stephen Wood do battle for the 1994 title - and the coveted Caithness Glass trophy, to be presented by Bamber Gascoigne. Their specialist subjects are: beers and breweries in Britain; the life and works of John Dalton; American classical music 1910-70, and the Irish rebellion. Former winners have ranged from a retired ambassador to a train driver, and, most famously, the taxi drivers' champion Fred Housego. "It attracts a really wide range of interests and professions, says producer Penelope Cowell Doe, who has worked on the series for five years. "Don't think having a formal education is at all important. Often those with the widest general knowledge are self-taught."

1988

23 Episodes

1988

E01

Episode 1

1/7/1988

Mastermind is back with the first of this year's 64 contenders, who tonight set out to see who can become 'Mastermind 1988'. The season opens at the University of Exeter when the first four of the contenders from the west and south of England meet in the Great Hall to decide who wins the first place in the semi-finals. Julian Loring (school bursar) - The life and career of Admiral of the Fleet, the Earl of St Vincent Mildred Pugsley (retired nurse teacher) - The British Thoroughbred Mike Rice (freelance journalist) - The history of the Duchy of Burgundy 1363-1477 Chris Hudson (clergyman) - The life and times of Dunstan 909-988

E02

Episode 2

1/14/1988

The University of Exeter is host as four more contenders do battle to find Mastermind's 1988 champion John Ingram (unemployed sales administrator) The life and works of Tolstoy Stan Knight (retired aircraft engineer) The coinage of Roman Britain David Lapham (prison officer) The Imperial Japanese Navy 1865-1945 Henry Boettinger (consultant and author) The life and work of Alexander Graham Bell

E03

Episode 3

1/21/1988

The University of Liverpool is host to four contenders from the north west of England who compete for a place in the semi-finals. Philip Wilson (computer system administrator) The life and career of Kathleen Ferrier Hilary Carlisle (general practitioner) The life and regency novels of Georgette Heyer David Kenrick (business consultant) The life and times of Neville Chamberlain Philip Gray (planning manager) The history of the Arabs, AD 200-750

E04

Episode 4

1/28/1988

with Magnus Magnusson at the University of Liverpool Alan Roberts (trainee licensee) Orchestral music 1830-1950 Alastair Finch (general practitioner) The films of Cary Grant Anne Hegerty (freelance journalist) The life and works of Lorenz Hart Steve Hall (civil servant) The life and works of Saki

E05

Episode 5

2/4/1988

St George 's School for Girls, Edinburgh, this year celebrating its centenary, is host to four contenders competing for the title Mastermind 1988 Sandy Macpherson (chartered surveyor) The life and works of Eric Linklater Edward Cadden (civil servant) British civil aircraft since 1919 Kenneth Gray (retired schoolmaster) Pianists and piano music 1800-1930 Bill Taggart (clothing manufacturer) The history of British canals 1759-1948

E06

Episode 6

2/11/1988

with Magnus Magnusson from St George's School for Girls, Edinburgh Ewen Macpherson (retired lecturer) The history of the Highland Railway 1854-1923 Vicki Graham (administrator) French impressionist painters 1865-85 Tony Kelly (silversmith) The history of gold and silversmithing Adam Bunting (teacher) The wines of France

E07

Episode 7

2/18/1988

The Great Hall of Hatfield Polytechnic is the setting for this week's Mastermind which involves four contenders from London and the south east. Roy Bailey (film producer) The life and times of John Hampden 1594-1643 Mary Hunt (retired nursing auxiliary) Silent films of the 1920s Helen Poole (housewife and freelance writer) The history of Hertfordshire 1360-1660 Christopher Gifford (bank officer) The life and times of Woodrow Wilson 1856-1924

E08

Episode 8

2/25/1988

Four contenders from London and the South East seek a place in the semi-finals of Mastermind 1988. They are the guests of Hatfield Polytechnic in Hertfordshire. John Rook (lecturer) European history 1815-1914 Susanna Martelli (wine bar manager) The novels and short stories of J. D. Salinger Howard Pizzey (finance officer) pop music 1955-79 Alan Foss (actor) The life and works of P. G. Wodehouse

E09

Episode 9

3/3/1988

Four contenders compete in the historic surroundings of the keep of Colchester Castle. Tom Billson (county cricket scorer) The life and career of Woody Herman Pamela Mobsby (sheep farmer) The life and works of Victoria Sackville-West Piers Hartland-Swann (banker) The novels of Charles Dickens Judi Burnell (Research trust administrator) The history of Poland 1600-1939

E10

Episode 10

3/10/1988

Colchester Castle is again the setting for four contenders from London and the South East, who compete in the impressive museum in the keep of the castle. David Beamish (House of Lords clerk) The life of Nancy Astor Sarah Batchelor (assistant librarian) The life and music of Kurt Weill Barry McCartney (middle-school teacher) The British home front in the Second World War Michael Taylor (lecturer) The life and times of Queen Alexandra 1844-1925

E11

Episode 11

3/17/1988

Bedford School is host to four contenders seeking the title of Mastermind 1988. Keith Harrison (schoolteacher) The life, times and novels of Benjamin Disraeli Eileen Eaves (retired schoolteacher) The life and career of Sarah Siddons Hadrian Jeffs (former civil servant) The history of the airship from 1846 Michael Grosvenor Myer (writer and critic) British traditional folksong

E12

Episode 12

3/24/1988

Four contenders from the Midlands and east of England are competing in the Great Hall of Bedford School. Jasmin Schelts (registered child minder) History of English costume 1789-1945; Bryan Pope (retired schoolteacher) Portuguese explorations and discoveries 1415-1815; Paul Hammet Lebrun (general practitioner) History of mathematics; Tom King (freelance writer) The lives and films of Laurel and Hardy

E13

Episode 13

3/31/1988

Tonight's programme comes from the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop in Hampshire. Set among the impressive exhibits of this new museum, four contenders from the south of England compete for a place in the semi-finals. Wendy Forrester (journalist) The life and works of C.S; Lewis Kevin Perkins (contracts liaison officer) The life and reign of Ivan the Terrible; Alison Baker (concert pianist) The life and works of Franz Liszt; Derek Wallace (senior research scientist) The life and reign of James VI of Scotland

E14

Episode 14

4/7/1988

The Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop in Hampshire is the setting for tonight's competition between four contenders from the south of England. David Simms (professional tennis coach) The history of lawn tennis; Margaret Fleming (inspector of taxes) The novels of Virginia Woolf; Colin Moffat (computer systems analyst) The history of Finland, 1809-1917; Stuart Greenman (researcher and lecturer) The life and times of Beau Brummell , 1778-1840

E15

Episode 15

4/14/1988

with Magnus Magnusson at the Great Hall of the University of Leeds Geoffrey Hutton (retired bank manager) The American Civil War; Christine Moorcroft (advisory teacher) The life and work of Vincent Van Gogh; Martin Wyatt (statistician) The life and stories of Edgar Allan Poe; Graham Preston (accountant and book-keeper) The history of South Africa, 1910-61

E16

Episode 16

4/21/1988

Mastermind reaches the end of the first stage in this year's series, with four contenders competing for the last place in the semi-finals. The location is the Great Hall of the University of Leeds. Brian John (civil servant) The life and works of W.B. Yeats; Judith Dutton (dealer in maritime books) The life and times of Socrates 469-399BC; Mark Turner (barrister) The life and works of William Walton; Michael Palfrey (schoolteacher) Fantastic literature from Washington Irving to Tolkien

E17

Episode 17

4/28/1988

Tonight Mastermind reaches the semi-finals. The venue is St Andrew's College of Education, Bearsden, Glasgow. Henry Boettinger (consultant and author) The life and work of Thomas Edison; Kenneth Gray (retired schoolmaster) The life and works of Rachmaninov; Steve Hall (civil servant) The life and works of Mark Twain; Roy Bailey (film producer) The Poldark novels of Winston Graham

E18

Episode 18

5/5/1988

St Andrew's College of Education, Bearsden, Glasgow is the location for the second semi-final of this year's series. Mike Rice (freelance journalist) The Life and Novels of Barbara Pym; Alan Foss (actor) The Life and Works of Frank Richards; Philip Gray (planning manager) The History of Roman Britain AD43-367; Adam Bunting (schoolteacher) The Life and Works of Matthew Arnold

E19

Episode 19

5/12/1988

Middlesex Polytechnic at Trent Park in North London is the setting for this third semi-final. Kevin Perkins (contracts liaison officer) The Novels of Agatha Christie; Tom King (freelance writer) The History of Gardens and Gardeners in Britain (1500-1939); Margaret Fleming (tax inspector) The Smiley Novels of John le Carre; Keith Harrison (schoolteacher) The History of the Roman Empire AD 180-337

E20

Episode 20

5/19/1988

This is the last semi-final for the outright first-round winners. It comes from the New Hall of Middlesex Polytechnic at Trent Park. Mark Turner (barrister) The Life and Times of Edward II (1284-1327); Geoffrey Hutton (retired bank manager) The Russo-Japanese War (1904-5); Pamela Mobsby (sheep farmer) Long Distance Rides and Riding; David Beamish (House of Lords clerk) The British Royal Family (1714-1910)

E21

Episode 21

5/26/1988

Tonight's semi-final is for the four best-scoring losers in the series. They compete at Middlesex Polytechnic for the last place in the final. Eileen Eaves (retired schoolteacher) The Life and Career of David Garrick; Barry McCartney (middle school teacher) The Life and Times of Edward, Prince of Wales until the Abdication; Wendy Forrester (journalist) Shakespeare's Comedies; David Kenrick (business consultant) Operetta and Musical Comedy since 1858

E22

The Final Five

6/2/1988

Magnus Magnusson introduces a closer look at the five contenders who have made it to the final of Mastermind 1988. He also talks to past Mastermind champions and members of the Mastermind club, an exclusive club for all those who have undergone the ordeal of the black chair. The final five who will compete on Sunday night for the coveted title are: Roy Bailey Film producer from Great Shefford in Berkshire; Philip Gray Planning manager from Prescott on Merseyside; Margaret Fleming, Inspector of taxes from Brighton; David Beamish, House of Lords clerk from London; And the winner of last week's Semi-final.

E23

The Final

6/5/1988

After months of intense competition, the five finalists out of the original 64 contenders now compete for the coveted title of Mastermind 1988. The MacRobert Arts Centre at the University of Stirling is the setting, and one contender will receive the specially engraved Caithness glass trophy from Paul Fox , Managing Director of BBC Television. The finalists are: Barry McCartney (middle school teacher) The Mutiny on the Bounty and the History of Pitcairn to 1970; Roy Bailey (film producer) The English Civil War, 1642-49; Margaret Fleming (inspector of taxes) The Life and Novels of Virginia Woolf; David Beamish (House of Lords clerk) The Life and Times of Nancy Astor 1879-1964; Philip Gray (planning manager) The History of the Arabs AD200-750

2003

17 Episodes

2003

E01

Episode 1

7/7/2003·30m

The pre-eminent quiz show that first gripped the nation in the 1970s returns for a new series, the first since 1997. Each week four contenders are interrogated on a chosen subject and general knowledge in the famous black chair by new host John Humphrys, who takes over from Magnus Magnusson.

E02

Episode 2

7/14/2003·30m

John Humphrys tests four contestants on their chosen specialised subjects - Life and Times of Maximilien Robespierre; TV Series Blackadder; History of Victorian Britain 1837-1901; and Life and Films of Audrey Hepburn.

E03

Episode 3

7/21/2003·30m

Four more contestants brave the spotlight to answer questions on specialist subjects and general knowledge. John Humphrys is the man asking the questions.

E04

Episode 4

7/28/2003·30m

Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys 's black chair.

E05

Episode 5

8/4/2003·30m

Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys's black chair.

E06

Episode 6

8/11/2003·30m

Four more contestants brave John Humphrys 's black chair. Tonight's specialist subjects are British History post-1945, 20th-century Fashion, English and Scottish Racecourses and their Races, and the Academy Awards.

E07

Episode 7

8/18/2003·30m

Four more contestants occupy the famous black chair as John Humphrys asks questions on English castles, British television comedy from 1970 to 1990, the flora and fauna of Great Britain and the folk band Fairport Convention.

E08

Episode 8

9/1/2003·30m

The Simpsons, Emperor Nero, the Who and Laurie Lee are this evening's specialist subjects. John Humphrys quizzes four more contestants on the famous black chair.

E09

Episode 9

9/8/2003·30m

The House of Godwin AD 1000-1066, the life and films of Grace Kelly, the life and work of chanteuse Dalida and World Cup cricket 1972-2003 are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and a barrage of questions from John Humphrys.

E10

Episode 10

9/15/2003·30m

The religious works of Rembrandt van Rijn, BBC radio comedy 1940-1960, the fiction of Graham Greene 1938-1983 and Manic Street Preachers are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and probing questions from John Humphrys.

E11

Episode 11

9/22/2003·30m

The Harry Potter films, English league football grounds since 1945, the songs of Randy Newman and romantic literature 1789-1830 are the specialist subjects as four contestants face probing questions from John Humphrys.

E12

Episode 12

9/29/2003·30m

Red Dwarf, the life and works of Shostakovich, the life and works of Kingsley Amis, and the life and times of Florence Nightingale are tonight's specialist subjects as four more contestants face questions from John Humphrys.

E13

Episode 13

10/6/2003·30m

The films of Alfred Hitchcock; the six wives of Henry the VIII; the history of video games; and the life of Benjamin Franklin are the specialist subjects in the first of the quarter-finals as four contestants face questions from John Humphrys.

E14

Episode 14

10/13/2003·30m

The films of director Vincente Minnelli, the life and works of Dickens, boys' comics and papers 1940-1960 and the city of Buenos Aires are specialist subjects in the second of the quarter-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.

E15

Episode 15

10/20/2003·30m

Lawrence of Arabia; the works of horror supremo Clive Barker; comedian Tony Hancock; and operetta writers Gilbert and Sullivan are the specialist subjects in tonight's third quarter-final. Hosted by John Humphrys.

E16

Episode 16

10/27/2003·30m

Occupants of the famous black chair tackle abstruse questions on pop music of the 1980s; Monty Python; the War of the Roses; and children's books from 1860 to the present day. John Humphrys hosts the last quarter-final.

E17

Episode 17

11/3/2003·30m

Salford's Lowry Centre hosts the grand final as four finalists brave the famous black chair and John Humphrys's rapid-fire questions on the life and works of Marc Chagall, international golfing 1970-2003, life and music of Jim Morrison and life and career of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

1997

14 Episodes

1997

E01

Episode 1

6/9/1997

The 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 Ivan Limmer, and their chosen subjects are Formula One Racing from 1970, the life and works of Roald Dahl, anorexia nervosa, and the Russian Revolutions of 1917.

E02

Episode 2

6/16/1997

Tonight'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 the original series of Star Trek, the Irish Civil War 1922-23, the life and music of Prokofiev, and organic gardening. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.

E03

Episode 3

6/23/1997

Tonight'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 Tony Bell, and checkout operator Christine Warman. Their chosen subjects are the reign of Franz Joseph 1848-1916, the life and music of Elton John, the life and works of Arthur C Clarke, and theropod dinosaurs. With Magnus Magnusson.

E04

Episode 4

7/7/1997

Tonight's edition comes from the Cambridge Union Society. The contenders are foster carer Ann Kelly, forensic psychiatrist Akintunde Akinkunmi, artist Leo Stevenson, and Open University student Susan Leng. Their chosen subjects are the life and music of Buddy Holly, the Nuremberg Trials, Dutch Art 1620-72 and Olave, Lady Baden-Powell. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.

E05

Episode 5

7/14/1997

Tonight'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; Richard Goodale, a management consultant from Aberdour in Fife, and teacher Jocelyn Lavin from Lancashire. Their chosen subjects are the life and painting of Rossetti, the Dreyfus affair, golf links of Britain and Ireland, and symphonic choral music. With Magnus Magnusson.

E06

Episode 6

7/21/1997

Tonight'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 church music 1505-1625, and James I. With Magnus Magnusson.

E07

Episode 7

7/28/1997

Tonight'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 K Jerome, and the Thirty Years War. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.

E08

Episode 8

8/4/1997

Tonight'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 and career of David Gower, the Pern stories of Anne McCaffrey, the life and reign of Queen Victoria, and the life and career of Sir Thomas Sopwith. Introduced by Magnus Magnusson.

E09

Episode 9

8/11/1997

The 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; Frances Howard, Countess of Somerset; and the stories of HP Lovecraft. With Magnus Magnusson.

E10

Episode 10

8/18/1997

The 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, the Professor Fen novels of E. Crispin and the life and career of Rommel. With Magnus Magnusson.

E11

Episode 11

8/24/1997

The 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 music of Anton Bruckner , and the Duncton Chronicles. With Magnus Magnusson.

E12

Episode 12

8/27/1997

The 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, the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchett, and the Tudor conquest of Ireland. With Magnus Magnusson.

E13

Episode 13

9/1/1997

After 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, Orkney, where the questions are posed by Magnus Magnusson.

E14

It Started, Now It's Finished

9/8/1997

Last 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 black chair as they prepare for the "final final", and explores the programme's appeal. Featuring interviews with Patrick Moore, Bamber Gascoigne, former winners, and question master Magnus Magnusson.

2018/19

31 Episodes

2018

E01

Episode 1

10/5/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents the first heat of the series as the hunt for the nation's Mastermind gets back underway. This episode's specialist subjects are The West Wing, Bob Marley, Neil Gaiman's Sandman series and John Hawkwood.

E02

Episode 2

10/12/2018·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on Alan Turing, the Golden Gate Bridge, the films of Frank Capra and Emperor Vespasian.

E03

Episode 3

10/19/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on the Alien films, Peter Gabriel, the history of Prague and King Henry VII.

E04

Episode 4

10/26/2018·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys grills four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The chosen subjects in this episode are the history of Zimbabwe, Prince Henry the Navigator, Sunderland AFC and the novelist Elizabeth Taylor.

E05

Episode 5

11/2/2018·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on the films of John Hughes, Billie Holiday, the poet Keith Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.

E06

Episode 6

11/9/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on Mark E Smith and The Fall, letters of the New Testament, the history of the Wrens and Sir Isaac Newton.

E07

Episode 7

11/16/2018·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are Rudyard Kipling, Clement Attlee, Glamorgan CCC and Florence Nightingale.

E08

Episode 8

11/23/2018·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are Cher, the Cambridge Spy Ring, Tove Jansson and the Derby.

E09

Episode 9

12/14/2018·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on Sir Bobby Robson, James Kier Hardie, links golf courses and British submarines.

E10

Episode 10

12/21/2018·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are Gerhard Richter, the 44 Scotland Street novels, Alexander Hamilton and Emma, Lady Hamilton.

E11

Episode 11

12/28/2018·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on REM, Edward Lear, Gustav Klimt and the FA Cup.

E12

Episode 12

1/11/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on the Wright Brothers, Jeeves and Wooster, the Rumpole stories and Olympic track and field.

E13

Episode 13

1/18/2019·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Tonight's subjects are Albert Einstein, MC Beaton's Hamish Macbeth novels, Sir Joseph Paxton and the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten.

E14

Episode 14

1/25/2019·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on the World Cup, the Battle of Stalingrad, the novels of Sarah Waters and John Knox.

E15

Episode 15

2/1/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hockney, Tony Benn and John Buchan.

E16

Episode 16

2/8/2019·29m

The hunt for the nation’s Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their Specialist Subject and General Knowledge. Tonight’s subjects are the films of Wes Anderson, Richard III, the England rugby team and the novels of Nancy Mitford.

E17

Episode 17

2/15/2019·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on the Best Picture Oscar, Greek mythology, Joseph Bazalgette and the history of Manchester and Salford.

E18

Episode 18

2/22/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on the children of Queen Victoria, the novels of Penelope Fitzgerald, the Doors and Carl Gustaf Mannerheim.

E19

Episode 19

3/8/2019·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on Vivien Leigh, The Cazalet Chronicles, 1990s hip-hop and the Flight of the Earls.

E20

Episode 20

3/15/2019·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on Prince, Thomas Telford, the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the novels of Charles Dickens.

E21

Episode 21

3/22/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on the Goons, the Trojan War, Egon Schiele and the novels of Mary Wesley.

E22

Episode 22

3/29/2019·28m

The hunt for the nation’s Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Tonight’s subjects are 1970s pop, Neville Chamberlain, Sparta and CS Lewis.

E23

Episode 23

4/5/2019·28m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on the films of Heath Ledger, Tycho Brahe, Sarah Kane and Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury.

E24

Episode 24

4/19/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on Henry VIII, Britpop, Christopher Isherwood and the Royal Navy in the First World War.

E25

Episode 25

4/26/2019·28m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the classic quiz reaches the semi-final stage. Tonight’s subjects include the Festival of Britain, 2 Tone Records and the life and times of Samuel Johnson.

E26

Episode 26

5/10/2019·28m

John Humphrys asks the questions in a semi-final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s subjects include the life of Aneurin Bevan, Top 40 pop music of the 1960s and the fiction of John Steinbeck.

E27

Episode 27

5/17/2019·29m

John Humphrys asks the questions in a semi-final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s subjects include the Ottoman Empire, the Peter Wimsey novels of Dorothy L Sayers and the Grand National.

E28

Episode 28

5/24/2019·29m

John Humphrys asks the questions in a semi-final of the classic quiz. Subjects include Queen Victoria, the plays of Ibsen and test cricket between England and India.

E29

Episode 29

5/31/2019·28m

John Humphrys asks the questions in a semi-final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s subjects include the human body, Leicester City Football Club and the life and works of Frida Kahlo.

E30

Episode 30

6/7/2019·28m

John Humphrys asks the questions in a semi-final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s subjects include the life of Charles II, the Plant Hunters and Delta blues music.

E31

The Final

6/14/2019·59m

John Humphrys asks the questions in the grand final of the classic quiz to decide who will be crowned as the nation’s Mastermind.tThe specialist subjects of the finalists are the films of The Marx Brothers, the national parks of the USA, Owain Glyndwr and his revolt, The Fortunes of War series by Olivia Manning, Frank Matcham’s theatres and the life and times of Mary Cassatt.

1989

23 Episodes

1989

E01

Episode 1

1/15/1989

Who will be Mastermind Champion 1989? That is the question. Hoping to have all the answers are the 64 contenders in this year's series The University College of Swansea is where the first four competitors will be demonstrating their knowledge and nerve. Jerold James Gordon (classical composer) Opera Since 1918; Timothy Brain (police inspector). British Political History 1714-1815; Wayne Stainthorpe (steelworks crane driver) Family Anatidae: Swans, Geese, Ducks of Britain and Europe; Mary-Elizabeth Raw (veterinary surgeon) The Life and Reign of Charles I

E02

Episode 2

1/22/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University College of Swansea. This week four contenders from the South and West are in the hot seat. John Noel Banfield (retired MOD scientist) The Symphony Orchestra from 1700; Ron Wood (clergyman) Ancient Egypt, 3400-30 BC; Briony Mann (senior drawing office assistant) Classical Ballet in Europe, 1909-75; Michael Giddings (systems consultant) The Life and Work of Lord Rutherford

E03

Episode 3

1/29/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Salford. The search for the 1989 Mastermind champion moves to the north of England where four more hopefuls are in the spotlight. Myra Marsh (retired teacher) History of Manchester from 1750; Geoffrey Martyn (chartered surveyor) The Life and Films of Errol Flynn; Dave Perkins (tourism officer) Geography and History of Nepal from 1766; Linda Morris (librarian) History of the P and O Shipping Line.

E04

Episode 4

2/5/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Salford. Four people with a common aim - to be the 1989 Mastermind Champion. This week's heat is once again from the north of England. Bob Haigh (computer systems programmer) Mammals of the British Isles. Wayne Cassar (student) Irish Mythology. Rosemary Richards (factory machinist) Life and Reign of Henry VIII. Philip Wharmby (clerical officer) Foundation Novels of Isaac Asimov.

E05

Episode 5

2/12/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Glasgow. This week four Scottish contestants compete for a semi-final place. Michael Weir (civil servant) History of Golf at St Andrews from 1754; Graham Clayton (corrosion engineer) Naval Actions of the First World War; Myra Knight (housewife) City of Glasgow from 1700; John Crichton (primary head teacher) The Life and Work of A. S. Neill.

E06

Episode 6

2/19/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from University of Glasgow. John Fleming (social worker) Scottish Wars of Independence, 1292-1330; William Donnelly (smallholder) Life and Travels of Marco Polo; Sheila McMillan (housewife) Life and Reign of Henry VI; John Hudson (engineering storeman) City of Istanbul

E07

Episode 7

2/26/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from Redbridge Community School, Southampton. This week's contenders: Ian Verber (hospital doctor) The Life and Works of George Orwell; Hilary Potts (violin teacher) The Life and Works of Benjamin Britten; Duncan Holloway (company director) Alexander the Great; Edwin Barnes (theological college principal) The Life and Poetry of William Bames.

E08

Episode 8

3/5/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from Redbridge Community School, Southampton. Four southerners compete for a semi-final place as the search continues for the Mastermind champion. The hopefuls in the spotlight are: Philip Gartside (chartered accountant) The Sherlock Holmes Stories; Dawn Tozer (teacher) The Life and Works of Gwen John , 1876-1939; Mary Gibson (medical librarian) The Life of Mary Henrietta Kingsley, 1862-1900; Robert Wells (administration manager) The Life and and Works of Laurence Sterne.

E09

Episode 9

3/12/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from Queen Mary College, University of London. The spotlight is on four more contestants aspiring to be the 1989 champion. Peter Shirtcliffe (ship's cook) World Heavyweight Championship Fights from 1960; Richard Oates (schoolteacher) Boys' Public Schools of England; Julie Speedie (antiquarian book dealer) The Life and Works of Oscar Wilde; Padraig Kirby (chief accountant) The History of Ireland, 1600-1920.

E10

Episode 10

3/19/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from Queen Mary College, University of London. Four more contestants take up the challenge. Christopher Mann (author and publisher) The Life and Campaigns of Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein; Barbara O'Meara (housewife) The Novels of Iris Murdoch; Malcolm Robertson (composer) The Music of Aaron Copland; Gill Doubleday (civil servant) The Works of John Bunyan.

E11

Episode 11

3/26/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Cheltenham Ladies' College Richard Harris (insurance official) History of Communism in Eastern Europe from 1935; Gill Reid (housewife) The Life and Times of Dorothy Wordsworth; Roger Woods (farmer) The Life and Work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Arthur Scruton (retired civil servant) The History of Cheltenham from Roman Times

E12

Episode 12

4/2/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Cheltenham Ladies' College Tom Bean (farmer) History of the Commonwealth and Protectorate 1649-60; Julie Tedds (knitwear designer) The Life and Work of Gene Kelly; Eric Gamble (retired schoolmaster) The French Revolution; Philip Salt (quality controller) The Life and Music of Jean Sibelius

E13

Episode 13

4/9/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Royal College of Music. Four more contestants compete for a place in the semi-final. Anne Miller (assistant library manager) Life and Works of Lewis Carroll, 1832-98; David McDonnell (police officer) History of Roman Britain AD 200-500; Richard Jones (policy research officer) History of the Conservative Party 1832-1914; Raymond Kahn (schoolmaster) The Savoy Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan

E14

Episode 14

4/16/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Royal College of Music David Carroll (electrician) Wars of the Roses; Charles Tod (retired bookseller) European Torpedo Boats and Destroyers to 1945; Robert Sutherland (systems analyst) Life and Works of F. M. Dostoevsky; Sally Branston (temporary secretary) History of Mexico, 1519-1910

E15

Episode 15

4/23/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Museum of Army Transport, Beverley. Halfway through the 17th series, Mastermind reaches its 300th edition. Ian Sutton (accountant) Wines of Europe; Jane Mansergh (museum curator) The English Detective Story from 1794; Anthony Simpson (company director) Development of Nuclear Power; Ralph Fenton (househusband) Life and Career ofW.G. Grace

E16

Episode 16

4/30/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Museum of Army Transport, Beverley. The four contenders for the last semi-final place are: Peter North (management consultant) British Butterflies; Peter Turton (retired civil servant) Astronomy of the Solar System; Averil MacLachlan (civil servant) The Life and Films of Woody Allen; Michael Powell (schoolteacher) The Third French Republic from 1870-1914

E17

Episode 17

5/7/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The first of the semi-finals with four formidable contenders hoping to receive a place in the final. Mary Elizabeth Raw (veterinary surgeon) Life of Albert, Prince Consort; Geoffrey Martyn (chartered surveyor) Life and Films of Walt Disney; Ian Verber (hospital doctor) Geography of the National Parks of England and Wales; Richard Oates (senior lecturer) History of Spain, 1556-1812

E18

Episode 18

5/14/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The second semi-final, and four more contenders are hoping to secure a place in the final. William Donnelly (smallholder) Life and Short Stories of H. G. Wells; Myra Knight (housewife) Duke and Duchess of Windsor; Bob Haigh (computer systems programmer) City of Norwich from earliest times; Dawn Tozer (teacher) Songs of Schubert

E19

Episode 19

5/21/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Speech Room, Harrow School. The third semi-final with fourmore hopeful contenders. Malcolm Robertson (composer) Life and works of Ralph Vaughan Williams; Anthony Simpson (company director) History of the House of Rothschild; Ron Wood (clergyman) Greek Mythology; Tom Bean (farmer) Life and Novels of Anthony Trollope

E20

Episode 20

5/28/1989

with Magnus Magnusson from the Speech Room. Harrow School. The fourth semi-final and four more contenders hoping to secure a place in the final. Roger Woods (farmer) The Cornish Mining Industry; Dick Jones (policy research officer) The Life and Works of Claude Debussy; Peter North(management consultant) The Second Punic War 218-201 BC; Robert Sutherland (systems analyst) The Life and Works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

E21

Episode 21

6/4/1989

with Magnus Magnusson The last semi-final from the Speech Room, Harrow School. There is only one place left in the final, and it will be taken by one of the 'best of the runners-up'. Mary Gibson (medical librarian) The Life and Children's Classics of A. A. Milne; Wayne Stainthorpe (steelworks crane driver) Trees of Britain; Gill Doubleday (civil servant) The Life and Dramatic Works of Lorca; Michael Weir (civil servant) The Life and Music of Bob Dylan

E22

The Final Five

6/7/1989

For 17 years Boswell Taylor has supervised, co-ordinated and edited all the specialist questions for Mastermind yet he denies that he's the fount of all knowledge that some might believe. There are five people who'd like to know what he's set them for the final. They are only one step away from taking home the Caithness bowl, the coveted Mastermind Trophy. How are they preparing for their final? And how does Boswell find the questions?

E23

The Final

6/11/1989

The Final with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Warwick Who will be Mastermind Champion 1989? That question is answered tonight in what promises to be a fiercely fought final. Mastermind has travelled the length and breadth of the country, testing the nerve and knowledge of 64 contenders. Only the final five remain: Tom Bean (farmer) Life and Works of Edward Lear; Myra Knight (housewife) City of Glasgow from earliest times; Mary Elizabeth Raw (veterinary surgeon) Life and Reign of Charles I; GUI Doubleday (civil servant) Life and Works of John Bunyan; Dick Jones (policy research officer) History of the Conservative Party (1832-1940)

2012/13

31 Episodes

2012

E01

Episode 1

8/10/2012·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind gets under way once more as John Humphrys questions four contenders on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Subjects in this first heat are the completed novels of Jane Austen, the life and times of Elizabeth I, Fawlty Towers and the Savoy Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

E02

Episode 2

8/17/2012·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions. Topics include Billie Holiday, Eddy Merckx, The Life and Work of Ludwig Wittgenstein, and William Gladstone.

E03

Episode 3

8/24/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are Radiohead, the Sherlock Holmes stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Goodies and Michael Collins.

E04

Episode 4

8/31/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are Duran Duran, Shakespeare's comedies, the history of the Alpine Club and The Shipping Forecast.

E05

Episode 5

9/14/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Tonight's topics include Doctor Who, 1963 - 1989; The story of Moses in the King James Bible; the history and geography of Arkansas; and Terry Venables.

E06

Episode 6

9/21/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. Subjects are: the Epsom Derby since 1980, extinct fauna of the Ice Age, the life and work of Dave Allen and General Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

E07

Episode 7

9/28/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: Sir Ian Botham, the life and work of Caspar David Friedrich, Guns N' Roses and the Hornblower novels of CS Forester.

E08

Episode 8

10/5/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. Subjects are: the life and career of George Harrison, the history of Rome until 1944, Everest mountaineering and Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time.

E09

Episode 9

10/12/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The contenders' specialist subjects are the national parks of England and Wales, the battles of the American Civil War, the life and work of HP Lovecraft and boxing world title fights since 2000.

E10

Episode 10

10/19/2012·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects are Catherine of Aragon, Fanny Cradock, the novels of Roddy Doyle and French grand opera 1823-1900.

E11

Episode 11

10/26/2012·30m

Host John Humphrys asks questions on The Waltons, the Bernard Sampson novels of Len Deighton, Sir Nigel Gresley and Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston.

E12

Episode 12

11/9/2012·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: Steely Dan, the Mapp and Lucia Novels of EF Benson, the Boston Bruins since 1970 and Henry Mayhew's London Labour and London Poor.

E13

Episode 13

11/16/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: the Titanic, the American Revolutionary War, East German Athletics 1976-1988 and John Peel's Festive Fifties.

E14

Episode 14

11/23/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: Geoffrey Boycott, Futurama, Graham Greene and US Military Aircraft since 1945.

E15

Episode 15

11/30/2012·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are: Alice Cooper, the Gemini space programme, West Ham United 1970-date and the life and work of John Logie Baird.

E16

Episode 16

12/7/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. Subjects are the novels of William Golding, the Soviet Union under Stalin 1924-1939, The KLF and When the Boat Comes In.

E17

Episode 17

12/14/2012·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects are British number one singles 1963-2000, Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, Kett's rebellion of 1549 and the life and career of Michael Foot.

E18

Episode 18

12/21/2012·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are: the Bee Gees, the life and films of Kevin Smith, the Falklands conflict, and the life and work of Thomas Hardy.

E19

Episode 19

1/11/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Subjects are Anne Boleyn, the Wallander novels of Henning Mankell, the life and music of Sir William Walton and Shakespeare's tragedies.

E20

Episode 20

1/18/2013·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects tonight are the life and films of Marilyn Monroe, the life and career of David Lloyd George, Swallows and Amazons and the life and career of 1st Duke of Wellington.

E21

Episode 21

1/25/2013·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are Monty Python, the life and career of Lord Nelson, the Tin Tin books of Hergé, and the African 'big five'.

E22

Episode 22

2/1/2013·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are: Red Dwarf, Marie Curie, the novels of Jasper Fforde and the life and career of Field Marshal Haig.

E23

Episode 23

2/8/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. The subjects are: Joy Division, the Battle of the River Plate, Ashes Cricket Series since 1981 and the films of Tod Slaughter.

E24

Episode 24

2/15/2013·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects are the life and music of Ian Dury; the Red Army 1941-1945; the life and work of Gerald Durrell; the history of Celtic FC.

E25

Episode 25

2/22/2013·30m

ohn Humphrys presents the first semi-final as five contenders vie for a place in the grand final. Subjects are the situation comedy Rising Damp, US military aircraft of the Second World War, the novels of Dennis Lehane, the St John's Wood Clique of Victorian artists and the films of Dietrich and von Sternberg.

E26

Episode 26

3/1/2013·30m

Five more contenders compete for a place in the grand final as John Humphrys hosts another semi-final. The subjects are: the films of Norman Wisdom, Magna Carta, the Pembrokeshire coast, the novels of William Boyd, and the French Religious Wars 1559-1598.

E27

Episode 27

3/8/2013·30m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz as five contenders fight for a place in the grand final. Subjects are Scott's last journey, the films of Mel Brooks, the life and poetry of WB Yeats, Otto von Bismarck and the novels of Sarah Waters.

E28

Episode 28

3/15/2013·30m

Five more contenders vie for a place in the grand final as John Humphrys invites them to return to the black chair in another semi-final. Subjects are the life and films of David Niven, Edward III, the Pixies, The Life of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Flashman novels of George MacDonald Fraser.

E29

Episode 29

3/22/2013·30m

John Humphrys hosts the penultimate semi-final as five contenders attempt to win a place in the grand final. Subjects are birds of Britain, the films of Takeshi Kitano, Newcastle United since 1945, the Jagiellon Dynasty and the Adam Dalgliesh mysteries of PD James.

E30

Episode 30

3/29/2013·30m

Five contenders compete for the last place in the grand final as John Humphrys hosts the sixth semi-final. Subjects are Yes Minister, the Rebus novels of Ian Rankin, Nazi Germany 1933 - 1945, the novels of Haruki Murakami and the Glastonbury Festival.

E31

Grand Final

4/5/2013·60m

John Humphrys asks the questions as six contenders battle it out to become the nation's Mastermind in the series grand final. Subjects include UK chart music of the 1970s, Shakespeare's War of the Roses, Abraham Lincoln, the operas of Verdi, the Paris Commune of 1871 and The Roman Empire 284-476 AD.

1991

17 Episodes

1991

E01

Episode 1

1/20/1991

Magnus Magnusson returns to interrogate the first four contenders for the title of Mastermind 1991. The black chair is to be found this week in the Great Hall of the University of Exeter. Contestants: James Fane-Gladwin (executive search consultant) Benedictine Order to 1532; Robin Rhoderick-Jones (retired soldier) The Archers; Christine Roderick (mature student) life and works of George Eliot ; Ian Sadler (computer analyst) British battleships, 1860-1956.

E02

Episode 2

1/27/1991

Four contenders face Magnus Magnusson to answer questions on their specialised subjects and general knowledge. From the Great Hall of the University of Exeter. Contestants: Andy Taggart (teacher) history of the Balkans 1774-1923; Patricia Pay (assistant land registrar) life and works of Tolstoy; Ralph Kite (freelance researcher) land weapons 1900-75; Jeremy Parrott (lecturer) 20th-century fiction publication in Britain.

E03

Episode 3

2/3/1991

Magnus Magnusson interrogates four more contenders for the title of Mastermind 1991. The black chair is to be found this week in the Academy Room at Stonyhurst College, Preston. Contestants: David Renshaw (civil servant) life and novels of Thomas Hardy; Stephanie Brooke (administrative assistant) life and works of Puccini; Paul Gradwell (credit controller) life and films of W C Fields; Jane Trevor (pre-school day care adviser) life and reign of Richard III.

E04

Episode 4

2/10/1991

Magnus Magnusson questions four contenders from the north of England in the Academy Room at Stonyhurst College. Contestants: Dave Burnham (local government officer) heroic age of Antarctic exploration 1897-1922; Linden Adams (teacher) life and works of Barbara Pym; Stephen Allen (actor) life and reign of Henry VII; Andrew Francis (lecturer) life and career of Erwin Rommell.

E05

Episode 5

2/17/1991

Magnus Magnusson tests four more contenders in the Debating Chamber of the Oxford Union Society. Contestants: David Watts (Royal Navy officer) Elizabethan theatre; Indrani Hettiaratchi (teacher) life and works of Frederic Chopin; Roderick Diggins (clerk) English royal palaces, 9th century to 1912; Alan Colby (local government officer) life and works of Francois Truffaut.

E06

Episode 6

2/24/1991

Magnus Magnusson tests four more contestants in the Debating Chamber of the Oxford Union Society. Contestants: Michael Schwarz (editor) Formula 1 motor racing world championship since 1950; Kate Ford (librarian) life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright; James Tudor (industrial librarian) life and operas of Richard Wagner; Steven Brindle (architectural historian) English Victorian architecture.

E07

Episode 7

3/3/1991

Magnus Magnusson with four more contenders in the Meeting House Chapel at the University of Sussex, Brighton. Contestants: Colin Harnett (civil servant) life and ghost stories of M R James; Martin Andrew (conservation officer) Norman architecture in England, 1050-1180; Patricia Cowley (consultant editor) Hollywood films, 1930-50; Jim Maginnis (RAF officer) RAF Bomber Command, 1939-45.

E08

Episode 8

3/10/1991

Magnus Magnusson with four more contenders in the Meeting House Chapel at the University of Sussex, Brighton. Contestants: Donald Yule (pensions administration specialist) life and works of Thomas Telford ; Tina Rath (company secretary) the vampire in popular English fiction, 1819-1989; David Bolton (solicitor's manager) Gloucester Cathedral; Peter Bacos (administrator) life and works of George Bernard Shaw. Director Andrea Conway Producer Peter Massey

E09

Episode 9

4/7/1991

Magnus Magnusson with four more contenders, in the Great Hall of the University of Nottingham. Contestants: Richard Francis (university lecturer) life and career of Mahatma Gandhi; Ashis Banerjee (medical practitioner) Cuba, 1492-1989; Chris Gonet (computer consultant) the lives and films of the Marx Brothers; Ernest Price (retired teacher) life and work of Charles Darwin.

E10

Episode 10

4/14/1991

From the Great Hall of the University of Nottingham with Magnus Magnusson. Contestants: Alan Parish (teacher) geography of New Zealand; Barbara Gordon-Jones (voluntary arts worker) life and works of James Thurber ; Trevor Brown (retired bank official) the films of John Ford; Michael McHugh (community development worker) English poetry of the 20th century.

E11

Episode 11

4/21/1991

From Belfast's City Hall, Magnus Magnusson quizzes Andrew Vaughan (teacher) - life and poetry of Seamus Heaney ; Rosaleen Lavery (customs and excise officer) - 18th-century British pottery and porcelain; Alan Friezer (retired schoolmaster) - history of chemistry until 1915; Howard Dolan (assistant director, CBI) - life and times of Franklin D Roosevelt.

E12

Episode 12

4/28/1991

From the Great Hall of the City Hall, Belfast, Magnus Magnusson questions: John Ross (chartered librarian) Field Marshal Lord Allenby; Cicely Anderson (retired teacher) Venetian art, 1450-1600; Kenneth Barr (supply teacher) The Third Reich, 1933-45; John Gourlay (lecturer) the history of Scotland, 1058-1329.

E13

Episode 13

5/5/1991

Magnus Magnusson questions the first four semi-finalists in the McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh. Contestants: Stephen Allen (actor) Dartmoor; Stephanie Brooke (administrative assistant) Shakespeare's history plays; Ian Sadler (computer analyst) Johann Sebastian Bach ; Richard Francis (lecturer) Paris

E14

Episode 14

5/12/1991

The second place in the final is at stake when four more semi-finalists face Magnus Magnusson in the McEwan Hall at the University of Edinburgh. Contestants: Jim Maginnis (Royal Air Force officer) history of Belfast, 1690-1960; Roderick Diggins (temporary accounts clerk) life and work of Sir Christopher Wren ; Kate Ford (librarian) life and Hornblower novels of C S Forester; Donald Yule (pensions administrator) Jacobite rising of 1745.

E15

Episode 15

5/19/1991

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, is the setting where Magnus Magnusson asks the questions of four more semi-finalists: Howard Dolan (assistant director, CBI) British and American military and naval aircraft, 1939-51; Kenneth Barr (supply teacher) Ed Murrow ; Patricia Pay (assistant land registrar) Nabokov; Trevor Brown (retired bank official) Hollywood musicals, 1933-58.

E16

Episode 16

5/26/1991

The last place in the final is at stake when Magnus Magnusson interrogates the four highest scoring runners-up at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Contestants: Indrani Hettiaratchi (music teacher) - Vera Brittain; Linden Adams (teacher) - Sir Arthur Sullivan; Dave Burnham (local government officer) - Adolf Hitler; and either Ashis Banerjee (medical practitioner), Alan Colby (local government officer) or Andrew Francis (lecturer).

E17

The Final

6/2/1991

Magnus Magnusson faces the four finalists competing for the coveted title of Mastermind 1991 at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Finalists: Andrew Francis (lecturer) Erwin Rommel ; Kate Ford (librarian) Frank Lloyd Wright ; Trevor Brown (retired bank official) the films of John Ford; Stephen Allen (actor) Sir Francis Drake. The winner will receive the trophy from Will Wyatt , the BBC's Managing Director of Network Television.

2015/16 poster

2015/16

31 Episodes

2015

E01

Episode 1

8/7/2015·30m

John Humphrys and the famous black chair return for another series of television's toughest quiz. 96 contenders start the path towards the final but only one can be crowned Mastermind Champion. Subjects in this first heat are Marvel Comics, Shakespeare's comedies, John Martyn and Pu Yi, the Last Emperor of China.

E02

Episode 2

8/14/2015·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. The specialist subjects in this heat are Harry Potter, modern jazz, the English Reformation and the musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

E03

Episode 3

8/21/2015·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. The specialist subjects in this heat are Christopher Marlowe, I Claudius, the racehorse Arkle and Joseph Stalin.

E04

Episode 4

8/28/2015·30m

John Humphrys puts questions to four more contenders. The specialist subjects in this heat are the Academy Awards, King Crimson, Weimar Germany and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

E05

Episode 5

9/4/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy, the Wars of the Roses, Edward Heath and Radio 4 sitcom Cabin Pressure.

E06

Episode 6

9/11/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are Sherlock Holmes, the Radio 4 sitcom Old Harry's Game, the Roman Army and Harold Wilson.

E07

Episode 7

9/18/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are The Wire, Scott Joplin, the writer Alan Moore and Beatrix Potter.

E08

Episode 8

9/25/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are Catherine of Aragon, the post-war Labour Government, the band Rush and the poet Robert Fergusson.

E09

Episode 9

10/2/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are silent cinema, the band Hawkwind, the Ballets Russes and King Henry V.

E10

Episode 10

10/9/2015·30m

Subjects include the films of Kevin Smith, the novels of Neil Gaiman, Sir Arthur 'Bomber' Harris and Chess Records.

E11

Episode 11

10/16/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are Kathleen Ferrier, Everton FC, the Rivers of London novels of Ben Aaronovitch and the Albigensian Crusade.

E12

Episode 12

10/23/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are the history of Las Vegas, the Anne books by LM Montgomery, Paul Simon and the Western films of John Ford.

E13

Episode 13

11/6/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are the Song of Ice and Fire novels by George RR Martin, Gloria Swanson, the music of Carly Simon and the FA Cup in the 1970s.

E14

Episode 14

11/13/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are the films of Martin Scorsese, Donald Campbell, the Pop Larkin Chronicles and Ian Paisley.

E15

Episode 15

11/20/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are Vincent van Gogh, Burnley FC, the Thirty Years' War and the Tom Kirk novels by James Twining.

E16

Episode 16

11/27/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects in this heat are The IT Crowd, North American Plains Indians from 1850-1910, Homer's Iliad and the history of Hong Kong from 1841-1997.

E17

Episode 17

12/4/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are World War II in Europe, Josephine Butler, Freemasonry and Pete Seeger.

E18

Episode 18

12/11/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Barbara Castle, Archbishop Makarios, the McAuslan trilogy of George MacDonald Fraser and Joe Meek.

E19

Episode 19

12/18/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are The West Wing, Jesse Owens, Manfred von Richthofen and Billy Bragg.

E20

Episode 20

1/8/2016·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Pearl Jam, Watergate, Middlesbrough FC and the life and poetry of AE Housman.

E21

Episode 21

1/15/2016·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Scottish pop music from 1980-1999, Aston Villa FC, the history of the GDR, and Clarice Cliff.

E22

Episode 22

1/22/2016·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Gavin and Stacey, Sir John Gielgud, Jackie Robinson and William Morris.

E23

Episode 23

1/29/2016·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are the Apollo missions, the Great Train Robbery, Queen's Park Rangers FC and the Alex Delaware novels of Jonathan Kellerman.

E24

Episode 24

2/5/2016·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Jock Stein, Stax Records and the Suez Crisis.

E25

Episode 25

2/12/2016·30m

Host John Humphrys invites five contenders to answer questions in the black chair in the first semi-final. Subjects are the life and career of Brian Clough, the films of Paul Verhoeven, Electric Light Orchestra, the Easter Rising and David Sedaris.

E26

Episode 26

2/19/2016·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to five more semi-finalists. The subjects are the X-Men comics, Wainwright's coast to coast walk, the Green Bay Packers, Jethro Tull and Eamon de Valera.

E27

Episode 27

2/26/2016·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects in this semi-final are Men Behaving Badly, Caroline Graham's Inspector Barnaby novels, the history of the Bundesliga, Gerald Durrell and Neville Chamberlain.

E28

Episode 28

3/11/2016·30m

John Humphrys hosts another semi-final of Britain's toughest quiz. Five more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are Ever Decreasing Circles, the life and works of Sylvia Plath, Roddy Doyle's Barrytown trilogy, women in the Olympics and Ray Davies.

E29

Episode 29

3/18/2016·30m

Host John Humphrys invites five more contenders to answer questions in the black chair in the penultimate semi-final. The subjects are British summer Olympic champions, William Marshal, Windsor Castle, Ian Fleming and Vasari's Lives of the Artists.

E30

Episode 30

3/25/2016·30m

John Humphrys hosts as five contestants compete in the last semi-final. Subjects are Reading FC, Benjamin Britten, Venice, the history of Ulster and Prohibition

E31

Grand Final

4/1/2016·60m

The search for the nation's Mastermind reaches its conclusion as John Humphrys invites the six finalists to make once last visit to the famous black chair as they attempt to win the glass bowl and the title of Mastermind. The specialist subjects for the grand final are Thunderbirds, English test cricket since 1970, Elizabeth Gaskell, the Seven Years War, the Ryder Cup and the Battle for Berlin.

1995

17 Episodes

1995

E01

Episode 1

4/9/1995

The quest to find the Mastermind champion begins in Aberystwyth at the National Library of Wales. Tonight's subjects include American president Benjamin Franklin and poet Philip Larkin. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E02

Episode 2

4/16/1995

The quest to find the 1995 champion continues in Aberystwyth at the National Library of Wales. Tonight's subjects are ballerina Margot Fonteyn , Roman emperor Hadrian, the architecture and art of Spain and composer Ivor Gurney. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E03

Episode 3

4/30/1995

Tonight's subjects at Salisbury Cathedral areformerwortd heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis , Lord Chancellors from 1885-1940, British wildlife, and rocket pioneer Robert Goddard. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E04

Episode 4

5/7/1995

Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire hosts the continuing search to find the Mastermind champion for 1995. Tonight's specialist subjects are astronomy, German romantic composer Ludwig van Beethoven, The Wars of the Sicilian Vespers and Queen Elizabeth I of England. Magnus Magnusson is the questionmaster.

E05

Episode 5

5/14/1995

From Warwick Castle, where the specialist subjects are Richard the Lionheart, philanthropist Thomas Coram , steam locomotives of the LNER, and traditions and cultures of Great Britain. With Magnus Magnusson.

E06

Episode 6

5/21/1995

From Warwick Castle. The specialist subjects are John of Gaunt, the Battle for Arnhem, Martin Luther King, and the history and repertoire of the clarinet. With Magnus Magnusson.

E07

Episode 7

5/28/1995

From the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Tonight's subjects are the Wild West 1861-1900, Victorian Prime Ministers William Ewart Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, and poet John Milton. With Magnus Magnusson.

E08

Episode 8

6/4/1995

Tonight's subjects from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk are Jack the Ripper, champagne, the Apollo Space programme, and barrister Sir Edward Marshall Hall. With Magnus Magnusson.

E09

Episode 9

6/11/1995

From Gibside Chapel, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tonight's subjects are the Falklands war, Robert the Bruce, US presidential elections and the chemist William Henry Perkin. With Magnus Magnusson.

E10

Episode 10

6/18/1995

Tonight's programme comes from the 18th century Gibside Chapel, near Newcastle upon Tyne, where four contestants from the north of England answer questions on general knowledge and specialist subjects, which this week are German V weapons of the Second World War, Alfred Hitchcock, local industrialist William George Armstrong, and world land speed records. Presented by Magnus Magnusson.

E11

Episode 11

6/25/1995

Tonight, from a Victorian banking hall in the City of London, where the specialist subjects are John Lennon , King George V, Shakespeare's plays and Magna Graecia (the Greeks in southern Italy). With Magnus Magnusson.

E12

Episode 12

7/2/1995

From the National Westminster Hall in the City of London, where the specialist subjects are; French novelist Marcel Proust ; Gordon of Khartoum; Theories of Comedy and Laughter; and James Boswell , biographer of Dr Johnson. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E13

Episode 13

7/9/1995

The first of the semi-finals, from the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. Specialist subjects: African mammals, the Italian monarchy 1861-1946, the life and works of Rupert Brooke , and the life and career of Thomas Jefferson. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E14

Episode 14

7/16/1995

From Stratford-upon-Avon, the second semi-final where the specialist subjects are: Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus 1466-1536, the life and work of folk music legend Woody Guthrie, the history of the Western film to 1990, and venomous snakes. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions.

E15

Episode 15

7/23/1995

From Queen's University, Belfast, the third semi-final with specialist subjects RMS Titanic, Hedley Verity , Byzantine Empire AD 324-1453 and the Rolling Stones. With Magnus Magnusson

E16

Episode 16

7/30/1995

The four highest-scoring losers from the heats compete for the last place in the final. The specialist subjects at Queen's University, Belfast are: Italian composer Giacomo Puccini , World Series Baseball 1903-50, 19th-century novelist Anthony Trollope , and Richard Cromwell , son of and successor to Oliver.

E17

The Final

8/6/1995

This year's competition climaxes in Edinburgh at the General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland, where the specialised subjects are: Abraham Lincoln; Ancient Egypt: the New Kingdom; Winter Olympic Games since 1924; and the Zulu War. With Magnus Magnusson.

2019/20

31 Episodes

2019

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

8/9/2019·29m

John Humphrys presents the first heat of the relaunched series of the classic quiz, where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind. Tonight’s specialist subjects are the Lake District, Sue Townsend novels, Stephen King and Dorothy Hodgkin.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

8/16/2019·29m

John Humphrys presents heat two of the classic quiz where contenders take the black chair. Tonight’s specialist subjects are the Mughal Empire, the life and legacy of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Charles Dickens's Female Characters and Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

8/23/2019·29m

Four more contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. John Humphrys presents the quiz. The specialist subjects are the Thirty Years' War, the members and music of Genesis, Shakespeare's Elizabethan tragedies and Firefly and Serenity.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

8/30/2019·29m

John Humphrys presents the fourth heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Tonight’s specialist subjects are national flags, the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, The Chronicles of Narnia and the life and career of Andre Agassi.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

9/6/2019·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Tonight’s subjects are the islands of Great Britain, the Pop Larkin Chronicles by HE Bates, The League of Gentlemen and Doctor Who.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

9/20/2019·29m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys grills four more contenders on their chosen subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects in this episode are the history of the London Underground, the 1969 Woodstock festival, the industrialist William Armstrong and the life and films of Al Pacino.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

9/27/2019·29m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight in an attempt to become the next Mastermind. The specialist subjects are the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the life and career of Sir Kenny Dalglish, the novels and novellas of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and the films of Christopher Nolan.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

10/11/2019·29m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys grills four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The subjects in this episode are Plantagenet Queens Consort 1154 – 1485, members of the Weasel family, Eurovision in the 21st century and Birmingham City FC.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

10/18/2019·29m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight hoping to become the next Mastermind champion. In this programme, the specialist subjects are the Mabinogion, the life of Jacqueline du Pre, Emily Temple and the life and works of William Gibson.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

10/25/2019·30m

John Humphrys hosts another heat of the classic quiz, where four contenders take to the black chair. Under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock, the contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, which are the Pax Britannica trilogy, the musical Les Miserables, UK number one singles of the 1960s and The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice.

E11

Episode 11

11/1/2019·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the relaunched series of the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The subjects in this episode are Greek mythology, Manchester City FC, the Mapp and Lucia novels by EF Benson and the life and written works of Harper Lee.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

11/15/2019·29m

The relaunched series continues with another four contenders taking to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. John Humphrys hosts tonight’s episode, where the specialist subjects are the Cunard shipping line, the members and music of The Manic Street Preachers, the life and films of Ingrid Bergman and Strictly Come Dancing.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

11/22/2019·28m

Four more contenders take to the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock to answer questions on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. John Humphrys asks the questions, which tonight are on the Gospel of Matthew, the novel and musical Wicked, Johannes Brahms and the history of Ireland during the 1920s and 1930s.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

12/13/2019·28m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. John Humphrys hosts and asks the questions on the contenders’ specialist subjects, which are the history of medicine, the life and works of Taylor Swift, the films of Michelangelo Antonioni and the first 50 years of the Super Bowl.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

12/30/2019·29m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the relaunched series of the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind Champion. Tonight's specialist subjects are particle physics, the life and works of Douglas Adams, California and Carry On films.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

1/6/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. The specialist subjects are the Gordon Riots of 1780, the history of Marvel Comics, Franklin D Roosevelt and FE McWilliam.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

1/13/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Tonight's specialist subjects are the gardener Margery Fish, Downton Abbey, Louis Pasteur and the films of Edgar Wright.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

1/20/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock as they each attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are The Book of Mormon, the fiction of Franz Kafka, Durham County Cricket Club and The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

2/3/2020·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. Tonight's subjects are the Romanov Dynasty, the life and works of Frederick Douglass, Harpo Marx and Otis Redding.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

2/10/2020·29m

John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. On tonight’s episode, the subjects are: the life and poems of WH Auden, UK rap music, Louis Braille and 1970s and 80s British sitcoms.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

2/17/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects tonight are the Munros of Scotland, the music and members of Steely Dan, the life and works of Adam Smith and the films of Pixar Animation Studios.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

2/24/2020·28m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight, hoping to become the next Mastermind champion. In tonight’s programme, the specialist subjects are The Undertones, Dad’s Army, Genghis Khan and Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes films.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

3/2/2020·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. On tonight’s episode, the subjects are British breweries, the life and works of John Lennon, Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Back to the Future trilogy.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

3/9/2020·29m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz show where four contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Tonight’s subjects are the life and written works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Star Trek: The Original Series, the life and career of Jenson Button and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Semi-Final 1

E25

Semi-Final 1

3/16/2020·27m

John Humphrys presents the first semi-final of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects tonight are the suffragette movement, Cab Calloway, the Giro d’Italia and the life and career of Robin Williams.

Semi-Final 2

E26

Semi-Final 2

3/23/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects tonight are The Canterbury Tales, the Liverpool music scene of the 1970s and 80s, Gregory Peck and Pokémon.

Semi-Final 3

E27

Semi-Final 3

4/6/2020·27m

John Humphrys presents the third semi-final of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects tonight are Queens Consort of England from 939-1154, Flight of the Conchords, Richard Wagner and Caravaggio.

Semi-Final 4

E28

Semi-Final 4

4/13/2020·30m

John Humphrys presents the fourth semi-final of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are the Apollo space program, the Pitch Perfect films, the Appalachian Trail and Talking Heads.

Semi-Final 5

E29

Semi-Final 5

4/20/2020·28m

John Humphrys presents the fifth semi-final of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are the Trans-Siberian Railway, Dusty Springfield, Monty Python films and Grayson Perry.

Semi-Final 6

E30

Semi-Final 6

4/27/2020·27m

John Humphrys presents the last semi-final of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are Teotihuacan, Derry Girls, the Silk Road and Olympic fencing.

Grand Final

E31

Grand Final

5/4/2020·57m

John Humphrys presents the grand final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s specialist subjects are the Stonewall riots, the ancient universities of Scotland, the Wars of the Roses, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Johannes Vermeer and the View Askewniverse films of Kevin Smith.

1993

17 Episodes

1993

E01

Episode 1

1/10/1993

Returning for the 21st series, Magnus Magnusson puts more general knowledge questions to this year's first four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the life of Tiberius; the life of Admiral Lord Jellicoe; Clarice Cliff and English art deco ceramics, 1928-36; and Doctor Who.

E02

Episode 2

1/17/1993

Magnus Magnusson in Bangor puts more questions to another four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the life of Otto von Bismarck; the history of the Rose 1500-1850; British feminists 1759-1886; the history of the Swiss Confederation 1291-1874.

E03

Episode 3

1/24/1993

Magnus Magnusson travels to the University of Strathclyde to put more general knowledge questions to another four contenders whose specialist subjects are: the Border Reivers, 1500-1625; the Russo-German War, 1941-5; Lady Murasaki and the Tale of Genji; and Sir Thomas More

E04

Episode 4

1/31/1993

Magnus Magnusson returns to the University of Strathclyde to quiz four more contenders

E05

Episode 5

2/7/1993

From Arundel Castle, West Sussex. Specialist subjects: Charles II; British athletics since 1945; Gerard Manley Hopkins; Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

E06

Episode 6

2/21/1993

From Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Magnus Magnusson questions four more contenders with specialist subjects: the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, 1867-1918; Lord Macaulay; Dervla Murphy ; railway signalling in Britain, 1830-1947.

E07

Episode 7

2/28/1993

From Rugby School. Tonight's specialist subjects are: Malcolm X; the canals of England and Wales; Joseph Conrad ; and the Great Northern Railway.

E08

Episode 8

3/7/1993

From Rugby School. Tonight's subjects are: fantasy and science fiction, 1960-90; railways in Yorkshire; the life and works of AJ Munnings ; the life and career of Stanley Baldwin.

E09

Episode 9

3/14/1993

From the University of Strathclyde where tonight's subjects are: the Grand National; Slavonic languages since 1700; Dante; and the City of Chester from Roman times. With Magnus Magnusson

E10

Episode 10

3/28/1993

From the University of Strathclyde, where the subjects are Golda Meir; Sir Edward Elgar ; the Waterloo Campaign 1815, and the Kings of Israel and Judah. With Magnus Magnusson.

E11

Episode 11

4/4/1993

From the Barons' Hall at Arundel Castle, where the subjects are Edward VII, Hector Berlioz, City of London churches and Wilfred Owen.

E12

Episode 12

4/11/1993

From the Barons' Hall, Arundel Castle, where the subjects are: Shelley; Test cricket - England v Australia 1920-38; the siege of Paris 1870-71; the Romanov dynasty 1613-1918.

E13

Episode 13

4/18/1993

The first semi-final from Huddersfield, where the subjects are: P D James, the Napoleonic Wars, the Cornish china clay industry from 1745; and the medieval castle in the British Isles, 1050-1500. With Magnus Magnusson.

E14

Episode 14

4/25/1993

Second semi-final from the University of Huddersfield, where the subjects are: Damon Runyan ; the fall of the Western Roman Empire, AD 375-476; the Manhattan Project; and Joseph Chamberlain. With Magnus Magnusson.

E15

Episode 15

5/2/1993

The third of the semi-finals comes from Bath, where the specialist subjects are: German armoured fighting vehicles, 1939-45; Californian gold rush; Brunei; and model railways in Great Britain, 1920-90. With Magnus Magnusson.

E16

Episode 16

5/9/1993

The fourth of the semi-finals comes from Bath, where the specialist subjects are: the Beatles; C S Lewis; the solar system; and Frederick Delius. With Magnus Magnusson.

E17

The Final

5/16/1993

The four finalists are: Gavin Fuller - specialist subject, the Crusades(1095-1154); David Tombs - the modern Olympic Games; Glenys Davies - the life and reign of Napoleon III ; Barrie Douce - the French Indo-China War (1945-54). Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, London.

2021/22

31 Episodes

2021

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

8/23/2021·30m

In the first heat, Clive Myrie puts four contenders to the test as they answer questions on specialist subjects including Bruce Springsteen, Switzerland and Sir Roger Moore.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

8/30/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Subjects include PG Wodehouse’s Blandings stories, the listed buildings of Liverpool and Beyonce.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

9/20/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include John Cleese, the Alnwick Garden and Marvel's Avengers films.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

9/27/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Margaret of Anjou and The Simpsons.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

10/4/2021·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Tonight's subjects are James Bond villains, the life of Lord Byron, JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth and the castles of Northumberland.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

10/11/2021·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on the Giza necropolis, Martin Luther, and Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

10/18/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. Tonight's subjects include Margaret Thatcher, the saxophone and venomous snakes.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

10/25/2021·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Tonight's subjects are the fauna of the Galapagos Islands, The Mighty Boosh, Uefa Champions League finals and Catherine de’ Medici.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

11/1/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the novels of Alan Hollinghurst, The Vicar of Dibley and Edouard Manet.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

11/8/2021·30m

Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge in the tenth heat of a new series of the classic quiz. Tonight's specialist subjects are the Inspector Morse novels, King William IV, the films of Richard Curtis and Joseph Rowntree.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

11/15/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts as another four contenders take to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. On tonight's episode, the specialist subjects are British butterflies, the Cornetto Trilogy, Tutankhamun and Kate Bush.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

11/22/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat, with the contenders answering questions on Great Britain at the Winter Olympics, Goodness Gracious Me and High School Musical.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

11/29/2021·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. Tonight's subjects are Nell Gwyn, Sylvia Plath, Still Game and the island of Sicily.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

12/6/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects including the John Rebus novels, Hamilton and Louis Theroux documentaries.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

12/13/2021·30m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on All Blacks test matches, His Dark Materials, MGM musicals and John Clare.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

12/20/2021·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. Tonight's subjects are Eric Cantona, Black Mirror, Rocky Horror and the novels of John Steinbeck.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

1/3/2022·30m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz, with four contenders answering questions on the Gurkhas, Fernando Torres, Pam Ayres and Alfred Hitchcock films of the 1950s.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

1/10/2022·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Subjects include Lee Miller and the history of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

1/17/2022·30m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Tonight's specialist subjects are Line of Duty, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the Rebecca Riots and gin.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

1/24/2022·30m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Clive Myrie hosts and asks the questions on specialist subjects, which this week are the films of Tom Hanks, Sir Edward Elgar, Bess of Hardwick and Björk.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

1/31/2022·30m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz, with contenders answering questions on British and Irish women astronomers, White House pets, Edith Cavell and La Vuelta a España.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

2/7/2022·30m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Subjects are Madonna, the ER character Doug Ross, the rivers of Yorkshire and the NHL.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

2/14/2022·30m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects including Joni Mitchell, the wives of Henry VIII and the films of Tom Cruise.

E24

Episode 24

2/21/2022·30m

Clive Myrie hosts as contenders take to the famous black chair to answer questions on their chosen specialist subjects for a place in the semi-finals. This week's topics are Grace Kelly, the Cadfael novels and The Beatles' recording sessions.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

2/28/2022·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the first semi-final. The specialist subjects are the short stories of Daphne du Maurier, the films of Studio Ghibli, Scott Pilgrim and Formula One.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

3/7/2022·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects are Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, the Bill & Ted films, drum and bass music and Julia Margaret Cameron.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

3/14/2022·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are the X-Files, the history of York Minster, England at the Cricket World Cup and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

3/21/2022·30m

Clive Myrie presents the fourth semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are Wilfred Owen, 20th-century boxing, Frasier and African World Heritage Sites.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

3/28/2022·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are Irish involvement in the Spanish Civil War, Pulp, Brian Clough and the Harry Potter novels.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

4/4/2022·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are Jean Harlow, Porridge, Alexander the Great and the World Snooker Championship.

Final

E31

Final

4/11/2022·58m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the grand final. Specialist subjects include Sir Steve McQueen’s film and TV works, the Peak District, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Open All Hours.

2023/24

31 Episodes

2023

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

8/28/2023·29m

Clive Myrie presents the first heat of the classic quiz where contenders face the famous black chair with the ultimate goal of becoming the next Mastermind Champion. The specialist subjects are The Poirot Novels of Agatha Christie, The Calvin and Hobbes Cartoons, Drake and Red Clydeside.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

9/4/2023·30m

Clive Myrie asks the questions as four more contenders take the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Specialist subjects are Karl Marx, The Royle Family, Flags of British counties and Django Reinhardt.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

9/11/2023·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Roger Federer, Gavin & Stacey and Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

9/18/2023·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Chelsea FC in the Premier League, Franz Kafka and Harry Styles.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

9/25/2023·28m

The search for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects are F Scott Fitzgerald, otters, Thomas Paine and the BBC radio comedy The Navy Lark.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

10/2/2023·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on Ted Lasso, the life and works of Joan Didion and the early life of Gandhi.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

10/9/2023·29m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the black chair. The specialist subjects include the battleship Bismarck and Federico García Lorca.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

10/16/2023·28m

The search for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. This time, the specialist subjects are Billy Joel, JMW Turner, the BBC sitcom Miranda and Antoine Lavoisier.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

10/23/2023·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include Arrested Development and James McNeill Whistler.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

10/30/2023·28m

Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge in another heat of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects this time are the reptiles and amphibians of the British Isles, the Salem Witch Trials, Indian Premier League cricket and Edward VIII.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

11/6/2023·29m

The series continues with another four contenders taking to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. Clive Myrie hosts, and the specialist subjects are Sir Isaac Newton, Red Dwarf, Mary Queen of Scots and Billy Bragg.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

11/13/2023·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on Peter the Great of Russia, Exmoor National Park and the films of Quentin Tarantino.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

11/20/2023·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects this time are the films of Martin McDonagh, Dorothy Parker, US presidential elections from 1948 to 2000, and the music of Tom Waits.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

11/27/2023·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects including the New York subway system, the 'Ocean's' films, and the Easter Rising.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

12/4/2023·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the poetry of Dame Carol Ann Duffy and The League of Gentlemen.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

12/11/2023·29m

Another four contenders take to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. Clive Myrie hosts, and the specialist subjects are Bridget Riley, the Winter Olympics 2002-2022, the sitcoms of Peter Kay and the history of St Albans.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

12/18/2023·30m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz, with four contenders answering questions on Meat Loaf, Grinling Gibbons, and England comen's cricket since 2000.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

1/1/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include British garden birds, the Big Bang theory and the films of Orson Welles.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

1/8/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include Sir Trevor McDonald, Leeds United Football Club and Myrna Loy.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

1/15/2024·28m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Clive Myrie hosts and asks the questions on specialist subjects Kim Philby, Chess: The Musical, the castles of North Wales and the life of Thomas Hardy.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

1/22/2024·28m

The search for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. The subjects are the Chocolat novels of Joanne Harris, George Best, Alcibiades and The Rolling Stones.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

1/29/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Subjects include medieval cathedrals of England and Dolly Parton.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

2/5/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects, including the career of Arsène Wenger, the comedies of Oscar Wilde and the Godfather films.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

2/12/2024·30m

Clive Myrie hosts, with contenders answering questions on the human digestive system, AA Milne and Winnie the Pooh, The Chemical Brothers, and the Jack Ryan novels by Tom Clancy.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

2/19/2024·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the first semi-final. The specialist subjects include Charlie Chaplin, Happy Valley and Billie Jean King.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

2/26/2024·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Subjects include the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 1960 to the present, the films of Sir Ridley Scott and Genesis from 1967-1977.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

3/4/2024·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include James I of Scotland, Breaking Bad and the life of Mary Shelley.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

3/11/2024·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include Peter Cushing, the history of percussion instruments and Sir Bobby Robson.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

3/18/2024·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include British prime ministers of the 18th century and Oscar-winning animated feature films.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

3/25/2024·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the last of the semi-finals. The specialist subjects include bears, the novels of Dame Muriel Spark and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Final

E31

Final

4/1/2024·58m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the grand final. Specialist subjects include the Wimbledon singles championships 2000-present, the artist Francis Bacon and the Greek poet Sappho.

2022/23

31 Episodes

2022

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

9/19/2022·29m

In the first heat of the series, Clive Myrie puts four contenders to the test on specialist subjects including Peaky Blinders and Team GB at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

9/26/2022·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Subjects include the history of the Orkney Islands and the films of Laurel and Hardy.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

10/3/2022·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Emily Wilding Davison, The Thick of It and the New Romantics.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

10/10/2022·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the ‘Alice’ books of Lewis Carroll, Detectorists and Sir Elton John.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

10/17/2022·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects are Marie Curie, the BBC sitcom Ghosts, Elizabeth Woodville and Banksy.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

10/26/2022·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat, with the contenders answering questions on the life and works of John Cage, the wines of Portugal and Only Fools and Horses.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

11/1/2022·28m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. The specialist subjects include Neil Armstrong, Shakespeare's comedies and Rupert Bear.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

11/8/2022·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects are the Peter Wimsey stories of Dorothy L Sayers, Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Wire and the Falklands conflict.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

11/15/2022·29m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are Christopher Hitchens, Ayrton Senna, Killing Eve and Field Marshal Montgomery.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

11/21/2022·28m

Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge in the tenth heat of the series. The specialist subjects are the life of Anne Lister, Dear Evan Hansen, Elizabeth I and the feature films of David Lynch.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

11/28/2022·29m

Clive Myrie hosts as another four contenders take to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. The specialist subjects are Michael Palin's travel documentaries, Lady Gaga, Emily Dickinson and the BBC sitcom Mum.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

12/5/2022·30m

Four more contenders take to the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock to answer questions on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Clive Myrie asks questions on the films of Judy Garland, The Cure, Hi-de-Hi! and the French Wars of Religion.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

12/12/2022·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. This time, the subjects are the jazz pianist Bill Evans, Georges Remi and Tintin, William Morris, and Torchwood.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

12/19/2022·28m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Clive Myrie hosts and asks the questions on their specialist subjects, which are Tudor rebellions, Christina Aguilera, the US space shuttle program and James Parkinson.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

1/2/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are the British Industrial Revolution, the films of Christopher Guest, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Succession.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

1/9/2023·28m

Another four contenders take to the black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. Clive Myrie hosts an episode where the specialist subjects are Stephen Hawking, the music of Radiohead, Theda Bara and the Richard Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

1/16/2023·28m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. The subjects in this episode are Marcus Trescothick, Rupert Brooke, Thomas Cromwell and the films of Wes Anderson.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

1/23/2023·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions as four more contenders take on the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are Catherine the Great, Wallace and Gromit, Egon Schiele and hyenas.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

1/30/2023·29m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of a new series of the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind Champion. Tonight's Specialist Subjects are the films of Nicole Kidman, constellations of the northern hemisphere, the children's books of Roald Dahl and Take That.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

2/6/2023·28m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Clive Myrie hosts, asking the questions on the contestants' specialist subjects: film adaptations of Shakespeare's tragedies, the Great Fire of London, the career of John Barnes and The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

2/13/2023·29m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock. The specialist subjects are U2, toy dog breeds, the Mitford sisters and guest stars in Friends.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

2/20/2023·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions as four more contenders take on the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are the plays of Tennessee Williams, American First Ladies from 1945 to the present, NBA MVP award winners since 2000 and Mithridates the Great.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

2/27/2023·28m

Four more contenders face the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock in an attempt to become the next Mastermind champion. Clive Myrie hosts and asks the questions on the contestants' specialist subjects, which are the Empress Matilda, Stevie Nicks, the What Katy Did novels and Universal’s Frankenstein films of the 1930s and 40s.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

3/6/2023·31m

In the final heat, four contenders take on the famous black chair, answering questions on their chosen specialist subjects to earn a place in the semi-finals. Clive Myrie hosts, with contenders answering questions on Christiaan Huygens, Jonathan Creek, the life and works of Artemisia Gentileschi, and European mammals.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

3/13/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents the first semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are Oscar-winning performances of the 1990s, the life and death of stars, Peep Show and The Great Escape.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

3/20/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents another semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are the Norman Conquest, Borussia Dortmund, popes of the Renaissance and the film musicals of Alan Menken.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

3/27/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents the third semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are the PDC World Darts Championship, the history of transportation to Australia, Parks and Recreation, and Queen Anne.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

4/3/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents the fourth semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are Frank Zappa, the life and works of Siegfried Sassoon, pioneering British and Irish female aviators, and winners of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

4/10/2023·29m

Clive Myrie presents the fifth semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are Fridtjof Nansen, the record label 4AD, Christina Rossetti and the Jason Bourne films.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

4/17/2023·28m

Clive Myrie presents the last semi-final of the classic quiz where contenders return to the black chair under the glare of the spotlight and the ticking clock to win a place in the grand final. The specialist subjects are Sir Edwin Lutyens, Coldplay, the Karen Pirie novels of Val McDermid and the films of Terry Gilliam.

Final

E31

Final

4/24/2023·59m

Clive Myrie presents the grand final of the classic quiz where six contenders return to the black chair in a bid to become the next Mastermind champion. The specialist subjects are British and Irish Lions tours in the 21st century, Princess Margaret, the Rocky films, Bletchley Park during the Second World War, Augustus Caesar and the BBC sitcom Extras.

2004

31 Episodes

2004

E01

Episode 1

6/21/2004·30m

The life and career of Joyce Grenfell, the RMS Titanic, the life and works of Gustav Mahler and world heavyweight boxing championships 1895-1978 are the specialist subjects as the celebrated quiz returns for a new run. John Humphrys invites the contestants to take the lonely walk to the black chair.

E02

Episode 2

6/22/2004·30m

The black chair beckons another four contestants as John Humphrys fires questions on the life and times of president Warren G Harding, the Test career of Geoffrey Boycott, the series Doctor Who and the novels of Tom Sharpe.

E03

Episode 3

6/23/2004·30m

The quiz's new nightly run continues. The life and music of George Gershwin, western Europe in the Dark Ages AD 400-800, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy and US manned space flights 1961-1975 are the specialist subjects of tonight's four first-round contestants braving the black chair. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E04

Episode 4

6/24/2004·30m

The life and films of Maureen O'Hara, punk and new-wave music 1976-1979, the history of Halifax rugby league football club and classic sitcom Only Fools and Horses form the diverse range of specialist subjects facing the quartet of contestants on tonight's first-round heat of the classic quiz. Presented by John Humphrys.

E05

Episode 5

6/25/2004·30m

The week of back-to-back rounds concludes as four more contestants face rapid-fire questions from John Humphrys on the subjects of the fantasy novels of Andre Norton, the Tour de France, the works of satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer and the history of the Jewish East End of London.

E06

Episode 6

6/28/2004·30m

The history of European Cupfinals since 1970, the life and times of Emma Hamilton, the music of Elvis Costello and the fiction novels of Michael Crichton are the specialist subjects in tonight's first-round clash. John Humphrys invites the contestants to step up to the black chair.

E07

Episode 7

6/29/2004·30m

The life and works of Russian expressionist artist Vasili Kandinsky, Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time series of novels, the history of world outdoor athletics championships, and David, the second king of Israel comprise the varied range of specialist subjects chosen by the contestants in tonight's first-round heat. With question master John Humphrys.

E08

Episode 8

6/30/2004·30m

Four more intrepid contestants reach the infamous black chair, with John Humphrys asking quick-fire questions on the history of the European Union, Susan Coolidge's What Katy Did novels, the TV series Star Trek: the Next Generation and the history of Manchester United Football Club.

E09

Episode 9

7/1/2004·30m

The history of Essex county cricket club, British tank development from 1915, the life and music of Paul McCartney and British mammals form the eclectic group of subjects chosen by tonight's four contestants in another first-round heat of the classic quiz. Presented by John Humphrys.

E10

Episode 10

7/2/2004·30m

The second week of back-to-back first-round heats concludes as four more contestants face rapid-fire questions from John Humphrys. Their chosen specialised subjects are the novels of Frederick Forsyth, the life and films of Marilyn Monroe, the life and works of Edward Elgar, and the 1981 Ashes Test series.

E11

Episode 11

7/5/2004·30m

The department of Guadeloupe and its dependencies; the Moody Blues; the life and work of 19th-century fossil collector Mary Anning; and aircraft carriers from 1912 are tonight's subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E12

Episode 12

7/12/2004·30m

The history of 11th-century England, the television comedy drama Auf Wiedersehen Pet, the life and works of novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, and the life and music of Rod Stewart are tonight's subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E13

Episode 13

7/19/2004·30m

The history of the Second World War, the films of Gregory Peck, the history of Plymouth Argyle football club and instruments of the symphony orchestra are tonight's diverse subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E14

Episode 14

7/26/2004·30m

The life and works of Vaughan Williams; the life and career of Sir George Cayley; the legends of King Arthur; and the M*A*S*H TV series are tonight's diverse subjects. John Humphrys is the man with all the answers.

E15

Episode 15

8/2/2004·30m

The brave quartet in the black chair tonight will be facing questions on the life and works of Titian, Steve Coogan's failed broadcaster Alan Partridge, the history of football's World Cup 1930-2002 and Boswell and Johnson's tours of the Hebrides. John Humphrys is the man with the answers.

E16

Episode 16

8/9/2004·30m

Another four contestants brave the lonely walk to the forbidding black chair. Tonight's specialist subjects are the life and reign of Richard III, the history of Burnley Football Club, Homer's Odyssey and the films of Billy Wilder. John Humphrys is the man with the answers.

E17

Episode 17

8/30/2004·30m

British top 30 hit singles 1960-1989, the life and works of Cesar Franck, the films of Satyajit Ray and the life and reign of Queen Victoria are tonight's diverse subjects. John Humphrys is the man with all the answers.

E18

Episode 18

9/6/2004·30m

Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot murder-mysteries, film dramatisations of Bram Stoker's gothic novel Dracula, the Battle of Britain, and the life and music of Buddy Holly are the specialist subjects. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E19

Episode 19

9/13/2004·30m

Cole Porter, the Duke of Wellington, the first two series of sci-fi drama Babylon 5, and photographer Ansel Adams are the specialist subjects. John Humphrys is the interrogator.

E20

Episode 20

9/20/2004·30m

The life and works of Wilfred Owen, unicorns, Alexander the Great, and the life and works of Ludwig Wittgenstein are tonight's specialist subjects. John Humphrys invites four contestants to step up to the forbidding black chair.

E21

Episode 21

9/27/2004·30m

A broad range of eras are represented, as the contestants face questions on Victorian Britain, British pop music of the 1950s, the journeys of St Paul from the New Testament's Acts and the films of Sergio Leone. With John Humphrys.

E22

Episode 22

10/4/2004·30m

A broad range of subjects are represented, as contestants face questions on the life and works of Offenbach, British films of the 1960s, the life and times of Arbella Stuart and wild cats of the world. Hosted by John Humphrys.

E23

Episode 23

10/11/2004·30m

Capital punishment in the UK since 1945, the history of the rugby union world cup, the life and films of John Belushi and the history of the Birmingham Royal Ballet are the topics on which John Humphrys grills the four contestants.

E24

Episode 24

10/18/2004·30m

The history of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the band XTC, the life and work of George Hudson and the history of Moscow are the topics. Hosted by John Humphrys.

E25

Episode 25

10/25/2004·30m

Fawlty Towers, British prime ministers of the 20th century, the life and works of poet Robert Fergusson and English civil wars 1642-1651 are the specialist subjects in the first of six semi-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.

E26

Episode 26

11/1/2004·30m

The life and reign of King Charles II, the Conservative government of John Major 1992-1997, the life and work of Albert Einstein and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio series and books are the specialist subjects in the second of six semi-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.

E27

Episode 27

11/8/2004·30m

Historical buildings of England, the 1879 Zulu War, British murders and murderers 1850-1950 and The Adventures of Tintin by Herge are the specialist subjects in the third of six semi-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.

E28

Episode 28

11/15/2004·30m

The life and reign of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the novels of Margery Allingham, the life and work of Erwin Schrodinger and British popular music from 1972-1984 are the eclectic range of specialist subjects in the fourth of six semi-finals. John Humphrys has the questions.

E29

Episode 29

11/22/2004·30m

The history of Manchester City Football Club, the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, the history of Babylonia 2000-539 BC and the US presidential elections 1940-2000 are the specialist subjects in the fifth of six semi-finals. John Humphrys hosts.

E30

Episode 30

11/29/2004·30m

In the last of six semi-finals, contestants put their knowledge of Scottish infantry regiments, the history of Liverpool, the life and works of composer Orlande de Lassus and the England football team to the test. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E31

Grand Final

12/5/2004·30m

From 96 original contenders, six remain and tonight just one will walk away with the title of Mastermind 2004. Specialist subjects are American presidents of the 20th century, FA Cup finals since 1970, Homer's Iliad, British pop music of the 1960s, the life and reign of Elizabeth I and English Test cricket since 1877. John Humphrys asks the questions.

2025/26

31 Episodes

2025

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

7/14/2025·29m

In the first of 24 heats, Clive Myrie puts four contenders to the test. Specialist subjects include the Women’s Institute, Carl Lewis and the films of The Muppets.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

7/21/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. The specialist subjects are the men’s Euros from 2000 to 2024, Truman Capote, Gilmore Girls and LS Lowry.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

7/28/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Jodie Whittaker's tenure on Doctor Who and Edward III.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

8/11/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include The Hunger Games and Edvard Munch.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

8/18/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects include the history of sheep and the music of Katy Perry.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

8/25/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the black chair. The subjects include, Barack Obama, the Dambusters Raid and Real Madrid from 2000 to the present.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

9/1/2025·28m

Four more contenders brave the famous black chair in another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects include Katherine Parr and Pierce Brosnan's tenure as James Bond.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

9/8/2025·28m

The search for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects are the comedian Bob Mortimer, dolphins and porpoises, the singer Eva Cassidy and the England cricket team under Michael Atherton.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

9/15/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include People Just Do Nothing and the Roman emperor Nero.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

9/22/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the musical Evita and the works of Sally Rooney.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

9/29/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on subjects including The Simpsons and the plays of Samuel Beckett.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

10/6/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz. The subjects include the Jurassic Coast, the band Queen and Mickey Mouse cartoons from 1928-1935.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

10/14/2025·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on the films of Billy Wilder, Neil Diamond and the Apollo space program.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

10/20/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects, including Richard Nixon, the band Nirvana and the television sitcom Derry Girls.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

10/27/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the musical Les Miserables, Florence Nightingale and The O.C.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

11/3/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. The specialist subjects include Roxy Music, Marc Chagall and the original Tomb Raider games.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

11/10/2025·28m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz, with four contenders answering questions on such subjects as the Great Reform Act of 1832, the castles of South Wales and Maroon 5.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

11/17/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts, with contenders answering questions on specialist subjects including Aneurin Bevan, the musicals of Stephen Sondheim and Upstairs, Downstairs.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

11/24/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz as four more contenders take on the black chair. Subjects include the French Revolution and the poetry of John Betjeman.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

12/1/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, which include the planets of the solar system and the films of Kirsten Dunst.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

12/8/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include Muhammad Ali and Homer’s Iliad.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

12/15/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include British butterflies, Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books and Twin Peaks.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

2/23/2026·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects including the London 2012 Olympic Games and British waterfowl and wading birds.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

3/2/2026·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Subjects include Jimi Hendrix, the operas of Giacomo Puccini and Wilfred Owen.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

3/9/2026·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the first semi-final. The specialist subjects include Fleabag, Michael Faraday, the presidency of Ronald Reagan and British marine invertebrates.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

3/16/2026·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are Jeff Buckley, the managerial career of Rafael Benítez, Andy Warhol and the classic Routemaster bus.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

3/23/2026·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include Clint Eastwood's western films and the footballer Cyrille Regis.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

3/30/2026·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include George Frideric Handel, the films of Christopher Nolan and the US Masters tournament from 1990 to the present.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

4/6/2026·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects include Yellowstone National Park, The Silmarillion and the England Men's Team at the Fifa World Cup.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

4/13/2026·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the last semi-final. The specialist subjects include Amelia Earhart, Sir Laurence Olivier, the red wines of Burgundy and the songs of Sir Noël Coward.

Final

E31

Final

4/20/2026·60m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the grand final. Subjects are Dame Julie Andrews, The Films of Danny Boyle, Beatrix Potter, Robert Burns, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Jim Lovell.

2014/15

31 Episodes

2014

E01

Episode 1

8/8/2014·30m

John Humphrys and the famous black chair return for another series of TV's toughest quiz. 96 contenders start the journey towards the final but only one will be crowned Mastermind Champion. Subjects in the first heat are Yes Minister, the Battle of Lepanto, JM Barrie and St Paul's Cathedral.

E02

Episode 2

8/22/2014·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects in this heat are The Thick of It, Eric Clapton, British poetry and TE Lawrence.

E03

Episode 3

8/29/2014·30m

John Humphrys questions four more contenders. The subjects are Bobby Moore, the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe, the TV series Our Friends in the North and Richard the Lionheart.

E04

Episode 4

9/5/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are champagne, the Manhattan Project, the photographer Tina Modotti and the TV series The Prisoner.

E05

Episode 5

9/12/2014·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz as four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The specialist subjects in this programme are the TV series House of Cards, John Milton, the Siege of Constantinople of 1453 and FA Cup finals at the old Wembley.

E06

Episode 6

9/19/2014·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz as four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The specialist subjects in this programme are the summer Olympic Games, Duke Ellington, Hammer films and General James Wolfe.

E07

Episode 7

9/26/2014·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz as four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The specialist subjects in this programme are Les Dawson, West Indies cricket, the life and films of Howard Hawks, and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

E08

Episode 8

10/3/2014·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz as four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The specialist subjects in this programme are the Rolling Stones, the Bayeux Tapestry, TV series Mad Men and King Ludwig the Second of Bavaria.

E09

Episode 9

10/10/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are the films of Sergio Leone, Robert Peel, Leonard Cohen, and Anton Bruckner.

E10

Episode 10

10/17/2014·30m

The subjects are the Thames path, Monica Dickens, the life and music of Steve Reich and the life and poetry of Thomas Chatterton.

E11

Episode 11

10/31/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions. The subjects are the films of John Hughes, King David I of Scotland, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Iggy Pop.

E12

Episode 12

11/7/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are the crown jewels, Tamla Motown, the Battle of Gettysburg and Dusty Springfield.

E13

Episode 13

11/14/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are the sitcom Peep Show, the Battle of the Atlantic, the band Suede and the life and works of Charlotte Bronte.

E14

Episode 14

11/21/2014·30m

The subjects are Pink Floyd, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, the novels of James Herbert and the life and career of Theodore Roosevelt.

E15

Episode 15

11/28/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. The subjects are Marc Bolan, the Empress of Ireland, the Sasanian Empire and 'Allo 'Allo.

E16

Episode 16

12/5/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Doctor Who, lost rivers of London, Brian Epstein and the Anglo-Zulu Wars of 1879.

E17

Episode 17

12/12/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Cary Grant, the CSS Alabama, the Masters of Rome novels of Colleen McCullough and Marc Almond.

E18

Episode 18

12/19/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are one hit wonders, UK general elections 1979 - 2010, West Bromwich Albion and Empress Livia.

E19

Episode 19

1/2/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects U2, first ladies of the USA, the films of Stanley Kubrick and Athens in the age of Pericles.

E20

Episode 20

1/9/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. The subjects are the novels of Dick Francis, British railway disasters, Gram Parsons and Welsh international rugby from 1960 to 1980.

E21

Episode 21

1/16/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Breaking Bad, the Spanish Civil War, the Clash and the Peter Wimsey novels of Dorothy L Sayers.

E22

Episode 22

1/23/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are UK chart music of the 1960s, the poetry of John Betjeman, US Masters golf 1970-present and the life and films of Luis Bunuel.

E23

Episode 23

1/30/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The subjects are Game of Thrones, Neil Young, Bournville Village and the life and career of Sir Edward Marshall Hall.

E24

Episode 24

2/6/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are Joy Division, the Battle of the Somme, the Novels of EM Forster and the Big Bang Theory.

E25

Episode 25

2/13/2015·30m

John Humphrys invites five contenders to answer questions in the black chair in the first semi-final of the series. The subjects are Kraftwerk, the Turkish archaeological dig at Catalhoyuk, Sir Martin Frobisher, the novels of Douglas Coupland and the Pentateuch.

E26

Episode 26

2/20/2015·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to five more semi-finalists. The subjects are Inspector Morse, the life of CB Fry, the life of Reinhard Heydrich, the life and career of Jack Johnson and the Gospel according to Mark.

E27

Episode 27

2/27/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt for the nation's Mastermind reaches the semi-final stage. The subjects are the Miss Marple novels of Agatha Christie, the Scottish national football team, John Clare, King Henry VII, and the life and work of Aubrey Beardsley.

E28

Episode 28

3/6/2015·30m

John Humphrys hosts another semi-final of Britain's toughest quiz. Five more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. The subjects are Alex Higgins, Erasmus Darwin, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Margot Fonteyn and the Dirk Pitt novels of Clive Cussler.

E29

Episode 29

3/13/2015·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as five contenders take the walk to the black chair in another semi-final. The subjects are the League of Gentlemen, the Harry Devlin novels of Martin Edwards, the Romanov dynasty, Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and the life of Ernest Hemingway.

E30

Episode 30

3/20/2015·30m

Host John Humphrys invites five more contenders to answer questions in the black chair in the last semi-final of the series. The subjects are the Bodyline Ashes tour, the life and work of Elizabeth David, Will Hay, British admirals of the Napoleonic Wars and the life and works of Mary Shelley.

E31

Grand Final

3/27/2015·60m

The search for the nation's Mastermind reaches its climax as John Humphrys tests the six grand finalists on their specialist subjects and their general knowledge. Subjects covered are the Falklands conflict, Caterina Sforza, Paul Scott's Raj Quartet, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, the Ashes 1964-1981 and the life of Rudolph Nureyev. The winner will claim the famous glass bowl and the title of Mastermind.

2016/17

31 Episodes

2016

E01

Episode 1

7/13/2016·30m

In this first heat of the new series, John Humphrys starts the search for the nation's Mastermind. Specialist subjects tonight are Joni Mitchell, the Radio 4 sitcom Bleak Expectations, Alan Turing, and the history of aviation to 1914.

E02

Episode 2

7/20/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents the second heat of this series. Subjects are the rock band Yes, Ernest Rutherford, the films of Werner Herzog and MC Escher.

E03

Episode 3

7/27/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Subjects include beekeeping, the Royal Navy in the Second World War, Mark E Smith and the Fall, and John le Carre's Quest for Karla trilogy.

E04

Episode 4

8/5/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are Benny Hill, the Mitford sisters, Marcus Tullius Cicero and the Jacobite rebellion.

E05

Episode 5

8/12/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another episode of Britain's toughest quiz. Subjects include Wilfred Owen, Sir Michael Caine, Mad Men and the rock band Faith No More.

E06

Episode 6

8/19/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are REM, Harry S Truman, the World Cup and the drama series Borgen.

E07

Episode 7

8/26/2016·30m

In this heat, John Humphrys grills four more contenders on James Bond films, Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street novels, 20th-century US presidents and the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

E08

Episode 8

9/2/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects are the films of the Coen brothers, Tom Waits, Transatlantic Liners and Flanders and Swann.

E09

Episode 9

9/9/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are the films of Peter Sellers, astronomy, the life and music of Arthur Lee and Love and John Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga.

E10

Episode 10

9/16/2016·30m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in Britain's toughest quiz. The subjects are Nick Drake, Emil Zatopek, Band of Brothers and Hernán Cortés and the conquest of Mexico.

E11

Episode 11

9/23/2016·30m

Tonight's subjects are Formula One Grand Prix circuits, Oliver Cromwell, the Charles Paris mysteries by Simon Brett and Fillipo Brunelleschi.

E12

Episode 12

9/30/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another episode of the classic quiz. Tonight's specialist subjects are the city of Bath, The Faces, Sophie Scholl and the White Rose and Ayrton Senna.

E13

Episode 13

10/7/2016·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another heat of the classic series. Subjects tonight are Queen, Dame Laura Knight, Anita Roddick and Don Revie.

E14

Episode 14

10/14/2016·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects tonight are Kurt Cobain, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.

E15

Episode 15

10/21/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are the films of Ewan McGregor, British race courses, World Heritage sites and CJ Sansom's Shardlake novels.

E16

Episode 16

10/28/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are David Niven, the Soviet space programme, Italian Renaissance paintings and the human body.

E17

Episode 17

11/4/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are Hans Christian Andersen, the Russian Civil War, Ipswich Town FC and Rita Hayworth.

E18

Episode 18

11/11/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. The subjects are islands of Scotland, Laurie Lee, Ginger McCain and Red Rum, and the films of David Fincher.

E19

Episode 19

11/18/2016·30m

Four more contenders brave the black chair with John Humphrys asking the questions in the classic quiz. The subjects are EastEnders, Puccini, Bill Shankly and the Battle of Trafalgar.

E20

Episode 20

11/25/2016·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four more contenders take to the famous black chair. Subjects are David Bowie, Edvard Munch, postwar British motorcycles and the German occupation of Jersey in the Second World War.

E21

Episode 21

12/2/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are Eric Clapton, Emperor Hadrian, Tintin and the life and broadway stories of Damon Runyon.

E22

Episode 22

12/9/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects are Andy Warhol, the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus, Nicholas Hawksmoor and the X-Files.

E23

Episode 23

12/16/2016·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Subjects include Steve Jobs, Farscape, the history of Hungary and black metal music.

E24

Episode 24

1/6/2017·30m

The last place in the semi-finals is up for grabs as John Humphrys puts four more contenders in the spotlight. Subjects tonight are naval battles of the First World War, Charles Laughton, the de Havilland Mosquito and Garth Ennis's Punisher Max series.

E25

Episode 25

1/13/2017·30m

John Humphrys presents the first semi-final. The subjects are Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Steve Ovett, the daughters of King George III, Al Capone and the novels of Robert Harris.

E26

Episode 26

1/20/2017·30m

The semi-finals continue as John Humphrys puts five more contenders in the spotlight. Subjects include Asterix, the periodic table, the novels of Nick Hornby, Richard Feynman and Stan Laurel.

E27

Episode 27

2/3/2017·30m

The semi-finals continue as John Humphrys puts five more contenders in the spotlight. Subjects include Radiohead, Alison Uttley, Field Marshal Montgomery, the films of Powell & Pressburger and Herbert Howells.

E28

Episode 28

2/10/2017·30m

Five more semi-finalists try to claim a place in the grand final. The subjects are Alan Bennett, Cream, the novels of Dan Brown, Herbert von Karajan and Queen Mary.

E29

Episode 29

2/17/2017·30m

John Humphrys tests five more semi-finalists. The subjects are Creation Records, Johannes Kepler, the Hunger Games novels, Sir Isaac Newton and the films of William Goldman.

E30

Episode 30

2/24/2017·30m

The last place in the grand final is at stake as John Humphrys tests another five semi-finalists on The Sweeney, Mary Seacole, James Cook, Tranmere Rovers and the travel writings of Bill Bryson.

E31

The Final

3/3/2017·60m

John Humphrys puts six contenders in the spotlight one more time in the series finale. Subjects in the grand final are the films of Alfred Hitchcock, the history of Leningrad, the life and films of Billy Wilder, Seinfeld, Inigo Jones and the short films of Laurel and Hardy.

2009/10

31 Episodes

2009

E01

Episode 1

8/28/2009·30m

The general knowledge series returns for the 32nd time. Tonight's topics comprise the life and works of Louis Wain, the Greeks in Sicily from to 212 BC, the Sherlock Holmes films of Basil Rathbone and the life of Kurt Vonnegut. With John Humphrys.

E02

Episode 2

9/4/2009·30m

Topics comprise Apple Records, fictional works of Paul Auster , the life of Maximilien Robespierre , and world heavyweight boxing champions from 1882 to 1929.

E03

Episode 3

9/11/2009·30m

Topics tonight are the history of the George Cross, the documentary series The Ascent of Man, the first Latin kingdom of Jerusalem and former PM Clement Attlee.

E04

Episode 4

9/18/2009·30m

Tonight's topics are the life and work of Oscar Wilde, Germanic languages, the history of jazz music 1917-30 and the life and films of Akira Kurosawa.

E05

Episode 5

9/25/2009·30m

Tonight's subjects are the life and films of Groucho Marx, the novels of Dorothy Whipple, the Battle of Britain and the life and work of Thomas Arnold.

E06

Episode 6

10/2/2009·30m

Topics comprise the Cazalet books of Elizabeth Jane Howard, the life and times of John Hume, Egyptology, and British New Wave cinema of the 1960s.

E07

Episode 7

10/9/2009·30m

Topics tonight are the life and work of Paul Nash, the films of Tim Burton, ancient Greece from to 323BC and the life and work of Paul Dirac

E08

Episode 8

10/23/2009·30m

Topics tonight are the life and career of Bill Hicks , the Mont Blanc massif, George Frideric Handel , and the life and work of Isaiah Berlin. With John Humphrys.

E09

Episode 9

10/30/2009·30m

Topics are British indie music 1979-89, the life and work of Leonhard Euler, Graham Greene's short stories and transatlantic ocean liners from 1907 to the present day.

E10

Episode 10

11/6/2009·30m

Topics tonight are Richard III, the life and times of Morihei Ueshiba, the Chartist movement and the life and work of Edouard Manet. With John Humphrys.

E11

Episode 11

11/13/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects comprise British female cabinet ministers, angels, the Stone of Destiny and the Birdcage novels of Victor Canning.

E12

Episode 12

11/20/2009·30m

Subjects are the NFL 1920-74, Henry VII, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight novels and Aberdeen architecture since 1800.

E13

Episode 13

1/8/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the islands of Micronesia, the life and music of Johnnie Ray, and the London borough of Wandsworth.

E14

Episode 14

1/15/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, Caesar's Gallic Wars, the life and works of Ayn Rand and Florence during the Renaissance 1400-1550.

E15

Episode 15

1/22/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the life and music of Lou Reed, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, classical Greek mythology and the life and times of Martin Nadaud.

E16

Episode 16

1/29/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the work of Gerry Anderson, the Summer Olympics 1968 - 1988, the life and work of Sir John Everett Millais and the life of Mustafa 'Ataturk' Kemal.

E17

Episode 17

2/5/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the novels of Stan Barstow, the history of Portmeirion, motorcycles of the 1950s and the history of Lords Cricket Ground.

E18

Episode 18

2/12/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are TV westerns of the 50s and 60s, the life and work of Tolkien, the government of Gough Whitlam 1972 -1975, and the life and career of Dixie Dean.

E19

Episode 19

2/26/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are Charles Darwin, the life and works of Francis Poulenc, the history of mountaineering on Everest and the break-up of Yugoslavia.

E20

Episode 20

3/5/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the life and career of Sir Alex Ferguson, 17th-century English history, Star Trek Voyager and the life and worlds of Edward Elgar.

E21

Episode 21

3/12/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The specialist subjects are the life and career of Lester Piggott, the Weimar Republic, the life and trials of Edward Marshall Hall and the life and films of Preston Sturges.

E22

Episode 22

3/19/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Subjects are: the life and times of Robert Peel, Gertrude Jekyll, the Child Ballads and the life and work of Baudelaire.

E23

Episode 23

3/26/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. The specialist subjects are Victorian and Edwardian poisoners, the life and music of Lead Belly, the life and work of Bishop John Robinson and the Football World Cup 1930-1958.

E24

Episode 24

4/2/2010·30m

Host John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. The specialist subjects are the films of Billy Wilder, the Nuremberg Trials, Charles II and the fictional works of CS Lewis.

E25

Episode 25

4/9/2010·30m

The subjects are: The Lord Peter Wimsey Novels of Dorothy L Sayers; The Anglo-American War 1812-1815; Hindu Gods and Goddesses; The Life and Work of Cecil Sharp; and the TV Series The Wire.

E26

Episode 26

4/16/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Five contenders battle it out for a place in the grand final. Subjects are the history of the British Army 1660-1914, the life and music of Burt Bacharach, Dance to the Music of Time novels by Anthony Powell, Ealing Studios 1838-1959 and the London and North Eastern Railway.

E27

Episode 27

4/23/2010·30m

John Humphrys puts five contenders through their paces. At stake is a place in the grand final. The subjects are: the life and career of Ayrton Senna, the Jeeves and Wooster novels of PG Wodehouse, broadway stage musicals 1927-present, the life and work of Alan Moore, and the the life and reign of James VI and I.

E28

Episode 28

5/7/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Five contenders battle it out for a place in the grand final. Subjects are the life and times of Sir Walter Raleigh, TV series Ever Decreasing Circles, the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell, British hit singles of the 1960s and the life and reign of Henry VIII.

E29

Episode 29

5/14/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Five contenders battle it out for a place in the grand final. The subjects are William the Conquerer, the life and work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the history of glam rock, the Manhattan Project, and Robert the Bruce.

E30

Episode 30

5/21/2010·30m

John Humphrys hosts Britain's toughest quiz. Five contenders try to claim the one remaining grand final place. The subjects are the life and work of Antoni Gaudi, British history 1815-1914, the Pliocene and Galactic Milieu novels of Julian May, the films of Powell and Pressburger and the life and reign of Henry VI.

E31

Grand Final

5/28/2010·60m

John Humphrys asks the questions as six contenders battle it out to become the nation's Mastermind in the series grand final. The subjects are: Hollywood in the 1980s; the granddaughters of Queen Victoria; Liverpool Anglican cathedral, English cricket's county championship since 1960; the general strike of 1926; and 17th century Venetian opera.

2013/14

31 Episodes

2013

E01

Episode 1

8/9/2013·30m

John Humphrys and the famous black chair return for another series of TV's toughest quiz. Over the next thirty-one weeks, 96 contenders will be whittled down to just one Mastermind champion. Subjects in tonight's first heat are the Muppet films, Alexander the Great, the Biblical writings of St John and the life and work of Benjamin Britten.

E02

Episode 2

8/16/2013·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are: Catherine Howard, the Green Lantern comics, the life and work of Robert Hooke and British Summer Olympic medalists 1960-2008.

E03

Episode 3

8/23/2013·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are: the Feature Films of Peter Sellers, Orchids, the Life and Music of Paul Robeson and the Open Golf Championship 1960-2012.

E04

Episode 4

8/30/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: Six Feet Under, the life and times of James Ramsay Macdonald, the city of London parish churches of Sir Christopher Wren and the life and work of Alun Lewis.

E05

Episode 5

9/13/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Four more contenders are questioned on their specialist subject and general knowledge. Topics are: the life and music of Bob Dylan, Sitting Bull, the life and work of Sir Arthur Sullivan and King Henry I.

E06

Episode 6

9/20/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as four contenders take the walk to the black chair. Subjects are ABBA, the life and work of Charles M Schulz, Harold Larwood and Frederick the Great of Prussia.

E07

Episode 7

9/27/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are the life and career of Sebastian Coe, the life and work of Eadweard Muybridge, The Byrds and Violette Szabo GC.

E08

Episode 8

10/4/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are Eddie Chapman, the history of Portsmouth FC, the Battle of Balaklava and Father Ted.

E09

Episode 9

10/11/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are Dad's Army, the Faraday and Winter novels by Graham Hurley, the French Revolution and the European Football Championship 1980-date.

E10

Episode 10

10/18/2013·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are Asterix, General Robert E Lee, the life and works of Puccini and the life and times of George IV.

E11

Episode 11

10/25/2013·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. The subjects are: REM, the fiction of C S Lewis, Queen of the South Football Club and the life of Elizabeth Fry.

E12

Episode 12

11/8/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects tonight are: Star Trek: The Original Series, the Rugby Union World Cup, the Fethering Mysteries of Simon Brett and the Life of Giordano Bruno.

E13

Episode 13

11/15/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are: The Pogues, military aircraft of the First World War, Sir Edward Carson and the novels of Jonathan Coe.

E14

Episode 14

11/29/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Topics are - the life and career of Lester Piggott, Robert the Bruce, the life and times of Hugh Gaitskell and the Simon Serrailler novels of Susan Hill.

E15

Episode 15

12/6/2013·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are: the life and work of Janis Joplin, the history of Huddersfield Town, the Richard Hannay novels of John Buchan and the Russian Revolution.

E16

Episode 16

12/13/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The topics are: Philadelphia soul, the life and novels of Elizabeth Gaskell, German expressionist art and Blackadder.

E17

Episode 17

12/20/2013·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. The topics are: the presidency of John F Kennedy, the novels of Peter Carey, heavyweight boxing and the physicist James Clerk Maxwell.

E18

Episode 18

1/10/2014·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects are the history of the Scilly Isles, the life and works of Lord Byron, RAF Bomber Command and the feature films of Wes Anderson.

E19

Episode 19

1/17/2014·30m

John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects include Pulp, FC Barcelona, Catherine the Great and the novels of David Peace.

E20

Episode 20

1/24/2014·30m

Host John Humphrys invites four more contenders to answer questions in the black chair. Subjects are Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Sam Phillips and the Sun Record Label 1950-1960, the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell and Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells.

E21

Episode 21

1/31/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are Manic Street Preachers, the life of Sir Edmund Hillary, the history of Kew Gardens and the ghost stories of MR James.

E22

Episode 22

2/7/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. The subjects are snooker world championships 1977-present, the musicals of Lerner and Loewe, the novels of Cara Black, and Phillip II of Spain.

E23

Episode 23

2/14/2014·30m

John Humphrys puts the questions to four more contenders. Subjects are punk music, the history of Rhodesia 1965-1980, Samuel Beckett and French wines of the Rhone Valley.

E24

Episode 24

2/21/2014·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions as the hunt continues for the nation's Mastermind. Subjects are The Grateful Dead, the novels of Wilkie Collins, the history of Bedlam and the English Civil Wars.

E25

Episode 25

2/28/2014·30m

John Humphrys presents the first semi-final as five contenders vie for a place in the grand final. Subjects are Factory Records, the novels of Carol Shields, Homer's Odyssey, Roald Amundsen and the life and career of Michael Jordan.

E26

Episode 26

3/14/2014·30m

Five more contenders compete for a place in the grand final as John Humphrys hosts another semi-final. Subjects are Vincent Van Gogh, the Black Death, the Musketeer novels of Alexandre Dumas, Field Marshal William Slim and the Eurovision Song Contest.

E27

Episode 27

3/21/2014·30m

John Humphrys presents another semi-final of the classic quiz, as five contenders fight for a place in the Grand Final. Subjects are Tutankhamun, the life and career of Clement Attlee, the life and books of James Herriot, English history 1399-1485 and the life and work of Joseph Cornell.

E28

Episode 28

4/4/2014·30m

Five more contenders vie for a place in the grand final as John Humphrys invites them to return to the black chair in another semi-final. Subjects are Black Sabbath 1968-1979, the novels of Barbara Vine, the life and times of William II, Adolf Hitler and the life and works of Paulo Veronese.

E29

Episode 29

4/11/2014·30m

John Humprhys hosts the penultimate semi-final as five contenders attempt to win a place in the grand final. The subjects are the life and work of John Lennon, Burke and Hare, the life and reign of Charles II, the Peloponnesian War and the novels of Patrick Hamilton.

E30

Episode 30

4/18/2014·30m

Five contenders compete for the last place in the grand final as John Humphrys hosts the sixth semi-final. Subjects are Bobby Fischer, the life and times of Cesare Borgia, the Philip Marlowe novels of Raymond Chandler, Amelia Earhart and British political history 1964-1997.

E31

Grand Final

4/25/2014·60m

Host John Humphrys asks the questions as six contenders battle it out to become the nation's Mastermind in this series' grand final. The subjects are Scottish lighthouses, the life and works of Richard Wagner, the Italian Front in the First World War, the life and poetry of Philip Larkin, French cinema 1895 - 1945 and the Salem witch trials.

2008/09

31 Episodes

2008

E01

Episode 1

9/5/2008·30m

New series John Humphrys quizzes on Simon Raven, Newcastle United, Edward IV and Laurence Olivier.

E02

Episode 2

9/12/2008·30m

Specialisms tonight are Billy the Kid, the Short Stories of Saki, the Great Western Railway and the films of John Carpenter. With John Humphrys.

E03

Episode 3

9/19/2008·30m

John Humphrys asks about Noor Inayat-Khan, Ferdinand Magellan, Edith Wharton and Mods

E04

Episode 4

9/26/2008·30m

Questions on the late Stuart age, Steely Dan, boxer Joe Frazier and Robert Parker's Spenser novels.

E05

Episode 5

10/3/2008·30m

John Humphrys asks questions on subjects including Arthur Conan Doyle's Challenger novels.

E06

Episode 6

10/10/2008·30m

Specialist subjects this week include Rasputin, the Gospels of the New Testament, and West Indies Test cricket. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E07

Episode 7

10/17/2008·30m

John Humphrys poses the questions as four contestants test their specialist knowledge of Stax Records, the Romney Marsh novels of Monica Edwards, German battleship the Bismarck and the Welsh castles of Edward I.

E08

Episode 8

10/24/2008·30m

Specialist subjects include Scottish mathematician James Clerk Maxwell and the Mitford sisters.

E09

Episode 9

10/31/2008·30m

Tonight's specialist topics include the Harry Palmer novels and folk singer Tom Paxton.

E10

Episode 10

11/7/2008·30m

Tonight's specialist topics comprise the Victoria Cross, chess player Bobby Fischer, the Le Mans 24-hour race, and the life of Thomas Cochrane.

E11

Episode 11

11/14/2008·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects include the Coventry blitz and the Merthyr Rising of 1831.

E12

Episode 12

11/21/2008·30m

Specialist topics comprise the cricketer Ian Botham, the Munros of Scotland, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the James Bond novels by Ian Fleming.

E13

Episode 13

11/28/2008·30m

Topics tonight include rare breeds of British farm animals, Ghenghis Khan and Gothic architecture.

E14

Episode 14

12/5/2008·30m

Topics comprise WC Fields, Jonathan Creek, Tacitus and the life and career of Keith Moon.

E15

Episode 15

1/30/2009·30m

Tonight's four specialist subjects are the Ashes series of 1902, AE Housman, British punk rock and the Trans-Siberian Railway. With John Humphrys.

E16

Episode 16

2/6/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are the Peninsular War, pop singer Morrissey, the history of Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex, and the Great Fire of London. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E17

Episode 17

2/13/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are actor Sidney Poitier, British Trotskyism, number one hit singles, and the life and career of model and actress Edie Sedgwick. John Humphrys asks the questions.

E18

Episode 18

2/20/2009·30m

John Humphrys presents the general knowledge quiz, in which the specialist subjects tonight are the history of Chester Zoo, the Father Brown stories, Edward Carson and Tony Hancock.

E19

Episode 19

2/27/2009·30m

Tonight's four specialist subjects are John Wesley, Seinfeld, Kazimir Malevich and the Wars of the Roses. John Humphrys poses the questions.

E20

Episode 20

3/6/2009·30m

Specialist subjects are the Battle of Coronel and the Falklands War, British birds, sculptor Barbara Hepworth, and Anglo-Saxon kings 871-1016.

E21

Episode 21

3/13/2009·30m

In the first semi-final John Humphrys asks questions on Scott's last expedition, Blake's 7, the School stories of PG Wodehouse and the Popish Plot.

E22

Episode 22

3/20/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are Jackie Stewart, the novels of Wendy Holden, Honore de Balzac and Kraftwerk. John Humphrys poses the questions.

E23

Episode 23

4/3/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are the novels of George Orwell, musician Gram Parsons, Italian politics and composer Dmitri Shostakovich.

E24

Episode 24

4/10/2009·30m

Tonight's subjects are the Battle of Coronel and the Falklands War, British birds, sculptor Barbara Hepworth , and Anglo-Saxon kings from 871 to 1016.

E25

Episode 25

4/17/2009·30m

In tonight's semi-final the specialised subjects are Scott's last expedition, cult TV series Blake's 7, the School stories of PG Wodehouse and the Popish Plot

E26

Episode 26

5/8/2009·30m

Four contenders compete for a place in the final. Tonight's specialist subjects comprise film director Fritz Lang, tennis legend Billie Jean King, Private Eye magazine and the life and work of Robert Maxwell.

E27

Episode 27

5/22/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects for the four semi-finalists comprise the Bonaparte dynasty, former prime minister Herbert Asquith, glam rock band Slade and the life and writings of Gilbert White. With John Humphrys

E28

Episode 28

5/29/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects for the four semi-finalists comprise the life and works of Mozart, the ghost stories of MR James, planets of the solar system and Norwich City FC. Presented by John Humphrys.

E29

Episode 29

6/5/2009·30m

Specialist subjects in the fifth semi-final are Doctor Who in the 1970s, former US president John F Kennedy, singer/songwriter Billy Bragg and the Montalbano novels of Andrea Camilleri. John Humphrys hosts.

E30

Episode 30

6/12/2009·30m

Tonight's specialist subjects are poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, the life of Paddy Mayne, Northampton Town FC and the life and work of Alfred Russel Wallace.

E31

Grand Final

6/19/2009·60m

Six contenders battle it out to be crowned champion. Their specialist subjects comprise the Lewis and Clark expedition across America, Britain between the wars, Russian novels from 1831 to 1894, songwriting partnership Rodgers and Hart, the Ryder Cup and American presidents of the 19th century. Presented by John Humphrys.

2024/25

31 Episodes

2024

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

8/12/2024·28m

In the first of 24 heats, Clive Myrie puts four contenders to the test on their specialist subjects, which include Dad's Army, Liverpool FC under Jurgen Klopp, and Shania Twain.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

8/19/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair. The specialist subjects are orchids of the British Isles, Schitt's Creek, Tom Lehrer and Operation Mincemeat.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

8/26/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include the novels of Zadie Smith and the history of Shetland hand-knitting.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

9/16/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the films of Martin Scorsese and Mary Tudor.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

9/23/2024·28m

Four more contenders brave the famous black chair in another heat of the classic quiz. Specialist subjects include Horatio Nelson, Michael Kiwanuka and the films of Sofia Coppola.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

9/30/2024

The search for the nation's Mastermind continues as Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. The specialist subjects are The Ghost Stories of M R James, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Thunderbirds and renowned painter and portraitist Hans Holbein the Younger.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

10/7/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take the black chair. The specialist subjects include the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the band Elbow and Edward VI.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

10/14/2024·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions as four more contenders brave the black chair. Subjects include Alan Partridge, Madhuri Dixit and English wine in the 21st century.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

10/21/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the Roman emperor Claudius, the Watergate Scandal and futurism.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

10/28/2024·29m

Clive Myrie tests four more contenders on their specialist subjects and general knowledge in another heat of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are the poetry of John Keats, the award-winning musician PJ Harvey, the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV and the films of David Fincher.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

11/4/2024·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another heat, where the contenders answer questions on subjects including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing, and Red Rum.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

11/11/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. The specialist subjects include New Order, the James Bond books of Ian Fleming and Amy Johnson.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

11/18/2024·28m

Four more contenders take to the black chair under the spotlight and the ticking clock to answer questions on their specialist subjects and general knowledge. Clive Myrie asks the questions, which are on The Two Ronnies, Richard Feynman, the Toronto Blue Jays and badgers.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

11/25/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on specialist subjects, which this time are Winston Churchill's wartime premiership, Mariah Carey, seals and Wassily Kandinsky.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

12/2/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Specialist subjects include the solo career of Robbie Williams, and the fauna of Madagascar.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

12/9/2024·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. The specialist subjects include Sir Mark Cavendish, The Day Today and Sylvia Townsend Warner.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

12/16/2024·28m

Clive Myrie presents another heat of the classic quiz with four contenders answering questions on A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin, whales and Emily Brontë.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

2/3/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. Subjects include the life of Harold Pinter and the Savoy operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

2/10/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts another heat of the classic quiz as four more contenders take on the black chair. The specialist subjects include Emmeline Pankhurst and David Tennant's years on Doctor Who.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

2/17/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, including George Washington, Taylor Swift and the BBC radio series I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

2/24/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include the Isles of Scilly, Wham! and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

3/3/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts the classic quiz where contenders take on the famous black chair. The specialist subjects include the poetry of Seamus Heaney, Mad Men and the 1944 Battle of Arnhem.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

3/10/2025·29m

Clive Myrie hosts as four more contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, including Henry II, Wales rugby union Test matches from 2000 to the present, and Friday Night Dinner.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

3/17/2025·28m

Clive Myrie hosts, and contenders answer questions on Audrey Hepburn, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the DCI Ryan novels by LJ Ross, and John Barry.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

3/24/2025·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the first semi-final. The specialist subjects include The Clash, the films of Marilyn Monroe and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

3/31/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are Blackadder, Joseph Chamberlain, Gregory Peck and The Legend of Zelda video games.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

4/7/2025·29m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects include The Films of Mel Brooks, Homer's Odyssey and LL Cool J.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

4/14/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects include wild cats of the world, the Battle of Gettysburg, and West Ham United from 1992 to the present.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

4/21/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects are Caravaggio, Premier League Darts, Inside No. 9 and Grace Hopper.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

5/12/2025·28m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the last semi-final. The specialist subjects include the war memoirs of Spike Milligan and the career of Novak Djokovic.

The Final

E31

The Final

5/19/2025·59m

Clive Myrie asks the questions in the grand final. The specialist subjects include the stage plays of Sir Tom Stoppard, the music of Led Zeppelin, penguins, and the Empire State Building.

2020/21

31 Episodes

2020

Episode 1

E01

Episode 1

10/5/2020·30m

John Humphrys presents the first heat of the series. The specialist subjects are The Levellers, Julie Andrews, Black Books and Isabella of Castile.

Episode 2

E02

Episode 2

10/12/2020·30m

John Humphrys presents the second heat of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are Manchester United, the novels of Toni Morrison, Berthe Morisot and William Tyndale.

Episode 3

E03

Episode 3

10/19/2020·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's specialist subjects are Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, Blackadder, the Boxer Rebellion and Blake's 7.

Episode 4

E04

Episode 4

10/26/2020·30m

John Humphrys presents the fourth heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's specialist subjects are the Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Crown, the history of anaesthesia and Stormzy.

Episode 5

E05

Episode 5

11/2/2020·30m

The hunt for the nation's Mastermind continues as John Humphrys tests four more contenders. Tonight's specialist subjects are Vanessa Bell, Rachmaninoff, Sherlock and David Bowie.

Episode 6

E06

Episode 6

11/16/2020·30m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. The specialist subjects are the Weimar Republic, Alex Higgins, the bridges of London and UK cheeses.

Episode 7

E07

Episode 7

11/30/2020·30m

Four more contenders brave the famous black chair. Specialist subjects are Joe Calzaghe, The Beach Boys, Joseph Stalin and the Gospel of John.

Episode 8

E08

Episode 8

12/7/2020·30m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz. Tonight's subjects are freshwater fish of the British Isles, Nick Cave, the history of Scouting in the UK and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Episode 9

E09

Episode 9

12/14/2020·30m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Specialist subjects are John Singer Sargent, The Sopranos, Jane Austen novels and Nick Drake.

Episode 10

E10

Episode 10

12/21/2020·30m

John Humphrys hosts the classic quiz where contenders take the famous black chair. Specialist subjects are Lyndon B Johnson, A Song of Ice and Fire, seabirds and children's TV.

Episode 11

E11

Episode 11

12/28/2020·30m

John Humphrys hosts another heat of the classic quiz. Tonight's specialist subjects are Kenneth Williams, UK hit singles 2000-2004, Ada Lovelace and the Rugby World Cup.

Episode 12

E12

Episode 12

1/4/2021·30m

John Humphrys hosts another heat of the classic quiz where contenders take to the black chair. Tonight's subjects include Life on Mars, the Titanic, Barbara Castle and the Periodic Table.

Episode 13

E13

Episode 13

1/11/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another heat where the contenders answer questions on Marlene Dumas, Edward Thomas, Guy Burgess and The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.

Episode 14

E14

Episode 14

1/18/2021·30m

Four more contenders take to the black chair to answer questions on their specialist subjects, including the London 2012 Olympic Games, Hancock's Half Hour and John Wyndham novels.

Episode 15

E15

Episode 15

1/25/2021·30m

Four more contenders brave the black chair in another heat of the classic quiz and answer questions on Tchaikovsky, the Evil Dead trilogy, Rafael Nadal and This Country.

Episode 16

E16

Episode 16

2/1/2021·30m

In another heat of the classic quiz, four more contenders brave the black chair and answer questions on the mammals of the British Isles, Friends, Damien Hirst and Wimbledon.

Episode 17

E17

Episode 17

2/8/2021·30m

Four more contenders take to the black chair in tonight's programme, where the specialist subjects include the Mongol invasions, the plays of Aristophanes and Broadway musicals.

Episode 18

E18

Episode 18

2/15/2021·30m

Four more contenders take to the black chair in tonight's heat where the specialist subjects are Homer's Odyssey, The Good Life, the history of Portsmouth and Taika Waititi.

Episode 19

E19

Episode 19

2/22/2021·30m

John Humphrys presents another heat of the classic quiz, with four contenders answering questions on Sidney Poitier, Greek mythology, Soundgarden and the Women's Institute.

Episode 20

E20

Episode 20

3/1/2021·30m

John Humphrys hosts as contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, which are Ernest Rutherford, Hitchcock films, the motorways of England and the Poldark novels.

Episode 21

E21

Episode 21

3/8/2021·30m

John Humphrys presents the classic quiz where contenders take the black chair. Specialist subjects are the Russian Revolution, King Crimson, The Hunger Games and George Orwell.

Episode 22

E22

Episode 22

3/15/2021·30m

John Humphrys is back at his desk, asking four more contenders questions on their specialist subjects. In this programme, they are Kimi Raikkonen, Gloucestershire, Poirot and lidos in Britain.

Episode 23

E23

Episode 23

3/22/2021·30m

John Humphrys hosts and contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects, which are Stephen Sondheim musicals, dog breeds, Alan Partridge and the Charles Paris novels.

Episode 24

E24

Episode 24

3/29/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another heat of the classic quiz. The specialist subjects are Otto von Bismarck, hand knitting, Robert Louis Stevenson and the films of the Coen Brothers.

Episode 25

E25

Episode 25

4/5/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in the first semi-final. The specialist subjects are the Booker Prize, the city of York, the Busby Babes and the Russo-Japanese War.

Episode 26

E26

Episode 26

4/5/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are films based on the works of Stephen King, Joan Rivers, US state capitals and Neil Gaiman novels.

Episode 27

E27

Episode 27

4/12/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another semi-final. Specialist subjects are the films of Powell and Pressburger, the Bauhaus movement, Emil Zátopek and the Liberal Democrats.

Episode 28

E28

Episode 28

4/12/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another semi-final. The Specialist subjects are R.E.M., Father Ted, David Niven and John Wesley.

Episode 29

E29

Episode 29

4/19/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are Christopher Eccleston, Metallica, Beatrix Potter and the Greco-Persian Wars.

Episode 30

E30

Episode 30

4/19/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in another semi-final. The specialist subjects are William Pitt the Younger, The Bridge, the Grand National and the plays of Joe Orton.

Final

E31

Final

4/26/2021·30m

John Humphrys asks the questions in the grand final of the classic quiz. Tonight’s subjects include Shackleton's Antarctic expedition of 1914-17, Cole Porter and Jimmy Carter.