Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysAPA Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)

Mastermind

  • TV Series
  • 1972– 1972–
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
671
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Mastermind (1972)
  • Game-Show
A long-running series in which members of the public sit in a black chair to answer questions on a specialist subject and general knowledge.A long-running series in which members of the public sit in a black chair to answer questions on a specialist subject and general knowledge.A long-running series in which members of the public sit in a black chair to answer questions on a specialist subject and general knowledge.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
671
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Bill Wright
  • Stars
    • John Humphrys
    • Magnus Magnusson
    • Clive Myrie
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Bill Wright
  • Stars
    • John Humphrys
    • Magnus Magnusson
    • Clive Myrie
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Episodes272

    Browse episodes

    Photos

    Mary Elizabeth Raw in Mastermind (1972)
    Michael Wright in Mastermind (1972)
    David C. Wood and Eve Telford in Mastermind (1972)
    David C. Wood, Hugh Ashton, Emily Wolfenden, and Emma Laslett in Mastermind (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Humphrys
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host…
    210 episodes210 eps • 2005–2016
    Magnus Magnusson
    • Self - Presenteras Self - Presenter…
    45 episodes45 eps • 1972–2002
    Clive Myrie
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    11 episodes11 eps • 2021
    Gareth Kingston
    • Self - Contestantas Self - Contestant…
    6 episodes6 eps • 2009–2015
    Rachael Neiman
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    5 episodes5 eps • 2010–2021
    Michael McPartland
    • Self - 2014 Finalistas Self - 2014 Finalist
    5 episodes5 eps • 2011–2014
    Patricia Owen
    • Self - 1973 Championas Self - 1973 Champion…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1973–2010
    David Edwards
    • Self - 1990 Championas Self - 1990 Champion…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990–2010
    Pat Gibson
    • Self - 2005 Championas Self - 2005 Champion…
    3 episodes3 eps • 2005–2010
    Jesse Honey
    • Self - 2010 Championas Self - 2010 Champion…
    3 episodes3 eps • 2010
    Charles Key
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973
    Paul Ponder
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973
    Daniel Appleby
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973
    Margery Elliott
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973
    Will Howells
    • Self - Contestantas Self - Contestant
    2 episodes2 eps • 2014–2015
    David Greenwood
    • Self - Contestantas Self - Contestant
    2 episodes2 eps • 2014–2015
    Beryl Leatham Thomas
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1972
    Joan Taylor
    • Self - Contenderas Self - Contender
    2 episodes2 eps • 1972
    • Creator
      • Bill Wright
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    University Challenge
    6.6
    University Challenge
    Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
    6.0
    Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
    Catchphrase
    6.1
    Catchphrase
    Countdown
    6.2
    Countdown
    The Chase
    7.0
    The Chase
    Pointless
    7.3
    Pointless
    The Weakest Link
    5.6
    The Weakest Link
    Mastermind
    8.0
    Mastermind
    Pointless Celebrities
    6.4
    Pointless Celebrities
    Never Mind the Buzzcocks
    7.8
    Never Mind the Buzzcocks
    A Question of Sport
    6.3
    A Question of Sport
    Dragons' Den
    6.8
    Dragons' Den

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show originally ran from 1972-1997 on BBC1 with Magnus Magnusson as quizmaster. Due to popular demand it was resurrected in 2003 on BBC Two, following exactly the same format, with John Humphrys as the new quizmaster.
    • Quotes

      Contestant: Pass.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Goodies: Frankenfido (1975)
    • Soundtracks
      Approaching Menace
      Written by Neil Richardson

      [Theme]

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    That dreaded black chair
    I often watched Mastermind when Magnus Magnusson presented it but he quit in 1997 and the series was revived in 2003 with John Humphrys as presenter. I still watch it sometimes.

    This quiz features two rounds, the first one is where the four contestants are asked questions on the subject they have chosen and round two is a general knowledge round. The contestant with the highest score goes through to the next stage.

    Mastermind is noted for several things, most notably that dreaded black leather chair and it also has a notable theme and that famous saying: "I've started, so I'll finish", which John Humphrys now uses. At least that is still used.

    Mastermind is now shown on BBC2 on a weekday evening during prime time. Certainly a lot better that rubbish makeover shows and reality programmes.
    helpful•4
    5
    • chris_gaskin123
    • Apr 5, 2005

    FAQ1

    • What is the name of the theme tune?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 11, 1972 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Hat Trick Productions
      • Hindsight Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
      • Stereo

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Mastermind (1972)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Mastermind (1972) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The 10 Most Anticipated Marvel and DC Movies
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    2022 TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.