About this season
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness. Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the contestant's choice, the other a general knowledge round. Wright drew inspiration from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. The atmosphere is helped by Mastermind's famously ominous theme music, "Approaching Menace" by the British composer Neil Richardson. The quiz programme originated and was recorded in Manchester at studios such as New Broadcasting House and Granada Studios, before permanently moving to MediaCityUK in 2011.
Episodes (17)
1. Episode 1
Aired 16 February 1992
As Mastermind celebrates its 20th anniversary, Magnus Magnusson questions this year's first contenders in the Great Hall, University of Reading: Alice Hobbs (teacher), children's literature since 1850; Christopher Wright (retired despatch clerk), Second World War in Asia and the Pacific; Jacqueline Pearce (information technology specialist), Greek mythology and heroic legend; Michael Forder (freelance editor and proofreader), life and works of Louis Armstrong.
2. Episode 2
Aired 23 February 1992
Magnus Magnusson questions four more contenders in the Great Hall of the University of Reading. Their specialist subjects are the life and works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, British freshwater fish, the history of the flute and its music, and Soviet Russian literature 1917-77.
3. Episode 3
Aired 1 March 1992
Magnus Magnusson questions four more contenders at the University of Leeds. Their specialist subjects are the history of the Percy family 1377-1865, the life and works of G F Handel, the life and work of Charles Rennie Macintosh , and the vice presidents of the US.
4. Episode 4
Aired 8 March 1992
Specialist subjects tonight are the life and reign of Mary Queen of Scots, the life and plays of Lillian Hellman , the life of St Cuthbert and the life and career of Aneurin Bevan. Magnus Magnusson questions the contenders in the Conference Auditorium Centre at the University of Leeds.
5. Episode 5
Aired 15 March 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects are: the life and reign of Ludwig II of Bavaria; the life and plays of Ibsen; the life and career of Eleanor of Aquitaine; and the history of the Liberal party since 1945. Magnus Magnusson asks the questions in the church of Chatham's historic dockyard.
6. Episode 6
Aired 22 March 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects are the life and films of Fellini, the River Thames from source to Tower Bridge, the life and work of Sir Patrick Geddes, and the life and reign of George II. Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the church of the Historic Dockyard, Chatham.
7. Episode 7
Aired 29 March 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects are the life and works of Dr Samuel Johnson ; the history of Leicester; the history of cycling; and surrealist art between the wars. Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the King's School, Worcester.
8. Episode 8
Aired 5 April 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects are the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Second World War; the architecture of Cambridge; Stuart kings and queens, 1603-1714; the life and career of Martin Luther. Magnus Magnusson put the questions in the King's School, Worcester.
9. Episode 9
Aired 12 April 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects are the silent cinema in Europe; the life and reign of King Stephen; the life and works of Raymond Chandler ; and the life and career of Sir John Hawkwood. Magnus Magnusson puts the questions at the University of Leeds.
10. Episode 10
Aired 19 April 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects: the fife and career of Leon Trotsky ; the life and reign of King Richard II; the life and Chalet School novels of Elinor Brent- Dyer; the German Army 1933-45. With Magnus Magnusson.
11. Episode 11
Aired 26 April 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects: the life and works of Erik Satie ; the life and career of Air Chief Marshal, Lord Dowding; the life and "William" books of Richmal Crompton ; the life and reign of Genghis Khan. With Magnus Magnusson.
12. Episode 12
Aired 3 May 1992
Tonight's specialist subjects, in the last of the heats, are the life and career of Admiral Lord Fisher ; the life and works of George Orwell ; the life and career of William the Silent, Prince of Orange; the life and works of Liszt. With Magnus Magnusson.
13. Episode 13
Aired 10 May 1992
In the first semi-final, the specialist subjects are: the life and reign of Peter the Great, the islands of Bermuda, the life and Miss Marple stories of Agatha Christie , and the life and novels of Henry James. With Magnus Magnusson.
14. Episode 14
Aired 17 May 1992
In the second semi-final, the specialist subjects are: the life and novels of Gore Vidal ; the history of European fashion since 1750; the life and career of James Craig , Viscount Craigavon ; the life and reign of Henry II. With Magnus Magnusson.
15. Episode 15
Aired 24 May 1992
In the third semi-final, the specialist subjects are: the life and career of Clement Attlee ; the animated cartoons of Warner Bros; the life and Barchester Chronicles of Anthony Trollope ; the life and reign of Mehmed the Conqueror. With Magnus Magnusson.
16. Episode 16
Aired 31 May 1992
In the last semi-final, the specialist subjects are: the British submarine; the history of the Derby; English heraldry; and the history of the First World War. With Magnus Magnusson.
17. The Final
Aired 7 June 1992
The four finalists, with their specialist subjects, are: Peter Todd (carpenter), the life and reign of King Alfred; Steve Williams (computer programmer), pre-Socratic philosophy; Glen Binnie (environmental health officer), the American civil war; Richard Ford (company director), the life and films of Kurosawa. Magnus Magnusson puts the questions in the Great Hall of the University of Birmingham, and author P D James will present the trophy to the winner of Mastermind 1992.