Mastermind

Presented by Magnus Magnusson (pictured) and broadcast on Television between 1972 and 1997 Mastermind is regarded as one of the premier quizzes for purists. It has since transferred to BBC Radio Four, where it is presented by John Snow.

Devised by Bill Wright, the simple format of each show featured four contestants each competing in two, two minute rounds. The first half of the show involved each competitor being asked continuous questions on their chosen specialist subject. The second, beginning with the contestant on the lowest score from round one consisted of general knowledge questions in the same style.

Aside from the quizzing spectacle, the show is particularly famous for its dark theme music ("Approaching Menace" by Neil Richardson), the black chair in which every contestant was required to sit when answering questions and host Magnus Magnusson's catchphrase - "I've Started So I'll Finish". The latter has since become the title of a book about the show by Magnus Magnusson.

Episodes of the show tended to be filmed on location at a university or historic building. Each series involved a straight knock-out competition comprising 21 shows. Beginning with 64 contestants with only the winners progressing reduced the field to 16 for the semi-finals with the four winners competing in the Grand Final for the title and prize of specially commissioned glassware. In the event of a tie in any of the shows, the positions were decided on the number of passes (the fewer the better).

The basis for the manner of questioning on the show originated from the creator's experience of being interrogated by the Germans in World War II.

Now that Mastermind has moved to BBC Radio 4, the champion and runner-up in each of the premier quizzes broadcast on the station (Brain of Britain and Mastermind) then go on to compete in the Masterbrain competition.

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