Just like "University Challenge", the quiz show "Mastermind" has become an institution on British television. Contenders sit in a black chair with a spotlight upon them. First they receive questions on their chosen specialist subject and later they receive two and a half minutes of general knowledge questions. This is a tense and serious show. There's no room for jokes or anything like that.
"Mastermind" has been with us for fifty years. Two years after its inception, I watched an episode being filmed on the stage of the McRobert Theatre at The University of Stirling. The quizmaster was the TV presenter Magnus Magnusson - from Iceland. It was surprising how much stopping and starting happened before the episode was successfully canned. A couple of the contenders challenged answers and checks had to be made. I never expected that.
Tonight, the 2023 final was screened. The winner was a bloke from Sheffield. He lives less than a mile from this keyboard and we used to see him up at "The Hammer and Pincers" with his wife Elaine.
When interviewed after the show, new champion Stuart Field told presenter Clive Myrie that it was the greatest moment of his life. He had worked hard to build up his general knowledge over twenty years or more. His specialist subject tonight was the comedy show "Extras" which I must admit I have never watched. Stuart's speed of response was remarkable and he got fifteen points on his specialist round with no passes.
He got thirteen on the general knowledge round and as it happens I scored the same myself but of course I was not sitting in a black chair with lights and cameras upon me. Well done Stuart for bringing the glass trophy back to Yorkshire, back to Sheffield. You did it!
Twenty years of swotting paid off !
ReplyDeleteHe was single-minded and his effort paid off.
DeleteThat sounds like a very serious show. I doubt I could answer anything sitting in the black chair.
ReplyDeleteOkay- completely off track but not really- have you ever watched the movie "White Men Can't Jump"? In it, there's a character who spends her life studying to be on "Jeopardy." The character is played by Rosie Perez whom I love. That's not the main focus of the plot but it's such an excellent side-plot.
I have never seen it but owing to your recommendation I will look out for it. Actually I am good at jumping on pogo sticks. Do you remember that craze? Maybe August and Levon would love one.
DeleteWell, it's one of my favorite movies of all times and I'm not going to even try to defend that. Levon and August jump on their trampoline all the time. They are very good at that!
DeleteI do love a good quiz show. Like you, I know a lot of the answers from the comfort of my sofa.
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to appear on TV owing to my ugliness.
DeleteThere's lots of conflict on quiz shows so they are popular.
ReplyDeleteYour specialist subject could be "The History of Esk, Saskatchewan".
DeleteOne more show where I would fail dismally.
ReplyDeleteYou could always serve the drinks River!
DeleteCongratulations to Stuart Field! Does he still come to the pub, winning the pub quiz every time it's not your team winning?
ReplyDeleteHe has not been coming in the pub for the last five years or so - giving the rest of us a better chance but sometimes we beat him and his wife anyway!
DeleteThere are two things in life that, after 78 years, I try and avoid participating in at all costs: quizzes and Monopoly. Apart from the fact that I was born with an appalling memory and despite my Mother's attempts to improve it with Pelmanism and many other such things it remains appalling. On one occasion around 1970 I actually forgot my wife's name when introducing her to my boss. The other problem is that my brain does not work in a 'quiz' manner. I'm better at working out problems than instantly opening a particular knowledge drawer.
ReplyDeleteYou are right to suggest that different brains work in different ways. My brain is filled with so much knowledge that I fear it will burst!
DeleteThere are lots of bright people, looking for an opportunity to shine.
ReplyDeleteAll they need is a little polish and a cloth.
DeleteWhy don't they ask the Mastermind chair it's favourite subject: IKEA leather chairs 200 to a thousand Pounds?
ReplyDeleteHa-ha! You could answer questions on "Manchester United - The Wilderness Years"
DeleteI'm going to my first pub quiz tomorrow. I'm sure I'll let the team down!
ReplyDeleteYou know more than you think ADDY! Good luck!
DeleteOf course, in all the stopping and starting, they cut out that bit where he said "but thank goodness that other chap from Sheffield didn't enter because I wouldn't have come first if he had".
ReplyDelete"Your specialist subject?"
Delete"The assassination of Tasker Dunham"
I'm often surprised at the range of "Specialist" subjects - such a variety of interests. No way could I answer questions on most of those.
ReplyDeleteBut you maybe could answer questions on "The romantic novels of Barbara Cartland".
DeleteExtras is very good. There are plenty of things I love but can't imagine knowing enough about any of them to even consider entering!
ReplyDeleteYour specialist subject could be "The secrets of Liz Hinds"!
DeleteIt’s a dreadful show YP
ReplyDeleteNot in my opinion.
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