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 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, 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!
from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/XhzmLED