Mastermind


Les Morrell, a retired company director, took Ever Decreasing Circles as his specialist subject in the semi final of Mastermind 2010. He answered 15 questions correctly in the specialist subject round, the highest score in that round. He boosted his score to 27 in the general knowledge round to win the semi final. Well done Les.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s3cfr

For those that don't know it, Mastermind is usually reckoned to be the toughest quiz on British TV. You have to answer as many questions as you can in your specialist subject in 2 minutes (90 seconds in the semi-final to allow for an additional "highest scoring runners up" - like Les) and then you have to answer as many questions as you can on general knowledge for another 2 minutes.

As well as the high standard of questions you also have to face the intimidating atmosphere. Devised by Bill Wright, he drew inspiration from his experiences of being interrogated by the Gestapo during World War II. It is very intimidating for the contestants who generally have never been on TV before.

The questions were:
1. Who co-wrote Ever Decreasing Circles with John Esmonde?
2. In series 1, when Martin gives up all his committee work, Ann asks him to take her to see which musician at the Festival Hall?
3. Which character plays an inspired game to beat Martin unexpectedly in the final of the snooker tournament?
4. What's the name of the new tenant in the Treadwell's house who has a habit of sleepwalking?
5. Martin works in middle management in which engineering firm's stock department?
6. In which country was Paul's hairdressing salon that he gave up before returning to the UK?
7. What is the name of the Bavarian guest house where Ann, Martin, Howard & Hilda have been on holiday for the past 7 years?
8. Which actor plays the part of Harold who comes to pick up the manure from Martin's drive and stops to chat with Ann about her Open University course?
9. What's written on Paul's placard when he turns up at the shopping centre where Ann has been lobbying for more funds for the OU?
10. Which fictitious musical instrument does Paul tell Martin is an effective deterrent against moles?
11. The name of which town is used by Ann and Martin to refer to the prospect of marital relations?
12. What name does Paul give to his new health club?
13. Which former neighbour is Martin collecting from her retirement home when seven other residents climb into the Dormobile?
14. To which city is Ann going for her OU residential school although she turns back because of Martin's odd behaviour?
15. What is the name of Paul's house in the close, the sign for which he removes because it doesn't accurately describe its location?
16. Which exclusive members' club does Martin join although he has second thoughts when he meets Paul and his local MP there?

Matt passed on just one. How many could you answer? In 90 seconds (allowing time for the question to be read out in full)? Under the additional pressure of being on national TV when you aren't used to it?

Very well done Les

Steve

reply

I thought I was a serious fan!
I would have got possibly 10 of those under stress.

Out of curiosity, which question did he pass on?

reply

I can't remember now, it was a few weeks ago. I think it was one of the later ones. Maybe Q10 or Q15

Steve

reply