It is 50 years old
The first episode of the BBC quiz programme ‘Mastermind’ was broadcast from the University of Liverpool on 11 September 1972 at 22:45hrs. Apparently, the format was based on producer Bill Wright’s 3 years as a prisoner of war during WW2.
The Mastermind interrogator was Magnus Magnusson. The Radio Times said: “This new and exciting brain game invites contenders to take the stand and defend their claim to the title of Mastermind of the United Kingdom. They have two minutes in which to establish their knowledge of a chosen subject with a further two minutes to consolidate their position by answering questions right across the board.”
