TV Cream

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Mastermind

Did he mention he comes from Iceland?THAT FAMOUS theme tune was called “Approaching Menace”, but we reckon it should have been “Fanfare for the Common Man”, as this teatime slice of austerity was television’s greatest ever platform for spod-u-likes and nerd-do-wells. Never before had an obsession with Polish pottery circa the 1930s been so richly rewarded. Presiding over the interrogation was fearsome question master MAGNUS MAGNUSSON, a man of gravitas and oft-spoken Nordic roots. His famous catchphrase “in my homeland of Iceland” featured less in MASTERMIND than most programmes in which he appeared, but he still made for a memorable, if overly formal questionmaster. Ironically, given the show was broadcast from a different educational institution each week, MASTERMIND’s most iconic element was its stark “set”, catalyst for many sketch-based “started so I’ll…” chicaneries. Most remembered champs are, naturally, men of the people: cabbie FRED HOUSEGO and engine driver CHRIS HUGHES. Latterly revived by the peerless JOHN HUMPHRYS.

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  1. Rob Williams

    July 26, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    And also Gavin Piper as well, who after winning had a weekly quiz the Portsmouth News. Funnily enough called ‘Gavin Piper’s Mastermind Quiz’. Good title planning boys!

  2. David Smith

    July 31, 2009 at 7:35 am

    To be pedantic I think the theme music is called “Approaching Menace”.

  3. David Pascoe

    July 31, 2009 at 10:10 am

    It is but one of the worst things about the revival is that they drown out the end of the music with audience applause. As a child I always found it terrifying the way that the applause would fade out leaving only the last notes of the music before seguing into the big
    “Bum-bum-bum-bum-DA-DA!!!!!” and then that deathly cloud of string echo over the shot of the empty chair..
    Kids today need a dose of fear like that.

  4. TV Cream

    July 31, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Menace suitably corrected.

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