{"id":3402,"date":"2025-04-02T15:30:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T15:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/?p=3402"},"modified":"2025-04-02T18:39:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T18:39:49","slug":"mastermind-viewers-furious-as-contestant-gets-away-with-banned-specialist-subject","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/mastermind-viewers-furious-as-contestant-gets-away-with-banned-specialist-subject\/","title":{"rendered":"Mastermind viewers furious as\u00a0contestant gets away with\u00a0\u2018banned\u2019 specialist subject"},"content":{"rendered":"
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class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder\">\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"metro-related-video-carousel__related-video-placeholder-headline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\twindow.addEventListener(‘metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded’, function(data) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tif (typeof(data.detail) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === ‘undefined’ || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === ‘undefined’) {<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\treturn;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t}<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar player = data.detail.carousel.el_;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar container = player.closest(‘.metro-video-player’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tvar placeholder = container.querySelector(‘.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.removeChild(placeholder);<br \/>\n\t\t\t\tcontainer.classList.add(‘metro-video-player–related-videos-loaded’);<br \/>\n\t\t\t});<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Viewers of <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/mastermind\/\">Mastermind<\/a> were left raging after one contestant’s ‘easy’ specialist subject.<\/p>\n<p>Hosted by <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/clive-myrie\/\">Clive Myrie<\/a>, the quiz show involves players trying to pass through rounds answering questions on their chosen subject, plus subjects chosen at random, to acquire the most points.<\/p>\n<p>Mastermind has been airing on <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/bbc-2\/\">BBC<\/a> since 1972, so we’ve seen all kinds of specialist subjects over the years, from major historical events to the High <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/school\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\">School<\/a> Musical franchise.<\/p>\n<p>However, in the latest episode, audiences reckon the programme was somewhat ‘dumbed down’, given what contestants selected as their most knowledgeable topics.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Nowek picked sitcom <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/blackadder\/\">Blackadder<\/a> as his specialist subject; Claire Reynolds chose British statesman Joseph Chamberlain; Rashmi Bhardwaj selected questions on actor Gregory Peck; and Lewis Jones chose video game Zelda. <\/p>\n<p>Up first, teacher Phil managed to score an impressive 11 points in his round, but it didn’t leave a good impression on those watching at home.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"362\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Screenshot-2025-04-02-at-16.18.41-bc2b.png\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22838489\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Teacher Phil Nowek chose Blackadder as his Mastermind specialist subject, despite it being banned (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Taking to X, viewers fumed that the questions just seem to be getting ‘easier’, which comes just weeks after backlash to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/12\/mastermind-contestant-sparks-backlash-with-specialist-subject-that-shouldnt-be-allowed-22711302\/\">another contestant choosing Friday Night Dinner<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>‘I haven’t seen Blackadder in about five years, but I got four, so that set of questions was clearly far too easy’, wrote @Mysteron_Voice.<\/p>\n<p>@adamkinseyactor added that Blackadder, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/12\/17\/richard-curtis-confirms-future-blackadder-plans-24-years-final-episode-22202175\/\">which consists of 24 episodes and four specials<\/a>, is ‘about 14 hours of TV’ to get clued up on, branding this ‘pathetic’.<\/p>\n<p>‘I managed to answer all bar two of those and I’ve not seen any of it for years. So dumbed down now’, they vented.<\/p>\n<p>@Kitty_B_Good also said: ‘Got all the #Blackadder questions right and my parents nearly did as well.’<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"444\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_167751843-9149.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22838149\" alt=\"Mastermind S21,PORTRAIT,PORTRAIT,Clive Myrie,Hindsight\/Hat Trick Productions,William Cherry\/Press Eye\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Viewers were left raging after claiming the BBC show has become too ‘easy’ (Picture: BBC\/Hindsight\/Hat Trick Productions\/William Cherry\/Press Eye)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Echoing the thoughts that specialist subjects have become too vapid, @clarijo382109 posted: ‘Blackadder, Joseph Chamberlain, Gregory Peck and The Legend of Something video game. Mixed bag. Gone are the days of the Life of Viscount Alexander of Tunis, the history of the Eisteddfod Council, Dockland Settlements and cockroaches. We must move with the times.’<\/p>\n<p>This is far from the first time Mastermind viewers have complained about specialist subjects\u2014it’s actually been a hot topic of debate for a while.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, in 2018, bosses revealed a list of ‘banned’ specialist subjects because they had appeared on the show too many times.<\/p>\n<section class=\"metro-comment-cta\">\n<div class=\"metro-comment-cta__inner\"><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text-wrap\"><title>Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">Do you think Mastermind has become too easy?<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Interestingly, Blackadder featured on this, as, given the short nature of the series, there wasn’t scope for any original questions to be written.<\/p>\n<p>The BBC Two show\u2019s producer, Mark Helsby, said at the time there must be at least ‘two good quality books’ on a chosen subject before it can be legitimately considered for the show.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"427\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IP_184105-a281.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22838538\" alt=\"BBC TV programme Blackadder, 'Blackadders Christmas Carol', 1989. L-R Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Blackadder appeared in a list of ‘banned’ specialist subjects in 2018 (Picture: BBC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>‘Some of the shorter sitcom series\u2014Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, and Father Ted, for example\u2014have been exhausted for new questions,’ he explained.<\/p>\n<p>Other banned topics included Roald Dahl and the Chronicles of Narnia.<\/p>\n<p>Harry Potter was also blacklisted. The previous year, JK Rowling’s wizarding franchise was requested by a whopping 262 contestants, making it the most popular specialist subject.<\/p>\n<p>Also at the time, 32 players wanted Fawlty Towers, 19 wanted Blackadder, and 22 wanted Father Ted.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tPreviously 'banned' Mastermind specialist subjects\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fawlty Towers<\/li>\n<li>Blackadder<\/li>\n<li>Father Ted<\/li>\n<li>Harry Potter<\/li>\n<li>Roald Dahl<\/li>\n<li>The Chronicles of Narnia<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>‘Some of the very popular literary subjects, such as the Chronicles of Narnia or Roald Dahl, probably wouldn\u2019t be agreed to for the same reason,’ added Mark.<\/p>\n<p>‘As a minimum, we would want there to be at least two good quality books on a biographical or historical subject.<\/p>\n<p>‘TV, film, and literary subjects are a bit more subjective, but we would never allow just one book or one film.’<\/p>\n<p>The producer said even former host John Humphrys was able to throw out suggestions, given that he was the one asking the questions.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_66921651-1555.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22680656\" alt=\"Film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011), Starring Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe. In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, from left, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe are shown in a scene from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2." (AP Photo\/Warner Bros. Pictures, Jaap Buitendijk)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The Harry Potter franchise was also previously exhausted for questions (Picture: AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In a past interview with Radio Times, the presenter revealed that one contestant genuinely wished to have ‘meat’ as their specialist subject, before narrowing it down to ‘pork.’ Unsurprisingly, the Beeb said no.<\/p>\n<p>‘I try very hard not to reject any subject out of hand,’ John said. <\/p>\n<p>‘I\u2019d rather work with the contender to find some common ground between what they are interested in and what we think we can write enough questions about.’<\/p>\n<p><em>The BBC has been contacted for comment.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Mastermind airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page – we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/clarijo382109\/status\/1906777668806382044\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{“@context”:”https:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”VideoObject”,”name”:”Metro.co.uk”,”duration”:”T2M28S”,”thumbnailUrl”:”https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2025\/04\/02\/15\/96836785-0-image-a-13_1743604291306.jpg”,”uploadDate”:”2025-04-02T15:34:36+0100″,”description”:”Viewers of BBC show Mastermind complained on social media that questions posed to teacher Phil Nowek on his specialist subject of comedy series Blackadder were too easy.”,”contentUrl”:”https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2025\/04\/02\/7284205563040844369\/480x270_MP4_7284205563040844369.mp4″,”height”:270,”width”:480} To view this<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/mastermind-viewers-furious-as-contestant-gets-away-with-banned-specialist-subject\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Mastermind viewers furious as\u00a0contestant gets away with\u00a0\u2018banned\u2019 specialist subject<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3402"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3409,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3402\/revisions\/3409"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}