Mastermind returned to BBC Two on Monday evening as host Clive Myrie welcomed Chris Devine, Cathryn Gahan, Charlotte Love and Ronny Cheung to the famous leather chair.
The episode saw a variety of specialist subjects with Chris choosing the novels of Zadie Smith, Cathryn focussed on Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 musical Sweeney Todd, Charlotte’s was Shetland hand knitting while Ronny answered questions on Channel 4 sitcom, Spaced.
However, some viewers were unimpressed by how "limited" some of the topics were.
Peter wrote on Twitter/X: “There should be a different programme for people choosing an episode limited tv series (such as Spaced) as a specialist subject in Mastermind. It is not fair for people choosing a historical, academic subject covering a long period of time #mastermind.”
John echoed: “When did people stop having real subjects to be questioned on, on the TV programme #mastermind?”
While another user questioned: “Crikey, just *one* Stephen Sondheim musical seems a bit *too* specialist ... rather surprised they allowed it.”
And a fourth said: “I always thought I didn’t have a decent specialist subject on #Mastermind but if the proper show (not the sleb version) is allowing the specialist subject to be a single musical, then maybe I need to review my inhibitions.”
Nevertheless, many fans were pleased with the subject choices. Gerard argued: "I've not seen Spaced but I imagine it was packed full of references, making it a tricky subject. #Mastermind.”
Lolo also exclaimed: "Shetland knitting, proper specialist subject that. I know who I'm supporting tonight #mastermind.”
Andy said: "#Mastermind Shetland hand knitting. Feels like 1974. A proper specialist subject!"
And Michael praised: "Massive respect to the person on Mastermind just now with "the history of Shetland hand-knitting" as their specialist subject, like something from a 1970s edition."
Contestants on the quiz show can choose any subject they like as long as it's suitable for broadcast on BBC Two. However, there are some rules that apply.
There must be “at least two good quality books” on a biographical or historical subject, while one book or one film is not allowed.
Some subjects are too broad or too tight. For example, The Works of Shakespeare is too vast, and Romeo and Juliet is too narrow.
The show also will not repeat topics from one series to the next. Some subjects became so popular, such as Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, and Roald Dahl, that they were banned because they ran out of questions.
Mastermind airs Mondays at 7.30pm on BBC Two.
