Mastermind fans, the wait is finally over! After COVID-19 delayed filming, we’ve had to wait almost a year to see the final 16 contenders battle it out in Australia’s toughest quiz show.
Season 2 finals week kicks off on Monday 15 February at 6pm. In what has been a nail-biting season, the Mastermind Australia 2020 winner will be crowned in an hour-long grand finale on Friday 19 February from 7.30pm.
Jennifer Byrne returns one last time as quizmaster for Season 2 finals week before handing over the reins to Walkley Award-winning journalist, Marc Fennell for Season 3, which continues weeknights from Monday 22 February at 6pm.
Marc, best known for The Feed (SBS) and Download This Show (ABC), is no stranger to Mastermind having jumped into the iconic quizmaster seat for a short but successful stint in 2019.
“Mastermind is a genuine insight into Australia’s psyche. Every one of us has that one obsession, that one thing we know and love above all things,” said Marc. “The best part of being the quizmaster is seeing the wild diversity of obsessions and topics that the contenders bring with them. But make no mistake, it is the toughest quiz show on Australian television. I’ve been both a fill-in host and celebrity contender on Mastermind Australia.I know first-hand how intimidating it can be.
While I may be the one holding the questions, I truly marvel at the gumption of the contenders. It’s going to be intense.
But before we welcome Marc into the chair, seasons 1 and 2 host, the incomparable Jennifer Byrne will bring the season 2 contenders the closure they’ve been waiting for. We’ll miss Jennifer’s vivacity. As SBS Commissioning Editor, Josh Martin, said, “Jennifer has expertly quizzed contenders since we re-launched Mastermind to Australian audiences in 2019. She leant the show her considerable intellect, warmth and authority and we thank her for the instrumental role she has played in the show’s success.”
After a season of speciality subjects including Lady Gaga, the Nimitz UFO Sighting, Sydney architecture, the Stolen Generation, Donald Glover, Aussie slang, the history of European beers, the comedies of Shakespeare and nuts, subjects for finals week will include the Kokoda Track Campaign, Monty Python’s Life of Brian, the Great Wall of China, Casablanca, Ozzy Osborne, Joan of Arc and the Spike Milligan War Memoirs.
Who can handle the pressure to be crowned Australia’s 2020 Mastermind? Find out when Mastermind Season 2 semi-finals return weeknights from Monday 15 February at 6pm on SBS culminating in an hour-long grand finale on Friday 19 February at 7.30pm. Season 3 begins Monday 22 February at 6pm. Both seasons will be available to stream at SBS On Demand.
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