Season 2
Season 2 • 2020
0Last year was so successful the programme was picked up for a second series of 85 shows in 2020. Jennifer Byrne fires off the questions to the contestant in the black chair, a situation more stressful than those of us watching from home believe it to be.
Episodes
1. Episode 1
In this round, the specialty subjects are Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Baby-Sitters Club books series 1–8, the laws of cricket, and the early photographic process.
2020-02-24 • 25 min
2. Episode 2
In this round, the specialty subjects are Douglas Mawson, Australian parrots, 2006 FIFA World Cup, and famous guitars and guitarists.
2020-02-25 • 25 min
3. Episode 3
In this round, the specialty subjects are High fashion: French and Italian, Norse mythology, Company the musical, and Red Dwarf seasons 1–8.
2020-02-26 • 25 min
4. Episode 4
In this round, the specialty subjects are Sir Joseph Banks, Brisbane Lions AFL team 1996–present, medical history of human immunisation, and Star Trek: Discovery (TV series).
2020-02-27 • 25 min
5. Episode 5
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-02-28 • 25 min
6. Episode 6
In this round, the specialty subjects are History of the men's 100m Olympic sprint, The life of Agnes Varda, the moons of Jupiter, and the personal computer in the 20th century.
2020-03-02 • 25 min
7. Episode 7
In this round, the specialty subjects are The Australian magpie, Keith Haring, Anne Tyler novels, and Irish migration after the Potato Famine.
2020-03-03 • 25 min
8. Episode 8
In this round, the specialty subjects are National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The non-fiction works of George Orwell, Treaty of Versailles, and BioShock (video game).
2020-03-04 • 25 min
9. Episode 9
In this round, the specialty subjects are The B52's: 70s–80s, British middleweight boxers 1985–2000, Birds of South Africa's Kruger National Park, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
2020-03-05 • 25 min
10. Episode 10
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-03-06 • 25 min
11. Episode 11
In this round, the specialty subjects are Pink Floyd — Dark Side of the Moon to The Wall, New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Master Golf Tournament 1980s, and Clueless the film.
2020-03-09 • 25 min
12. Episode 12
In this round, the specialty subjects are Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, Dumb and Dumber 1 and 2, comedies of Moliére, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
2020-03-10 • 25 min
13. Episode 13
In this round, the specialty subjects are romantic comedy films of Hugh Jackman, China Australia relations post the Chinese Revolution of 1949, history of Apple Inc., and The Grateful Dead 1968–1972.
2020-03-11 • 25 min
14. Episode 14
In this round, the specialty subjects are Australian players in the NBA, The Cornetto Trilogy, the Thor movies, and the Chronicles of Narnia books by C.S. Lewis.
2020-03-12 • 25 min
15. Episode 15
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-03-13 • 25 min
16. Episode 16
In this round, the specialty subjects are Saladin, Sherlock Holmes novels, Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, and Savage Garden.
2020-03-16 • 25 min
17. Episode 17
In this round, the specialty subjects are Oasis, pi history and usage, Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2020-03-17 • 25 min
18. Episode 18
In this round, the specialty subjects are Robert Redford movies, World Expo '88, Seattle grunge music of the '90s, and the assassination of JFK.
2020-03-18 • 25 min
19. Episode 19
In this round, the specialty subjects are Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, David Sedaris Books, The Dutch Republic 1609–1713, and the meaning of the names of African Capitals.
2020-03-19 • 25 min
20. Episode 20
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-03-20 • 25 min
21. Episode 21
In this round, the specialty subjects are big wave surfing, Visigoths 360–410 CE, the human muscular system, and the life of Monica Dickens.
2020-03-23 • 25 min
22. Episode 22
In this round, the specialty subjects are the Australian SAS, first aid, Porsche 1948–1990, and triple j Hottest 100 2010–2018.
2020-03-24 • 25 min
23. Episode 23
In this round, the specialty subjects are the Marx Brothers, Mr. Men and Little Miss, Dresden Files Novels books 10–15, and The Rock films I–V.
2020-03-25 • 25 min
24. Episode 24
In this round, the specialty subjects are 90s films of Emma Thompson, 2000AD comics, the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and Sir Henry Parkes.
2020-03-26 • 25 min
25. Episode 25
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-03-27 • 25 min
26. Episode 26
In this round, the specialty subjects are Prisoner series 1, Monet, the 1970s Giallo films of Dario Argento, and the voyages of Captain Cook.
2020-03-30 • 25 min
27. Episode 27
In this round, the specialty subjects are Churchill's WWII speeches, Australia in the 2019 Netball World Cup, the Ant-Man films, and Futurama seasons 1 to 3.
2020-03-31 • 25 min
28. Episode 28
In this round, the specialty subjects are Tron and Tron: Legacy films, Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Earth’s Children books 1 to 3, and XTC 1978–1990.
2020-04-01 • 25 min
29. Episode 29
In this round, the specialty subjects are Jackie French: The Matilda Saga books, Watergate, Willem de Kooning, and the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy.
2020-04-02 • 25 min
30. Episode 30
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-04-03 • 25 min
31. Episode 31
In this round, the specialty subjects are women of jazz: 1930s to ‘50s, Tasman Series 1964–1975, the history of autopsy, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
2020-04-06 • 25 min
32. Episode 32
In this round, the specialty subjects are comedies of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ralph McTell, rivers of the world, and Mark Latham as federal Labor leader.
2020-04-07 • 25 min
33. Episode 33
In this round, the specialty subjects are Mary Poppins (film), Elon Musk, The Strawbs in the ‘70s, and Gavin & Stacey seasons 1–3.
2020-04-08 • 25 min
34. Episode 34
In this round, the specialty subjects are the Predator movies 1–4, The Eagles, Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, and women’s fashion in the Victorian era.
2020-04-09 • 25 min
35. Episode 35
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-04-10 • 25 min
36. Episode 36
In this round, the specialty subjects are The Wizard of Oz (1939), the life and music of Son House, penguins, and Die Hard (1988).
2020-04-13 • 25 min
37. Episode 37
In this round, the specialty subjects are Shrek films 1–3, Indian prime ministers 1975–2000, Charli XCX, and The Young Ones.
2020-04-14 • 25 min
38. Episode 38
In this round, the specialty subjects are Saturday Night Fever, Castle (TV Show) season 1–3, Womens Big Bash League (Season 3, 4), and the Emperor’s New Groove (2000).
2020-04-15 • 25 min
39. Episode 39
In this round, the specialty subjects are X-Men movies, the comedies of Shakespeare, US state capitals, and Absolutely Fabulous.
2020-04-16 • 25 min
40. Episode 40
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-04-17 • 25 min
41. Episode 41
In this round, the specialty subjects are the wives of Henry VIII, Sydney architecture, Chelsea FC, and Happy Days season 1 and 2.
2020-04-20 • 25 min
42. Episode 42
In this round, the specialty subjects are Dragonriders of Pern — the original trilogy, General George Patton Jr, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Scrubs seasons 1–3.
2020-04-21 • 25 min
43. Episode 43
In this round, the specialty subjects are Batman films 1989-1997, Boston Celtics 2000 to present, the RMS Titanic, and the 2000 US presidential election.
2020-04-22 • 25 min
44. Episode 44
In this round, the specialty subjects are the Saga Comic book series, the history of European beers, WWF: The Attitude Era, and Sex and the City seasons 3–6.
2020-04-23 • 25 min
45. Episode 45
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-04-24 • 25 min
46. Episode 46
In this round, the specialty subjects are the prime ministership of John Howard, the High School Music trilogy, Knoxville Nationals sprint cars, and Firefly the TV series.
2020-04-27 • 25 min
47. Episode 47
In this round, the specialty subjects are Cary Grant, Women’s artistic gymnastics at the Olympics 2008–2016, George Orwell’s 1984, and Mahatma Gandhi.
2020-04-28 • 25 min
48. Episode 48
In this round, the specialty subjects are James Bond films — the Pierce Brosnan era, the life and work of Friedrich Froebel, Brazil in the World Cup 1958–1970, and The Simpsons Movie.
2020-04-29 • 25 min
49. Episode 49
In this round, the specialty subjects are Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the Nimitz UFO sighting, Japanese Sumo Wrestling, and Maria Gaetana Agnesi. Famed comedian Arj Barker joins this round as a contestant.
2020-04-30 • 25 min
50. Episode 50
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-05-01 • 25 min
51. Episode 51
In this round, the specialty subjects are Wayne's World, Woody Guthrie, The Fifth Element, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers 1991–2011.
2020-05-04 • 25 min
52. Episode 52
In this round, the specialty subjects are Placebo, Moog analogue synthesisers, the Voyager space program, and TISM.
2020-05-05 • 25 min
53. Episode 53
In this round, the specialty subjects are the Scream movies 1–4, the rules of netball, dinosaurs, and U.S presidents.
2020-05-06 • 25 min
54. Episode 54
In this round, the specialty subjects are Johnny Depp in Tim Burton films, Pathefinder (1st edition), the Greek-Persian wars 490–479BC, and INXS.
2020-05-07 • 25 min
55. Episode 55
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-05-08 • 25 min
56. Episode 56
In this round, the specialty subjects are Twin Peaks seasons 1 and 2, the history of Triumph motorcycles, Will & Grace seasons 1–5, and the musical comedy of Tim Minchin.
2020-05-11 • 25 min
57. Episode 57
In this round, the specialty subjects are The Witcher (TV series), the Battle of Agincourt, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Bruce Springsteen 1975–1985.
2020-05-12 • 25 min
58. Episode 58
In this round, the specialty subjects are Friends seasons 6-10, Carl Sagan, AFL premierships 1969–2019, and The Goon Show.
2020-05-13 • 25 min
59. Episode 59
In this round, the specialty subjects are the history of Lego, Albert Speer, the life and work of Marie Curie, and Gone With The Wind.
2020-05-14 • 25 min
60. Episode 60
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-05-15 • 25 min
61. Episode 61
In this round, the specialty subjects are Talking Heads, western astrology, children of Queen Victoria, and Stephen King’s book IT.
2020-05-18 • 25 min
62. Episode 62
In this round, the specialty subjects are M*A*S*H seasons 6–11, UN Security Council, the Adrian Mole books 1–3, and the life and music of Taylor Swift.
2020-05-19 • 25 min
63. Episode 63
In this round, the specialty subjects are the life and times of Johnny O’Keefe, nuts, Roman mythology and religion, and The Office (UK).
2020-05-20 • 25 min
64. Episode 64
In this round, the specialty subjects are 1980s Steven Spielberg films, the Hungary national football team 1949–1946, P.D. James — Adam Dalgliesh books, and Nikola Tesla.
2020-05-21 • 25 min
65. Episode 65
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-05-22 • 25 min
66. Episode 66
In this round, the specialty subjects are The League of Gentlemen seasons 1–3, Lazarus Long and the Future History series by Robert Heinlein, asteroids, and Rafael Nadal.
2020-05-25 • 25 min
67. Episode 67
In this round, the specialty subjects are English Staffordshire terriers, Nike Air Jordans, the Sprawl Trilogy, and the New York Giants 2009–2019.
2020-05-26 • 25 min
68. Episode 68
In this round, the specialty subjects are U2, the life of Jane Austen, the life and times of Richie McCaw, and Doc Martin seasons 1–3.
2020-05-27 • 25 min
69. Episode 69
In this round, the specialty subjects are the life of Freddie Mercury, Pope Alexander VI — The Borgia Pope, Flanders & Swann, and Dennis Lillee.
2020-05-28 • 25 min
70. Episode 70
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-05-29 • 25 min
71. Episode 71
In this round, the specialty subjects are Siouxsie and the Banshees 1976–1996, the stolen generations, Williams Formula 1 team, and the Bill and Ted movies 1–2.
2020-06-01 • 25 min
72. Episode 72
In this round, the specialty subjects are Brett Whiteley, Aboriginal bush foods, MIKA, and Mars Rover: Curiosity.
2020-06-02 • 25 min
73. Episode 73
In this round, the specialty subjects are The Matrix, the cardiovascular system, Aerosmith, and Indiana Jones 1–4.
2020-06-03 • 25 min
74. Episode 74
In this round, the specialty subjects are Keith Moon, squids, Norman conquest of England, and Fright Night (1985).
2020-06-04 • 25 min
75. Episode 75
In this final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-06-05 • 25 min
76. Episode 76
In this Second Chance round, the specialty subjects are Extras (seasons 1 and 2), Lady Gaga, Aussie Slang, and Donald Glover.
2020-06-08 • 25 min
77. Episode 77
In this Second Chance round, the specialty subjects are Little Britain, duty of care law, the Tiffany Aching books, and English Premier League managers 2000–2019.
2020-06-09 • 25 min
78. Episode 78
In this Second Chance round, the specialty subjects are Weezer, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and the sci-fi films of Ridley Scott.
2020-06-10 • 25 min
79. Episode 79
In this Second Chance round, the specialty subjects are Keeping Up Appearances (Seasons 1 and 2), HMS Bounty, Benazir Bhutto, and Australian spiders.
2020-06-11 • 25 min
80. Episode 80
In this Second Chance final round, the four reigning champions from this cycle battle it out to progress to the semi-finals.
2020-06-12 • 25 min
81. Episode 81
In this semi-final round, the specialist subjects are Charles Kingsford Smith, The Jurassic Park trilogy, The Kokoda Track campaign, and The Beatles Album: Revolver.
2020-06-15 • 25 min
82. Episode 82
In this semi-final round, the specialty subjects are The Wombats, The West Wing: seasons 1–3, the bovels of Jane Harper, and Fleabag: seasons 1 and 2.
2020-06-16 • 25 min
83. Episode 83
In this semi-final round, the specialty subjects are Monty Python’s Life of Brian, The Kingkiller Chronicle, the film Casablanca, and Kanye West.
2020-06-17 • 25 min
84. Episode 84
In this semi-final round, the specialty subjects are Ozzy Osbourne, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Joan of Arc, and Spike Milligan’s War Memoirs.
2020-06-18 • 25 min
85. Episode 85
Tonight, it comes down to the final four contenders. Who will take home the title of Australia's Mastermind?
2020-06-19 • 53 min