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31 Episodes 2004 - 2004
Episode 1
The new series starts with contenders tackling specialist subjects of RMS Titanic, the life and career of Joyce Grenfell, the life and works of Gustav Mahler, and World Heavyweight Boxing Championships 1895-1978.
Episode 2
With specialist subjects the life and times of President Warren G Harding, the test career of Geoffrey Boycott, Doctor Who, and the novels of Tom Sharpe, four more contenders answer quiz questions in the black chair.
Episode 3
Four more contenders in the black chair. Specialist subjects are Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, Western Europe in the Dark Ages 400-800 AD, the life and music of George Gershwin, and US manned space flight 1961-75.
Episode 4
Four more contenders, featuring specialist subjects the life and films of Maureen O'Hara, punk and new wave music 1976-79, the history of Halifax Rugby League Football Club, and Only Fools and Horses.
Episode 5
With specialist subjects the Witch World novels of Andre Norton, the Tour de France, the works of Tom Lehrer, and the history of the Jewish East End of London, four more contenders take to the famous black chair.
Episode 6
The contenders face specialist subjects of the life and times of Emma Hamilton, the history of the European Cup Finals since 1970, the fiction novels of Michael Crichton, and the music of Elvis Costello.
Episode 7
The life and works of Wassily Kandinsky, Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time novels, the IAAF World Outdoor Athletic Championships, and David, the second King of Israel are the specialist subjects this time in the black chair.
Episode 8
The four contenders here tackle specialist subjects of the History of the European Union, Susan Coolidge's What Katy Did novels, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the history of Manchester United Football Club.
Episode 9
The contenders face specialist subjects the history of Essex County Cricket Club, British tank development from 1915, the life and music of Sir Paul McCartney, and British mammals, followed by the usual general knowledge round.
Episode 10
The four contenders in the black chair face their specialist subjects the novels of Frederick Forsyth, the life and films of Marilyn Monroe, the life and works of Edward Elgar, and the 1981 Ashes test series, followed by general knowledge.
Episode 11
This visit to the black chair sees specialist subjects of the Department of Guadeloupe and its dependencies, the Moody Blues, the life and work of Mary Anning of Lyme Regis, and aircraft carriers from 1912.
Episode 12
The history of 11th-century England, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, the life and works of Elizabeth Gaskell, and the life and music of Rod Stewart are the specialist subjects facing the four contenders in the black chair.
Episode 13
Contenders in the black chair face their specialist subjects the Second World War, the films of Gregory Peck, the history of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, and the instruments of the symphony orchestra, followed by general knowledge.
Episode 14
The life and works of Vaughan Williams, the life and career of Sir George Cayley, the legends of King Arthur, and M*A*S*H are the specialist subjects awaiting the contenders taking the black chair.
Episode 15
The contenders face being quizzed on specialist subjects the life and works of Titian, Alan Partridge, Boswell and Johnson's tours of the Hebrides, and the history of the football World Cup 1930-2002.
Episode 16
The contenders answer questions on their specialist subjects the life and reign of Richard III, the history of Burnley Football Club, Homer's Odyssey, and the films of Billy Wilder, followed by general knowledge.
Episode 17
British Top 30 hit singles 1960-1989, the life and works of Cesar Franck, the films of Satyajit Ray, and the life and reign of Queen Victoria are the specialist subjects facing the contenders in the black chair.
Episode 18
Specialist subjects the Hercule Poirot novels, the novel and film adaptations of Dracula, the Battle of Britain, and the life and music of Buddy Holly test the little grey cells of the contenders.
Episode 19
The life and music of Cole Porter, the life and career of the Duke of Wellington, Babylon 5 series 1 and 2, and the life and works of Andel Adams face the contenders, seated all alone in the black chair.
Episode 20
The four contenders face specialist subjects the life and works of Wilfred Owen, the life and works of Ludwig Wittgenstein, unicorns, and Alexander the Great, followed by the general knowledge round.
Episode 21
Victorian Britain, British pop music of the 1950s, the journeys of St Paul from the Book of Acts, and the films of Sergio Leone are the specialist subjects chosen by the contenders in the black chair.
Episode 22
The contenders in the black chair are quizzed on their specialist subjects the life and works of Jacques Offenbach, British films of the 1960s, the life and times of Arbella Stuart, and wild cats of the world.
Episode 23
The specialist subjects of capital punishment in the UK since 1945, the history of the Rugby Union World Cup, the life and films of John Belushi, and the history of the Birmingham Royal Ballet await the contenders taking the black chair.
Episode 24
The history of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the rock band XTC, the life and work of George Hudson, and the history of Moscow are the specialist subjects chosen by the contenders in the last of the first round matches.
Episode 25
The first of six semi-finals sees specialist subjects of British Prime Ministers of the 20th century, the life and works of Robert Ferguson, Fawlty Towers, and the English Civil Wars 1642-1651.
Episode 26
The second semi-final has specialist subjects the life and reign of King Charles II, the Conservative government of John Major 1992-97, the life and works of Albert Einstein, and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy radio series and books.
Episode 27
The third semi-final of six, with specialist subjects the historical buildings of England, the Zulu War 1879, British murders and murderers 1850-1950, and the Adventures of Tintin by Hergé.
Episode 28
The life and reign of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the Albert Campion novels of Marjory Allingham, the life and work of Erwin Schrödinger, and British popular music 1972-84 are the specialist subjects in this fourth semi-final of six.
Episode 29
The Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, the history of Manchester City Football Club, the history of Babylonia 2000-539 BC, and US presidential elections 1940-2000 are the specialist subjects in this fifth of six semi-finals.
Episode 30
The last semi-final features specialist subjects Scottish infantry regiments since 1900, the history of the city of Liverpool, the life and works of Orlando Lassus, and the England football team in the European Championships 1968-2003.
Episode 31
58 mins
The final sees specialist subjects: American presidents of the 20th century, FA Cup finals since 1970, Homer's Iliad, British pop music of the 1960s, the life and reign of Elizabeth I, and English test cricket since 1877.