2003

01 Episode 1 Episode 17th July 2003 The pre-eminent quiz show that first gripped the nation in the 1970s returns for a new series, the first since 1997. Each week four contenders are interrogated on a chosen subject and general knowledge in the famous black chair by new host John Humphrys, who takes over from Magnus Magnusson. 02 Episode 2 Episode 214th July 2003 John Humphrys tests four contestants on their chosen specialised subjects - Life and Times of Maximilien Robespierre; TV Series Blackadder; History of Victorian Britain 1837-1901; and Life and Films of Audrey Hepburn. 03 Episode 3 Episode 321st July 2003 Four more contestants brave the spotlight to answer questions on specialist subjects and general knowledge. John Humphrys is the man asking the questions. 04 Episode 4 Episode 428th July 2003 Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys 's black chair. 05 Episode 5 Episode 54th August 2003 Four more contestants aiming to prove mastery of their specialist subjects brave John Humphrys's black chair. 06 Episode 6 Episode 611th August 2003 Four more contestants brave John Humphrys 's black chair. Tonight's specialist subjects are British History post-1945, 20th-century Fashion, English and Scottish Racecourses and their Races, and the Academy Awards. 07 Episode 7 Episode 718th August 2003 Four more contestants occupy the famous black chair as John Humphrys asks questions on English castles, British television comedy from 1970 to 1990, the flora and fauna of Great Britain and the folk band Fairport Convention. 08 Episode 8 Episode 81st September 2003 The Simpsons, Emperor Nero, the Who and Laurie Lee are this evening's specialist subjects. John Humphrys quizzes four more contestants on the famous black chair. 09 Episode 9 Episode 98th September 2003 The House of Godwin AD 1000-1066, the life and films of Grace Kelly, the life and work of chanteuse Dalida and World Cup cricket 1972-2003 are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and a barrage of questions from John Humphrys. 10 Episode 10 Episode 1015th September 2003 The religious works of Rembrandt van Rijn, BBC radio comedy 1940-1960, the fiction of Graham Greene 1938-1983 and Manic Street Preachers are the specialist subjects as four more contestants brave the famous black chair and probing questions from John Humphrys. 11 Episode 11 Episode 1122nd September 2003 The Harry Potter films, English league football grounds since 1945, the songs of Randy Newman and romantic literature 1789-1830 are the specialist subjects as four contestants face probing questions from John Humphrys. 12 Episode 12 Episode 1229th September 2003 Red Dwarf, the life and works of Shostakovich, the life and works of Kingsley Amis, and the life and times of Florence Nightingale are tonight's specialist subjects as four more contestants face questions from John Humphrys. 13 Episode 13 Episode 136th October 2003 The films of Alfred Hitchcock; the six wives of Henry the VIII; the history of video games; and the life of Benjamin Franklin are the specialist subjects in the first of the quarter-finals as four contestants face questions from John Humphrys. 14 Episode 14 Episode 1413th October 2003 The films of director Vincente Minnelli, the life and works of Dickens, boys' comics and papers 1940-1960 and the city of Buenos Aires are specialist subjects in the second of the quarter-finals. John Humphrys has the questions. 15 Episode 15 Episode 1520th October 2003 Lawrence of Arabia; the works of horror supremo Clive Barker; comedian Tony Hancock; and operetta writers Gilbert and Sullivan are the specialist subjects in tonight's third quarter-final. Hosted by John Humphrys. 16 Episode 16 Episode 1627th October 2003 Occupants of the famous black chair tackle abstruse questions on pop music of the 1980s; Monty Python; the War of the Roses; and children's books from 1860 to the present day. John Humphrys hosts the last quarter-final. 17 Episode 17 Episode 173rd November 2003 Salford's Lowry Centre hosts the grand final as four finalists brave the famous black chair and John Humphrys's rapid-fire questions on the life and works of Marc Chagall, international golfing 1970-2003, life and music of Jim Morrison and life and career of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.