Time Masters (game show)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television, Game show |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Children's quiz program |
| Parent | Seven Network |
Time Masters was an Australian children's quiz program presented by Tony Johnston between 1996 and 1998 on the Seven Network. Across its three seasons, pairs of school-aged contestants formed two teams competing in three distinct rounds to accumulate points. The school with the highest score after five consecutive days received the grand prize, while the second-place team was awarded a consolation prize. Each episode also featured individual player rewards; notably, the quickest participant in Scramble earned a watch. The series concluded in 1998 and was followed by Wipeout in 1999, which was also hosted by Johnston.
Brain Strain
Contestants were presented with six themed answers linked to numbered buttons. Upon Tony's question, players navigated an obstacle course comprising a Flying Fox, 'Wobbly Planks,' and the 'Groove Tube' to select the button corresponding to their answer. There were five questions per round with six possible answers; correct selections were removed from subsequent play. The total score depended on the number of correct responses achieved within a two-minute timeframe.
Scramble
Participants observed a sequence of illuminated tiles on a board three times before attempting to replicate the pattern by stepping on the correct tiles within 15 seconds. Afterward, they chose two correct answers from four options; an incorrect choice ended their turn immediately. Each team had two attempts, and the player who completed the pattern fastest and selected both correct answers was awarded a Lorus watch.
Following Scramble, the opposing team took their turn at Brain Strain.
Superball
Tony provided puzzle clues for which players guessed answers and then hurried to collect lettered balls dispensed from a chute. Their objective was to spell out a seven-letter word as quickly as possible within one minute, carefully avoiding incorrect letters.
Slam Dunk
Replacing Brain Strain but utilizing the same game board, Slam Dunk challenged players with five themed questions paired with six answer options. Contestants attempted basketball shots into numbered hoops matching their chosen answers. Shots that landed in incorrect hoops counted as wrong answers. Players had 75 seconds to respond to all questions, including any missed earlier if time permitted. Successfully answering all correctly resulted in dunking an opposing team member into water.
Scramble
The format and rules of Scramble remained consistent with those established in Season One.
After completing Scramble, the team that did not participate in Slam Dunk took their turn.
Pit Stop
Teams competed simultaneously in an arcade driving game called Manx TT. One player completed a lap before passing control to a teammate for a second lap. The first team to finish both laps earned points for this round.
Trivia
- Reruns of the program aired on Disney Channel from 1999 through 2003.
- Created by the same production team behind A*mazing, Time Masters alternated seasons with that series.
- When Time Masters changed locations, A*mazing incorporated features such as the 'Wobbly Planks' (without obstacles) and 'Groove Tube' into its revamped maze design.
- Articles with short description
- Seven Network original programming
- Australian children's game shows
- 1996 Australian television series debuts
- 1998 Australian television series endings
- 1990s Australian game shows
- Television series by Endemol Shine Australia
- Television shows set in Brisbane
- Television shows set in Perth, Western Australia
- Australian English-language television shows