GamesMaster was a British television show, screened on Channel 4 from 1992 to 1998, and was 
the first ever UK television show dedicated to computer and video games. GamesMaster began when Jane Hewland, formerly of LWT, who had set up her own production company Hewland International, took an interest in her son’s love of video games. She put together a pitch for a show that would translate the excitement of games playing into watchable television. It was Channel 4 that became interested in the concept and green lit the production. Although it featured game reviews, most of the show was about challenges where game players would compete against one another for the title of “GamesMaster Champion”. Contestants who were successful at their challenges were rewarded with the coveted “GamesMaster Golden Joystick” trophy. Dominik Diamond usually presented the show with Sir Patrick Moore appearing in pre-recorded inserts as the ‘Games Master’. During these challenges, Dominik was joined by a host of commentators. These included Derrick Lynch, Kirk Ewing, Julian Rignall, Rik Henderson, Dave Perry, Tim Boone and Edward Laurence amongst others.
For the third series, Dexter Fletcher became the main presenter; this change was criticised by fans, who saw the new host as over-the-top, and too ‘in-your-face’. To balance this, the production company dropped all other co-presenters and gave UK games champion Dave Perry a regular co-presenter slot on every show. Fletcher was better known at the time for playing an American character called “Spike” in the ITV drama series Press Gang.
When did GamesMaster Jump the Shark ?
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Awesome way to see new games that are coming out and get involved in the gaming world of the 90s. A time when SNES, Megadrive and the mythical NEO-GEO ruled the games console world. One problem with Gamesmaster though was the age of the ‘experts’ that appeared to commentate on the challenges. These guys were far too old and geeky even for this! I think i was about 15 when i was watching this when i came to the conclusion that i had probably already had more sex than that geeky middle aged gamemaster expert that wore the bandana and leather jacket. He might have had the highest score on Mario for a week or so but he wasnt getting laid ever!!!
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Remember Frank Bruno hitting the electronic punch bag game with all his force?? That was cool. Think it was a xmas special. The bag couldnt fight back so there was no way Frank could lose!!
Most guests were alright and cool enough. Apart from the obvious Uri Gellar’s or Michael Fish’s that is.
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Some of the guests really didnt belong. Gordon Kaye of Krypton Factor fame had no business being on Gamesmaster. Who cares if he can show off some games console skill ? Did the kids even know who this old man was?? Hes up there with John Craven among one the most uncool tv presenters. The game developers must be holding their head in their hands at times when they find out some 50 yr old gameshow host has been selected to try and play their game infront of millions watching on tv. Cant see it helping to convince kids to buy it.
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Even though Dominic was a slightly pervy innuendo dropping fat balding middle aged man he actually cared about computer games and was passionate about the show. Dexter Fletcher was younger, apparently cooler and more handsome but just didnt fit into the role.
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Dexter Fletcher had no place presenting Gamesmaster!! Hes an actor. Dominic Diamond was a proper console geek and knew what he was talking about. Dexter didnt know anything. Absolutely jumped once Dexter took over.
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A great tv show at a time when games console technology really started to go through the roof. Yes younger users long before Xbox, 16bit technology was cutting edge. I always found it bizarre that Patrick Moore agreed to do the show but at the same time i couldnt imagine anyone else doing it. I wouldve loved to have seen him rehearse his lines and see the bemused look on his face as he read out the gaming tips for the first time
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A must see for any adult or child who owned a Sega MegaDrive or Super Nintendo games console in the 90s. From back in the day when games cost £50 each and were so tough to complete that you would willingly go on national tv and ask a 70 year old astronomer dressed as a robot for tips and cheats to help you.
I enjoyed watching the celebrities trying there hand at the games. And some of them actually did quiet well. I remember watching the Street Fighter II challenge and thinking ‘how can games get any better than this’
Bring back Gamesmaster.
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It was always shit doesnt matter who was presenting it. Patrick Moore didnt have a clue what the fuck was going on and rambled nonsense to spotty teens about how to get past a hard level on Sonic the Hedgehog. I dont think Patrick Moore had ever seen a computer game before this show.
And the challenges!!! Not enough to bring on 3rd rate soap stars or Olympic Athelete’s from the 80s to compete. Gamesmaster decided it was rock n roll to let middle aged bald journalists from now defunked gaming magazines to play too. Trying in vain to make them appear like cool rock stars and not the sad single 40 somethings they actually were.
Gamesmaster sucked.
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Gamesmaster was unmissable during the Diamond era. Not so much when Dexter Fletcher unashamedly came on board and hijacked it to futher his flagging career. He just didnt care as much.
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Dexter Fletcher appearing in anything has me reaching for the off button straight away. Even the greatest games show ever isnt immune to Dexter.
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Dominic Diamond loved innuendos. How many times can he giggle to himself after mentioning teenagers gripping their joysticks and wiggling them around?? Its a family show ffs show us games, less of your smut
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The greatest video game show ever created. With the greatest prize for the winner, which every kid wanted…..the amazing ‘Golden Joystick’. Who cares who presented it? It was all about the challenges, the reviews, the previews and The Gamesmaster handing out his valuable tips every week.
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It was pretty crap. Dominic Diamond was shit and Dexter Fletcher even shitter.
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Are we supposed to care that afew lesser known members of ‘Emmerdale Farm’ are going to challenge each other to see who can do the fastest lap at Mario Kart? Get the reviews on!
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This show never jumped even though Dexter Fletcher realy did suck at presenting. Its all about the games they showed back in the 90s. The golden age of SNES and MegaDrives. This show rules and was the best ( and first? ) dedicated computer games show on television.
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Yes TestingTesting12121 Patrick Stewart would look pretty bemused if you asked him for hints and tips on how to get through a Mario or Sonic game. Thats because he starred in StarTrek and probably doesnt know much about Mario, Sonic or 90s video games in general.
Sir Patrick Moore was in Gamesmaster though and he sometimes looked confused with it all
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Yea afew of the guests tried a bit hard to be cool. But i loved this show and i loved my Super Nintendo.
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One of my favorite shows. Never missed it. Not fussed for Dominic Diamond and his patter but loved the reviews and challenges even with the strange choice of guests. Plus we had the tips and cheats section half way through!!! Where a clearly bemused Patrick Stewart would give us strategies to get further in our hardest games. Good stuff.
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The guests were pretty ropey. Uri Gellar and Mr Motivator trying to be cool and ‘down with the kids’ playing computer games should never be seen. Pretty sure Krypton Factor host Gordon Burns was on it once too.
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Too many challenges were squeezed into this half hour show. Atleast three per episode. I wasnt interested if a fat middle aged adult employee from Nintendo Monthly Magazine could beat a 14 yr old school kid at Street Fighter 2. Show me more reviews and previews.
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A great show that realy captured the imagination of gamers as the consoles continued to evolve. Casting Patrick Stewart as the Gamesmaster was a stroke of genius. Although im pretty sure he didnt have a clue what the hell was going on. Once Dominic Diamond left and Dexter Fletcher took over it just wasnt the same. Dominic loved gaming. For Dexter i think it was just another job.
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