Lego Masters
Contents |
Host
Co-hosts
Matthew Ashton (judge)
Broadcast
Tuesday's Child East for Channel 4, 24 August 2017 to 11 December 2018 (9 episodes in 2 series + 1 special)
Synopsis
Children of all ages build magnificent creations out of Lego bricks.
Pairs of Lego builders are given a weekend in the build room. In that time, they are to design and build Lego constructions that meet a brief. The first episode called for some sort of banquet, and a throne that would support the weight of a fully-grown man.
Matthew Ashton from the Lego company, and one or more guest judges, will examine the constructions. The worst performers leave the contest, everyone else returns for the next round.
After the opening round, each contest included an "unplanned build". While the teams could plan for and rehearse the main task, this was a surprise, sprung on them. Hybrid vehicles, animals made from a handful of bricks, interpreting the dreams of children.
Richard Osman inspects a fairground.
It was always clear what the judges wanted from the round: technical excellence, a build that looks realistic on first glance, and a playful wow-factor. These values fit with the Lego company's advertising.
The show chose to emphasise the relationships between the contestant pairs. It wasn't a design show, like Scrapheap Challenge, and there were few tips for aspiring builders. It was a show to sit back and marvel.
Champions
2017 Nate Dias and Steve Guinness
2018 Paul and Lewis
Title music
Helen Greenham and John Greenham, credited as "Composers" for their playful score.
Trivia
Matthew Ashton is a senior manager for the Lego group.
Episodes featured a guest judge - structural engineer Roma Agrawal, mechanical engineer Dr Shini Somara, Richard Osman, Bill Bailey, professional Lego artist Sean Kenney, Dara Ó Briain