Almost all of the ABM cast have accepted, and continue to accept, the Mastermind Challenge in order to see which of them knows their ABM best. However, it has become clear over the last few months that there has been some concern over how fair the Challenge is. With each contestant facing different questions how reliable a test can it be? Some think that the questions are too simple. Perhaps some of them are. With this in mind the Ultimate Mastermind Challenge was designed and created to test who really knows their ABM.

These six combatants have accepted the UMC. Over the next month or so they will test their ABM knowledge and dig deep into the dark recesses of their minds as they try to claw back that piece of long forgotten knowledge that just might be enough to crown them the ABM UMC Champion! This will be no walk in the park. They have been advised time and again to study up. Whether they have taken this good advice will be seen in the weeks to come.

It’s time to meet those who have agreed to put their pride and their reputation on the line…

The Contenders

Tina “The Slayer” Cesa Ward

The reigning champion of ABM Mastermind, Tina is a firm favourite to take the title of Ultimate Mastermind Champion. Writer, director, and editor she should know every frame of the show back to front. Having answered every one of her ABM Mastermind questions at least partly correctly, and seeing how well she could have answered other people’s questions, only a fool would consider betting against Tina. However, is the expectation now too high? With everyone gunning to knock her off her top spot, how long will this ABM goddess manage to hold onto her title? Have all those hours spent watching and re-watching ABM taken their toll?

Rachael “Hit-Girl” Hip-Flores

ABM’s super-geek, Rachael Hip-Flores made an impressive showing during her ABM Mastermind round and is sure to want to do better. Failing completely (by only half an inch) on a solitary question she certainly knows her ABM. Lest we forget her more than impressive showing during ABM charades in the web-a-thon, she has untapped depths of knowledge that it would be a mistake to dismiss. With all that geek knowledge rummaging around in her brain though is there enough room for all that ABM? Surely there’s only so much geek goodness you can handle.

Nicole “The Broadway Belter” Pacent

With an army of Team Aster supporters behind her, Nicole certainly has the crowd’s support. Will that be enough though? She is currently sitting in the middle of the scoreboard with her on-screen rival, Jessy Hodges, sitting a little too comfortably alongside Rachael Hip-Flores. Will that spur her into hitting the books and studying up on her ABM? On the other side of the country with all that sun and sand to distract her, her eye may not be on the prize. It could go either way for this fan favourite.

Jessy “Heartbreaker” Hodges

It has to be said that luck might apparently be on Jessy Hodges’ side having picked a set of questions that lent itself to ABM knowledge you would expect her to have. However, Lady Luck plays no part in The ABM UMC with all participants answering the same questions. It cannot be denied that Jessy does appear to know her ABM and her on-screen rivalry with Nicole Pacent is surely enough to ensure that she will want to prove her prowess. We haven’t heard much from Jessy, could her knowledge be enough to cause an upset?

Susan “Mad Dog” Miller

With a less than impressive display of her ABM knowledge during her Mastermind round Susan Miller has a lot to prove. With reassurances that she does better over a longer race, and with a track record of turning things around given enough time, the extended questioning may suit her game better. Her poor results however cannot be ignored, would it be too hopeful to expect her to come back at this point. If I know anything about this ABM goddess it’s that just when you think you’ve got her sussed she will do something to pull the rug out from under your feet! Perhaps we should not count her out just yet.

Meredith “Maverick” King

If it were a popularity contest then I think Meredith King would win hands down. Having talked to the ABM cast and crew she appears to be everyone’s favourite, and from personal experience I know her to be absolutely stellar. Unfortunately, though she did make an attempt to answer all of her questions, those answers weren’t always correct. Will the fact that her role as ABM’s Super Intern/Production Assistant requires her to be everywhere at once without ever having to actually learn lines be more of a help or a hindrance? Though I cannot guarantee her answers will earn her any points, they will no doubt be entertaining.

Stay tuned over the coming weeks to find out how you can be in with a chance to win some ABM related prizes by wagerring on who you think will come out top, and bottom, of the UMC Leaderboard. Of course, to be in with a chance to win the big prizes you’ve got to step into the ring yourself. If you haven’t already expressed an interest in entering the UMC please do so over at the Forum. Let’s show these ABMers what we’ve got ABM Fans!