Iron Chef America has begun

Published on April 24, 2004 By Jamie Burnside In Entertainment

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One of my favorite programs on television is the "Iron Chef" reruns. It is such a shame that I wasn't able to watch that show when I was actually living in Japan. Apparently, that show was on during my work hours.

About two years ago, the UPN Network tried to make their own version of "Iron Chef." The Kaga-san character was played by William Shatner, the crowd was crazy, and the judging panel consisted of has-beens and washed-up comedians.

Even though I had high hopes for the UPN show, it was snuffed after two episodes.

Now the Food Network has decided that they would take a stab at re-doing the show that they had made famous.

Out are the: audience, the stupid host, the cooing female guest, and unqualified (Hollywood Square reject) judges.

The "new and improved Iron Chef America" features: a serious tone, qualified judges, a serious host, and a real feeling of competition. I doubt that any of the contestants on this new version will be taking calls on their cellular phones.

I am really happy that Food Network decided to take the high road when they decided to re-do "Iron Chef."

If the show ever gets picked up as a series, I hope that they find a way to get Kandagawa-san on as a challenger. I thought he was a real jerk until he got emotional after winning one of the final battles.

SPOILER WARNING*************

The first episode of "Iron Chef America" featured Bobby Flay vs. Hiroyuki Sakai in a trout battle.

In the end Bobby Flay was victorious, even though the Sakai seemed to have presented better dishes. I had complained to my wife that Flay wouldn't have won if there had been at least one Japanese judge, but she pointed out that that was Flay's original concern when he lost the first battle against Morimoto in New York.

I did learn something from this episode of "Iron Chef.":

Up to know, I thought that Bobby Flay was an ugly-American arrogant buffoon. After tonight's episode, he presented himself as both serious and humble. He was also obviously nervous. That really showed a lot to me.

If he was just "putting on an act," then to hell with him, but until I know for real, I have actually gained some respect for a guy who I completely disliked.

Comments

BlueDev

on Apr 24, 2004

I love "Iron Chef" and was intrigued by the possibility of this version of "Iron Chef America". Didn't get a chance to see it last night, but hopefully will catch it soon.

GhoS

on Apr 24, 2004

I'm not much of a cook, but Iron Chef is fairly interesting. It just has always seemed a little odd because of the English translation and generally dishes or special ingredients we don't even think of having here in the USA. I missed the show, but hope to catch it eventually.

GhoS

on Apr 25, 2004

I did get a chance to catch it last night as two episodes were on in a row. It felt more comfortable to watch since it was real voices and not voice overs. I'm not against someone who speaks another language , just for me it is difficult to follow the action when the voices obviously don't match up.
The show wasn't too bad though seemed a little shaky at first. Probably working the kinks out of producing it though. It still amazes me they can cook those meals so fast and well.

voodoostation

on Apr 25, 2004

Sakai was unarguably the victor against Flay. No two ways about it. Hopefully (I havent seen it yet), Batali will succeed Mirimoto.

Jamie Burnside

on Apr 25, 2004

It seemed to me that Batagli was the best of the four that I have seen so far.

Since the judges are American, the Japanese chefs will have a harder time adjusting their cooking tosuit their tastes. Americans really love strong tastes, and Japanese dishes traditionally have weaker tastes.

That said, if Food Network is indeed intending to make a series out of this, it would make sense to have their Iron Chefs seem as strong as possible, therefore it is better that they win the first few matchups regardless of their competition.

In the final analysis we must say that "Iron Chef America" is about 1,000,000 times better than UPN's "Iron Chef USA."

BlueDev

on Apr 25, 2004

My wife and I managed to catch the episode with Batali vs. Morimoto. It was quite entertaining. But I miss the crazy dude who bites the yellow pepper. I told my wife that you have to be unbelievably, incredibly cool to be able to make the wacky expressions he does and still be cool as ice.

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