Iron Chef w/ William Shatner
 

Whatever happened with this American version? I googled it and found that they taped two shows for UPN. Was this just a one-time-only sorta deal or did it flop so bad that UPN ran far, far away?

Food Network's I.C. blows chuncks compared to the Japanese version.

It's history
 

I'm pretty sure it was flop city, and they decided to quickly cut their losses.

Have you watched the new one on Food Channel or are you referring to the Shatner one as the one that sucks?

I think the new one is OK but I did enjoy the Japanese classics a lot more. Somehow more suspensful and artfully done.

The Food channel's is the one that sucks. Maybe because the "campy" factor is lost, it's just boring.

Alton Brown as the announcer does nothing for me- I keep wanting him to go down to the cooking area and tell us the science behind what everyone is doing. I totally like the Japaneese one the best- the stupid voice overs and the crazy food is what made that show worth watching!

It's the Japanese's penchant for the over the top dramatics that make the original so unique.

The Japanese show was both crazy and serious at the same time. It was like professional wrestling, with food and humiliation added. Totally Japanese and totally bizarre. The American version is nothing special. It's like the worst of American sports: watching high-paid professionals with nothing on the line go through the motions. Where's the drama?

Of course the best version of Iron Chef were the original, undubbed shows, which were shown on Asian TV stations in a few U.S. cities with hilariously bad subtitles for a year or two before the Food Network picked up the show. Those were much funnier than the Food Network version, because the subtitles were so obviously out to lunch!

I don't like the Japanese version because it takes so fucking long for them to actually start cooking, the beginning is so drawn out and boring. And that one chick judge who's on there all the time has to laugh after everything she says, kinda annoying. I like the American version more because I just like to watch them cook, I could care less about the "art" of the show.

I like to watch batali cook on Iron Chef. He always makes an ass out of alton

Batali cooks like an ogre. I saw him chopping up fish for a stew once, he was just smashing his knife into the fish like it called his mother a whore. By the end of the hour his face was beet red and he looked like he'd had at least half a dozen heart attacks.

and she always puts her hand over her mouth when she's using that annoying giggle... I'd really love to see the show undubbed and magially learn japanese and know what they are really saying...

Shatner: Yoooouuu've stooooolllllen
my iiiidddeeeeaaaa!

Asian Announcer: Daniel Son, "Call the police!"

lol i LOVE the japaneese version of that show, the new ones all just suck imho. im so happy there still on all the time :D

I understand why people loved the original so much, but I actually like the new American version. Alton is always fun to watch, even though he's not scientifically breaking down the properties of the food being used. Also, I think it's nice that the food they make looks like it's actually edible. I love the Japanese version for out over-the-top ludicrous it was, but how many dishes do you need that need Sea Urchin Roe? I mean, honestly...

the things she'd say like, "it tastes like a hug from my mother" ??? WTF??? when was the last time you ATE one of your mother's hugs? ok, so i'm too literal.

just weighing in, i love both versions of the iron chef and am glad shatner never made it. he has no reason to be a food show host, does he?

...this gives me an idea for a thread....

I don't like the ICA as the IC's are chosen for the challenger. The not at all impressed with the commentators. They have their own show with an excellent premise but the personality of the host make it thumbs down for me. I'm not impressed with the panel either, IMHO, have a narrow pallete of "adventurism" compared to the Japanese panel.

Being able to understand Japanese and watching it before it became an North American hit and translated, alot is lost in translation and the english version of their vernaulars makes no sence within context of their conversation and banter.

All in all, "Iron Chef" has run it's course...let it peter out with some dignity.

JM2C