Iron Chef USA

Iron Chef USA was the first American adaptation of the Japanese television series Iron Chef, appearing on the UPN television network in 2001. Two pilot episodes were aired, the "Las Vegas Showdown" and the "Holiday Battle", neither to critical acclaim. It would not be until 2004 when another adaptation of Iron Chef, titled Iron Chef America, would air.

Related Topics:
American - Japan - Television series - Iron Chef - UPN - 2001 - 2004 - Iron Chef America

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Like the original Japanese series, the show featured an eccentric chairman, played by William Shatner, who creates his own "Gourmet Academy" with four elite chefs who take on challengers in a specially-constructed "Kitchen Stadium". However, unlike the original, and the later Iron Chef America adaptation, Kitchen Stadium USA was set in an auditorium in the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and not on a sound stage.

Related Topics:
William Shatner - MGM Grand Hotel - Las Vegas - Sound stage

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Fans of the series, and critics at large, point to many aspects of the show for the reason why the series failed. Among the most notable reasons was the audience factor: the original Iron Chef (and Iron Chef America) had only minimal guest and VIP seating, while Iron Chef USA was shown in front of a larger audience. The audience also tended to be louder and rowdier, in sharp contrast to the relatively quiet audiences of Iron Chef. Another sharp point of criticism was directed at the commentators, who often showed little in terms of their knowledge of food (with lines such as "What? It's the sperm? We eat that?"). However, critics saw Shatner's portrayal of the chairman in Iron Chef USA as a redeeming quality, as his performance paid homage to Takeshi Kaga and his antics on Iron Chef

Related Topics:
Sperm - Takeshi Kaga

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