Iron Chef USA: Holiday Showdown (2001 TV Special) User Reviews

Who will reign supreme?

[jfg1-1 · 6 December 2003]

If you've never seen the original Iron Chef, this version will keep you happy. But, having seen the original, one and only Chairman Kaga and his Invincible Iron Chefs, I can't quite grasp the idea of William Shatner as Chairman. He just doesn't have the class and dignity Kaga does. Mr. Shatner is a bit too hammy. Plus, Kaga has the flair to carry off the wonderful costumes, where Shatner just looks stuffed into his.

As to the show itself, part of the charm of the original show is the campy voiceovers. Then there's Ota, Fukui-san, and Dr. Hattori, plus the panel of tasters, some new, some regulars. Watching them taste the dishes offered and hearing their comments is always amusing. And, of course, the chefs and competitors. We learned the quirks of the chefs and watched the competitors try to keep up.

Finally, there is the marvelous theme music. There is just something about a Japanese gong orchestra that sends chills up the spine.

All in all, the US version is not bad, but it will never quite measure up to the original. Chairman Kaga and his Iron Chefs will always reign supreme.

Really bad, but at least better than the last Iron Chef special!!!

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 21 February 2009]

I adored the Japanese version of "Iron Chef" and have watched every episode they aired in America. So, when I heard that production wrapped up, I was saddened...no more Chairman Kaga and no more Iron Chefs! However, soon after, there was an announcement that the show would be coming to America with a new cast and new Kitchen Stadium. I was excited. Then, sadly, it turned out that they tossed aside all the good elements of the original show and substituted it was an almost "Jerry Springer" and "Gong Show" atmosphere. Gone was the pageantry, subtlety and charm. Because of this, only two episodes (thankfully) were released to television.

While a score of 2 is very bad, at least the show wasn't as bad as the special shown the month before ("Iron Chef USA: Showdown in Las Vegas"). The reason is that Todd English, who had embarrassed himself so badly in the previous show was NOT the featured Iron Chef. Unlike the normal chefs, English was part GQ cover model and part obnoxious and boorish child. So having him off the show was a major plus...but it also made much more obvious the other problem with this incarnation of Iron Chef---SHATNER!!! Unlike the flamboyant but emotionally restrained Takeshi Kaga (as the "Chairman" in the Japanese show), Shatner was rather buffoon-like. Subtle? Nope. Instead, it was like "The Shatner Show"--something that is completely unlike the original. Plus, while some might love Shatner, he isn't a chef and there isn't a real Academy--and his performance makes this painfully obvious.

As for the rest of the show, I only have one comment--Ron Popeil was one of the panelists!! This and my above comments pretty much say it all. A waste of time in every way.

Fortunately, a few years later, Food Network created a credible version of the show. While certainly not the equal to the original (but what is?), it is watchable and not just a pathetic shadow of the great Japanese series.

By the way, if you think I am being too rough on the show, Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle said of the show "'Iron Chef USA' an abomination". That about says it all!

Iron Chef comes to America, Shatner style!

[kulaboy · 8/10 · 29 November 2003]

I watched two episodes of this, Holiday Showdown and Showdown in Las Vegas, and these two episodes capture the original show quite well! William Shatner is the Chairman in a very over the top and fun performance, although he isn't in it much. The stars are the chefs who duel against one another using a selected dish- the chefs have one hour to make 5 or more dishes using the secret ingredient, and then have it rated by a celebrity panel (including a guy from the Sopranos and a Playmate) for style and taste. The Iron Chef has announcers calling the shots inside MGM in Vegas- it's a very flashy show, and great for short attention spans who enjoy cooking and competition. A lot of fun!

Spoiled by Iron Chefs

[ramiller-83739 · 6/10 · 11 January 2016]

Iron Chef USA had William Shatner who did a campy version of the Chairman that showed love through homage. The chefs, themselves, could have had a little more charismatic, more edgy or more original. The chefs did show their culinary skill, time management, and plating. The challengers were well selected and seemed to show a lot of skills. I was surprised in particular that Marcus Samuelsson lost in any of the categories in his appearance. It was fun but the original cast of Iron Chef included color commentary by the leader of a Cooking Academy in Japan. The original also had dishes that celebrated festivals in Japan that I miss. Iron Chefs were also known for their ability to combine culinary traditions with those of Japan. In the shows in America, success is based on the ability to successfully run businesses or win acclaim. I do not think Iron Chef America can match the original because it takes a lot of personality and self esteem to care that much.