Release Date:
Friday, November 16, 2001
Air Date:
9 P.M. (ET)
TV Network:
UPN
Based on the popular Japanese series, this two-part special brings cuisine conflict to the States, and William Shatner brings an all-important touch of campiness as host. The concept is the same, a visiting culinary whiz challenges the established Iron Chefs in a cook-off in which they must whip up five dishes featuring the surprise ingredient. The dishes are then tested by a panel of celebrity judges—with the “celebrity” element including the likes of Brande Roderick of Baywatch Hawaii, Kelly Hu of Nash Bridges and Martial Law, and comedy writer and actor Bruce Vilanch, who drove the laugh track crazy with his award-showesque witticisms.
Iron Chef in any form is enjoyable, but it’s not quite the same without the Japanese melodrama and dubbed voices. Luckily, when Iron Chef USA wraps up at 10 P.M. (ET), you can flick over to the Food Network for a dose of the original.
Iron Chef in any form is enjoyable, but it’s not quite the same without the Japanese melodrama and dubbed voices. Luckily, when Iron Chef USA wraps up at 10 P.M. (ET), you can flick over to the Food Network for a dose of the original.