That’s right, kiddies - I saw an ad for it yesterday during Buffy. William Shatner hosting an American version of Iron Chefs. That’s just sick.
StG
I thought that it looked amusing. I probably won’t watch it, but Shatner is always good for a laugh or two.
I’ll be tuning in. In my eye Shatner is a good pick for the role. I don’t speak Japanese or claim to understand the culture or people, but Chairman Kaga from the original series strikes me as flamboyantly excentric. His mannerisms are one of the reasons I like the show. I can see Shatner like that.
Pardon my ig but what’s Iron Chefs?
Not that it matters… if Shatner’s in it I won’t be watching.
Iron Chef is a TV show originally from Japan. It’s sort of like a gameshow combined with a cooking show. The host (Chairman Kaga) would introduce the challenger, a chef of some reknown. The challenger chef choses which ‘Iron Chef’ to compete against: Chinese, Japanese, or French cuisine specialists who work for the show (sometimes there’s an Italian Iron Chef as well).
After the matchup is set, the Chairman then selects the ingredient for the matchup. The ingredient can be anything and is usually rather exotic; Live eels or octopus, Natto (fermented soy beans), carrots, bonito (a fish from a specific Japanese province). The two chefs then have one hour to prepare at least 3 dishes that all feature the theme ingredient. A panel of judges then votes on the dishes and a winning chef is anounced at the end.
This friday (November 16) is the first of two Iron Chef USA specials on UPN. William Shatner is playing the part of the Chairman. In the Japanese version of the show, the Chairman’s role is really very minimal after introducing the chefs and the ingredient. I’m not sure if Shatner will be playing a bigger role or not (I’m guessing he will). Since you don’t care for Shatner, perhaps you can catch the original Japanese version (translated to English) on Food TV on Friday and Saturday nights at 10 PM (at least where I live).
Search MPSIMS for ‘Iron Chef’ and you’ll find some very creative and entertaining threads to read, but you may not get the whole gist of it until you’ve seen the show.
It’s going to be good “bad TV”.
With Shatner, you just know it’s going to be bad.
But he’s a perfect bad TV choice for the role. I’ll watch all 6 episodes, and tape them.
THEY, might tape more than 6, but that’s all that will be aired.
I barely surpressed a groan when I saw the ad for the show this evening. I love the original show (can’t stand the English dubbing, though; give me the subtitles), but Shatner as Chairman? I can’t see how that could work; I can’t imagine him yelling “Allez Cuisine!” in any manner that would pass for enthusiasm.
The show’s website can be found here. It a Flash site.
William Shatner, master of the completely unnecessary…
pause.
This is perfect for Shatner. But it definitely should be dubbed.
[Beavis voice]
Heh heh,
you said shat.
Heh heh.
[/Beavis voice]
I can’t wait to watch it. Shatner? I think he’ll make a hilariously campy Chairman. I’m sure it won’t be as good as the original, but I am curious as to who is going to be on as challenger for each show (wondering if I’ll see anyone I know).
I’m not sure if I’m ready to accept someone named “Sissy” as Ohta though. I can hear it now: “Burger-san!”, “Yes Sissy, go ahead”. Nope, doesn’t work for me.
And in the first two battles we get Bruce Villanch and Ron Popeil as judges? Maybe it will work, but sheesh.
I am so stoked… I can’t wait. Shattner will be perfect as an over the top/overacting Chairman. After all, you need somebody who is going to be SOO excited just to say… “CARROTS!!!”
I can’t wait… It’s going to be awesome. 