I tend to agree with Michelle that the Iron Chef show, is not for the serious gastronome. That some people develop an interest in food after watching it is much like the argument that wine coolers lead to serious interest in wine. Maybe it does and maybe they do, but so, what there's a more direct path. I think Michelle's posts are a bit heavy on the racism aspect, which while it may be there, is probably not more than a side issue and in that aspect it'sreally the exoticism that draws most viewers. I have friends who were fascinated by the show and those who could barely watch it once. I probably watched it a good half dozen times before I didn't really care at all if it was on and at this point, it has outlived almost all entertainmnet value for me. The dubbed-in English is a scream. I have a bit of knowledge about Japan and its food and it took a while for me to stop wondering about fwahgra and realize it was foie gras and not a Japanese ingredient. I am led to understand that the translators are clueless about many aspects of food and cooking and thus I have no choice but to assume this was exported as entertainment not education. Nevertheless, the chefs who competed, both Japanese and Western were often serious and talented. At the same time, Bobby Flay was not selected to represent the best of American chefdom, but for his capacity to entertain and draw an audience. An American cooking show of dubious serious intellectual and educational quality will still draw top serious chefs if there's the promise of a large audience. It's often noted that there's no such thing as bad publicity and the great chefs of NY and France who own and run their own restaurants are also business men. I can't get upset when they seem to prostitute themselves outside of their own kitchens. When they start to pander to base tastes in their restaurants, I will complain. As to whether the American show will be a success, I'll not venture a guess except to say that I predict it's success will be in reverse to how much I enjoy watching it.