The Next Iron Chef

Before I get into my little review of The Next Iron Chef I want to give you a little update on strike news.

The biggest news is the tentative shelfing of 24 until December '08. So for all you 24 fans out there your two-month wait just turned into 14 months. Let's hope Lost doesn't make the same decision.

Now on to the SPOILER ALERT - If you haven't seen PART 5:LEAD AND INSPIRE

SECOND SPOILER ALERT - If you don't watch the tease at the end of the show, please don't read. (I work with some serious TV and film watchers)

Now with the pleasantries out of the ways let me get down to the episode at hand.

First, let me say that the one thing that has really bugged me about this little series is the hundred-dollar DVD player that holds "The Chairman" giving his little spiel for each contest. Is it really that expensive to fly The Chairman around with Alton and the rest of the crew?

Second, do the judges really have to hold John Besh in such high regard? I like the guy too but as Alton says let's not pick a winner let's just send somebody home.

While Top Chef has young chefs with nothing to lose and everything to gain these chefs are restaurateurs and well established. This is good and bad. In the end of NIC you don't feel so bad when Alton says, "You won't be the next Iron Chef." Why would you feel bad? He's going back to the restaurant he owns.

With the strike in place I wonder if Alton will do a Good Asphalt Iron Chef Special.

Well, I'm off to finish my culinary night with a screening of Ratatouille (my wife and daughter bought it for my birthday).