The U.S Kitchen Nightmares: 5 Reasons It's Better (& 5 Why The U.K Version Is Superior)
In 2004, Chef Gordon Ramsay partnered with Channel 4 to bring Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares to life. The show chronicled Ramsay's efforts to help struggling restauranteurs get back on their feet in earnest. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares received widespread acclaim, as well as BAFTA, and Emmy awards.
Three years later, Fox decided they wanted a piece of that pie. The network juggernaut offered Gordon an ungodly amount of money to create an American version of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - aptly titled Kitchen Nightmares. Today, we're going to compare and contrast the UK and US versions of Gordon's acclaimed franchises.
10 More Akin To Reality TV (US Version)
Despite what the name might imply, Reality TV is one of the least authentic genres of television in circulation. No matter what show you're watching, there's a high chance that producers are standing just out of frame - urging their stars on and feeding them lines. We're not bashing Reality TV per se - Jersey Shore's something of a guilty pleasure - we're merely laying down the facts.
Moreover, the American version of Kitchen Nightmares functions in this fashion; episodes feel more constructed and calculated, and Gordon's encouraged to amp up his angry chef persona. But hey, the US version of the show had killer ratings for years.
9 Gordon Narrates (UK Version)
Conversely, the UK version of Kitchen Nightmares feels more like Gordon's show. Chef Ramsay's narration helps distinguish the two versions of the series; the US narrator feels more like an omniscient narrator from a Soap Opera. Meanwhile, Gordon gives heartfelt advice and genuinely contemplates the progress of the chef's he's helping.
The UK version doesn't try to pull you in before each commercial break with narrated lines that suggest the kitchen's going to explode. Instead, it provides you with Gordon's commentary and then leaves it up to you to commit to the rest of the episode.
8 Tighter Editing (US Version)
This slower approach also extends to the way that Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares is shot and edited; shots are held for longer takes, the show embraces the "handheld look," and there aren't anywhere near as many cuts between shots in a given episode. For many viewers, this approach might feel too slow and deliberate.
That's where the US version of Kitchen Nightmares comes in; quick cuts galore as we switch perspectives from Gordon to the chefs he's helping, to their customers - often in the span of a few seconds. This makes the show feel as if something important is always happening, even when it's not.
7 Less Music (UK Version)
Another element that makes the US version of Kitchen Nightmares feel more hectic is the music - the show's score sounds like something Hans Zimmer or John Powell would compose. If you closed your eyes while watching the US version of Hell's Kitchen, you might think you're watching an action-thriller instead of a cooking show!
The UK version again takes the minimalistic route, implementing as little music as possible during each episode. Whether or not you like that approach more will ultimately depend on your tastes. We'll say this though, it's a lot easier to hear what Gordon and company are saying.
6 More Outbursts (US Version)
As you've probably gathered by now, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares has an overall mellower vibe than its US counterpart. Gordon rarely ever raises his voice in the UK show and only really digs into people for the sake of tough love.
In stark contrast, Gordon's always taking shots at people in the US version of the show. Hey, we're not complaining - most of the time we tune in to see Gordon roast people into ashes! We only hope you don't have a problem getting your ears beeped off.
5 More Technical (UK Version)
While you won't hear Gordon verbally cut people down to size as often on the UK show, you will hear a lot of genuinely sound advice. That's because the UK show is more technical than the American version, even prompting viewers to take a vested interest in Culinary Arts.
If you watch Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, you're going to hear a lot of two things; British slang and cooking terminology. These might put you off at first, but we encourage you to stick it out and adapt. In the end, you're bound to take away quite a few useful cooking tips in the long-run.
4 Personal Storylines (US Version)
Notice that we used the word storylines when referring to an allegedly unscripted show. Again, Reality TV shows are very calculated productions. In the end, Reality TV producers focus more on crafting stories and playing up a show's melodramatic aspects.
Most restaurants on the US version of Kitchen Nightmares don't perform poorly because folks aren't talented enough - they're tanking because the owner and his father have been at each other's throats since their mother/wife died. Gordon doesn't just give the US restauranteurs cooking advice - he also becomes Dr. Phil with an apron.
3 Less Drama (UK Version)
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares takes the opposite route - the UK show focuses more on the skills of the people that Gordon's trying to help. Most of the time, these chefs, managers, and servers are genuinely talented people who need a little bit of help. There are still a few folks with egos large enough to have gravitational pulls, but they're far and few between.
The UK version of the show didn't win BAFTA and Emmy awards on accident - there's an overcurrent of sincerity and authenticity to Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Sure, you might not feel as personally invested as the US show makes you feel - but you'll be intellectually stimulated.
2 Higher Production (US Version)
As superficial as it might sound, the US version of Kitchen Nightmares looks much better than its UK counterpart. The lighting's better and the cameras are fancier, making for a more visually appealing show in the long run.
This also extends to Kitchen Nightmare's YouTube channel, which features eye-popping thumbnails and compilation videos up the wazoo!
1 Documentary Aesthetic (UK Version)
In a phrase, this probably defines the difference between the US and UK versions of the show. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares feels more like a documentary series - capturing the experiences that chefs and restaurant owners endure.
Conversely, the US show plays on our preconceived notions of what we think that lifestyle is like - as well as working off of our desire to hear fascinating, dramatic stories.