There are two things that I miss from the Japanese version, and I'd not noticed the live ingredient issue, so make it three. First, the absence of a live audience. That added so much to the show. Second, though I love Alton Brown, I really liked having the set-up of a commentator plus a food expert like Dr. Hatori. I don't think Alton is in quite the same league as Hatori.

But you have to admit -- the current American version beats the snot out of the abomination that was the Shatner version. ;)