It is easy to form two vastly different opinions of Gordon Ramsay depending on which side of the pond you come from. Here in the US, we see him as an arrogant, overly dramatic, and in this season(6) of hell's kitchen, almost pathetic due to the extents he's going to put drama in the show. He has his moments of showboating, such as spitting out food during signature dish night, and of being a culinary genius the few times he cooks right infront of the contestants to have them taste how a dish should turn out.
His US run of Kitchen Nightmares shares a lot of the dramatic events that US audiances seem to love in reality TV, but gordon is a bit toned down. Aside from overusing certain phrases such as "I'm eaten here!", and "you'll kill someone!", he gives some fantastic advice and truely turns these restraunts around. I've enjoyed watching Kitchen Nightmares more than seasons 5 and 6 of hell's kitchen. Seasons 3 and earlier of Hell's kitchen aren't nearly as dramatic, although 4 walks the line with me.
Now for the other side! I live in the USA and my only taste of Gordon in the UK is via BBC America, one of my favorite channels. His two shows, "the 'F' word" and "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" are very different from his two US shows. Although Kitchen nightmares is the exact same premise, Gordon is even more calm and more helpful in the UK version. There's far less drama. The F Word is a personal favorite of mine. It is an hour long "food Magazine" with different segments, all based around his kitchen/restraunt that seats 50. the food is prepared by a different crew of "commies" each week, all competing to be the best of the season. Different segments within this show include talking with celebrities, watching gordon prepare the signature dishes of the show in his own kitchen, watching gordon go on expeditions for exotic food, such as diving for king crab, and even watching him raise lamb, sheep, cows, and turkeys for slaughter. There's even a regular food critic (Giles Coren) that is on every episode.
Ramsay is far more personable in the F word, and we get to see a lot more of his family than a brief shot of his wife on hell's kitchen in season 6. His kids are features regularly on the show, especially his son as he's growing older. So if you want to see the family man Gordon Ramsay, watch The F word. (F for Food, by the way)
What's my overall impression of the man? Well he has to know how to cook to have started a food empire like he has, with so many restraunts. He apparently knows how to run them, as he's still making money. He's a showman, and knows what to do for each audience. in The US, drama sells. I don't judge him on his US appearance, because I see that more as a mask, or a vent for frustrations he normally can't release.
