The 1980s Movie That Gave Bobby Flay The Idea For Triple Threat

Bobby Flay is a busy, busy man. He made a name for himself long ago in the food world for his chef work at restaurants like Mesa Grill, Gato, and now, the new Amalfi restaurant at Caesar's Palace. He's got a podcast, and even a line of cat food (via Bobby Flay). But he's probably most famous for his television appearances on Food Network. For decades, Flay has cooked on TV, and eventually became one of the most active chef competitors out there, thanks to his stints on "Iron Chef" and his own show "Beat Bobby Flay." 

But recently, the celebrity chef's career has taken a few new turns. Not only did Flay appear in a food-themed Christmas movie this year, but he also got a new competition show — and this time, he's not the one going under the gun. Instead, Flay has assembled a team of chef "titans" — Tiffany Derry, Michael Voltaggio, and Brooke Williamson — who take turns competing with other chefs he brings into the ring, while Flay hosts and offers commentary (via Food Network). It's proven to be a successful concept, and fans of "Bobby's Triple Threat" got good news from Food Network in October, when the show was renewed for a second season, per Twitter. But how did Flay, who hadn't previously hosted a competition show without competing himself, come up with his winning idea?

If you've ever wondered how people get the ideas for new television shows, an interview with Bobby Flay on the Elvis Duran show might interest you (via YouTube). One curious fan called into the show to say to Flay, "I love 'Triple Threat'...how did you come up for the idea for it?" Perhaps unexpectedly, Flay first was adamant about saying that he gets his ideas "not from food programming, ever," just in case anyone was wondering. Then, he spiritedly launched into telling the "Triple Threat" origin story.  

"Remember the movie 'Color of Money?'" Flay asked. In the movie, Paul Newman, who won an Oscar for his performance, plays a "veteran pool shark ... he's been around for awhile, like me," joked Flay (via Cinephilia Beyond). Newman's character meets a young upstart played by Tom Cruise, "so he takes him under his wing." Likewise, on "Bobby's Triple Threat," Flay works with "three chefs that have accolades but that are really just getting started in their career in terms of ... the big stage so to speak. I made them the house chefs, and I'm creating these matches for them, for them to get better and better," Flay explained. In another interview, this one with Great Day Houston, Flay said that "he's like the matchmaker" who chooses challengers who will really test his "house chefs'" skills. It was a winning formula for "The Color of Money" and looks like it's working out well for Flay, too.