Not long ago, David Letterman was telling British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver that he didn’t stand a chance at making the Americans change their eating habits and start leading healthier, better lives. The numbers have spoken – and they say Letterman may have been wrong because Oliver’s latest reality show, “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” has hit ratings gold, as the Daily Mail can also confirm.

Not only has the show proved a hit with audiences, especially women in the 18-34 range, but it’s also getting positive reviews from the critics and the community. But what’s more important is that the show also seems to strike a chord with everyone who’s anyone, with countless celebrities rushing to pledge to the cause and sign the petition on Oliver’s website asking for a “food revolution.” All in all, those tears that the chef was crying a while ago seem to have paid off.

“The show has reduced him to tears, but Jamie Oliver is having the last laugh as Americans fall in love with him. The chef had a tough time trying to persuade the unhealthiest city in the US to change its eating habits, but his efforts are proving to be a ratings hit. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution was the joint most popular program in America last Friday – and the No 1 alone in its 9pm time-slot. The ABC show is proving particularly popular with women aged 18 to 34,” the Mail says, citing ratings numbers.

In fact, this show might actually make of Jamie the biggest television star ever (bar Oprah, perhaps). “Jamie was well known on the specialist food channels and amongst foodies, but this series is making him a household name,” an unnamed industry insider says. The Los Angeles Times seems to agree with that, writing in a review of the show, “Oliver is eminently and instantly likable. He may in fact wind up being reality TV’s most engaging star, equally comfortable talking to people and the camera.”

A couple of days ago, it emerged that Jamie was also among Britain’s 1,000 richest men and, even better, the country’s 22nd most charitable person. However, until he actually manages to change the way children eat (both in school and at home), which is his aim for the US “Food Revolution,” the lovable chef still has some way to go – but he’s getting there.