Chopped Star Power Tournament Features Alan Thicke (Who Passed Away In December)

Photo - Food Network

Tonight at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network is the start of the Chopped Star Power Tournament which features sixteen celebrities competing for $50,000 to donate to charity.  There are four groups of celebrities that will compete with the winner of each episode moving onto the finale.

The following celebrities will compete:

• Internet Sensations (March 28th) - Josh Elkin, Hilah Johnson, iJustine, Lazarus Lynch
• Athletes (April 4) - Dorothy Hamill, Paige VanZant, LaMarr Woodley, Mariel Zagunis
• Comedians (April 11) - Illeana Douglas, Ron Funches, Jonathan Sadowski, Julie White
• Film and Television Actors (April 18) - Rick Fox, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Alysia Reiner, Alan Thicke

Alan Thicke, who will appear on the April 18th episode, passed away at the age of 69 in December 2016 after collapsing while playing hockey with his son.  He could also appear on the April 25th episode if he wins the episode that he competes on.

I guess this may be Alan's last new television appearance which could have been promoted, but it appears Food Network makes no mention of it in their press release.  It will be interesting to see if Chopped puts "In Memory of Alan Thicke" or something like that at the end of the episode.

Alan also previously appeared on Chopped Jr. as a judge.  When news of his passing began circulating, Chopped host Ted Allen tweeted, "We were privileged to have @Alan_Thicke on #Chopped set for two days—he was beyond delightful. Our hearts are with his family."

The press release about Chopped Star Power Tournament is below:


The stars are aligning in the CHOPPED kitchen when sixteen of the biggest internet sensations, athletes, comedians, and film and television actors compete in the star-studded CHOPPED: STAR POWER TOURNAMENT, premiering Tuesday, March 28th at 10pm ET/PT on Food Network. Through this five-part stunt, the celebrity competitors must prove their culinary skills as they are tasked to create delicious appetizers, entrées and desserts from a mystery basket of ingredients in a limited amount of time. The winner from each heat will move on to the grand finale for a chance to earn the grand prize - $50,000 for the charity of their choice.

Check out FoodNetwork.com/Chopped for more on the celebrity contestants, browse photo galleries and watch video extras. Join the conversation with #Chopped.

Episodes Include:

Premiering Tuesday, March 28th at 10pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT PREMIERE!
"Star Power: Web Stars!"
In the first competition, web stars compete to see who can crack the code of the mystery baskets. In the appetizer round, the internet phenoms seek to dazzle the judges with their blood sausage appetizers. Dealing with duck could be the biggest obstacle in the entrée round. A Japanese frozen dessert and an instant breakfast food challenge two web stars in the dessert round.
Host: Ted Allen
Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Geoffrey Zakarian
Competitors: Josh Elkin, Hilah Johnson, iJustine, Lazarus Lynch

Premiering Tuesday, April 4th at 10pm ET/PT
"Star Power: Culinary Muscle!"
Positively driven to compete, four star athletes battle it out in THE KITCHEN for a spot in the finale. An exceptionally weird flavor of soda and a cheesy dish are two of the basket stumpers the competitors face in the appetizer round, and one competitor asks another for a surprising favor at the end of the round. The judges get three distinct lamb dishes from a threesome of sports stars in the entrée round. The two athletes who get to rock the dessert round get rock candy as one of their mandatory ingredients.
Host: Ted Allen
Judges: Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Eddie Jackson
Competitors: Dorothy Hamill, Paige VanZant, LaMarr Woodley, Mariel Zagunis

Premiering Tuesday, April 11th at 10pm ET/PT
"Star Power: The Last Laugh!"
Four funny actors engage in a display of cooking improv, as a frenzied first round featuring a South American flatbread and a beautiful seafood product take the spotlight. Taming the sweet factor becomes important in an entrée round with marshmallows in the basket. Premade dough seems to give the final two cooks a head start in the dessert round, but will they know what to do with it?
Host: Ted Allen
Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Marc Murphy
Competitors: Illeana Douglas, Ron Funches, Jonathan Sadowski, Julie White

Premiering Tuesday, April 18th at 10pm ET/PT
"Star Power: Screen Sensations!"
Four famous stars of film and TV compete for the final spot in the finale. In the appetizer round, the actors must find a role for bass and ice pops in their dishes. The judges are entertained by one competitor's liberal use of a particular pantry ingredient in the entrée round. Then in the dessert round, the ice cream machine is a hot commodity for making cold treats.
Host: Ted Allen
Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Marcus Samuelsson
Competitor: Rick Fox, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Alysia Reiner, Alan Thicke

Premiering Tuesday, April 25th at 10pm ET/PT - TOURNAMENT FINALE!
"Star Power: Grand Finale"
Four celebrity champions return to try to repeat and reap a $50,000 win for their favorite charity. The finale drama revs up after the competitors open up an appetizer basket that includes a breakfast pastry and a pretty -- but pretty bland - fruit. A pineapple transformed into something extra special is at the center of an exhilarating entrée round. The last round of the tournament features a basket with a tower of cookies and a tropical fruit.
Host: Ted Allen
Judges: Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian

(BWWTV)