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Sony Fires Wheel of Fortune Announcer Jim Thornton

9/9/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sony Fires Thornton

Sony Pictures Television fired Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton, ending his 15-year tenure.
Sony suspended Thornton after learning of allegations from a May 14 American Airlines flight.
Law enforcement questioned Thornton for five minutes at LAX after the flight and then released him.
Sony is editing Thornton out of the first month of pre-taped Wheel of Fortune episodes.

Summary

Fortune Frenzy Debuts

Season 44 debuts Monday, Sept. 14, introducing the rapid-fire game Fortune Frenzy.
Fortune Frenzy lets contestants win $1,000 by solving a puzzle at the show’s start.
Co-host Ryan Seacrest says the rapid format adds adrenaline and calms nervous participants.
Vanna White notes the game forces contestants to focus solely on quick puzzle solving.
Jim Thornton deleted his Facebook page after the scandal, noting he and wife Sue share one son.

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Sony Fires Thornton

Sony Pictures Television fired Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton, ending his 15-year tenure.
Sony suspended Thornton after learning of allegations from a May 14 American Airlines flight.
Law enforcement questioned Thornton for five minutes at LAX after the flight and then released him.
Sony is editing Thornton out of the first month of pre-taped Wheel of Fortune episodes.

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