Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton will no longer appear in the pre-recorded episodes for the game show's upcoming 44th season.
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Thornton Won't Appear in Episodes During Suspension
According to a Thursday (September 3) report from TMZ, the Wheel of Fortune production team is undergoing a "serious undertaking." One that includes editing out the announcer's voice from the episodes.
The latest update comes after Sony Pictures Television dropped the hammer. And suspended the longtime Wheel of Fortune host on Wednesday (September 2)
Thornton's suspension comes after an American Airlines flight he took on May 14. As first reported by TMZ, the Wheel of Fortune host had gotten into a dispute with another passenger during the flight.
It remains unclear what led to the incident. But whatever the catalyst was, it was enough for the passenger to get the attention of a flight attendant. And complain about whatever he was doing en route. Law enforcement met
Thornton at the gate once the flight landed.
Sony Pictures said that they would conduct a "thorough investigation," in light of the allegations surrounding Thornton.
However, that investigation is unnecessary according to his attorney. When speaking with TMZ, the host's attorney said that when Thornton spoke with law enforcement, it was determined that there was no "wrongdoing" on his part.
"He [did] not engage in any illegal conduct. He was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime," Thornton's attorney said in a statement to the outlet. "When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less. Immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred, and told my client he was free to go."
In their initial statement following Thorton's suspension, Sony Pictures said that they had planned to recast the announcer's role on Wheel of Fortune. No word on whether they will follow through with that. Or if they will continue to edit Jim's voice out going forward.
