Coverage dated September 1, 2026 to September 5, 2026
'Wheel of Fortune' announcer fired after laptop incident on plane
Headline from KXAN Austin, on the newest of 4 developments
Sony Pictures Television has fired longtime "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton over an incident on a Los Angeles-bound flight involving his participation in an online chatroom.
KXAN Austin's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.
Developments in this update
4 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.
Longtime 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Jim Thornton suspended
Headline from WOWK Charleston ·
‘Wheel of Fortune’ scrambling to edit Jim Thornton out of upcoming episodes after suspension
Headline from New York Post ·
New details emerge in suspension of 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer
Headline from WOWK Charleston ·
Newest
'Wheel of Fortune' announcer fired after laptop incident on plane
Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer on the popular television game show "Wheel of Fortune," has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television Studios. A Sony spokesperson told KTLA, "We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton.
“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from the game show, producer Sony Pictures Television has confirmed. The decision to remove Thornton, who has been with “Wheel of Fortune” since 2010 (and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” since 2021), was first reported by TMZ.
Sony Pictures Television has suspended Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton and is recasting his role. The studio made the decision after an alleged incident on an American Airlines flight in May, although details of what exactly happened are not clear.
Veteran Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended while his role in the game show is being recast as an investigation is conducted, Sony Pictures Television has confirmed.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended as Sony Pictures Television Studios investigates allegations against him. The company is not sharing many details, but did […]
New details are emerging about what led to longtime "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton being questioned by authorities at LAX and later suspended from the game show. The incident unfolded in May aboard an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles, according to TM…
It was all an accident. That is reportedly Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton's explanation after he was suspended following a fellow airline passenger photographing him allegedly viewing a pedophile support forum.
More details regarding the suspension of “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton are emerging: According to TMZ, the website has received photos from an American Airlines passenger who says they saw Thornton’s laptop opened on a “disturbing chat room” that appeared to be “images and texts that mad…
“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton has been fired from the game show, producer Sony Pictures TV confirmed. “Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with ‘Wheel of Fortune’ has been terminated, effective immediately,” the studio said in a statement.
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