Wheel of Fortune is in the middle of a significant behind-the-scenes scramble ahead of its Season 44 premiere on September 14, and it has nothing to do with puzzles or prizes. Sony Pictures Television is re-editing roughly a month of already-completed episodes to remove longtime announcer Jim Thornton’s voice after suspending him amid an investigation.

TMZ was first to report that Thornton, 66, was suspended following an incident aboard American Airlines Flight 1276 on May 14. Sony told multiple outlets it had “recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton” and was recasting the role “while we conduct a thorough investigation.” The studio has not detailed the allegations.

American Airlines confirmed that Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement at Los Angeles International Airport, though the airline has not named Thornton or described the complaint. Sources told TMZ that another passenger flagged Thornton to a flight attendant, and the pilot called ahead to have officers meet the plane at the gate. It’s not the only recent flight incident to carry real consequences. A former Toronto flight attendant pleaded guilty to wire fraud last month after posing as a pilot.

Thornton’s attorney told TMZ that his client “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime,” and that officers questioned him for less than five minutes before letting him go. It’s important to note that Sony’s review is separate from that question, since workplace-conduct investigations can cover more ground than what rises to a crime, and no wrongdoing has been established on either front.

Thornton has announced Wheel of Fortune since 2011, taking over after longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell died, and has called more than 2,900 episodes. He became one of the last consistent pieces of the show’s old guard as Pat Sajak retired in 2024 and Ryan Seacrest took over as host. Thornton isn’t the only on-air personality to see a network pull them mid-run this year. ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel off the air entirely last September before reinstating him five days later.

Season 44 had already been filmed with Thornton’s voice on it, so at least one episode featuring him aired on September 1, after news of his suspension had already broken. Re-editing a month of finished episodes right before a season premiere is not a small job, and it signals that Sony isn’t willing to air Thornton’s voice while the investigation is open, regardless of the cost.

His replacement, who Sony has not named, will appear across those episodes instead. Season 44 is still scheduled to premiere September 14, with Thornton’s voice replaced throughout.

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