‘Wheel of Fortune’ Makes Big Change to Introductions After Jim Thornton Firing

Brittany SimsThu, September 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC

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"Wheel of Fortune" host Vanna White and Ryan Seacrest - Sony Pictures

Wheel of Fortune is spinning the wheel in another direction after announcer Jim Thornton was fired from the show. The game show made a big change to the introductions.

According to TMZ, a source shared that there were no introductions/interim announcer during the Tuesday, September 8 filming. Thornton’s voice was also scrapped from the already filmed Season 44 episodes after photos of him accessing disturbing websites on a plane were released.

The outlet reported that there were no introductions for the show. Typically, Thornton would introduce “the stars of the evening,” Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. He also would introduce the trip for the prize puzzle, as well as the amount a contestant won at the end of the show, among other things.

It is not clear what will be done or who will replace Thornton when the season begins on Monday, September 14. But Thornton had filmed about one month’s worth of episodes before he was suspended. Producers are working hard to reedit then with someone else’s voice, but that person has not yet been made public, which a source called a “major undertaking.”

However, there was also no mention of Thornton on set. The source shared that both Seacrest and White were in good moods. Seacrest even cracked jokes with the crew and guests.

Thornton was first suspended on September 1. After more details came out about what led to law enforcement stopping him at the gate of his flight, the host was fired on September 4.

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Ryan Seacrest & Vanna White Announce Major 'Wheel of Fortune' Change in Season 44

“Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately,” a Spokeperson for Sony told TMZ.

A woman sitting next to Thornton on a plane reported the announcer to a flight attendant after she saw him accessing chat rooms with minors and sending disturbing messages. He was stopped by police at the gate, but was let go after five minutes when he was questioned and determined no wrongdoing had occurred.

Fans had suggested that Jeopardy! announcer Johnny Gilbert should take over the role. Others said that Ellen DeGeneres‘ brother, Vance, would be a good fit. Even The Price Is Right announcer George Gray‘s name was thrown into the mix.

Wheel of Fortune, Season 44, weekdays, starting September 14, check local listings

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Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”