'Wheel of Fortune' announcer fired after laptop incident on plane
Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of "Wheel of Fortune," was suspended by Sony Pictures Television following an incident on an American Airlines flight. The incident occurred in May on a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles. Sony is investigating the matter while Thornton's lawyer and Thornton himself have shared details about what happened.
21 across the spectrum. Choose a side on the bar to jump to it.
National story. 95 articles from 24 sources. 21 are on the bar; 3 are international, entertainment or tech outlets, listed separately. Updated Sep 6, 2026.
Left
2 sourcesSame wire story as other sides. No original Left take here.
Center
11 sourcesJim Thornton responds after airline incident leads to Wheel of Fortune suspension
‘Wheel of Fortune’s’ Jim Thornton reportedly seen in chatroom for pedophiles
Right
8 sources‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton appeared to participate in disturbing pedophilia chatroom mid-flight
‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton fired after in-flight pedophilia chatroom incident
Disturbing Pedophilia Accusations Emerge Against ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton
Other outlets
International, entertainment and tech outlets, by their rating. Not counted in the bar above. How we count coverage
Left
8 articles‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton Allegedly Visited Pedophilia Chatroom, Leading to Suspension
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Suspended After Alleged Pedophilia Chatroom Photos
Center
0 articlesNone
Right
0 articlesNone
The story so far
4 developments- Sep 1Longtime 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer suspended
- Sep 2‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton’s lawyer shares new details on airline incident after suspension
- Sep 3New details emerge in suspension of 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer
- Sep 4'Wheel of Fortune' announcer fired after laptop incident on plane
Who covered each development
No new developments
Quiet for 43 daysLast development · Sep 4 — 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer fired after laptop incident on plane
The bigger story
This story is one of several related ones. Here's where it sits.