Wheel of Fortune Announcer Jim Thornton Suspended, Position Will Be Recast Sony Pictures Television confirmed that Jim Thornton, the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune," has been suspended from the show. The decision followed an incident reported by TMZ, which cited sources stating that law enforcement was contacted after a passenger expressed concerns to a flight attendant during a commercial flight in May. The pilot reportedly called ahead to arrange for law enforcement to meet Thornton upon his arrival at the airport. In a statement, Sony Pictures Television acknowledged the allegations against Thornton, stating, “We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton. He has been suspended from 'Wheel of Fortune,' and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.” The suspension comes as the show’s producer moves to replace Thornton while the investigation proceeds. Thornton, who has been with "Wheel of Fortune" since 2010 and has also worked on the celebrity version since 2021, has had a long career in broadcasting. He began his professional journey in 1985 as a traffic reporter for KNX 1070 Newsradio, later becoming an afternoon anchor on the station. His work extended to television, where he provided traffic reports for KCBS-TV. He also contributed to Westwood One Radio Networks and served as the voice of L.A.’s KCOP-TV for four years. Throughout his career, Thornton has received several accolades, including an Edward R. Murrow award, Golden Mike awards, and an Emmy. Before joining "Wheel of Fortune," he worked as a substitute announcer for "The Price Is Right." His role on the game show began after the death of the show’s previous announcer, Charlie O’Donnell.#wheel_of_fortune #the_price_is_right #jim_thornton #sony_pictures_television #charlie_odonnell
CBS Media Ventures Sets 2026-2027 Syndicated Programming Slate CBS Media Ventures has announced its schedule for the 2026-2027 syndicated broadcast season, featuring a mix of returning favorites and new additions. Among the highlights is Adam’s Law, a legal-themed series starring Judge Judy Sheindlin’s son, Adam Levy, who will serve as the show’s host. The lineup also includes eight renewals, with several long-running programs set to continue their runs. Returning series include Entertainment Tonight, the top-rated entertainment news magazine, which will enter its 46th season. Inside Edition, the leading daily news magazine, will mark its 39th season, while Hot Bench, the most-watched court show in syndication, will continue for its 13th season. Flip Side, a rapidly growing game show hosted by Jaleel White, will return for its third season. The Perfect Line, a new show that topped syndication’s rankings for the season, will be renewed for a second season. Notable renewals also include The Drew Barrymore Show, which has become daytime TV’s fastest-growing talk show and will continue for its seventh and eighth seasons. Jeopardy!, the number-one syndicated show hosted by Ken Jennings, will enter its 43rd and 44th seasons, while Wheel of Fortune, the longest-running syndicated game show, will return for its 44th and 45th seasons. Both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are produced by Sony Pictures Television and distributed domestically by CBS Media Ventures. John Budkins, executive vice president of programming and syndication production for CBS Media Ventures, emphasized the significance of the slate, stating that it reflects the network’s commitment to delivering high-quality original programming.#wheel_of_fortune #jeopardy #cbs_media_ventures #adam_levy #judge_judy_sheindlin
Akshay Kumar teases Harsh Gujral over his 'uncle' claim During a recent episode of the gaming reality show "Wheel of Fortune," stand-up comedian and actor Harsh Gujral engaged in a lighthearted exchange with host Akshay Kumar, attempting to establish a fictional family connection. The episode featured Kumar alongside Kiku Sharda and Sugandha Mishra, with Gujral trying to position himself as Kumar’s relative. Kumar responded to Gujral’s claim by quipping, “This is Harsh Gujral, he is the kind of person who goes to every show and makes everyone his relative.” Gujral defended himself by asserting that Kumar was his uncle, stating, “I want to say one thing, actually Akshay sir is my uncle. My mother is Bhatia, and sir is also Bhatia.” Kumar then mocked the situation, saying, “He has come to my show and is trying to make me a fool.” As the host, Kumar also reminded the contestants to avoid landing on the snake pit if they were close to winning 1 crore. Gujral humorously replied, “Sir, one crore is too much for me, I have 60,000 from the previous round, so I’m done.” Kumar encouraged Gujral to aim for the top prize, saying, “I want you to win one crore and you are after daily wages.” Gujral admitted he would confidently approach his uncle for financial support if he didn’t win. Kumar swiftly countered, “Your uncle will not give you one crore; he has never given one crore to your aunt till today.” The episode highlighted the playful banter between the host and contestant, blending humor with the competitive spirit of the game show. The interactions underscored the camaraderie and entertainment value of the format, with participants and hosts engaging in light-hearted jabs while keeping the audience entertained.#akshay_kumar #wheel_of_fortune #harsh_gujral #kiku_sharda #sugandha_mishra
Wheel Of Fortune: Ayesha Khan Makes Akshay Kumar Perform the 'Shararat' Hook Step; Dhurandhar Stars Gaurav Gera, Rakesh Bedi Also Join Her A special episode of Wheel of Fortune featured Akshay Kumar as the host, alongside Ayesha Khan, Gaurav Gera, and Rakesh Bedi, delivering a mix of humor and entertainment. The episode highlighted unexpected moments, including a playful challenge from Ayesha Khan that led to a memorable dance performance. During the puzzle round, Gaurav Gera solved the challenge, sparking excitement among the audience. Ayesha Khan then lightened the mood with a cheeky remark, asking Kumar if she could dance. Kumar responded with his signature humor, joking, “This is the first time someone is asking an actor to perform their own dance… I like it!” Ayesha’s impromptu rendition of the song Shararat became a standout moment, energizing the set with her dynamic performance. The audience cheered and clapped throughout, creating a lively atmosphere. The scene grew even more special when Kumar joined her on stage, adding to the episode’s charm. The spontaneous dance sequence was hailed as one of the most memorable moments of the show, showcasing the unpredictable and entertaining nature of Wheel of Fortune. Kumar, who previously hosted Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and judged MasterChef India, emphasized the show’s ability to bring families together. He told PTI that television formats like Wheel of Fortune have a unique power to unite generations, offering a shared experience that fosters connection. The show, based on the American original, is set to premiere on January 27, with Kumar aiming to recreate the magic of the classic format. The episode also underscored the show’s versatility, proving that it can accommodate a range of entertainment styles, from puzzles to comedy.#akshay_kumar #rakesh_bedi #wheel_of_fortune #ayesha_khan #gaurav_gera
