Jim Thornton, the veteran announcer for "Wheel of Fortune," has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television amid allegations he visited a chatroom apparently linked to paedophilia during an American Airlines flight in May. TMZ says a fellow passenger photographed his laptop screen and reported the matter to a flight attendant, prompting law enforcement to question Thornton at LAX before he was released without charge. The claims have shocked colleagues in the industry, given Thornton's long-standing reputation as a broadcaster in both television and radio.

Sony confirmed only that it is "recasting" the show while conducting a thorough investigation, without detailing the allegations. Thornton's lawyer, Allison Hart, has called the situation a misunderstanding, saying he frequents such chatrooms as part of suicide-prevention advocacy following the loss of a family member, and insisted he "never viewed, downloaded or consumed" any illegal content. Thornton, who took over as the show's announcer in 2010 following Charlie O'Donnell's death, has not personally commented and maintains no active social media or website. He has yet to respond publicly to the suspension.