Jim Thorntonis being cut out of the new season of "Wheel of Fortune" amid Sony Pictures Television Studios' investigation into its longtime announcer ... TMZ has learned.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the first month of the new season, which premieres September 14, has already been taped and is in the can, as they say in Hollywood. We're told producers are now re-editing those episodes with a new announcer ... an effort one source called a "major undertaking."
As we first reported ... Sony suspended Thornton after learning about allegations stemming from a May commercial flight.
9:45 PM PT -- Jim Thornton's attorney tells TMZ ... the announcer "did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime. When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go."
8:43 PM PT -- Jim Thorntonjustappeared on this evenings pre-taped episode of "Wheel of Fortune."
Jim Thornton -- the longtime "Wheel of Fortune" announcer -- has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television Studios ... TMZ has learned.
The studio tells TMZ ... “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.”
Sony Pictures Television did not provide a reason for his suspension from the show.
However, we've learned the alleged incident arose while Thornton was on a commercial flight back in May, and a passenger complained to a flight attendant about Thornton.
9:45 PM PT -- Jim Thornton's attorney tells TMZ ... the announcer "did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime. When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go."
Jim Thornton appeared on Tuesday night's pre-taped episode, which was a rerun, of "Wheel of Fortune" ... hours after Sony Pictures Television announced an investigation into the longtime announcer.
Ryan Seacrest tossed to Jim, asking him what was on the wheel that night ... and Jim gave his usual spiel about the guests and prizes. Worth noting -- "Wheel of Fortune" usually tapes episodes a couple months in advance.
As TMZ first reported, Jim was detained by law enforcement after a flight in May. Cops were called after a passenger on the plane complained about him.
Sony Pictures Television previously told TMZ on Tuesday ... "We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton."
The studio told TMZ Jim was suspended and the recasting process had started amid an investigation into the matter.
