Wheel of Fortune’s ‘best’ crew member exits show in emotional farewell
Wheel of Fortune’s ‘best’ crew member exits show in emotional farewell
A BELOVED Wheel of Fortune crew member has left his longtime role on the show after an emotional sendoff.
The game show has undergone multiple major staff changes in recent months, after announcer Jim Thornton’s shock firing.
A beloved Wheel of Fortune crew member has left his longtime role on the show Credit: Instagram/jimmycluecrew
Now hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White have said goodbye to the show’s veteran stage manager, Jimmy McGuire, who is moving on from his gig behind-the-scenes.
Jimmy stepped in front of the camera at the end of the October 23 episode, as the hosts gave him a sweet farewell.
“A big moment right now for our stage manager. Jimmy McGuire, come on in here,” Ryan encouraged during the taping.
The live studio audience cheered for Jimmy, who appeared on stage in a jacket that said, “40th Wheel Season.”
“Many years of being on this show, and he is moving on. Congratulations!” Ryan announced, while Vanna hugged Jimmy and kissed him on the cheek.
“You’re the best!” Jimmy gushed to his colleagues, who shared kind words right back.
“So much fun to work with you,” Ryan, who took over as host in 2024 after former host Pat Sajak retired, said.
“It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for making us look so good, counting us down numerous times,” Vanna said.
“How much more time do we have in the show?” Ryan asked, to which Jimmy replied, “We’re saying bye-bye as a matter of fact.”
He waved to the camera and hugged Ryan before the cameras cut out.
Jimmy was one of the show’s original crew members and was eventually promoted to stage manager.
He is also the stage manager for the rival game show, Jeopardy!
His departure comes weeks after Sony Pictures Television terminated announcer Jim Thornton’s employment on the show and its spin-off Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
The company confirmed on September 4 that Jim had been axed after conducting a thorough investigation of his reported behavior on a flight in May.
Another passenger raised alarm after seeing Thornton accessing a website, described as a support chat for people with pedophilic thoughts, with disturbing messages that were visible on his computer.
He was allegedly active in the chat for roughly 57 minutes.
Law enforcement questioned Jim after the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport, though he wasn’t arrested or charged.
Jim had been a familiar voice on WoF since joining the show in 2011, after longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell’s death.
Producers scrubbed Jim from later episodes recorded before his exit, using a temporary replacement.
A source exclusively told The U.S. Sun earlier this month that a full-time replacement had not yet been hired.
