‘Wheel of Fortune’ reveals major change to show days after axing announcer Jim Thornton
‘Wheel of Fortune’ reveals major change to show days after axing announcer Jim Thornton.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ scrambling to edit Jim Thornton out of upcoming episodes after suspension
“Wheel of Fortune” is adding a “rapid fire” new game called “Fortune Frenzy” for season 44, co-hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White revealed on Tuesday — just days after former announcer Jim Thornton was fired.
The famed on-air duo revealed Tuesday on “Good Morning America” that the new game — which will happen at the beginning of the show — offers contestants a chance to pocket a cool $1,000 for various puzzles they’re able to solve on-air.
“A lot of people say, ‘How do you get more games into the show?’” Seacrest told Will Reeve of the “exciting” change.
“That’s not a long show, so we’re squeezing more gameplay in at the top of the show with a rapid fire game that we just started to add, which I love.”
The rapid-fire nature of the game may also work to “shake off the nerves of the contestants at the top [of the show] because they’re so excited,” Seacrest, 51, explained.
“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White told Will Reeve they’re adding a new game to the show for season 44. They’re seen above Tuesday on “Good Morning America.”
GMA
The new rapid-fire game is called “Fortune Frenzy,” they explained.GMA
He added, “The adrenaline is pumping and rushing, and they’ve got to focus right into playing the game, and I noticed that with some of the first episodes.”
White, 69, agreed with Seacrest. “Yes, there’s nothing else to think about but ‘solve that puzzle.’ It’s gotta be quick, so they have nothing else on their mind but solving,” she remarked.
Season 44 is set to debut on Monday, Sept. 14. A rep for the show did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment on Tuesday.
