‘Wheel of Fortune’ Back to Business After Jim Thornton’s Firing, Ryan Seacrest All Smiles on Set

“Wheel of Fortune” did not use an announcer during its recent taping … following the firing of longtime announcer Jim Thornton after he was caught on a child pedophile website, TMZ has learned. 

A source close to production tells TMZ a taping went down today at the Sony lot in Culver City, California … which is believed to be the first taping for Season 44. 

We’re told no announcer was used during the filming, and they did not have anyone introduce hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White.  

Our source tells TMZ that Ryan and Vanna were both in good moods, and Ryan was cracking jokes with the guests and the crew.

There was no mention of Jim or the controversy that erupted last week after TMZ broke the story of Jim being detained after an American Airlines flight in May … where a fellow passenger reported him after seeing him type inappropriate messages in a chatroom for pedophiles.  

Jim denied intentionally being inside the chat … claiming he was accidentally sent the link by someone he worked with at a suicide prevention hotline, where he helps others.

The timestamps on the photos appear to show Jim remaining in the chatroom in question for close to an hour.