'Wheel of Fortune': Slaves Seen as Part of Show's 'Southern Charm'

"Wheel of Fortune" sparked backlash with an image that appeared to depict slaves featured as a backdrop during its "Southern Charm Week."

The controversial image was called out in a post by Twitter user Joshua Itiola, who questioned why the game show would include such a photo, the New York Daily News reported.

Someone please tell me why @WheelofFortune has slaves in their "Southern Charm Week" images? pic.twitter.com/IPCFo9wh1b

— Joshua Itiola (@joshitiola) June 16, 2017

Executive producer Harry Friedman expressed regret and said the photo would be replaced.

"We regret the use of this background image, and we will be replacing it moving forward on any rebroadcast," he said in a statement to the Daily News.

The publication reported that the photo was taken in 2005 at the Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana, and a spokeswoman said the venue does not have actors portraying slaves but rather tour guides of all skin colors that wear period clothing.

"Southern Charm Week" originally aired in March, Raw Story noted.

Twitter users debated the issue.

They're saluting "Southern Charm" week. What's so charming about slaves or slavery? #clueless.

— Pinckney (@Lookatoo) June 16, 2017

You dont even know they are slaves. You are the racist for assuming they are.

— #HashTagDeals (@hashtagdeals) June 16, 2017

Wait... just because they are black makes them slaves? Maybe they own the plantation. Maybe they're invited guests. Black = Slave is silly

— Brandon Patching (@BigIrishman16) June 16, 2017

@WheelofFortune - Slaves in the background!!! Really, whose getting fired.

— iamchasisty (@chasistydolley) June 16, 2017

CAN YOU BE MORE STUPID? That plantation is a wonderful museum, part of a tour. These are workers in the background an NOT DEPICTED AS SLAVES

— Leah Carmack (@ljcarmack) June 16, 2017

It's just a stock photo. You can't erase the historical fact that there were slaves, no matter how distasteful.

— Kathy Twitty (@twittyKathryn) June 16, 2017

That's not the issue do u think we think that's an actual HD photo of slaves?? You don't see the problem, u just see the uproar

— a.k.a. Horse Choker (@WestSideDook) June 16, 2017

I doubt those two are suppose to be slaves, but ya, it looks pretty bad.

— Todd Schlichter (@schlichter1) June 16, 2017

@patsajak this is ok with you? Southern charm includes slaves? Shame on you.

— Ahab_and_Erol (@Im_Eiri) June 16, 2017

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