Thomas won two Emmy awards for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Gold. As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. In a statement, Thomas' friend and agent. Thanks Brian Raftery's excellent Cheers oral history in GQ for the Perlman, Thomas and Levine quotes. Thomas, certainly, but Levine? CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. "Cheers" is one of the most famous sitcoms of all-time, and has maintained its relevance over the years, following its series finale in 1993. However, I think it is fair to say a leading cause in Thomas' dismissal had to do with comments he made on his radio program (Thomas still kept his disc jockey job even while acting). His writing has been featured at ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times, About.com, the Huffington Post and Gizmodo. What about Long and Ted Danson? On Cheers, Jay played Carla's (Rhea Perlman) hockey goalie husband, Eddie LeBec, for two years before his character was memorably hit by a Zamboni. He first told the story in 1998 and returned almost every year to tell it again until Letterman retired. While obviously one of the most amazing things that can happen to an actor working in television is to be part of a show that turns out to be a major hit (look at the ways that, say, the cast of Friends went from an assortment of mostly no-names, and "Hey, that's the girl from the Bruce Springsteeen video!" And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed author Brian Cronin tackles whether the character played by Jay Thomas on Cheers was killed off because the actor insulted Rhea Perlman. "That's not true. Although grew up in the south he most played "New Yorky" characters. As you can imagine, important people heard that interview and were not happy about it. Thomas began his career in entertainment as a radio DJ before trying his hand at stand-up comedy and acting. But, Perlman remembers the situation differently. He was 69. He also found time to put in three years of small college football as a QB. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Jay Thomas was axed after he dissed Rhea Perlman publicly. in which he played Rhea Perlman's . And the Jay Thomas talk show airs daily on SiriusXM. Login "Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. and one book, 100 Things X-Men Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, from Triumph Books. Help keep Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas profile up to date. photos, Ive always wanted to be one of those guys on late-night talk shows who everybody wants to see. "I knew they were deciding [about] whether to add me or Bebe [Neuwirth] to the cast full-time, and I thought he was calling with good news. The same writer wrote about Kelsey on the show, Quite simply, he was retained because he was terrific and once everyone saw the dynamics between his character and the others in the bar it was clear that Frasier Crane was a keeper. Thomas was 69. He later landed a recurring role as the hockey-playing husband of Rhea Perlman's character on "Cheers." He won back-to-back Emmys in 1991-92 for the guest role on "Murphy Brown," playing outspoken . Jay Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, to Katherine (Guzzino), a tap-dancing South Louisiana belle of Italian descent, and T. Harry Terrell, Sr., an oil man. Did you encounter any technical issues? The colorful anecdote involved Thomas giving a ride to a costumed Clayton Moore, star of TVs The Lone Ranger, and getting involved in a minor car crash that escalated into more. Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully wacky thoughts and behavior," his agent, Don Buchwald, said. He said, like in a movie, "Are you sitting down?" to write in with your suggestions for future installments! Hilariously, though, the writers made his demise rather humorous as they revealed he had another wife who looked just like Carla on the show. Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser: Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain. Instead, Thomas is sent off to perform in an ice show, making just two appearances in Season 7 after seven episodes in Season 6. Then on to LA radio as the #1 jock at Power 106, The Ensemble Theater Group, and recurring on "Cheers" as Carla's ice hockey playing husband. First off, we needed a funny demise. When Will 'Attack on Titan' Season 4, Part 4 Air? 1,686, This story has been shared 1,313 times. photos, Carla got pregnant with Eddies kid in Season Six, leading to the two getting hitched in the two-parter Little Carla, Happy at Last.. Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas - Dating, Gossip, News, Photos list. He attended Gulf Coast College, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Central Piedmont College, and Jacksonville University, graduating with an AA, BS, and MA. Paramount Television Actor Jay Thomas, known for his roles on "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," died Thursday following a battle with . We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. However, after his less than pleasant comments on a radio show he was hosting . However, Jay Thomas, who played ice hockey player Eddie Lebec on the show, was killed off not too long after marrying one of the main characters in the show to Carla. 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In the late '80s, actor Jay Thomas appeared on several episodes of Cheers as the love interestand eventual husband ofCarla Tortelli, who was played by Rhea Perlman. Thomas also portrayed Carla's (played by Rhea Perlman) hockey player . Cheers was an iconic show from decades ago starring Ted Danson and friends. Jay Thomas, a comic and character actor whose credits include roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died after a battle with cancer, according to his publicist Tom Estey. In Season 6, they got married and it seemed like Thomas would be sticking around. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in Cheers (1982) together.. About. Survivors include his wife Sally and sons Sam, Max and J.T. Best Picture Nominee Triangle of Sadness Is Now Streaming on Hulu, When Does 'Black Girl Missing' Premiere on Lifetime? I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. He is survived by his wife Sally and sons Sam, Jake and J.T. He got his start on television in 1979 as Remo DaVinci, the co-owner of a New York deli, on ABCsMork & Mindy. Jay Thomas kissed and told too much Between 1987 and 1989, the late Jay Thomas played the recurring role of hockey player Eddie LeBec on the hit sitcom Cheers. A representative for the actor said Thomas had been battling cancer. Read on to find out what Thomas said about Perlman and how his storyline came to a surprising end. 1,120, This story has been shared 1,091 times. Publicity Listings Thomas appeared on nine episodes altogether. 2,911, This story has been shared 2,493 times. On the way, a car backed into their Volvo during a traffic jam and fled. quotes, Thomas played the obnoxious TV talk-show host Jerry Gold (and Candice Bergens on-again, off-again boyfriend) on CBSMurphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlmans husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the Boston Bruins, on NBCsCheers. Levine and his writing partner David Isaacs killed Eddie off-screen in a freak Zamboni accident, and then revealed at his funeral that hed been a polygamist all along. At 16 he started as a stand-up on Bourbon St. 1,836, This story has been shared 1,686 times. For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Plus, nobody could throw a football like Jay. And he goes, 'Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. In addition to his work on TV, many know Thomas from his annual holiday season appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, where hed retell what Letterman once called the greatest talk show story of all time.. Why did the show write him, and even have him die? In the late '80s, actor Jay Thomas appeared on several episodes of Cheers as the love interestand eventual husband ofCarla Tortelli, who was played by Rhea Perlman. Famous last words and two seconds later Jay Thomas was a "dead Cheers actor" walking. and more from FamousFix.com. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Official Sites. Long said, We never fought. He crossed the family." I just don't see any reason for why Levine would make up such a story. The tale of Thomas awkward exit from Cheershas become a bit of sitcom lore, a piece of TV history thats recounted time and time again. Maybe we should have. About that Lone Ranger story: Thomas was a radio host with big hair in Charlotte in the early 70s, and he and his producer offered to give Moore wearing his crime-fighter costume and mask for an appearance at a car dealership a ride to the airport. The two-time Emmy winner most recently appeared on 'Ray Donovan' and spent many a Christmas season with David Letterman. What We Know About Her Continued 'Today Show' Absence, Joy Behar Scolds Co-Hosts for Texting 'The View' EP With Their Problems: "He's a Producer, Not a Gynecologist". 2. He was 69. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Jay Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas, to Katherine (Guzzino), a tap-dancing South Louisiana belle of Italian descent, and T. Harry Terrell, Sr., an oil man. When NYC beckoned Jay continued his eclectic career as a top rated morning DJ, comic at the Improve in NYC, and began an active off Broadway acting career, that saw him mix drama and comedy. | Instead, his character was killed off-screen in Season 8. 2,493, This story has been shared 2,429 times. 2023 Cable News Network. He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. Jay Thomas, an actor and radio personality whose work on the television series "Murphy Brown" won him two Emmy Awards in the early 1990s, died on Thursday at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif.. American Actor Jay Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell on 12th July, 1948 in Kermit, Texas and passed away on 24th Aug 2017 Santa Barbara, California aged 69. (@norm.of.cheers), Where everybody knows ur name (@welcome.to.cheers) . It may have been even better than the original. 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During the panel discussion for the 200th episode of Cheers that aired in Season 9, Thomas heckled the cast and crew (presumably as a joke) over being written off the show. New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers. He recurred on Mork & Mindy as deli owner Remo DaVinci, played the love interest of Rhea Perlmans Carla Tortelli on Cheers, and played tabloid talk show host Jerry Gold on Murphy Brown.. Thats exactly what it looked like was going to happen with Jay Thomas' character, Eddie LeBec, who joined the show in Season 5 as the boyfriend to Rhea Perlman's character, the perpetually pregnant waitress Carla. TIL actor Jay Thomas got his character, Eddie LeBec, killed off of the TV show "Cheers" when he talked about how horrible it was to kiss his character's wife, Rhea Perlman, on his radio show. At his funeral, it was revealed that Eddie secretly had another wife. That was it for Eddie LeBec. She heard this interview and Eddie was written off the show. Thomas TV career started in the early 80s, and he quickly amassed a number of credits. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.. Well, Ken Levine, longtime TV comedy writer, producer and creative consultant on Cheers, backs up Thomas' version of events, noting: Rhea came up to my office and she was furious I'd never seen her like this. He was 69. Thomas often played loud, sleazy types: He recurred on ShowtimesRay DonovanasMarty Grossman, the operator of a salacious TMZ-like website. TV URBAN LEGEND: Jay Thomas' character on Cheers was killed off because he called Rhea Perlman ugly. Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so much fun and wonderfully whacky thoughts and behavior, wrote Buchwald. Eventually, Carla finds out she is pregnant with Eddie's twins, and the pair decide to get married. Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again. The actor, who went on to have a recurring role onMurphy Brown,added, "Look, I made jokes about kissing Murphy Brown [too]. 3,913, This story has been shared 3,885 times. However, Jay Thomas, who played ice hockey player Eddie Lebec on the show, was killed off not too long after marrying one of the main characters in the show to Carla. Eddie showed up a few more times in Season Six and Seven, but then something major happened off-camera in between April and November of 1989. Eddie is killed off (off-screen) in Season 8's "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice," where we also learn he was married to another woman. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. Thomas. (1987 -. And The Lone . I have to kiss Rhea Perlman." Thomas died after a battle with cancer, his friend and longtime agent Don Buchwald confirmed to the New York Daily News. Thomas went on to have a recurring role on Murphy Brown and then a starring role on the sitcom Love and War (from Murphy Brown creator Diane English). Most recently, he appeared in the Showtime series Ray Donovan. Cheers: Heres Why Jay Thomas Left the Show. Jay Thomas Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas in Cheers (1982) Close 36 of 47 Jay Thomas36 of 47 Rhea Perlmanand Jay Thomasin Cheers (1982) PeopleRhea Perlman, Jay Thomas TitlesCheers Photo by NBC/NBC via Getty Images - NBC Universal, Inc. To explain his departure we decided to just kill him, which led to one of my favorite episodes that David and I wrote, Death Takes a Holiday on Ice. The episode Death Takes a Holiday on Icegot rid of Eddie for good (as Deciders Joe Reid recalled in a recent list). Jay Thomas the storyteller kept a story alive year after year, and Jay Thomas the actor gave sitcom fans a story to tell year after year. He was 69. More recently, he appeared as tabloid journalist Marty Grossman on "Ray Donovan. Thomas played "Eddie LeBec," Carla's boyfriend and later husband on the show. 2:25 PM EDT, Fri August 25, 2017, Jay Thomas' Lone Ranger Story Letterman Dec 2014. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup. However, in Season 7, Eddie is killed off. In addition, Levine wrote about the incident on his amazing blog here, explaining how he came up with the episode where they killed off Eddie. Appearing as an annual Christmas guest alongside Letterman has been fun, hesaid in 2014. Thomas first picked off the meatball in 1998 when then-New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde tried the stunt but failed. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6161 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mark King & Rhea Perlman 1983 Press Photo 7x9 Cheers TV Show *P69a at the best online prices at eBay! . Long was a superstar on the program for years, but, ultimately, she was not long for the show as many expected when it first hit the small screen. 17 Things 'Cheers' Fans Never Knew. Thomas popped up 9 times between 1987 and 1989, starting with the Season Five two-parter Never Love a Goalie.Carla (Rhea Perlman) and Eddie, the goalie for the Boston Bruins, hit it off immediately, even if their love affair put a temporary jinx on the Bruins wining streak. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a fictional goalie for the Boston Bruins, who began dating waitress Carla. Don Buchwald, his longtime agent and friend, said Thomas died at his. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. [January 2005]. And it has nothing to do with Rhea. He and Letterman also took turns throwing a football, trying to dislodge a meatball from the top of a Christmas tree. The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).. Be sure to check out my Entertainment Urban Legends Revealed for more urban legends about the worlds of TV, Movies and Music! He has written two books about comics for Penguin-Random House Was Superman a Spy? The comedy, about a bar in Boston, lost one of its main characters after the third season when Nicholas Colasanto, who played the beloved bartender Coach, passed away. And I love football, so my two big dreams were totally realized.. As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. His character was not just dropped but killed off - death by . "I'm doingCheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy [Burrows]," Thomas said. ), Then we needed (a) some comic spin for the story, and (b) something to discredit Eddie so the audience would ultimately be glad he was out of Carlas life. And he goes, "Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. Thomas. He had a few small roles during the early 1980s, popping up on big shows like Family Ties and The Golden Girls, and in 1987 (in the middle of Season 5) he joined Cheers as Boston Bruins goalie Eddie LeBec. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. When this actor insulted his co-star, he evidently couldn't foresee the consequences he would face. Soon after, rather than being added as a cast member like Bebe Neuwirth (who also made recurring appearances in seasons 6 and 7 before being officially joining the cast in Season 8), Thomas was done for good. His first TV role was in "Mork and Mindy". I became that guy. Thomas is survived by wife, Sally, and his three sons. Rhea was listening to the show and his character was killed off by a 'Zamboni incident' a few episodes later. Here is where things get a bit disputed. Actor Jay Thomas, who cut his teeth in the entertainment business as a legendary DJ for Charlotte radio station Big WAYS in the 1970s, has died at 69. . It also gave us a story arc for Carla. This story has been shared 4,038 times. Jay Thomas portrayed Eddie LeBec in nine episodes between 1987 and 1989, his biggest role since his memorable two-year run as deli owner Remo DaVinci on Mork and Mindy, and just before he'd. Stream It Or Skip It: 'Love at First Kiss' on Netflix, a Spanish Rom-Com About a Man Gifted with 'Romantic Clairvoyance', Stream It Or Skip It: Tonight Youre Sleeping With Me on Netflix, a Dull, Passionless Polish Rom-Dram, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Disconnect: The Wedding Planner' on Netflix, A Nollywood Rom-Com, Stream It Or Skip It: 'A Sunday Affair' on Netflix, a Lukewarm Nollywood Love-Triangle Drama, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Marlon Wayans: God Loves Me' On HBO Max, Making The Oscars Slap All About Him, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Triangle of Sadness' on Hulu, Ruben Ostlund's Skewering of the Moneyed Elite. American Actor Jay Thomas was born Jon Thomas Terrell on 12th July, 1948 in Kermit, Texas and passed away on 24th Aug 2017 Santa Barbara, California aged 69. She heard the broadcast. Rhea Perlman's on-screen hockey player husband was played by Jay Thomas, a somewhat lesser-known (at least these days) actor who probably should've considered himself lucky to act alongside Rhea. 2,179, This story has been shared 1,917 times. Thomas and the producer had just gotten stoned, he said. Now obviously, when you have a cast as large as Cheers, while they were able to add characters more easily than other shows, it was still not an easy thing to do, so there were plenty of reasons why the show would not be willing to add Thomas to the actual cast. But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role on Cheers as Carla Tortelli's hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. So Cheers had clearly established itself as a series where notable characters could be added to the ensemble. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Actor Jay Thomas has died at 69. However, he never strayed to far from the airwaves as he launched the daily Jay Thomas Show on Sirius XM in 2005 and even served as a frequent substitute for Howard Stern. Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. "But there was a point where they [thought] maybe we would live together, and I didn't like the idea of Carla being with somebody because that would make you feel like [you're] not part of the people in the bar.". A notable exception was Cheers. In 2013, John McEnroe filled in for Thomas, who was recovering from surgery. He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). The guy took one look at Thomas and his producer and said, Oh really, who do you think they are going to believe, you two hippie freaks or me? At this point, Moore emerged from the backseat and said, Theyll believe me, citizen.. SinceCheers was primarily set at a bar, we only saw Carlas home life when it pulled up a stool. My heart goes out to his family.. 11 Best New Movies on Netflix: March 2023's Freshest Films to Watch, 'Next In Fashion' Season 2 on Netflix: Follow the Designers on Instagram, The 8 Best Soundbars To Buy In 2023, Per Experts, 'Wheel of Fortune' Gets Awkward as Pat Sajak Snaps at Contestant for Grabbing Wheel: "Don't Touch That", Sex/Life Season 2: Adam Demos Tops His Famous Full Frontal Moment With, Uh, Tip, Is 'Yellowstone' On Tonight? Jay Thomas may not be a name many kids know now, but he was a constant comedic presence for those that came of age in the 80s and 90sespecially if you were a sitcom superfan. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com. ", Naturally, Perlman didn't react well to Thomas' comments, and the writers decided to get rid of Eddie by killing him off. After kicking off his TV career with a supporting role in Robin Williams Mork & Mindy,Thomas became the go-to guy for sitcoms needing a pinch hitter (Family Tiesone week,The Golden Girls the next). On the latter, his character winds up appearing in an ice show and gets killed by a Zamboni. quotes, Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. He starred in his own TV shows "Married People" with Beth Armstrong and "Love and War" with Susan Dey and later Annie Potts. He also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles and, most recently, had a daily gig with SiriusXM. For Kelsey to suggest anything other is not to give himself enough credit. Jay Thomas died on Thursday at 69 after a battle with cancer. Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane, was also not a lock to remain on the show long-term. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman., Well, guess who happened to be listening. And Other Comic Book Legends Revealed and Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas) in Season 5 and the two continue to date on-and-off for a while. However, Jay would try out his stand-up comic routines on the rest of the staff. He was replaced by a young hayseed named Woody Boys, played by Woody Harrelson (amazingly enough, the character was named Woody before Harrelson was cast), who improbably became even more popular than Coach! 1,313, This story has been shared 1,267 times. In the late '80s, actor Jay Thomas appeared on several episodes of Cheers as the love interestand eventual husband ofCarla Tortelli, who was played by Rhea Perlman. Eventually, she became pregnant with twins, and the pair got married. Thomas also starred on his own sitcom, playing an egotistical sportswriter opposite Susan Dey and then Annie Potts on CBSLove and War, a 1992-95 series created by Murphy Browns Diane English. To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.We'd really appreciate it. He was a delightful character. He was also a radio DJ and continued to host a radio show while he was on Cheers. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He boxed, wrestled, played football, and ran track. Reared in New Orleans, he was always active in sports and performing. He worked at stations in Panama City; Pensacola, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C., where he earned nicknames like The Mouth of the South, The Scorpion and The Prince of Darkness.. In an oral history of Cheers published by GQ in 2012, Thomas, Perlman, and writer Ken Levine spoke about Thomas being written out of the show. He's acted here and there ever since (including a memorable supporting role in Mr. Holland's Opus). Burrows writes, "That was it. All the leads from Friends in its final season were the same as in its first; the same with Seinfeld. Jay broadcast from California, New York, and New Orleans. Heres how show writer Ken Levine tells it, per his blog: He was terrific in the episodes, he and Rhea made a very cute couple and so he was brought back periodically as her boyfriend. The biggest surprise exit from the program came from Shelley Long. Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. Those curious viewers would be right because it sounds like Thomas's off-set behavior led to him getting kicked off the show. videos, According to the book (via Page Six), a listener called in to Thomas' show and asked what it was like being part of Cheers, to which Thomas responded, "It's brutal. In a statement to the NY Daily News, Thomas' rep, Don Buchwald, said, "Jay was one of . He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. In his new book, Directed by James Burrows, Cheers co-creator James Burrows tells his version ofthe story. Heck, note that in the quote above, Thomas even says he was specifically told Perlman was not the reason. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Follow him on Twitter at @Brian_Cronin and feel free to e-mail him suggestions for stories about comic books that you'd like to see featured at brianc@cbr.com! Contract disputes, on-set conflicts, or characters just not working out: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Paramount Television/Courtesy Everett Collection, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, Jay Thomas, 'Cheers' And 'Murphy Brown' Actor, Dead at 69, Killed Off: A History of TV Shows That Violently Rid Themselves of Core Characters, Will There Be A 'Sex/Life' Season 3 on Netflix? The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).". Fans of the program still flock to various streaming services to rewatch their favorite episodes from the show. Actor Jay Thomas attends the SIRIUS XM. 1,917, This story has been shared 1,836 times. to global superstars), there is something that is almost more amazing, which is to join one of these shows after it has become a hit and become accepted as part of the show's DNA.