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Although grew up in the south he most played "New Yorky" characters. But, Perlman remembers the situation differently. In 2006, one of the "Cheers" writers, Ken Levine, explained the behind the scenes drama of Thomas' departure from the series in a blog post. 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. 2,493, This story has been shared 2,429 times. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. He appeared as a leading guest star in dozens of sitcoms, cop shows, and MOW's opposite Judith Light, John Tuturro, and Christine Lahti. 2,179, This story has been shared 1,917 times. "Rhea came up to my office and she was furiousI'd never seen her like this. But odds are if you know Jay Thomas, who passed away today at the age of 69, you know him from his recurring role onCheers as Carla Tortellis hockey-playing husband Eddie LeBec. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup.. On Screen Matchups. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. ', "Well," Levine wrote, "guess who happened to be listening. And he goes, 'Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. Jay Thomas, the good-natured . Carla got pregnant with Eddies kid in Season Six, leading to the two getting hitched in the two-parter Little Carla, Happy at Last.. appreciated. . "I'm doingCheers, having the greatest time of my life, and one day I get a phone call from Jimmy [Burrows]," Thomas said. Every holiday season since 1998, he was asked by, Was the Morning man at New York City radio station WXRK, just prior to. I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. 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. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Maybe Tina Fey, maybe. Thomas chased the vehicle, then confronted the other driver who denied anything had happened and told him he was going to call the cops. "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. Emmy-winning actor JAY THOMAS is best known to audiences as doomed hockey star Eddie LeBec on "Cheers" and tabloid talker Jerry Gold on "Murphy Brown," but he's also a show business renaissance man, having worked as a stand-up comic, disc jockey, sportscaster and reality show host. Finally, and most importantly, Kirstie Alley successfully replaced the female lead Shelley Long (who played Diane) after Season 5. And, according to the. Thomas. — -- Actor Jay Thomas has died, ABC News has confirmed. Thomas, certainly, but Levine? How Playwright Sam Hunter Processed His Own Trauma, Netflix's 'Money Shot' Documentary Trailer Shines A Harsh Light On Pornhub, The "Most Trafficked Website In The World", 'The Skinny Shot' on Hulu Is An Ozempic "Documentary" That Plays More Like A Commercial, Where Is Estonia Located? Season 6 saw the show change dramatically with the addition of the aforementioned Kirstie Alley, and in that season, LeBec and Carla got married. This story has been shared 4,038 times. Levine also notes that this episode ended up earning them an Emmy nod, making the whole situation a win for everyone involved except Thomas, of course. Her zodiac sign is Aries. He said, like in a movie, 'Are you sitting down?' He was also a radio DJ and continued to host a radio show while he was on Cheers. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. Well, it may have stemmed from a radio spot by Thomas where he was asked to talk about his role on the show. His Lone Ranger story was the best I heard in 30 years. When Thomas joined Cheers, he was already known for his starring role as Remo on Mork&Mindy and for appearing on other shows including Family Ties and The Love Boat. Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site. 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. Hilariously, though, the writers made his demise rather humorous as they revealed he had another wife who looked just like Carla on the show. He insulted Rhea, which meant he insulted all of us. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. "Jay was fired unceremoniously," Burrows writes in his book. As you can imagine, important people heard that interview and were not happy about it. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. "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.". Thomas was 69. Ive always wanted to be one of those guys on late-night talk shows who everybody wants to see. 1,686, This story has been shared 1,313 times. Even before Coach's departure, the show had introduced a wrench into the main romantic relationship between bar owner Sam Malone and uptight waitress Diane Chambers. And, according to the co-creator of the series, Thomas could have appeared on even more episodes of the popular show if he hadn't insulted Perlman during a radio show. Thomas also had a turn on "Cheers" as Rhea Perlman's TV-husband Eddie LeBec, a Boston Bruins hockey player who was killed by a Zamboni. 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. Feel free (heck, I implore you!) I have to kiss Rhea Perlman. trivia, Login ", Naturally, Perlman didn't react well to Thomas' comments, and the writers decided to get rid of Eddie by killing him off. WhenCheers came back for Season Eight, Eddie was nowhere to be seen. The Behind-The-Scenes Drama On Cheers That Had Jay Thomas Written Off The Show. 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. Has three sons in total, Jake and Sam, with wife Sally Michelson, plus another son, During the summer of 1967, Jay (then Jon Terrell) worked as an apprentice at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, Connecticut. photos, 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! I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec," she said. And the Jay Thomas talk show airs daily on SiriusXM. 1,313, This story has been shared 1,267 times. SinceCheers was primarily set at a bar, we only saw Carlas home life when it pulled up a stool. These became such a distraction that management changed his duties to mowing the lawn on the grounds. A notable exception was Cheers. 'Yellowstone' Return Date Info, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of 'Today' After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast, Where Is Hoda Kotb? "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. Cheers: Heres Why Jay Thomas Left the Show. Eventually, Carla finds out she is pregnant with Eddie's twins, and the pair decide to get married. And Other Amazing Comic Book Trivia! Cocktail waitress Carla Tortelli, played by Rhea Perlman, meets ice hockey player. 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. He was an actor, he was a radio host and he was a comedian. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. Actor Jay Thomas has died at 69. They were right. In 2013, John McEnroe filled in for Thomas, who was recovering from surgery. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. "Jay was one of a kind, never at a loss for words and filled with so. Jay Thomas was never seen on Cheers again. And it has nothing to do with Rhea. READ THIS NEXT:Kissing Brad Pitt Was "Disgusting," This Co-Star Said. Here is where things get a bit disputed. That was it for Eddie LeBec. He was 69. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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.. 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. Thomas and the producer had just gotten stoned, he said. When asked about kissing Carla on Cheers, Thomas noted he received combat pay for doing so. 1,836, This story has been shared 1,686 times. One of the greatest strengths of the classic show is itsensemble cast, who portrayed the gang of compelling characters from the ladies' man bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson) to his on-and-off academic girlfriend Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) who are still celebrated today. videos 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! Thomas appeared on nine episodes altogether. jay thomas, Other Works He guest starred in an episode of "Hung" on HBO. But he didn't consider himself lucky, and in fact, complained about Rhea while he was working on the show. 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. 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. 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.. Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. He was a delightful character. Thomas began his career in entertainment as a radio DJ before trying his hand at stand-up comedy and acting. He's acted here and there ever since (including a memorable supporting role in Mr. Holland's Opus). 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. The post, titled "The kiss of death for Eddie LeBec" reports that Jay Thomas made some negative comments about the show and about Perlman on his radio show: A caller asked him what his experience working on "Cheers" was like, Levine explained in the post, and Thomas "said something to the effect of 'It's brutal. 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. He won his first award as emcee of the Jesuit High School talent show. Discover short videos related to jay thomas rhea perlman on TikTok. 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). He was 69. Don Buchwald, his longtime agent and friend, said Thomas died at his home in Santa Barbara after a battle with cancer. For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Thomas played Eddie LeBec, a fictional goalie for the Boston Bruins, who began dating waitress Carla. His zodiac sign is Cancer. Finally we decided to marry them. 1,091. Jay Thomas died on Thursday at 69 after a battle with cancer. Paramount Television Actor Jay Thomas, known for his roles on "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," died Thursday following a battle with . Actor Jay Thomas attends the SIRIUS XM. Why did the show write him, and even have him die? As it turns out, it appears Thomas' own big mouth got himself kicked off of the show. See Publicity Listings More recently, he appeared as tabloid journalist Marty Grossman on "Ray Donovan. Read on to find out what Thomas said about Perlman and how his storyline came to a surprising end. Appearing as an annual Christmas guest alongside Letterman has been fun, hesaid in 2014. Reared in New Orleans, he was always active in sports and performing. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. 3,505, This story has been shared 2,911 times. He said, like in a movie, "Are you sitting down?" New Movie News, Movie Trailers & upcoming Movie Reviews, TV Legends Revealed: Why You Don't Mess With Carla On Cheers. However, in Season 7, Eddie is killed off. Rhea Perlman is a 74 year old American Actress. Don Buchwald, his longtime agent and friend, said Thomas died at his. Actor Jay Thomas, best known for his roles in the classic sitcoms "Murphy Brown" and "Cheers," has died at age 69. . Questions and whispers remained about why she ultimately left the show, but she was not alone in questions. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). Jay Thomas was a popular radio personality for years before he began receiving acting opportunities on television. Cheers was an iconic show of the time, but it certainly had a lot going on behind the scenes. In the same oral history, Levine claimed that Perlman was upset about Thomas' radio show comment. 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. 17 Things 'Cheers' Fans Never Knew. (1987 -. And, according to the co-creator of the series, Thomas could have appeared on even more episodes of the popular show if he hadn't insulted Perlman during a radio show. 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. 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. 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. Help us build our profile of Rhea Perlman and Jay Thomas! I loved Jay, Letterman told CNN in a statement. However, Jay would try out his stand-up comic routines on the rest of the staff. 3.2M views. What We Know, How to Watch Donald Trump's 2023 CPAC Speech: Live Stream Information, What Time Is Chris Rock's Netflix Special On Tonight? Jay Thomas, the good-natured comic actor who starred on the sitcoms Murphy Brown and Cheers, died Thursday. On the big screen he was featured in "Mr. Holland's Opus", "A Smile Like Yours", and "Santa Claus" 2 and 3. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He said something to the effect of Its brutal. We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. As it turns out, though, one notable actor dealt with some off-screen drama that affected her character's arc. 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. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6161 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. His most recent credits include appearances on Bones, NCIS: New Orleans, and Ray Donovan.. . 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. | 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. (We were worried that we wouldnt be able to use the name Zamboni but the company loved it. The show actually aired longer without its original female lead than it did with her, a remarkable achievement for any television show. He will be dearly missed by so many, Estey said in a statement to CNN. And I think I did a pretty good job, although maybe it wasnt good enough for him.. Thomas also had small but memorable parts in films such as Mr. Hollands Opus and the latter two Santa Clause movies. She said, 'I want him off the show,'" Levine claimed. She heard the broadcast. on CBS' Murphy Brown from 1989-98 winning a pair of Emmys after his stint as Rhea Perlman's husband Eddie LeBec, a French-Canadian goalie with the . He and Letterman also took turns throwing a football, trying to dislodge a meatball from the top of a Christmas tree. At his funeral, it was revealed that Eddie secretly had another wife. Deaths aren't exactly commonplace for sitcoms, so Eddie's death may leave viewers wondering if there was a real-life reason for the narrative choice. He first told the story in 1998 and returned almost every year to tell it again until Letterman retired. He also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles and, most recently, had a daily gig with SiriusXM. A representative for the actor said Thomas had been battling cancer. Burrows writes, "That was it. He is most remembered for Mr. Holland's Opus. Jay broadcast from California, New York, and New Orleans. 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. Thomas. He was 69. Like on Carson, when [Don] Rickles would come out. and more from FamousFix.com. She heard this interview and Eddie was written off the show. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. First off, we needed a funny demise. He was 69. (@norm.of.cheers), Where everybody knows ur name (@welcome.to.cheers) . 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. Jay Thomas attends "Hateship Loveship" film premiere at the Cinema Society in New York, April 8, 2014. Eddie, by then, was working as a penguin in an ice show so we arrived at a Zamboni machine accident. 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. Born Rhea Jo Perlman on 31st March, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, she is famous for Cheers. Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane, was also not a lock to remain on the show long-term. Thomas has been telling the story for years, but hes not exactly the best source, as people always tend to come up with reasons for why they didnt get a particular job. In his new book, Directed by James Burrows, Cheers co-creator James Burrows tells his version ofthe 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. Jay now hosts a daily talk show on Sirius "Stars" channel and is selling high end real estate in Santa Barbara. His writing has been featured at ESPN.com, the Los Angeles Times, About.com, the Huffington Post and Gizmodo. Those curious viewers would be right because it sounds like Thomas's off-set behavior led to him getting kicked off the show. He has written two books about comics for Penguin-Random House Was Superman a Spy? He was on the cast of Mork and Mindy for a time (20 episodes in total between 1979 and 1981). He was 69. Survivors include his wife Sally and sons Sam, Max and J.T. His apprenticeship duties involved building sets at this summer stock theatre. 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. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. The actor was also known as an annual guest on The Late Show With David Letterman where he came on during the holiday season to help out with Christmas. in which he played Rhea Perlman's . It is very difficult to work your way into a hit TV show after it has become a hit. CNN 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. However, after his less than pleasant comments on a radio show he was hosting . Folks came and went on the sitcom, its how things go for the most part. Always had a smile and a kind word for me, a lowly board op at KIQQ. His first TV role was in "Mork and Mindy". 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! And The Lone . 'Mandalorian' Funko Pops up to 77% Off Baby Yoda and More for Season 3, Who Plays the Armorer in 'The Mandalorian'? ", The Sirius radio host also had roles in films including "Mr. Holland's Opus," "The Santa Clause 2" and "The Santa Clause 3." Why did the show write him, and even have him die? Biological father of musician and songwriter, The Jay Thomas Show was heard for a number of years on Sirius Satellite Radio Monday through Fridays, 3:00PM to 6:00PM on Sirius Stars Too, Channel 108. 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. Sitcom veteran Jay Thomas, best known for his roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, passed away on Thursday. What Thomas had to say about kissing his co-star did not go over well with others involved in the show, and they retaliated in a very creative way. Later, Bebe Neuwirth joined the cast as Frasier's wife Lilith. Famous last words and two seconds later Jay Thomas was a "dead Cheers actor" walking. How to Stream Garcelle Beauvais' New Lifetime Movie Online, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Gulmohar' on Hulu, a Hindi Family-Ties Drama Marking the Return of Sharmila Tagore, Steven Spielberg Broke Down in Tears Seeing Paul Dano and Michelle Williams as His Parents in 'The Fabelmans', Is Brendan Frasers The Whale Based on a True Story? Not Rheathey were talking about Carla. But if that's what cost me my job, my wife will probably say, 'Hey [expletive], I told you so.'". The two-time Emmy winner most recently appeared on 'Ray Donovan' and spent many a Christmas season with David Letterman. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.. He starred in his own TV shows "Married People" with Beth Armstrong and "Love and War" with Susan Dey and later Annie Potts. So, the decision was made to write him out of the show, to the dismay of the fans as folks seemed to like the on-screen chemistry of Thomas and Perlman. 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. Jay Thomas and Rhea Perlman were in an on-screen matchup. I don't see it, so I'm willing to believe that, at the very least, Thomas' insult of Perlman was a notable cause in his removal from the show. In addition, the actress denies the story, saying: That's not true. Thomas is survived by wife, Sally, and his three sons. He earned that promotion.. I just don't see any reason for why Levine would make up such a story. My heart goes out to his family.. Cheers was an iconic show from decades ago starring Ted Danson and friends. As a comedian and a person, Thomas was always unfiltered, hilarious and unafraid to cross the line, which explains how he got himself written off of Cheers. He played Rhea Perlman's husband, Eddie LeBec, on "Cheers," and won the best guest actor Emmy in 1990 and 1991 for his portrayal of the character . 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By the way I used to ride the elevator with Jay as he was heading to his morning show at Power / Magic, whatever the hell it was. 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. I have to kiss Rhea Perlman." Maybe we should have. Thomas' best known-roles were on the small screen. He crossed the family." 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. "That's not true. He boxed, wrestled, played football, and ran track. 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. Actor Jay Thomas, who won two Emmys for his guest role on Murphy Brown, died Thursday after a battle with cancer, The Daily News reports. And my joke what that I got combat's pay to kiss her." The actor, who went on to have a recurring role onMurphy Brown,added, "Look, I made jokes about kissing Murphy Brown [too]. Eventually, she became pregnant with twins, and the pair got married. Sitcom vet Jay Thomas, best known for his recurring roles on Cheers and Murphy Brown, has died. Thomas died after a battle with cancer, his friend and longtime agent Don Buchwald confirmed to the New York Daily News. He won two Emmy awards for portraying Jerry Gold on"Murphy Brown". And I love football, so my two big dreams were totally realized.. ), 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. 3,913, This story has been shared 3,885 times. to write in with your suggestions for future installments! He was a regular guest on "The Late Show with David Letterman.". The answer was at the funeral Carla learned that he was a polygamist, and had a second wife (who looked just like Carla).". He features legends about entertainment and sports at his website, Legends Revealed and other pop culture features at Pop Culture References. And he goes, "Look, we're not going to have you back on the show. Jay Thomas was doing a radio interview and he was insulting toward having to kiss Rhea Perlman.