Sadly, actor and disc jockey Jay Thomas died earlier this week at the age of 69. Not only do I have fond memories of his many roles on various television shows, but I also have fond memories of his annual appearances on The Late Show with Dave Letterman at Christmastime. The tradition began in 1998 when Jay Thomas was a guest alongside New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde. David Letterman had Mr. Testaverde try to knock a large meatball off the top of a Christmas tree with an American football. Both Messrs. Letterman and Testaverde tried and failed. Jay Thomas came out and knocked the meatball of the top of the Christmas tree on the first try. Later on that particular show Mr. Thomas told a story about a time when he was a disc jockey at WAYS in Charlotte, North Carolina and he made a promotional appearance with Clayton Moore (who was in his full Lone Ranger costume).
Jay Thomas's appearance on the Christmas edition of The Late Show with Dave Letterman went over so well that it became an annual tradition, with Mr. Thomas returning every year (except 2013, which he missed due to throat surgery) to retell his story about Clayton Moore and to try to knock a meatball off the top of a Christmas tree. It became as much a part of Dave Leterman's Christmas show as Darlene Love performing "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)".
In honour of Jay Thomas and for those who have fond memories of his annual appearances on The Late Show with Dave Letterman, here is his appearance on the show from 2009. If you have never seen it, you are in for a treat.
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