Short Takes : Jay Thomas Savors His Variety

“Guest star to the world” is how Jay Thomas, the abrasive tabloid-TV host Jerry Gold on “Murphy Brown,” describes his career.

“It’s almost like I have this fit for three hours every morning--and then go to work,” Thomas said in the Dec. 8 issue of TV Guide.

Los Angeles radio listeners know Thomas as “The Morning Zoo” host on radio station KPWR-FM. On his weekday “nothing is sacred” show, he trashes everything, including his Emmy nomination for “Murphy Brown.”

Then it’s off to the set of his current show--”Married People”--as Russell Meyers, a yuppie writer and househusband. Thomas also plays hockey goalie Eddie LeBec on “Cheers” and was deli owner Remo DaVinci on “Mork & Mindy.”