The New York Times is reporting that comedian Ken Ober, best known as the host of MTV’s Remote Control, died this weekend of unknown causes, although he had been complaining of flu-like symptoms. He was 52. Ober began hosting Remote Control in 1987, marking MTV’s first foray into original, non-music-video programming. He had more recently been a producer on Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia and CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine.
Nov 16
2009
04:56 PM ET
'Remote Control' host Ken Ober dies
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Man I used to love Remote Control when they would have Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn and what was her name,Kari Wuhr,or something like that.Classic TV.
Amen Bobby, one of my favorite shows to come home from school and watch. Ken Ober was hilarious, as was every one on that show
Wow… I really liked that show. What a shame.
I used to love that show too. Ken Ober was a great host.
Kenny wasn’t like the other kids.
TV mattered nothing else did.
Grils said yes, but he said no.
Now he got his own game show.
Most fun game show ever.
RIP Mr. Ober.
Wow! Kudos for remembering that theme song!
I still remember that opening rap for the show–that Ken chose watching game shows over being with his friends. That set the tone for the show.
Very sad…Ken Ober is dead, along with Colin Quinn’s career.
Colin Quinn is got a new movie coming out with Chris Rock……
RIP Mr. Ober
Sad. I loved that show and have fond memories of it. Unfortunately, along with launching the careers of Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn, in hindsight it may also have been the first indication of MTV’s gradual change from being a channel that played music videos to being one centered around “shows.”
Sad news. 52 is much too young. And Remote Control was a lot of fun. As for Colin Quinn, he will be seen in an upcoming movie with Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Norm MacDonald.
If by “will be seen”", you mean Colin has a small role that nobody will notice, then yes, you’re correct. But let’s be honest: the last time Colin was funny was in 1996. Since that time, he’s become a bloated, bitter failed screenwriter/actor who still needs his old friends from Remote Control to get him work.
I guess behaving like a mean person, even if it’s just an act, really doesn’t pay in the end.
I still remember Colin Quinn and his dry-sounding, gravelly, drunk after drinking too many beers the other night at a bar kind of voice on Remote Control.There were so many hooks on the show that pulled me in. I’ve continued to follow his career, even when he was on Saturday Night Live and when he had his very own show. I hope they do an interview soon on how much his friend Ken Ober meant to him. And memories of those MTV tapings of Remote Control.
Wow. I loved Remote Control when I was in my teens. It was fun and had Colin Quinn doing a sing a long. I’m sorry to hear about his death.
I was a contestant on Remote Control and had a great time with Ken, Colin kari and even Adam Sandler…this is sad news.
I didn’t know Adam Sandler was on there. I thought he started out on SNL in the ’90s. He must have been starting out in the late ’80s with the MTV game show before branching out to SNL and movies.
This news bums me out.
I liked watching him. He should have been hired more.
I wanted to be on that show sooo bad when I was younger. Sorry to hear that.
DUDE!!!!!!!!!!! that sucks
That makes me sad! I loved Remote Control! I wish this man peace and fond memories.
I hope MTV does a marathon over Thanksgiving Weekend to pay respect!
great idea! I LOVED Remote Control!
I too would love to see a “Remote Control” marathon, but you know MTV is too busy airing vapid shows like “The Hills” and whatever Road Rules crap they have at the moment to care. GSN should jump on it! RIP Ken…the show was so great.
It doesn’t even seem like MTV is acknowledging his death. I’m sure if one of those twats from their current idiotic shows died, it’d be blasted all over their front page. God, I feel old and I’m not even 30 yet!
They need to. But MTV likes to stay current and in the now and present. They don’t like to look to the past too much, show too many old clips or be nostalgic like other cable networks with reunion shows and reuniting people from them. Remote Control was a popular game show on that network in the late ’80s and MTV’s execs need to respect that. I know we live in an era of digital and HDTV, but respect the people who did it first!
So sad I always wanted to be on Remote Control when I was growing up. RIP