Ken Ober, MTV's 'Remote Control' Host, Dies at 52

[mscriv]

At first blush it looked like the latest fake-death rumor on the Internet: According to sketchily sourced reports, Ken Ober, the comedian best-known for hosting MTV's late-'80s game show "Remote Control," had died.

Sadly, though, this rumor turns out to be true. Ober's reps confirm to Zap2it that he passed away over the weekend at the age of 52. No other details were available late Monday morning.

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I used to watch this show all the time in the 80's. For you youngsters, in those day's shows like this came on between large blocks of music videos.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I use to watch the show as well. It is sad, 52 is pretty young to die.

 

[CorvusCamenarum]

I used to watch this show all the time in the 80's. For you youngsters, in those day's shows like this came on between large blocks of music videos.

As opposed to today where music videos come between large blocks of crap shows.

Remote control was awesome.

 

[jbennardo]

As opposed to today where music videos come between large blocks of crap shows.

Remote control was awesome.

You got that right. Viva Remote Control and Headbanger's Ball.

 

[pukifloyd]

It is sad, 52 is pretty young to die.

true

may he RIP

 

[dXTC]

You got that right. Viva Remote Control and Headbanger's Ball.

And don't forget 120 Minutes!

 

[mscriv]

And don't forget about the original VJ's. I could look it up, but I'm too lazy at the moment. Adam with the big hair, Ricki Rachtman the metal dude, and there were two girls. Wasn't it "Downtown Julie Brown" or something like that and the other one had the short Pat Benetar like haircut. I would come home from school and just watch hours of videos. It was kinda like highway hypnosis. You would just lose all track of time and next thing you know like 4 hours had gone by. It was such a big deal when a new video would premiere. Wow, I'm so old.

 

[MacNut]

Julie brown came later on. Nina Blackwood and Martha Quinn were the original female VJ's.

Adam Curry
J.J. Jackson
Nina Blackwood
Martha Quinn
Mark Goodman
Alan Hunter

 

[rdowns]

Many of them are now on Sirius XM, on the 80s channel.

 

[BanjoBanker]

I ran into Allen Hunter from the old MTV days and he told me about Ken Ober's death. I loved Remote Control. I miss the music videos they used to show all the time, as well as the original crew. All they show now are obnoxious twits using up their 15 minutes of fame talking about how cool they are. Bring back the rock music!

 

[geekgirl]

And don't forget 120 Minutes!

OMG, 120 minutes was the best!!!!

 

[rhett7660]

Very sad indeed.... RIP..


Mark Goodman was the best! Oh the days when there were video's on MTV........

 

[bradl]

Damn.

I used to watch this show as well, and it was probably the best non-video show they had on in the 80s and early 90s. Kari Wurher got her start there, along with two relative unknowns.. kinda useless guys, in fact.. one Colin Quinn (still don't know if he was related to Martha), and one Adam Sandler. Both moved on to some other useless show as well.. one SNL.

One butchered 'Sing-Along with Colin' on Channel 3 coming up for a toast!

RIP, Ken.

BL.

 

[NYCHousewife]

I remember watching Remote Control as a child!
I loved that show. I remember the contestants sat in recliners, and if I remember correctly, they were slid back on some sort of track if they lost...?!