...when Remote Control continues!
The quizmaster of 72 Whooping Cough Lane has gone to that great game show in the sky.
Ken Ober, erstwhile host of MTV's long-defunct game show Remote Control, has passed away at the age of 52, and the world (at least the world of a handful of thirty-something pop culture junkies) is a little worse for it.
His passing didn't make headlines (except for at MTV.com, where it was quickly bumped by red carpet coverage of the New Moon premiere) and in a day or so (if not already) Mr. Ober's name will scant be mentioned-- just as it hasn't been for nigh onto 20 years now. (Most recently, he served as consulting producer on CBS' ...Old Christine.)
Larry King devoted precisely zero minutes to Ober's passing. There's never been a 'Which Remote Control character are you?' quiz on Facebook (Stud Boy? Mr. Baggy Pants? Stickpin Quinn?), and no one should expect to see Ober's face during the next Dead People Roll Call at the Emmys.
But for a couple of us, it's a bit of a sad thing.
Even though Remote Control helped usher in the age of "What's a music video?" at MTV, it was still a madcap, hilarious, nutjob of a show. For five seasons, from 1987 to 1991, it (and, at its heart, Ken) entertained college-aged idiots with a fresh blend of hilarity and pop culture ephemera, and stars like Denis Leary and Adam Sandler (who got their start as characters on the show) are duly recognizing Ober's contributions to their respective careers.
If you never had the pleasure of watching Remote Control, do yourself a favor and watch a little bit (though MTV should do the right thing and run a couple episodes this weekend, instead of the --seriously-- five-hour My Super Sweet 16 marathon). At the very least, give Kurt Loder's remembrance of Ober a quick read.
If you had the pleasure of being a virtual guest in Ober's 'basement' during the late 80s, well-- you already know how much fun it was.
So as you strap yourself into your Craft-matic tonight, be sure to raise a bowl over your head. For Snack Break. And for Ken..jpg)
Comments
Thank you for reporting this. And if MTV won't air the episodes, hopefully VH1 Classic of GSN will.
How sad. I remember watching that show, I just can't believe it was on THAT long ago, I was only 20 when it first aired(yipes, lol) but I do remember being about college age so that is correct. I thought he actually was more popular than he seems to have been but regardless, he made a nice impact on the world. Sorry to see him go before his time. Good article.
Nice job Collin - I wholeheartedly agree. That show was revolutionary to its genre and launched the careers of many. Please let us know if you do, in fact, hear of any Remote Control airings of any sort. I'll have my bowl of snacks ready in front of my big Zenith.
i would love to rewatch some old remote control! thanks for the article
Wow, I never really saw the MTV Remote Control shows, but I do remember writing a feature story about Ken Ober when I was at the Daily Hampshire Gazette back in the early 80s about a little comedy club Ken was running up in South Deerfield, MA. I recall thinking he was destined for bigger things. Colin, thanks for giving him his due. Clearly it was before his time to go.
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