Game Show Host Ken Ober Dies at 52 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-16-2009, 05:09 PM

Link

Ken Ober, a brassy comedian best known as the host of the 1980s-era MTV game show “Remote Control,” died on Sunday, Mark Measures, an agent at Abrams Artists who worked with him, said on Monday. Mr. Ober, who lived in Los Angeles, was 52. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Mr. Ober, who grew up in Boston idolizing game show hosts like Bob Barker and Bob Eubanks, went on to host four game shows of his own, including a revived version of “Make Me Laugh” in 1997. But his breakthrough came a decade earlier when Mr. Ober, a contestant on the televised talent show “Star Search,” became the host of the MTV series “Remote Control” in 1987.

That show, which was the network’s first original series to focus on non-musical content, tested participants on their knowledge of television, music-video and pop-culture trivia. The show, which also provided a launching pad for the careers of comedians like Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn, drew much of its sarcastic, self-mocking spirit from the culturally obsessive Mr. Ober, who ran the program like a late-night talk show (or frat party) and gleefully teased players who gave wrong answers.

In recent years Mr. Ober also worked as a producer on comedy series like “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

catlover79 · 11-16-2009, 05:17 PM

How sad. I remember he did a radio show with Susan Olsen (The Brady Bunch) called Olsen & Ober.

howilu · 11-16-2009, 06:08 PM

I remember Ken Ober as the host of Remote Control and Comedy Central's revival of Make Me Laugh. He was really funny on Remote control, which I would frequently watch on MTV. It's a shame that he's gone so soon. May he rest in peace.

Marvo301 · 11-16-2009, 06:20 PM

Ken Ober

howierules86 · 11-16-2009, 07:24 PM

Ken Ober also hosted 3 other little-known game shows after "Remote Control" ended, which were:

Perfect Match (ESPN, Oct-Dec 1994)
Make Me Laugh (Comedy Central, Jun-Dec 1997)
Smush (USA, 2001-02)

R.I.P, Ken.

Brian Damage · 11-16-2009, 08:26 PM

Oh my!

gidgetgrape · 11-16-2009, 08:37 PM

I use to love "Remote Control." I remember Ken being in a Blues Traveler Video too. R.I.P!

Scoobiedoo30 · 11-16-2009, 09:30 PM

R.I.P. Ken

70s show watcher · 11-16-2009, 11:08 PM

he is the second host of make me laugh to pass ayaw at a young age bobby van was in his late 40s when he passed away

Scoobiedoo30 · 11-16-2009, 11:15 PM

Ken will be missed

angiefan · 11-18-2009, 04:02 PM

He was cute,though. I thought Remote control was stupid,with food falling from the ceiling,and his mother insulting his sister.He had a bro in real life. He idolized Bob Barker,who was on Monday Night Raw,Dx's favorite movie is Happy Gilmore.I want to see the episodes of Something so Right,where he is Mel Harris's Father,Ben.I wonder if it's on dvd?

sara · 11-19-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howierules86

Ken Ober also hosted 3 other little-known game shows after "Remote Control" ended, which were:

Perfect Match (ESPN, Oct-Dec 1994)
Make Me Laugh (Comedy Central, Jun-Dec 1997)
Smush (USA, 2001-02)

R.I.P, Ken.

I loved Smush! I used to watch it all the time. I actually had a little crush on him. It's so sad that he died. RIP

80sTrivia · 11-20-2009, 09:28 PM

So very sad to hear of Ken's unexpected passing...

angiefan · 11-15-2010, 11:06 AM

first Wesley Eure dies now,Ken Ober,Now what,I read Bob Barker is on his death wish,from the tabloids.

dlemond · 11-15-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angiefan

first Wesley Eure dies now,Ken Ober,Now what,I read Bob Barker is on his death wish,from the tabloids.

I think you mean deathbed.

I didn't even realize this thread is a year old!

11-16-2009, 05:09 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,404	Game Show Host Ken Ober Dies at 52 Link Ken Ober, a brassy comedian best known as the host of the 1980s-era MTV game show “Remote Control,” died on Sunday, Mark Measures, an agent at Abrams Artists who worked with him, said on Monday. Mr. Ober, who lived in Los Angeles, was 52. The cause of death was not immediately known. Mr. Ober, who grew up in Boston idolizing game show hosts like Bob Barker and Bob Eubanks, went on to host four game shows of his own, including a revived version of “Make Me Laugh” in 1997. But his breakthrough came a decade earlier when Mr. Ober, a contestant on the televised talent show “Star Search,” became the host of the MTV series “Remote Control” in 1987. That show, which was the network’s first original series to focus on non-musical content, tested participants on their knowledge of television, music-video and pop-culture trivia. The show, which also provided a launching pad for the careers of comedians like Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn, drew much of its sarcastic, self-mocking spirit from the culturally obsessive Mr. Ober, who ran the program like a late-night talk show (or frat party) and gleefully teased players who gave wrong answers. In recent years Mr. Ober also worked as a producer on comedy series like “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
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11-16-2009, 05:17 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	How sad. I remember he did a radio show with Susan Olsen (The Brady Bunch) called Olsen & Ober.
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11-16-2009, 06:20 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Ken Ober
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11-16-2009, 07:24 PM	#5
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,693	Ken Ober also hosted 3 other little-known game shows after "Remote Control" ended, which were: Perfect Match (ESPN, Oct-Dec 1994) Make Me Laugh (Comedy Central, Jun-Dec 1997) Smush (USA, 2001-02) R.I.P, Ken.
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11-16-2009, 08:26 PM	#6
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Oh my!
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11-16-2009, 06:08 PM	#3
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,962	I remember Ken Ober as the host of Remote Control and Comedy Central's revival of Make Me Laugh. He was really funny on Remote control, which I would frequently watch on MTV. It's a shame that he's gone so soon. May he rest in peace.

11-16-2009, 08:37 PM	#7
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,504	I use to love "Remote Control." I remember Ken being in a Blues Traveler Video too. R.I.P!

11-16-2009, 09:30 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	R.I.P. Ken
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11-16-2009, 11:08 PM	#9
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	he is the second host of make me laugh to pass ayaw at a young age bobby van was in his late 40s when he passed away

11-16-2009, 11:15 PM	#10
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Ken will be missed

11-18-2009, 04:02 PM	#11
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Ken ober dies at 52 He was cute,though. I thought Remote control was stupid,with food falling from the ceiling,and his mother insulting his sister.He had a bro in real life. He idolized Bob Barker,who was on Monday Night Raw,Dx's favorite movie is Happy Gilmore.I want to see the episodes of Something so Right,where he is Mel Harris's Father,Ben.I wonder if it's on dvd?

11-20-2009, 09:28 PM	#13
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	So very sad to hear of Ken's unexpected passing...
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11-15-2010, 11:06 AM	#14
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Game Show host Ken Ober dies at 52 first Wesley Eure dies now,Ken Ober,Now what,I read Bob Barker is on his death wish,from the tabloids.