Ken Ober, the host of MTV's classic pop-culture gameshow, Remote Control, was found dead in his home at 52. While the cause of death is unknown, the 52-year old Ober had complained of headaches and "flu-like symptoms" the night before, according to his agent.
Remote Control was one of MTV's first non-musical programs. I did not realize it had run in the 1980s; it started in 1987. It featured many young comedians, including Adam Sandler and Denis Leary, but mostly Colin Quinn. Daisy Fuentas also did... something.
While Ober also produced The New Adventures of Old Christine and Mind of Mencia, Remote Control remains his legacy. It was one of those shows that faded into the background of a lot of our lives; while not a forerunner in any category, it is undeniably part of the patchwork of American pop-culture. While MTV continues to insert itself and its programs into American youth's pop-cultural tapestry, Remote Control was an effortless addition in a time when MTV was still mostly about music.
Our condolences to Ober's friends and family.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
A rambling melange of pop-culture.
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