Former MTV Host Ken Ober Dies at 52

All afternoon rumors have been flying around the internet with news that Ken Ober has died. We weren't about to fall for another Zach Braff-esque death scare, but sadly it has now been confirmed that the former host of MTV's Remote Control died suddenly over the weekend.

The paper of record, who has a crack team confirming these types of stories, has now reported that he died yesterday of causes not yet known.

Remote Control was one of the first series that strayed from music videos on the network, but it still represents the glory days of MTV (remember Adam Sandler's "Stud Boy"?). If it aired before your time, or if you want to pay homage to Ober by revisiting it again, there are plenty of clips online. In his later years Ober worked as a producer on both “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on November 16, 2009 5:02 PM

Comments [rss]

janelle

even though it was the tip of the "reality" iceberg that killed the video star, i really loved this show.

I Won!

This was filmed after 1997. Around the 6 minute mark Ken refers to the "late" singer of INXS. Michael Hutchence died in 1997.

ChampionOfTheSun

He said "lead" singer, not "late" singer. This was definitely not filmed in 1997.

AJ

RIP Ken. And, love the video. The 80s. Fantastic. Anyone know the actual year?

thelexiphane

All of the characters Adam Sandler portrayed on SNL and then in movies can be traced back to the archetypes he sketched out during his time on "Remote Control." Jerk Boy, Stud Boy, et al.

Colin Quinn, Dennis Leary, Kari Wuhrer, Ken Ober. There was a time when MTV was legitimately fun to watch.

henryhamilton

Thanks to this man, my knowledge of Brady Physics is unsurpassed.

Little Cindy has crashed her Harley doing 100 mph on the Pacific Coast Highway. What is the name of the force that rips the skin from Cindy's body?

The answer is friction. And now you know. RIP dude. What a hoot.

kingofny

RIP. Ken Ober. Remote Control was awesome back in the day. That is sad news. So young too

schadenfreudian mensch

Who?

NannyState

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the cause of death was those pants.

SuburbanAntiChrist

Pretty sure that Adam Sandler also had a character on that show named "Cousin Stickpin". He would act indifferent and just destroy stuff and then say to the host "I thought you said smash the window"... Funny as hell back then... probably doesn't translate but it was good.

felixthecat2

Never heard of this show.

Guest

That's not a surprise since you're 14, maybe 15.

JacqueMehoff

RIP sir, Remote control was a fun show.

read the link that he's from Boston might he be part of the Boston comedy community of Jimmy Tingle and dennis leary, mr. forever 30?

robingee

Remote Control was fantastic! MTV should show a marathon, it would get a whole new legion of fans. RIP Ken. Sorry I almost ran you over that one time.