Ken Ober, the host of one of MTV's early non-music series, the pop culture game show "Remote Control," passed to that great boob tube in the sky recently. Ober was the Wink Martindale of Generation X, going on to host three more game shows ("Make Me Laugh," "Smush," and "Perfect Match") before trading in his blue cue cards for a job behind the camera. Most recently he produced comedies like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
But Ober wasn't the only young hopeful to get his start on the emerging music television channel in its early days. In fact, MTV launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest actors and continues to discover future celebrities in unlikely places like the O.C. Take a look at stars who got their start on MTV and see where they are now.
But Ober wasn't the only young hopeful to get his start on the emerging music television channel in its early days. In fact, MTV launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest actors and continues to discover future celebrities in unlikely places like the O.C. Take a look at stars who got their start on MTV and see where they are now.
- 11/24/2009
- by AmyandNancy
- Getback - TV
Ken Ober, the humorous and abrasive host of the MTV game show “Remote Control,” has passed on. He was 52.
Airing at the apex of the MTV Network’s history, 1987 through 1990, Remote Control pitted three teenage or young adult contestants in a trivia competition, answering questions about music, television, and pop culture. The show also featured skits and character sketches from new improv comedians, helping launch the careers of Colin Quinn, Denis Leary and Adam Sandler. Several episodes are available online.
Remote Control, aside from being thoroughly enjoyable even two decades later, was notable for being one of MTV’s first forays into non-music video programming. The game show paved a path for all the subversively weird programming MTV would soon become famous for: Liquid Television, Beavis and Butt-Head, The State, Jackass, and Wonder Showzen all owe a debt of gratitude to Ken Ober and his comedic dissidence.
Sadly, following Remote Control’s cancellation,...
Airing at the apex of the MTV Network’s history, 1987 through 1990, Remote Control pitted three teenage or young adult contestants in a trivia competition, answering questions about music, television, and pop culture. The show also featured skits and character sketches from new improv comedians, helping launch the careers of Colin Quinn, Denis Leary and Adam Sandler. Several episodes are available online.
Remote Control, aside from being thoroughly enjoyable even two decades later, was notable for being one of MTV’s first forays into non-music video programming. The game show paved a path for all the subversively weird programming MTV would soon become famous for: Liquid Television, Beavis and Butt-Head, The State, Jackass, and Wonder Showzen all owe a debt of gratitude to Ken Ober and his comedic dissidence.
Sadly, following Remote Control’s cancellation,...
- 11/17/2009
- by Jaspers
- Atomic Popcorn
Cause of comedian's death was not clear at press time.
By Eric Ditzian
Ken Ober in 2004
Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Longtime MTV "Remote Control" host Ken Ober has passed away at the age of 52, the comedian's representative confirmed to MTV News. The cause of his death was not available at press time.
Ober's career began in the mid-1980s with a turn on the talent competition "Star Search" and in more recent years segued into behind-the-scenes production positions on comedy shows like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
Starting in 1987, Ober hosted five seasons of "Remote Control," which, along with "Club MTV" and "The Week In Rock," was MTV's first foray into series television. A quiz show that tested contestants' pop-culture knowledge, the set bore a strong resemblance to a suburban home's basement. Standing behind a makeshift lectern and next to a giant television screen that helped guide the show,...
By Eric Ditzian
Ken Ober in 2004
Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Longtime MTV "Remote Control" host Ken Ober has passed away at the age of 52, the comedian's representative confirmed to MTV News. The cause of his death was not available at press time.
Ober's career began in the mid-1980s with a turn on the talent competition "Star Search" and in more recent years segued into behind-the-scenes production positions on comedy shows like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."
Starting in 1987, Ober hosted five seasons of "Remote Control," which, along with "Club MTV" and "The Week In Rock," was MTV's first foray into series television. A quiz show that tested contestants' pop-culture knowledge, the set bore a strong resemblance to a suburban home's basement. Standing behind a makeshift lectern and next to a giant television screen that helped guide the show,...
- 11/16/2009
- MTV Music News
Sloan exits post as USA senior vp
Chris Sloan, senior vp alternative programming at USA Networks, has left the cable channel to pursue other production opportunities, according to a spokesman at the company. No immediate plans for a replacement have been implemented. In his tenure at USA, the reality programming he oversaw has been met with mixed results. The primetime military-themed series Combat Missions and late-night game show Smush were underwhelming additions to USA's schedule, but he also shepherded such high-profile specials as The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award honoring Tom Hanks and the upcoming A Motown Christmas. Sloan will stay on in a production capacity with Nashville Star, a music reality series scheduled to premiere on USA in March.
- 12/5/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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