Ken Ober Dead: 'Remote Control' Host Dies 52

LOS ANGELES — Ken Ober, who hosted the 1980s MTV game show "Remote Control" and helped produce the shows "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine," has died. He was 52.

His agent, Lee Kernis, says Ober was found dead Sunday in his Santa Monica home. Kernis says Ober complained of headaches and flu-like symptoms on Saturday night but the cause of his death wasn't clear.

Ober hosted five seasons of "Remote Control" beginning in 1987. Contestants in lounge chairs were asked pop-culture questions from categories such as "Dead or Canadian?" The show featured early appearances by comedians Adam Sandler, Denis Leary and Colin Quinn.

Ober, who was born Ken Oberding in Massachusetts, is survived by his parents and a brother.

Comments

[Nunnya]

Back when MTV did'nt suck.Thanks for the laughs Ken,RIP.

[zg1968]

Ah the days when MTV was cool and smart....

Thanks Ken.

[DrunkenTromboneMaster]

Exactly! My family used to watch this together when I was little.

[greenman415]

This news makes my heart sad.

[Winthorpe]

Brutal. RIP, Ken. It's time to see if Remote Control is on DVD.

I loved "Dead or Canadian," but the only one that I remember was Lorne Greene. I remember all of Kari's outfits vividly, though.

[ColoradoDan]

Seemed to be well liked by all and had an incredible sense of humor ... very sharp!

His show, Remote Control, was excellent.

That's when MTV was actually a wonderful TV station unlike the mess of today.

[gnomic]

who?

[retreadite]

Perhaps the greatest Remote Control question ever was: "If your grandmother was knitting mittons for the members of Def Leppard, how many would she need to knitt?" Answer nine because the drummer lost an arm in an auto accident.

[bookon]

Ah.. Remember when MTV didn't suck? The good old days indeed.

[Tibibosh]

You are so right, my friend.

[emlr]

Ken's chair zapped behind the curtain for the last time.
Great show, great host!
My heart is sad.

[JimR]

Aw, man.... rest in peace, Ken.

[TheApeMan]

Loved that show back in high school...
loved "Stud Boy" (aka Adam Sandler - who knew he'd become a multi-millionaire)

[grdndoctor]

wasn't it Stick Pin?,... and Colin was a hoot as well =0)

[murphysgirl]

I was a bigtime Remote Control fan!! I loved him on Remote Control !! What a shock. I loved the video speedround segment..RIP Ken..

[whatthel]

I really liked him on MTV. RIP

[LatteLiberals]

Remote Control was a staple in my teen years. RIP Ken.

[Big0725]

I had a friend die the same way about ten years ago. He was visiting relatives in Texas and on a Saturday night he started to get a headache and flu symtoms. Sunday morning it worsened and he went to a hospital. Sunday night he was in a coma and he died on Monday afternoon. Hospital said it was bacterial meningitis and there was nothing that could have been done.

My heart goes out to the family.