R.I.P. ‘REMOTE CONTROL’ GUY

Ken Ober, the comedian best known as the host of MTV’s “Remote Control” from 1987 to 1991, died this week of unknown causes. He was 52.

Mr. Ober was last heard from on Saturday night, when he spoke to a friend and complained of a headache and flu-like symptoms. Mr. Ober told the friend that he was going to take something and would see a doctor as soon as possible…

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… 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. [NYT]

As you can see from the clip above, the show was also the first big gig for Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn, and it also featured a young Kari Wuhrer, who was delightfully naked on Cinemax for most of the ’90s. Between the careers it launched and the era it began (the end of music on MTV), that’s a pretty damn influential game show. The only thing “Jeopardy” ever gave us was Ken Jennings and anal bum covers.