'Remote Control' Host Ken Ober Dead

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 17th 2009 06:25AM

Comedian-turned-MTV host Ken Ober was found dead Sunday at his home in Santa Monica at the age of 52, according to past and present agents.

According to Ober's former rep Lee Kernis, the cause of death is unknown, but friends of the former 'Remote Control' star say he complained Saturday morning of having flu-like symptoms and headaches. Kernis says Ober told a friend that he was going to take medication for his ailments and seek out a doctor as soon as possible. He was supposed to meet up with the friend, but never showed.

Watch Ober in 'Remote' Clips:

His current agent Mark Measures told TVGuide.com that Ober may have died of natural causes and that suicide is unlikely. "No foul play is suspected, no suicide, it looks like natural causes, just no one knows the exact cause yet," he said.

An autopsy is planned.

In 1987, Ober landed the hosting job for 'Remote Control,' a game show that tested contestants' knowledge of pop culture trivia, TV and of course, music. Participants sat in lazy boy recliners positioned behind TV tray podiums and had to endure snack food falling on their heads and sarcastic jibes from Ober and his cohorts.

The show was a launching pad for big-name comedians such as Adam Sandler, Denis Leary and Colin Quinn, the announcer.

"Ken Ober was one of the sharpest, quickest, sweetest guys I ever met," Sandler told MTV News upon hearing of Ober's death. "He was always a great friend and I will miss him very much."

Leary had similar things to say about his friend: "Kenny Ober was and always will be the quickest wit in the room," he wrote in a statement. "He was fall-down funny from the moment he was born -- a smart, fast and hilarious human being who made many of us, including myself, laugh until we cried."

"He will be remembered always by each of his friends not only for his massive talent but for his true, deep and enduring friendship."

Ober hosted 'Remote Control' for five seasons.

In recent years, Ober turned his attention to writing and producing shows like 'Mind of Mencia' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.'

Before landing the MTV gig, Ober was a substitute teacher and stand-up comedian. He is survived by his mother, father, stepmother and brother.

Tags: ken ober, KenOber, remote control, RemoteControl

Comments

(69)

Tuesday 17 November

By star

Vote down Vote up Report this

drug overdose,,,, probably....

Tuesday 01 December

By flat top

Star, you sound like the one who needs rehab. Didn't you read about the symptoms he had - that sound like meningitis?

By sevassmoke

Believe it or not i won a contest on MTV back 21 years ago in 1988. It involved trying to win a trailer park in Texas with INXS being the promoting act. Ken Ober was there as MC. I got to spend some time with him and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

During the last night we had a going away party with the other contestants in our hotel. Ken Ober showed up with a sheet cake and proceeded to take a handful and throw it off of our 19th story balcony. I did him one better and threw the whole thing off the balcony onto a white limosine parked below. He ran out of the room and said i was never here.

Those indeed were the good ole days and i wish they were here now instead of this hell hole we live in now.

Saturday 21 November

By John M.

Hey ken,

God loves remote control and MTV! and he has called you back to host! Have a wonderful journey and the start of a new career Ill see you there in the live audience someday...you rock!!

By natalie

For those of you who so quickly and negatively replied to my post regarding the statement about Michael Jackson not being included here. I was not referring to the article about Ken, but rather referring to the photo album that is attached to his picture. If you took the time to look, you would see that the pic album is titled recent celeb losses and there is another one attached to that one titled recent hollywood losses. There are a total of about 64 pictures of different people who have passed recently, all of whom will be missed. I was simply pointing out the Michael Jackson was omitted from the pics and there were no Black actors/actresses/activists included. No one called it prejudice, but Yes I do have a problem with it. I can only represent mine and if asians or others have an issue with their people not being represented, its for them to point it out, like I did.

Wednesday 18 November

By alsnana

Where's M.J.? Wasn't that the begining of the end of MTV?

By Marc

In the midst of the Remote Control show's success (it was a great show) Ken O. did a summer show for MTV where he traveled across the US all summer highlighting venues in big and small towns. I just happened to be at the Hard Rock in LA for Pre Happy Hour when he and the MTV crew came in. They were having some lighting problems and I got Ken to sit down at our table and have a brew. He seemed like a real and genuine nice guy. (still have his Autograph on a Hard Rock napkin.) RIP Ken.

Tuesday 24 November

By Gracie

Sorry to hear about the death of ken Ober he was Great on MTV!! God Bless his family, and friends he will be missed!!

Wednesday 25 November

By buncle

calm down with the jacko wacko input.he had the entire media world shoving his greatness down our throats.his time is over let him rot in hell and move on.its not about him anymore.

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