Ken Ober in control of 'Remote Control'

It took The Times a while to discover "Remote Control," the MTV game show hosted by Ken Ober, who died Sunday at age 52.

The show debuted in 1987 but the first significant mention in The Times is May 22, 1988, when Beth Ann Krier wrote about "Remote Control" during a visit to Dayton Beach, Fla. Krier labeled the show "apparently sacred stuff to college students" who had come to Daytona Beach for spring break.

The satire of game shows "isn't even remotely in control. In fact, it's trying to be the sassiest series ever to appear on national TV," Krier wrote.

She called Ober "a nice but decidedly smart-aleck host" who had become such a hit he was mobbed at a recent Bruce Springsteen concert.

--Keith Thursby

 Photo: Ken Ober in 2004. Credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Dan]

I was a senior in college in Boston in 1987 and, indeed, was one of the first contestants on "Remote Control." A friend who was also selected and I were flown to Manhattan and we had a blast as we waited for our episdoes to be taped. It was an all-day affair and truly a fun and memorable experience.

Ken was terrific, so in the event any family or friends get to read this, he definitely helped give us a really fun and memorable time. But did you know that one of the cast members, who played a tough guy character, was no one other than ADAM SANDLER! Yes, indeed. Look it up.

Rest peacefully, Ken. I'll take "The Brady Bunch" for my next question!