Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Former MTV Host Ken Ober Dies at 52


By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 16, 2009

Modified Nov 17, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 16, 2009

Modified Nov 17, 2009


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

All afternoon rumors have been flying around the internet with news that Ken Ober has died. We weren't about to fall for another Zach Braff-esque death scare, but sadly it has now been confirmed that the former host of MTV's Remote Control died suddenly over the weekend.

The paper of record, who has a crack team confirming these types of stories, has now reported that he died yesterday of causes not yet known.

Remote Control was one of the first series that strayed from music videos on the network, but it still represents the glory days of MTV (remember Adam Sandler's "Stud Boy"?). If it aired before your time, or if you want to pay homage to Ober by revisiting it again, there are plenty of clips online. In his later years Ober worked as a producer on both “Mind of Mencia” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

Tagged

death

Ken Ober

mtv

remote control


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

How the Village Halloween Parade keeps its soul

A visit to the community-driven pre-parade puppet preparations.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Published Oct 28, 2026 at 12:38 p.m. ET


'You Can See Everything' … as long as you go to Staten Island

Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary has been selling out across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tickets to see the film, however, are very much available in other boroughs.

By

Sonia Rao

Arts & Entertainment

'You Can See Everything' … as long as you go to Staten Island

Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary has been selling out across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tickets to see the film, however, are very much available in other boroughs.

By

Sonia Rao


Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain

By

Sonia Rao

In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

By

James Ramsay

A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .