Remembering MTV’s “Remote Control”

It was MTV’s first game show, and from 1987 to 1991 it was one of their most popular broadcasts. It was a game show that not only spoofed game shows, but had a TON of pop culture and geekdom references to it. It gave at least two Saturday Night Live alumni their first big break, and it was just FUN FUN FUN to watch.

Yep. 25 years after its debut on MTV, I’m featuring “Remote Control” on the blog today.

The whole premise of “Remote Control” was this. The host of the show, Ken Ober, created his own pop culture trivia game show in the basement of his 72 Whooping Cough Lane house. He hired his best friend Colin to be an announcer, and pulled a hostess right out of his “studio audience.” Then he would ask trivia questions to three different contestants, all the while adding snarky comments and comedy bits throughout the broadcast.

In fact, here’s the debut episode. Amazing what you can find on YouTube these days.

Recognize the gravel-throated announcer? Yep. That’s Colin Quinn, before he joined “Saturday Night Live.” I don’t recall the original hostess, but I do know she was replaced by Kari Wuhrer, who went on to a career in B-movie and made-for-TV films.

And check this out. One of the show’s comedy bits involved a character called “The Stud Boy,” who would give clues about the identities of certain celebrities with whom he would want to enjoy a roll in the sack. Recognize him?

Yep… that’s Adam Sandler!!

Over time, “Remote Control” would have special guest star episodes, where actors and musicians would test their trivia skills against Ken Ober and the crew. Here’s an episode featuring contestants LL Cool J, Julie Brown (the ditzy redhead, not the Brit) and “Weird Al” Yankovic.

This show had so many hilarious moments. It was kitschy and fun and goofy all at the same time. In addition to the MTV-broadcasted version of the show, there was also a syndicated version of the program. You could even play “Remote Control” on the Nintendo NES if you wanted to.

It’s kinda fun watching these old episodes. You want to know what we wore back in the day? You want to see the hairstyles and fashions of the time? Check out those contestants.

Hey wait, isn’t one of these contestants the guy who became a screenwriter and director for several Marvel Universe movies? Zak Penn, I think his name is…

And the prizes… oh my God you could win a Chinon camera, a Soloflex workout program, and God knows what other goofy stuff MTV had in their prize vaults. HA!!

Hope everybody enjoyed this little Friday flashback.  Now get back to work and get ready for the weekend!