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Retro Minute: November 19, 1980
CBS comes between Brooke Shields and her Calvins. What box office flop is in theaters? Shawn's wakin' up the memories...
R.I.P. Ken Ober
The host of one of MTV's early non-music series "Remote Control" passed to that great game show in the sky this week. The 1980s pop culture quiz show tested contestants' knowledge of TV, music videos, and all things entertainment by strapping them into recliners and handing them a remote used to chose categories. Ober was quick-witted and casual, a perfect combo for the MTV fare. He was the Wink Martindale of Generation X, going on to host three more game shows ("Make Me Laugh," "Smush," and "Perfect Match") before trading in his blue cue cards for a job behind the camera. Most recently he produced comedies like "Mind of Mencia" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." He is credited with helping launch the careers of several comedians including "RC" regulars like Adam Sandler who said he was one of "sharpest, quickest, sweetest guys I ever met," and Denis Leary added, "he was a welcoming ringmaster who helped to kickstart the careers of numerous talents, including Adam Sandler, Colin Quinn and myself.
Watch a clip of "Remote Control" here.
Chuckles Creator Bites the Dust
Writer David Lloyd passed away last week at the age of 75. He might not be a household name but he should be - he filled so many homes with joy for so many years. After starting out on "The Tonight Show" and "The Dick Cavett Show" in the '60s and '70s, Lloyd became a writer on the best TV show in history "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." And, he wrote the very best episode of that show (and maybe the best episode of TV ever) "Chuckles Bites the Dust," chronicling the death and memorial service of the WJM-TV kids show clown. We were sad to hear of his passing but were glad that he did not meet his demise dressed as a giant peanut crushed by an elephant. We hope that someone laughed at his funeral (it would have been fitting and we think he would have liked it). And most of all we extend this wish to him, "A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants."
Read about all his accomplishments here.
Celebrities Who Fly the Friendly Skies
News broke last week that Gisele Bundchen is mastering another runway - the airport kind. The supermodel is studying to get her helicopter pilot's license. She's passed her written test and is scheduled to take her practical exam in the coming weeks. So she's trying to cram in enough flying hours before her little bundle of joy arrives (she's currently eight months pregnant). Seems the baby bump gets in the way of the rudder, which makes controlling the aircraft a bit difficult, but Gisele is determined to complete her studies.
The former Victoria Secret angel is not the first celebrity to earn her wings. Check out these other stars who have a license to fly the friendly skies.
Worst Celebrity Reality TV Trainwrecks
The reality TV world took a double hit last week when news broke that two of Hollywood's more unconventional stars were getting their own shows. First came word that David Hasselhoff was in talks to do a series with his two daughters. Then Kirstie Allie announced that she'll have her own docudrama chronicling her progress on a new weight loss program (while she produces a movie and raises two girls of her own).
We admit the shows from the Hoff and the "Fat Actress" star are right up our alley. We're rubber neckers - if there's an accident on the highway, we slow down. And there's nothing worth straining to see more than a good old celebrity reality TV trainwreck. Be careful and enjoy the read.
