Wednesday, November 18, 2009

R.I.P. Ken Ober

Two days ago, a comic, the host of MTV's once insane show Remote Control, died at 52. Ken Ober was always funny and the first of our NY group to make it out to Hollywood and get a show. No one was surprised because he was fast on his feet and turned adlibbing into an art form. I knew him from the club scene in NY and the last time I saw him was at The Comedy Awards here in Hollywood. He was always nice and not one of those comics who took himself or his good fortune too seriously. He was kind to everyone.
He complained of headaches, chest pains and flu-like symptoms. These are things that always freak me out when I read them. How many times have any of us had symptoms and brushed them off?

My theory that female comics have more testosterone than normal women makes me act like a man and not want to go to the doctor. I'm sure there are some men who gallop to the internist but in general, they're not the first ones in the waiting room. And if you're one of those men, great. The rest of you? Please don't write me.

Of course I also believe that when it's your time to go, it's your time to go. I'll quote Woody Allen here, "I'm not afraid of dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens."

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:52 AM

    Thank you, Suzy, for writing about Ken. I didn't know him well, but worked with him from time to time. He was always gracious to those around him. Comics are not always "nice," but he was.
    Aloha,
    MJ

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  2. Suzy
    Sorry for the loss of your fellow comedian. He was way too young to leave this earth. May he rest in peace.

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  3. I remember him! Wow!
    I'm glad you wrote about him.
    I'm sure he is glad you did.

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  4. Suzy,
    It always catches me off guard when a friend dies, so I give my condolences.
    As far as death goes I agree with Woody.
    BIG HUGS

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  5. Sorry Suzy. Way too young for his time to be up...

    His family will be in prayer.

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  6. I was very shocked to hear of Ken's passing...he was a very sweet man whom I was able to meet at a fundraiser during his MTV days
    that was a looooooooong time ago

    52 is too damn young to not be living..

    Peace ~ Rene

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  7. 52 is way to young to die... but then, so are most ages :(

    see your doc, suzy!

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  8. may he rest in peace...........

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  9. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like a great guy, and I'm sorry to have lost the opportunity to have seen his show.

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  10. I loved his show Remote Control.. hysterical. He will be missed

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  11. Poor Ken Ober...I loved that show! I have an award for you over at my blog honey! Kori xoxo

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  12. Hmmm...I just found the answer to "What do death and dental work have in common?"

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  13. I agree, most of us don't trot to the Dr. with those symptoms, maybe we should?

    It's weird that 52 seems so young these days...

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  14. 52 is just way too young. I'm sorry for your loss.

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  15. I had no idea. I saw him interviewed years ago and you are right he was quick on his feet.

    RIP Ken.

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  16. Even when writing eloquently about the unexpected passing of a friend...you are effing hysterical. "Don't write me..." lmao!

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  17. Great tribute to you friend Suzy. Who knows why some are pulled to the light at such young ages?

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  18. Sorry you had to lose a friend so tragically early, Suzy. This is such a sad story.

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  19. Hey, I remember him. There are many people suffering with symptoms like those and who don't go to the doc or hospital. I always brush things off until I am sure there is something wrong. So sad.

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