A Classic MTV Game Show, Not SNL, Gave Adam Sandler His First Big Break
You might think Adam Sandler's first big break in the industry came courtesy of Saturday Night Live, but you'd be wrong.
Adam Sandler first gained recognition with his role as Stud Boy on the show Remote Control, an MTV pop culture game show that aired before Ridiculousness. Hosted by Ken Ober, the half-hour series involved contestants sitting in recliners, answering absurd pop culture questions, and then crashing through a wall upon elimination. Colin Quinn served as the announcer, and the show's unique format allowed for characters to come in and read off questions, which led to Sandler's introduction.
Executive producer Doug Herzog discovered Sandler during one of his stand-up comedy performances and recognized his potential. Despite initial skepticism from head writer Mike Armstrong, Sandler's performance on the show received huge applause and laughter. Even Denis Leary, another early participant, praised Sandler's comedic abilities. Sandler's success on Remote Control ultimately led to his casting on Saturday Night Live.
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