Bobby Rivers, an entertainment journalist and radio/television personality best known for hosting the Top 5 show on the Food Network, has died. He was 70. The news of Rivers’ passing was first reported by Wisn 12, an ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Rivers served “as the city’s first Black film critic on television” when he joined the station in 1979. According to Deadline, Rivers’ sister, Betsy Rivers, confirmed her brother died on Tuesday, December 26, writing in a Facebook post, “Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.” A cause of death was not given. A graduate of Marquette University in Wisconsin, Rivers made his first TV appearance as a high school student on a 1970 syndicated classic film trivia game show. He later worked in Milwaukee radio before transitioning to TV as part of the Wisn broadcast team, beginning as a film critic and eventually moving up to...
- 12/28/2023
- TV Insider
Bobby Rivers, the sassy celebrity interviewer and film critic who hosted Watch Bobby Rivers for VH1 and Top 5 for the Food Network, has died. He was 70.
Rivers had been living in St. Paul, Minnesota, and died Tuesday night in a Minneapolis hospital, his sister, Betsy, told The Hollywood Reporter. She said he had suffered a series of mini-strokes and had a recurrence of lung cancer.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rivers was the oldest of three kids. He once noted in an interview with Our Lives magazine that “both my parents loved old films, so they really cultivated and encouraged this in me.”
Rivers was a winning contestant on the syndicated program The Movie Game while he was attending the all-boys Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in L.A., then came to Milwaukee in 1972 and graduated from Marquette University, where he majored in broadcasting.
After writing weekend newscasts for Milwaukee’s Writ-FM,...
Rivers had been living in St. Paul, Minnesota, and died Tuesday night in a Minneapolis hospital, his sister, Betsy, told The Hollywood Reporter. She said he had suffered a series of mini-strokes and had a recurrence of lung cancer.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rivers was the oldest of three kids. He once noted in an interview with Our Lives magazine that “both my parents loved old films, so they really cultivated and encouraged this in me.”
Rivers was a winning contestant on the syndicated program The Movie Game while he was attending the all-boys Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in L.A., then came to Milwaukee in 1972 and graduated from Marquette University, where he majored in broadcasting.
After writing weekend newscasts for Milwaukee’s Writ-FM,...
- 12/28/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Bobby Rivers, an entertainment reporter and television personality on the Food Network and VH1, has died. He was 70.
ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wisn 12, shared the news about Rivers. The on-air host joined the station in 1979 “as the city’s first Black film critic on television.”
Rivers died on Tuesday, Dec. 26, with his sister, Betsy Rivers, confirming his death in a Facebook post, writing, “Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.”
He graduated from Marquette University in the 1970s and went on to be one of the VJs from VH1 in the 80s.
L-r: VH1 VJs Bobby Rivers, Rosie O’Donnell and Roger Rose in July 1988
Rivers also hosted a series of Food Network specials with a show titled Top 5.
“Sticky buns, deep-fried candy bars, TV dinners and $20,000 cakes. From quirky to outrageous, Top 5 pays homage through food to the Top 40 countdown shows each generation has grown to love,...
ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wisn 12, shared the news about Rivers. The on-air host joined the station in 1979 “as the city’s first Black film critic on television.”
Rivers died on Tuesday, Dec. 26, with his sister, Betsy Rivers, confirming his death in a Facebook post, writing, “Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.”
He graduated from Marquette University in the 1970s and went on to be one of the VJs from VH1 in the 80s.
L-r: VH1 VJs Bobby Rivers, Rosie O’Donnell and Roger Rose in July 1988
Rivers also hosted a series of Food Network specials with a show titled Top 5.
“Sticky buns, deep-fried candy bars, TV dinners and $20,000 cakes. From quirky to outrageous, Top 5 pays homage through food to the Top 40 countdown shows each generation has grown to love,...
- 12/28/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Bobby Rivers, who was known for hosting Food Network’s “Top 5” and VH1’s “Watch Bobby Rivers” celebrity talk show, died Tuesday in Minneapolis at the age of 70.
Wisn 12, the network Rivers joined as the city of Milwakee’s first Black film critic on television, confirmed the news. The TV host’s sister Betsy also confirmed his death via Facebook.
“Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain,” she wrote Wednesday.
Upon graduation from Marquette University in the 1970s, Rivers began his career at Milwaukee radio station Wqfm where he was hired as a morning newsman. After he grew in popularity as an on-air personality, Rivers was let go from the network in July 1978. Over 1000 listeners signed three separate petitions to the station to keep Rivers, who renegotiated his contract and stayed on for another year.
Rivers debuted on television via Wisn-tv as Milwaukee’s first...
Wisn 12, the network Rivers joined as the city of Milwakee’s first Black film critic on television, confirmed the news. The TV host’s sister Betsy also confirmed his death via Facebook.
“Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain,” she wrote Wednesday.
Upon graduation from Marquette University in the 1970s, Rivers began his career at Milwaukee radio station Wqfm where he was hired as a morning newsman. After he grew in popularity as an on-air personality, Rivers was let go from the network in July 1978. Over 1000 listeners signed three separate petitions to the station to keep Rivers, who renegotiated his contract and stayed on for another year.
Rivers debuted on television via Wisn-tv as Milwaukee’s first...
- 12/27/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Bobby Rivers, a veteran television and radio personality whose credits included hosting Food Network’s Top 5, died on Dec. 26 at age 70.
“Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain,” his sister Betsy shared on Facebook.
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Rivers started his career writing weekend newscasts at Writ-fm (Milwaukee), and after applying five times, he got hired as a morning newsman at Wqfm (based out of Nanticoke,...
“Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain,” his sister Betsy shared on Facebook.
More from TVLineTom Smothers, of Smothers Brothers Comedy Duo, Dead at 86Lee Sun-kyun, of Parasite and TV's My Mister and Dr. Brain, Dead at 48Kamar de los Reyes, One Life to Live Actor, Dead at 56
Rivers started his career writing weekend newscasts at Writ-fm (Milwaukee), and after applying five times, he got hired as a morning newsman at Wqfm (based out of Nanticoke,...
- 12/27/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Bobby Rivers, who hosted Food Network’s “Top 5” and VH1’s celebrity talk show “Watch Bobby Rivers,” died at 70 on Tuesday in Minneapolis, according to Wisn.
His sister Betsy Rivers also posted on Facebook, “Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.”
Many journalists and critics paid tribute to him on social media. Michael Musto wrote, “Bobby Rivers was an openly gay trailblazer. He was funny, campy, knowledgeable and groundbreaking.”
Stephen Whitty wrote, “Bobby was a very funny, very knowledgeable journalist, and a tireless advocate for more diversity, particularly in the classic film world. (His piece on race and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ was a keeper.)”
Originally from Los Angeles, Rivers attended Marquette University in Wisconsin. Rivers made his start at Milwaukee’s radio station Wqfm. He was hired as a morning newsman, becoming a popular on-air personality. When he was fired in July 1978, over 1,000 listeners...
His sister Betsy Rivers also posted on Facebook, “Bobby passed away last night and is no longer in any pain.”
Many journalists and critics paid tribute to him on social media. Michael Musto wrote, “Bobby Rivers was an openly gay trailblazer. He was funny, campy, knowledgeable and groundbreaking.”
Stephen Whitty wrote, “Bobby was a very funny, very knowledgeable journalist, and a tireless advocate for more diversity, particularly in the classic film world. (His piece on race and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ was a keeper.)”
Originally from Los Angeles, Rivers attended Marquette University in Wisconsin. Rivers made his start at Milwaukee’s radio station Wqfm. He was hired as a morning newsman, becoming a popular on-air personality. When he was fired in July 1978, over 1,000 listeners...
- 12/27/2023
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
It was an emotional evening for Jennifer Grey after the 63-year-old Dirty Dancing star was given the honor of presenting her father, Joel Grey, with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Tony Awards.
Theater fans were shocked to see that the touching moment was not featured during the main broadcast of the annual Broadway awards show, but rather was shown in the live pre-show, which exclusively played on Pluto TV.
Jennifer began her tribute, joking, “Hi, friends of my dad. I’m Joel Grey’s daughter, my name is Jennifer.”
Jennifer Grey presents her father Joel Grey with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the #TonyAwards #Broadway #JoelGrey pic.twitter.com/sdN9NAI5tz
— Angela Bishop Oam (@AngelaBishop) June 12, 2023
The proud daughter called the moment an “amazing honor,” tearing up as she introduced her 91-year-old famous dad, who is a theater veteran.
Joel took to the stage to accept the honor,...
Theater fans were shocked to see that the touching moment was not featured during the main broadcast of the annual Broadway awards show, but rather was shown in the live pre-show, which exclusively played on Pluto TV.
Jennifer began her tribute, joking, “Hi, friends of my dad. I’m Joel Grey’s daughter, my name is Jennifer.”
Jennifer Grey presents her father Joel Grey with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the #TonyAwards #Broadway #JoelGrey pic.twitter.com/sdN9NAI5tz
— Angela Bishop Oam (@AngelaBishop) June 12, 2023
The proud daughter called the moment an “amazing honor,” tearing up as she introduced her 91-year-old famous dad, who is a theater veteran.
Joel took to the stage to accept the honor,...
- 6/12/2023
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
• Efa You can now vote on the People's Choice Award at the European Film Awards and maybe win a trip to the ceremony (strange choices this year. I don't like it when it's easy to decide!)
• Variety Buzzy titles at Tiff without a distributor that are hoping to inspire big sales / awards buzz -a la I Tonya last year
• Nwi Robert Redford's swan song in Old Man and the Gun
• Playbill Megan Hilty singing "Suddenly Seymour" (!) from Little Shop of Horrors
• Bobby Rivers TCM's "The Black Experience on Film" - set your DVRs
• Deadline Cats, the movie musical, has moved into Wicked's previous release date December 20th, 2019. It's so weird that Cats is going to happen before Wicked when the latter so clearly needs to be a movie and the former so clearly shouldn't.
• The Playlist Dave Bautista not sure if he wants to continue his Marvel Universe...
• Variety Buzzy titles at Tiff without a distributor that are hoping to inspire big sales / awards buzz -a la I Tonya last year
• Nwi Robert Redford's swan song in Old Man and the Gun
• Playbill Megan Hilty singing "Suddenly Seymour" (!) from Little Shop of Horrors
• Bobby Rivers TCM's "The Black Experience on Film" - set your DVRs
• Deadline Cats, the movie musical, has moved into Wicked's previous release date December 20th, 2019. It's so weird that Cats is going to happen before Wicked when the latter so clearly needs to be a movie and the former so clearly shouldn't.
• The Playlist Dave Bautista not sure if he wants to continue his Marvel Universe...
- 9/4/2018
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Smackdown in 3 Parts
• The Write-Ups
• Podcast Companion Part 1
And now the conclusion!...
Pt 2 (39 minutes)
On the second half of the Supporting Actress Smackdown podcast we discuss Hal Ashby's debut film The Landlord (1970) starring Beau Bridges and Lee Grant. We theorize about why it's not more famous and what would have happened with the great African-American actress Diana Sands if she hadn't died so soon after the movie. We also make some time for the Best Picture nominee Five Easy Pieces and its abundance of actressing, not just Karen Black!
You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Thanks again to the panelists: Mark Blankenship, Dan Callahan, Denise Grayson, Lena Houst, and Bobby Rivers . Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you?...
• The Write-Ups
• Podcast Companion Part 1
And now the conclusion!...
Pt 2 (39 minutes)
On the second half of the Supporting Actress Smackdown podcast we discuss Hal Ashby's debut film The Landlord (1970) starring Beau Bridges and Lee Grant. We theorize about why it's not more famous and what would have happened with the great African-American actress Diana Sands if she hadn't died so soon after the movie. We also make some time for the Best Picture nominee Five Easy Pieces and its abundance of actressing, not just Karen Black!
You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Thanks again to the panelists: Mark Blankenship, Dan Callahan, Denise Grayson, Lena Houst, and Bobby Rivers . Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you?...
- 5/14/2018
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Nathaniel R welcomes Mark Blankenship, Dan Callahan, Denise Grayson, Lena Houst, and Bobby Rivers to talk 1970 at the movies
Pt 1 (35 minutes)
You've read our takes on the five Supporting Actress nominees of 1970, now let's talk the movies they're in. On the first half of the podcast we discuss "cheese with wings" Airport (1970) and what it wrought at the movies and the Oscars. Who was the Mvp among its actresses: Helen Hayes? Maureen Stapleton? Jean Seberg? Jacqueline Bisset? We then turn our attention to another smash hit M*A*S*H (1970) and both its modern filmmaking and its misogyny.
You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you? ...
Pt 1 (35 minutes)
You've read our takes on the five Supporting Actress nominees of 1970, now let's talk the movies they're in. On the first half of the podcast we discuss "cheese with wings" Airport (1970) and what it wrought at the movies and the Oscars. Who was the Mvp among its actresses: Helen Hayes? Maureen Stapleton? Jean Seberg? Jacqueline Bisset? We then turn our attention to another smash hit M*A*S*H (1970) and both its modern filmmaking and its misogyny.
You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you? ...
- 5/14/2018
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
'Broadcast News' with Albert Brooks and Holly Hunter: Glib TV news watch. '31 Days of Oscar': 'Broadcast News' slick but superficial critics pleaser (See previous post: “Phony 'A Beautiful Mind,' Unfairly Neglected 'Swing Shift': '31 Days of Oscar'.”) Heralded for its wit and incisiveness, James L. Brooks' multiple Oscar-nominated Broadcast News is everything the largely forgotten Swing Shift isn't: belabored, artificial, superficial. That's very disappointing considering Brooks' highly addictive Mary Tyler Moore television series (and its enjoyable spin-offs, Phyllis and Rhoda), but totally expected considering that three of screenwriter-director Brooks' five other feature films were Terms of Endearment, As Good as It Gets, and Spanglish. (I've yet to check out I'll Do Anything and the box office cataclysm How Do You Know starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Jack Nicholson.) Having said that, Albert Brooks (no relation to James L.; or to Mel Brooks...
- 2/7/2016
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
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