Bobby Rivers, a friendly and playful TV host, entertainment reporter, and film critic, passed away at 70 in Minneapolis due to complications of cancer. Starting on “Good Morning Milwaukee” in 1979, he gained recognition for his talent, wit, and humor. Moving to national TV on VH1, he hosted his own talk show, “Watch Bobby Rivers,” praised by critics for his sweet and quirky personality and adept interviewing skills.
Mr. Rivers had a friendly interview style, always joking with guests, yet he tackled tough subjects with a smile, drawing out revealing responses. In the 1990s, he became an entertainment reporter for New York local stations, appearing on WNBC’s “Weekend Today in New York” and WNYW’s “Good Day New York.” In the 2000s, he hosted a food-themed show, “Top 5,” on the Food Network and worked on radio and as a film critic on “Lifetime Live.”
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Robert Bennett Rivers Jr., born on Sept. 20, 1953, in Los Angeles, grew up in South-Central Los Angeles and graduated from Marquette University. He had a lifelong love for classic entertainment and started a blog, Bobby Rivers TV, in 2011, where his final post praised the film “Rustin.”
As a Black gay man, he faced challenges in the industry, but he was a proud pioneer, remembered fondly by friends and colleagues. Mr. Rivers, who never married or had children, is survived by his brother, sister, and cousin.
