Bobby Rivers, TV Personality and Movie Critic, Dies at 70
variety.comCaroline Brew editor 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.
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