In defense of the new series

[HungarianKnight]

Dear Knight Rider fans!


As much as the Knight Rider community is shocked or at least amused by the introduction of the new Kitt, let us try to remain objective.

Let's face it, Knight Rider is 25 years old. It's a long time. Many things could happen during 25 years. The two world wars together were as not long as 25 years. 25 years ago the Trans Am was a good car. It looked badass, it had a certain character. The show gave it a new dimension, making Kitt a character of his own. With the wittiness of William Daniels, we fondly remember our good old Kitt.

25 years have passed. The Trans Am, while still a good car, now has a quaint charm, remembered only because of Kitt. Let's face it, without Knight Rider, only some car enthusiasts would have remembered it.

25 years have passed and the traditional concept of Knight Rider seems to re-emerge from dormancy. It is not some ill-concieved attempt of revival like TKR or Knight Rider 2000/2010. It's still one man who tries to make a ifference, driving the best of all cars.

After 25 years, the show needs a face-lift. Although we remember Kitt the Trans Am and Michael the Hoff, they have become old. And, to quote dear old Mickey from Rocky 3: "You know, presidents retire, generals retire, horses retire." The Hoff is not a charm-boy action hero anymore as well as the TA is not the coolest car around.

They have chosen the Mustang as the new Kitt. For us, old fans, it seems strange or even blasphemous. However, for those who have never or lttle known Knight Rider, they see a black badass talking car doing some spiffy action. They see a young loner on a crusade who helps the innocent, the helpless and the powerless but for them, it does not matter that this young loner is not Michael Knight anymore.

25 years have passed and those who enjoyed the original show as kids and youngsters are adult people, many of them have children of their own by now. The new generation is here and for them, Knight Rider will be about Justin Bruening driving a souped-up Mustang, te same way as for us, Knight Rider means David Hasselhoff driving a souped-up Trans Am.

I don't know exactly what this new show will be. It is destined to be different from the original as the world has changed much since the 80's. But it has potential for the new generation the same fashion as the original series had a potential for us, older fans. Many of us old Knerds will always compare the two and, of course, say that the original was better. At least I will, I know that even before seeing one single episode of the new series. But now, let us give a chance for te next generation of Knight Rider. It deserves it.

Thank you for reading this little defense of mine and feel free to comment.

[whet]

I will reserve jugement about this new Kitt and cast and all.

I do have to say I am worried about it's chances of becoming a tv series.

1.The United states writter's strike shows no sighn of being resolved at the moment.

2.The Bionic woman has lost viewers in million's and I hear NCB are just about to pull the plig on it(Unconfirmed at the moment)

And I also think becuase I'm in the uk It's unlikley I will ever get to see this new Knight Rider, at best I will see clips on you tube.

[veeates]

Did they did change the cars in the Dukes of Hazzard or Starky and Hutch? thats what make the remakes success. Sometimes, change is good..but not with KITT. It will not work. KITT was so advance in everthing that it could hold its ground today...just alittle update here and there...but ohh well. I am hoping for some good cameos, it might be the only thing that will help the show.

[sarfraz]

I'm going with the wait and see approach. There is no point dismissing a show based on the car alone. KITT was never just the car and there seems to be a lot of misguided old fans who have already dismissed the show based on the Mustang.

Lets get one thing straight. The same thing happened with the Transformers movie. Primes meant to be a flat-front truck, Bumblebee a beetle and Jazz a Porsche! Some in the TF community had sent threats to Micheal Bay after seeing Megatron!.....did that matter to the general public? Heck no. TF has been a box office hit. The general public is who the KR film and the new show is aimed squarely at. As much as we are hearing great things about the film, even that will likely not have the original car. Why? we'll we need to move with the times.

Oh whet. Bionic Woman will be airing at the start of the year in the UK, so I wouldn't worry too much...even if does get the axe! If the KR series is a success in the US, it'll make the transition to the rest of the world pretty quickly. Afterall, ITV did air TKR so anything is possible!

Sarfraz

[Lost Knight]

While I am one of the fans who thinks the choice of the Mustang was a terrible idea, I still have an open mind about the overall movie. I think Justin Bruening is a good choice to cast for the lead role (though I have never seen any of his previous work) and he at least looks like he could be related to David Hasselhoff. The rest of the cast I don't consider as critical in terms of casting, as the role of Mike Tracer is, but I like who the producers have chosen.

As for my predictions on how the telepic will do, I'm predicting the ratings will be excellent, if anything, simply for the curiosity of most viewers and die-hard fans. I don't believe other fans who dislike the Mustang will not watch the new movie when it premieres, either. I think after the success of the telepic, NBCU will order 13 episodes, and the show's ratings will sharply decline like Bionic Woman. After that, I'm predicting NBCU will pull the plug and cancel the series. If history is any indicator, NO sci-fi show works out on this network!

[JimmyPSHayes]

I'm also keeping on open mind and I'm actually getting excited for the show. If I don't like it, I've got 4 season of Knight Rider that I'll watch. But, I'm just glad that NBC is getting Knight Rider back in the public eye.
And to be fair, the Starsky & Hutch movie was set in the 70's, so they really couldn't use an updated car.

[MJknight]

You would think that NBC and Universal would want to get it right this time considering the blunders with Knight Rider 2000 and TKR. And in their defense; Knight Rider 2010 was done by Warner Bros, not Universal.

And as for Knight Rider 2000, I do not even acknowledge that abomination!

[knightprobe89]

hungarianknight, i totally agree with your statement, very well put.

[KITTfan]

I think this is the best attempt ever to bring Knight Rider back because there's lots of good things in it. David Hasselhoff is in it and looks like the original KITT is there too at least his reconizeable parts. Also, the new KITT is black, that alone makes it better than the red tomato on wheels and Team Knight Rider cars. The cast looks good and from the new cars currently available the Mustang is actually good choice IMO because wasn't it the Mustang that originally started the sporty "pony" car class in the 60's. If it wasn't for Mustang, there maybe wasn't a Pontiac Firebird & Trans-Am either.
Even KITT himself quoted spesifically Henry Ford in the original series Knight Racer episode: "It was Henry Ford who said: any colour as long as it's black. And I agree..." Now the new KI3000 is a black Ford, maybe the original KITT would approve it

[Mango19]

Now the new KI3000 is a black Ford, maybe the original KITT would approve it

And if he doesn't, the dialogue could be hilarious...

[Solid Snake]

I think this is the best attempt ever to bring Knight Rider back because there's lots of good things in it. David Hasselhoff is in it and looks like the original KITT is there too at least his reconizeable parts. Also, the new KITT is black, that alone makes it better than the red tomato on wheels and Team Knight Rider cars. The cast looks good and from the new cars currently available the Mustang is actually good choice IMO because wasn't it the Mustang that originally started the sporty "pony" car class in the 60's. If it wasn't for Mustang, there maybe wasn't a Pontiac Firebird & Trans-Am either.
Even KITT himself quoted spesifically Henry Ford in the original series Knight Racer episode: "It was Henry Ford who said: any colour as long as it's black. And I agree..." Now the new KI3000 is a black Ford, maybe the original KITT would approve it

I feel the same way! I am starting to feel less and less lonely around here LOL!

[89IROCNDoug]

I agree about the color! While I disapprove of the car choice, at least they had the sense to make it black!!!

[Amir]

I'm not keen on the car either, but really, for most of us, you just bring back the old 82 car (it still looks great), Hasselhoff and the rest of the old crew, same theme, give us a few more seasons and we're happy. But we know that's not going to happen and as things go, there will always be changes. Heavy changes.

But really, any judgement should be reserved until the pilot comes out. And even then, who knows. If it becomes a series it has to be remember there were changes and modifications after the original show started that turned out for the best. Let's just be happy the Knight Rider franchise is alive and kicking and we're two months away from a new Knight Rider airing. It's brilliant.

[davejames]

Yeah I agree with the OP. I think there's a lot to be optimistic about with this series. While it may just be desperation on NBC's part, I still think it's cool as hell that they're even ATTEMPTING a new Knight Rider. From the sound of it, they learned their lesson from Bionic Woman and tried to inject a lot more fun into this one.

More than the car, what'll really make or break this show is the humor and action. Those were two big things the previous movie seriously lacked. Thankfully they also seem to be setting this series in the present day, or near it. KITT always looked a lot more impressive in our own world than in some futuristic scifi world.

And hey, if nothing else this series HAS to be better than that TKR abortion, right?

[Hawk]

Kitt being a Mustang is just an example of greedy jerks who just are in it to sell a Mustang. If they cared anything about the series or anything about the memory of Knight Rider they wouldn't of put in a damn car that doesn't even remotely look like a really KITT car; one that completely destroys the series and I think it's a pity how they just destroyed a legend.

And as being "objective" to the new series... Kitt deserved better and I hope the people who made KITT into a mustang goes burn.

Just really really sad how anyone can say "Give it a chance" who is actually a fan of the show.

There are modern Trans-ams as well... Just Ford got there money into the NBC jerk's wallets. Slime

[Michael Pajaro]

Just really really sad how anyone can say "Give it a chance" who is actually a fan of the show.

First post? A great big "welcome to the board" to you.

- An actual fan of the show who says "give it a chance."

[Lost Knight]

Just really really sad how anyone can say "Give it a chance" who is actually a fan of the show.

When you make a statement like that, you should be prepared for some backlash. Saying it's sad how any fan of the show can say to give it a chance sounds plain ignorant. As a fan who dislikes the car choice, I'm still going to give the telepic a chance because contrary to popular belief, the car is not the entire movie. I'd have to agree with others here that it is merely half the battle. If some people want to condemn the entire production because they hate the car, that's their perogative, but I believe they're really going to miss out. A couple of members here seem overly bitter about the choice of the Mustang, which honestly is fine with me as long as they have logical reasons to back up their points of view. Otherwise, it would just sound like pointless, childish, rants.

[Hawk]

I don't care if I get "backlash" or "banned"...Putting a red light on a mustang does not make it a "KITT" car....

KITT is a Trans-am... and he also was more than a car he was KITT.. Not a mustang... All the mustang does is try to kill the legend that once was kitt.

And for those who say it's "Modernized"... right... Modernized to NBC cause they just sold out KITT. Anyone who says they did this for any other reason than to get paid by Ford is just fooling themselves. It's people who say "oh well" that allow them to get away with stuff like this. I personally am really offended and saddened that they would do this to Kitt and there are actual fans out there who just shrug it off instead of saying "We want the Real Kitt back... if you have to use a 99 Trans-am".

It's like changing Optimus Prime to an SUV... "Oh well".

And any true fan would understand how horrible this is to the show not just go "oh well".

KITT... Don't look down from Car Heaven... Next Season they might change you into a Escort. They'll just place a red light on it and say "Well, long as it has a red light on it...it's Kitt". That way KITT gets better gas mileage..lol

-- One disappointed pissed off Fan

[HungarianKnight]

Dear Hawk,

I think you miss the most important element of the whole show: Kitt is not the car. Kitt is an AI, a unique personality. Allow me to quote the original script of Soul Survivor:

Michael glances over at the portable TV, smiles.

MICHAEL
What matters to me is who you are,
not what you look like, Kitt. Sure,
we don't have the car, so we can't
turbo boost or go two hundred miles
an hour, but that was all frosting
on the cake, anyway. It was never
you.

K.I.T.T.
It wasn't?

MICHAEL
No...the car was fantastic but if
you break it down it was steel,
glass, rubber...and we can always
make another one.
(beat)
But, you...you're a lot more than
silicon chips and fancy circuitry.
You're my buddy and my partner...and
you're one of a kind.

You can put Kitt into a Trans Am, a Mustang, a Trabant or an SUV as long as he is still our Kitt who we grew to love. That charming personality, the humour and the unmistakable style: That is Kitt, not the car.

[Matthew]

KITT is a Trans-am... and he also was more than a car he was KITT.. Not a mustang... All the mustang does is try to kill the legend that once was kitt.

You do realise that the AI being featured in the pilot is an entirely new entity right? He's the Knight Industries Three Thousand, and as such, the Mustang is the Knight 3000, therefore, it can't kill the legend of KITT because he's not the KITT that was installed within the Knight 2000 Trans Am 25 years ago.

Matt

[LadyV2000]

KITT is a Trans-am... and he also was more than a car he was KITT.. Not a mustang... All the mustang does is try to kill the legend that once was kitt.

You do realise that the AI being featured in the pilot is an entirely new entity right? He's the Knight Industries Three Thousand, and as such, the Mustang is the Knight 3000, therefore, it can't kill the legend of KITT because he's not the KITT that was installed within the Knight 2000 Trans Am 25 years ago.

Matt

I'm glad I'm not the only person who feels like this. Initially I was pretty upset about the Mustang, but now it's kind of growing on me, especially since I know it's not the original KITT, but a new A.I. all together.

And in terms of "selling out," almost every show or movie out there now as some product placement in it. It's an effective means of advertising so marketers are going to use it. Look at Transformers. As much as I absoultely love that movie, it's got more product placement in it than a supermarket (GM, Google, Xbox, etc...)

I'm just hoping the TV movie has good car action, story, and of course a little humor. If it does I should be happy, if it doesn't, then I guess I'll have the big screen movie to look forward to.

[scottab21]

Thank you LadyV2000, I feel the same way you do. The new show will introduce the KNIGHT 3000, therefore a new car, new entity, etc... We aren't in the 80's anymore. I love the original show and it will always be my favorite. If I ever wanna see the classic KITT I'll just pop in the dvd (I own all 4 seasons). We, Knight Rider fans should be happy our franchise is getting another go, whether it's a TV pilot/series, or a theatrical release, I'll be there!

[Lost Knight]

This argument that "it's just going to be a 2-hour commercial for Ford" seems silly to me. Why? Because if the car of choice is to be a production vehicle, people would use that argument no matter what the producers chose. The only way to avoid it would have been to build a car from scratch just for the movie, not unlike Knight Rider 2000, but more appealing.

Regarding product placement, it's never bothered me at all. In fact, I prefer it. For example, I'd rather see a Coca-Cola can in the backround of a movie than a can with a cheesy design simply saying "soda pop." Using product placement helps the illusion of whatever story is being presented to have a more realistic tone to it. I think people who are bothered by product placement are only bothered by it because they're looking for it. A step on the right track for some fans would be to get the "Ford commercial" ideology out of their heads.

[LadyV2000]

This argument that "it's just going to be a 2-hour commercial for Ford" seems silly to me. Why? Because if the car of choice is to be a production vehicle, people would use that argument no matter what the producers chose. The only way to avoid it would have been to build a car from scratch just for the movie, not unlike Knight Rider 2000, but more appealing.

Regarding product placement, it's never bothered me at all. In fact, I prefer it. For example, I'd rather see a Coca-Cola can in the backround of a movie than a can with a cheesy design simply saying "soda pop." Using product placement helps the illusion of whatever story is being presented to have a more realistic tone to it. I think people who are bothered by product placement are only bothered by it because they're looking for it. A step on the right track for some fans would be to get the "Ford commercial" ideology out of their heads.

This is so true. Sitcoms were the worst for having "fake brands." My favorites were always the products that were a modification of the real thing, like "Pepsi" being "Pepi" or "Popsi." It does make a show/movie more believable when a real product is in a scene. And with Transformers, I only noticed the product placement after someone mentioned it. I was too engrossed in the movie itself to originally give it any thought.

[MiltonKnight]

Hawk makes a good point...

Michael said that to KITT, in that situation, just as you would say that to your quadriplegic spouse...

If you think KITT could be put on a SUV, well, he could also be put on an airplane, a motorcycle, maybe even a tricycle. In other words.. NO.

The choice for the car is very relevant, as we all have seen before. Just imagine if, at the time, KIFT was made from a REAL Banshee. ALL Black, almost like a vault, low to the ground, etc.. Do you really think it would not have gone farther?