Oh my word, I haven't been on here in yyeeeaaarrrssss!!! News of a promising new TV series has brought me back... to a whole load of negativity!!
I'm with Michael on this one I have to say (although I know there's no "sides" here you understand) as the TV series has been in development at Universal for some time. Yes, maybe the movie has kickstarted it so we're getting it put into high gear earlier, but that's a good thing in my eyes. Reading the script review I am eagerly awaiting this new series, and can't want to see it (just hope it gets a decent channel over here in Blighty, unlike Jericho being hidden away on ITV4!!).
Maybe we'd prefer if Glen was on board, maybe not, but hey we could have two completely different Knight Rider's, since when was that a bad thing? Also, a completely new crew never hurt Battlestar. Look at the fan outrage that came out when it was announced, and look at how it has surpassed all expectations! Also, the KR show we know was created by Glen, yes, but developed by someone else... more on that below.
I have to say to you "Victor Kros", IF you do indeed work for Glen Larson then I feel sorry for him. You have approached this matter in an extremely unprofessional manner, and if you are a member of his team I personally feel that you are only damaging Glen's dreams by the way you have talked on here. You say that Universal are only trying to damage Glen's movie project and that what they are doing is basically wrong. You're right,
if that was what they were doing... but on here that is
exactly what you trying to do to their project! A better response would be to ask the fans for support and concentrate on discussing the movie, not railroading the series.
From what I've heard of this new show it sounds like the first proper Knight Rider attempt since the original. Now, I'm not picking sides, but a few points here to consider:
- This series has been in Universal's mind for a while now, and back in May it was reported as a definite up-and-coming project. The movie MAY have speeded it up, but this series is NOT just a backlash against it.
- Universal has seen that old properties can be done properly (Battlestar, Transformers, even Casino Royale can be an example here to a certain degree) and won't be in a rush to make the same mistakes as before with KR2000, 2010 and TKR. (And I've heard nothing but good news about Bionic Woman's ratings, but if they have fallen so badly, that has nothing to do with the creative team behind this new KR.)
- Universal are throwing a helluva lot of producing weight behind this series. Doug Liman (even though I'm not a fan of the Bourne films, I appreciate their reliance on "real" effects, and I've enjoyed numerous other films of his) is not the kind of producer to get involved in a "backlash" project, or a project he doesn't believe in.
- Now, I love Glen's work, and respect the man
greatly but you gotta remember something here... Yes the original was created by Glen, but he left it after only 13 episodes to make The Fall Guy for Fox. The Knight Rider that developed for the rest of it's three and a half years, was mainly thanks to Robert Foster, not Glen. Proof if any were needed that there are others who can care for the KR franchise.
- KR2000 did not fail because of Hasselhoff. He states quite clearly in his autobiography (very entertaining, recommended by the way
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
) that he signed on and then everything changed, He HATED the film, hated the script, the fact KITT was dismantled, Michael was burnt-out and Devon was killed. He didn't even like the character of Shawn (correct?) the woman who was meant to take over. Originally it was meant to be the occassional KR movie simply as additional adventures of Michael and KITT, and that's what he signed up for.
- TKR was horrible... but who was the Exec Producer? Glen Larson. He may not have had that much of a creative input, but he was still willing to attach his name to it, so he couldn't have thought it was that bad. Yes, that last bit may be speculation, but if you look at the credits he IS listed as the EP.
- One movie or two.... or at least 22 stories per year?
- The "script review" IS based on the new TV movie script, not any previous movie script, that much is apparent. I for one love the fact that it pays a lot of respect to the original series as created by Glen and developed by Bob, and hopefully it'll update it whilst still feeling liek "Knight Rider".
Now, part of me hopes Glen goes ahead with his movie still, after all I've been excited about it for a long time. But a film and tv series both at the same time but different takes completely... well, it may not work but hey who knows? I'd prefer it if Glen came on board the series to be honest as co-developer, or even if it was a more hands-off approach as a co-producer like with Battlestar, at least he'd be on-board. I know that that probably won't happen, they have their team in place who seem to be doing a good job so far and Glen won't want to... anyway for me, from what I've heard of the tv show it sounds great and the team behind it sound like they will do us proud, and I wish them all the best of luck! It may flop, it may be a hit, time will tell... and time will tell how the movie goes too...