knight rider online

I was wondering, If Knight Rider had been created in the 90's, would it have the same appeal as we know it today. The show probably would have looked fake, especially with all the CGI technology instead of using real shots of the car. The KITT that we know today would not have the vintage 1982 Trans Am body, instead would probably be a mid 90's model Trans Am or some other car. What made Knight Rider soo unique in the 80's is that it was a first of a kind TV show, featuring a state of the art talking vehicle, something which had never before been seen or heard of.

It wouldn't have the same appeal if Knight Rider was introduced in the 90's. By then, cars were more high-tech and KITT would not have given us the initial shock value.

Back in 1982, KITT was the first car in the United States (perhaps even the world) equipped with a full digital instrumentation dashboard. The first mass-produced car with this feature was the C4 (4th generation) Corvette but it was introduced in 1983 IIRC. So that pretty much makes KITT a unique car in those days with his high-tech gadgetry and AI intelligence.

I finally picked up the season 1 DVD a couple days back. As I was watching, I couldn't help but ponder a similar question to this one. And, except for a few things that set the show's time period, (the vehicles, themselves. KITT's Colecovision graphics. That episode about the arcade machines. A couple other things.) I don't see any reasons why they couldn't have made this series in almost any time period.

Sure, the notions used in KITT were shocking back in '82. But, quite honestly, how many vehicles have had dashes come even close to KITT's throughout the years? A large handful. It's almost not worth noting about. And, even then, many were little more then digital readouts...or visual bars for speedometer/RPM/fuel/temp gauges. Why, in modern vehicles, you would probably see a LED/LCD clock...perhaps an odometer. Otherwise, the general layout is mech. guage.

It can also be argued that we wouldn't get an '82 Trans-Am for KITT. But, quite honestly, if the producers of the series had vision, they could build any car their imaginations could come up with. Maybe they could outdo the Trans-Am. Maybe another KIFT would be produced. Who knows.

I grew tired of the CGI argument a long time ago. Simply put, it's a great tool, when done right. IF the only way you know it was done via computer is by watching a behind-the-scenes special, then they did it right. (Or, it was intended to look computery.) There are plenty of times where CGI would have helped a KR episode look better...

Unfortunately, if "Knight Rider" came forth in the reality TV age, it wouldn't have had a chance against all the reality Tv shows ruling the airwaves---and "Knight Rider" would've
bitten the dust after just 2 episodes!

Good point. The cost per episode just can't be justified when great ratings come about from volunteer (or on location) actor shows.

I guess we'll just have to wait until great action can once again be produced for next to nothing when computer environments become so great looking, easy to produce and cost effective that most any other form of entertainment just costs too much to consider...even reality. (The way things are going, you could place a mild bet on it.)