Thompson even talked about a “dream scenario” in which not only Michael Knight but original K.I.T.T. (voiced by William Daniels) team up with Mike Tracer, Knight’s son, and the new KITT. Justin Breuning and Val Kilmer reprise their roles as Tracer and the new crimefighting car respectively. Because of timing, he doesn’t know if it will happen though. I can’t imagine this can’t get worked out. It’s not like you’re asking Robin Williams to do a Mork and Mindy reunion here.

NBC Photo: Dave Bjerke

Post from: SF Universe

The high-profile failure of Bionic Woman hasn’t stopped NBC from rolling the dice on another revamp. After a February backdoor pilot for Knight Rider was a surprise ratings hit, there was widespread speculation that the show had earned a spot on NBC’s fall slate.

The network has confirmed its Knight Rider episodic order for the 2008-09 season. Though critically panned, viewers tuned in to see former soap star Justin Breuning and a cast of other Hollywood hot bodies burn up the road. They’re talking about a Friday night time slot, which would be a return to Rider’s 1980’s stomping grounds. With the economy in a slowdown and bad news coming in on the international front, NBC is trying to offer the escapism it thinks viewers will crave. The plot has changed precious little from the old days, even down to the family in question. Breuning plays the son of David Hasselhoff’s Michael Knight character. For a man who according to the show’s intro “does not exist,” Knight really got around.

NBC Photo: Virginia Sherwood

Post from: SF Universe

Original KITT voice Will Arnett (Arrested Development) had to bow out before the show aired. Arnett has done voicework for GMC products, while the new KITT is a Ford Mustang.  Ford sponsored the movie and wasn’t happy about the potential conflict of interest. The controversy reinforced TV critics’ perceptions that the whole thing was a two-hour commercial for Ford vehicles.

Val Kilmer stepped in and had to re-record all the lines Arnett had already finished. Not surprisingly, critics universally panned the remake of the 80’s vehicle that made David Hasselhoff a household name somewhere other than Germany.

But large numbers of viewers tuned in, about 12.7 million according to Nielsen Media Research’s preliminary estimates. It pulled a 5.0 share among the coveted 18-49 demographic. That’s the best performance for a TV film since Oprah Winfrey’s heavily promoted 2005 effort “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The Peacock Network has to be pleased since Rider faced stiff competition including the CBS premiere of “Dexter,” and new episodes of “Extreme Makeover” as well as “Brothers and Sisters.”

NBC will rebroadcast the show Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. EST. The big number from the initial showing all but guarantees the remake a spot in NBC’s fall lineup. I wonder if they made the new KITT from leftover parts from the Bionic Woman?

Post from: SF Universe