SF Universe » Val Kilmer

Knight May Return To Knight Rider

brian — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:27:10 +0000

At least for one more episode, NBC’s Knight Rider redux could do ridiculously high numbers in Germany. Sci Fi Wire made a set visit where executive producer Gary David Thompson confirmed they’re working on getting David Hasselhoff to appear in an episode.

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

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Knight Rider Outruns Primetime Competition

brian — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:50:31 +0000

Overcoming more obstacles off screen than KITT faced in the average episode of the original show, the “Knight Rider” revamp won Sunday’s primetime race for NBC.

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?

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Kilmer Does KITT

Cynthia — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:08:59 +0000

With the premiere of the NBC backdoor pilot Knight Rider only a week and a half away, it’s surprising to see a major cast change — but change they did.

After actively promoting Will Arnett as the voice of KITT, the actor was released from his duties due to a car conflict. Turns out Arnett has been the voice of GMC trucks for quite some time which didn’t sit well with Knight Rider sponsor Ford. Not only did Ford supply the Mustang that “plays” KITT, they’re also heavily promoting the series with a sweepstakes and their logo on all of the promotional materials.

The good news – Val Kilmer has jumped behind the wheel and he’s busily re-recording all of KITT’s dialogue as we speak!

Now that’s a last minute rescue that even Michael Knight would be proud of.

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