The remaining cast of NBC’s re-imagined version of “Knight Rider” are saying the latest set of changes have made the show better and that you should really give it a chance.
The show has eliminated the focus on a “terrorist of the week” plot and will be going back to its 80s roots with Michael Knight getting involved in the lives of people he encounters on a weekly basis. Thankfully, there will still be a talking car.
“People will be able to relate more,” said actor Justin Bruening who plays the new Michael Knight. “When you do a mission on a global scale, there’s too much to fit in 42 minutes. With a more localized murder-mystery mission, you can get more in depth. In this, we can have a smaller mission with more twists and turns that can make it interesting. We still have these grand-scale missions, just not this week.”
Bruening says the relationship between Michael and KITT will continue to develop as the season progresses.
“K.I.T.T. is learning from me, and the relationship that is developing is more brotherly,” he said. “It’s basically the same principle as Iron Man, where he was a normal guy without the suit. When K.I.T.T. is around, Michael knows he’s not going to get hurt. That also allows us to joke around more. In the midst of gunfire, because he’s bulletproof, it’s fun to play the opposite of what you normally would. At the same time, we do care about each other like a family. K.I.T.T. continues to learn, and in an upcoming episode he gains even more personality, to the point he starts playing practical jokes on me. It’s a buddy-cop show with the banter. The one thing I would be excited to see is K.I.T.T. becoming angry and how he would retaliate.”
Will these changes make any difference? “Knight Rider” has seen an erosion of ratings since its debut and has been hammered by critics. With its third reboot in just over a year, can the show find an audience or should it just go the way of the dodo?
Fans can tune in Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on NBC to find out if the revamped “Knight Rider” is improved.
Kyle Nin says
I never watched to begin with.
Omni says
Hasn’t this show already been officially canceled?
grapher says
It isn’t nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. I think if they are given enough of a chance, it will get even better as time goes on. I have to give it points for referencing Torchwood and Captain Jack on an American TV show.
Plus it has Billy from BSG, and he always makes me laugh.
Kyle Nin says
The TNT series “Leverage” has referenced “Doctor Who” in two episodes. I just wanted to point that out.
tensaibaka says
The last episode wasn’t THAT bad. For once the entire episode didn’t focus on KITT, or the poor sexual tension story line. For once I didn’t feel like I wanted that lost time back after watching. Still not a great show, but I definitely saw improvement. (Let’s just hope it wasn’t a fluke episode…)
Jeff says
I agree with some of the others. The recent shows have been much better than the first few.
The one thing I would like to see is less of that stupid looking transformer effect and more of the original concept from the pilot movie. Transforming from a car to a truck is just ridiculous as is attack mode which I never really understood the need for given that it’s self repairing and nearly indestructible no matter what mode he’s in.
I’m hoping the reboot will adopt more believable effects and less of the “let’s do it because it looks cool” effects.
Robin says
I haven’t seen any of the episodes, despite my love of Paul Campbell and talking cars. If it’s getting better, maybe I’ll check out some of the more recent episodes on Hulu and decide whether it’s worth going back to the beginning.
@Kyle Nin: Leverage has made a bunch of subtle Doctor Who references (and other sci-fi, too). Not surprising, what with Dean Devlin being Executive Producer. I don’t know if he or some other writer on staff is the Whovian, but I heartily approve. 😀
Mark says
Well I’m enjoying the show (for it’s faults) just fine and would much rather see this continue and develop than the pile of crap that Heroes has become.
Sean from Ontario says
I’ve been enjoying the show since the beginning and I really like the changes made recently. I was totally geeking out when the voice of KARR turned out to be Optimus Prime! Oh yeah!! Evil Optimus Prime!!!
Michael Mennenga says
The show failed me on the first regular season episode. (As we’ve said in the show)
The problem that I have with it is the bad dialogue. (Not that the original was any better in that respect.) But as recent shows have proven, you don’t have to have bad writing to make a scifi show. Chuck is case in point. That show has such potential of being a cheese-fest, but the brilliant writing makes it work.
Knight Rider had the same opportunity and blew it. Nope…. There is better on TV, waste of my time.
Breck81 says
Knight Rider is greatly improved since the show offed most of it’s cast.
The 3 remaining cast members along with KITT and the move back to Suspense in the series is wonderful.
While I thought Bruce Davison could have remained and should have remained as the Devon Miles type persona, Michael, Sarah and Billy as well as the other woman that I can never remember the name of make it work.
I agree on the comments about way too much transformation of KITT. I don’t think I saw that many transformations in 1 episode of the 1980’s series.
Developing new features for KITT isn’t working this day in age, but I’m in agreement on writing. It was kinda funny to watch Michael and KITT arguing playfully in tonight’s episode “Fly By Knight”. While I don’t want to repeat what others have said I just would like to say that I believe this series has potential and that I agree with NBC’s decision to cut back on episodes. The Knight Rider that ran from September 2008 to January 2009, was boring, Laden with Sex and too many characters. The cutback needed to happen and the writing needed to improve which I believe it has done. The one thing now that I might suggest is to plug the series reboot with all star cast. Suggest maybe bringing David Hasselhoff in for an episode or 2. William Daniels visiting somehow in some way, The woman who played Bonnie, I could go on. I believe the leg work on scripts has been improved, now promotion is needed for this fresh reboot.
Jessie says
Well, I have been watching it from the begining and I must say that is a lot better then the past re-makes of the show. The show takes place in today’s time and not in the future like the past re-makes which I think is why the others got cancled. They only have a few characters now which is like the original I think. Devon, Bonnie, Michael, RC, & Kitt. I think this is the best re-make of the show since the original back in the ’80’s. Why don’t some of you skeptics give it a chance maybe It will bring back the child in some of us.
Jessie says
PS. WILLIAM DANIELS HAS PAST AWAY.
ejdalise says
Perhaps it’s an acquired taste . . . I caught the ending of this week’s episode (10-15min) and I could she no discernible difference from what I remembered of the first shows. I still don’t think the lead can act, or perhaps he can act, but is holding back. The writing was puerile, but maybe that’s because that is the target audience.
But, if people enjoy it, that’s something these days; we need as much escapism as can be found.
tommy says
it is the best show ever made on earth ♥3♥