Knight Rider (2008) gets soft reboot

[Candlelight]

I believe that was due to fan feedback concerning the first time KARR appeared, since KARR had the three-bar modulator.

I suppose it's possible, but it seems unlikely that feedback from Knight Rider fans in 1982 or 1983 persuaded producers to change KITT's squawk box. Whether or not fans snail-mailed such opinions, it seems more likely that Robert Foster just thought the three-bar design looked more interesting.

Actually, they had wanted to start the show with the 3-bar system but it wasn't working properly (or they couldn't integrate it into the car, I forget the real excuse).

When they finally got a prototype working, they used it in episode 109 as KARR as a test to see if it was effective. It proved popular with the fans, and thus in episode 113 KITT suddeny had a facelift.

I'm sure they'll give KITT three new modes in order to compensate -- Segway, golf cart and pogo stick.

You forgot ice cream truck, javlin and skate board.

 

[BenRoethig]

I agree about letting some characters go, but these ones. I would have made Mike, Sarah, and Charles regulars with Carrie being a major recurring character and Billy, Zoe, and Torres being minor recurring characters who show up a few times a season when necessary.

 

[theenglish]

It was a stupid decision to move away from the one man, one car motif in the first place. The humor between the characters is childish and embarrassing; if you're going to write a show at a child's level then at least write it so it is child friendly.

Actually, I'm being too generous. The writing in this show is insulting to children. KR should be turned into a family friendly show, similar to the original so we can watch it with our children the same way many of us watched the show with our parents.

 

[Calhoun24]

I think that's what they're trying to get back to with this move.

I'm glad they're getting back to what worked in the classic version: one man and one car. A modern Lone Ranger. The "terrorist of the week", although logical, wears thin.

I agree that Zoe should get the boot, but I like Billy. However, with no real boss, I don't see Sarah taking over for her father or Torres after the soft reboot. It would be nice to have a regular mentor role, much like Devon Miles, but let's see how this goes.

And if this soft reboot sees more mention of FLAG as a result, then I'll definitely be happy! This SSC stuff is confusing, since they say it's a location, but sometimes refer to it as a self-contained organization. I like the location, but stating that the SSC is the organization is really not going to work. FLAG has to be mentioned more, since it is the organization that was supposed to be resurrected in the first place.

 

[Dick Whitman]

It was strange that the cast of this series was so large in the first place. Most of the characters simply stood around the KITTCave and monitored Mike and Kitt's actions. Also while that set is impressive... it serves no real dramatic purpose.

Was the TV movie cast contracted for the potential series? Perhaps that is the only reason they keep them all for the first 13 episodes. As a trial to see what worked or not. Executive producer/showrunner Gary Scott Thompson came on after the TV Movie. Needing to use what was setup there. He was given 4 cast members and added 3 of his own. Now he is keeping 2 of the original cast and 2 of his own additions.

 

[John Picard]

I agree about letting some characters go, but these ones. I would have made Mike, Sarah, and Charles regulars with Carrie being a major recurring character and Billy, Zoe, and Torres being minor recurring characters who show up a few times a season when necessary.

Billy and Zoe should only return in an episode (can be separate episodes) where a character in the organization is killed off.

Charles needs to stay in a Devon Miles type role. Hell, he created the K3K! Getting rid of him makes no sense

 

[shivkala]

The problem is, the formula worked for the original because, aside from Devon and Bonnie/April (and later R.C.), there was no one else "hanging around" when Michael and KITT were off on their adventures. Now that they have this big supporting cast, they have to figure out something to do with the rest of them while Michael and KITT are out. Not only that, they have to come up with reasons why Sarah either needs to be with them or can't/shouldn't be with them (which, so far, it seems that they want Sarah when they can build on their sexual tension and they don't want her when Michael can get naked with another woman).

The KITT Cave works well for this, as I don't see them going with the semi again and the airplane is a bit much.

The other problem I see is that TV shifted away from the "lone man comes into a town, saves the single woman/mother, and then rides out." To me, that formula seems to have propelled many a show in the 70's and 80's (Knight Rider, The Fall Guy, The Incredible Hulk, and accompanied by a team in The A-Team, and Airwolfe).

Now our shows focus on teams, usually in some governmental capacity, that employ our hero(es) to solve problems. The formula works for shows like nuKnight Rider, The Bionic Woman (okay, maybe "work" wasn't the right word to use ) and also is pretty much the idea behind the CSI's, Cold Case, Without a Trace, etc. except those shows are more law enforcement than govermental task forces.

I don't see the formula behind the original Knight Rider working so well now.

 

[Chaos Descending]

It was a mustang

Ah... so it was. Well, it was only up for a split second.

 

[BenRoethig]

I agree about letting some characters go, but these ones. I would have made Mike, Sarah, and Charles regulars with Carrie being a major recurring character and Billy, Zoe, and Torres being minor recurring characters who show up a few times a season when necessary.

Billy and Zoe should only return in an episode (can be separate episodes) where a character in the organization is killed off.

Charles needs to stay in a Devon Miles type role. Hell, he created the K3K! Getting rid of him makes no sense

I agree about Charles, but I was thinking more about a SGT. Siler type role for Billy and Zoe.

 

[nx1701g]

I agree about letting some characters go, but these ones. I would have made Mike, Sarah, and Charles regulars with Carrie being a major recurring character and Billy, Zoe, and Torres being minor recurring characters who show up a few times a season when necessary.

Completely agreed. I really think that Charles should replace Billy as one of the leads.

 

[John Picard]

I agree about letting some characters go, but these ones. I would have made Mike, Sarah, and Charles regulars with Carrie being a major recurring character and Billy, Zoe, and Torres being minor recurring characters who show up a few times a season when necessary.

Billy and Zoe should only return in an episode (can be separate episodes) where a character in the organization is killed off.

Charles needs to stay in a Devon Miles type role. Hell, he created the K3K! Getting rid of him makes no sense

I agree about Charles, but I was thinking more about a SGT. Siler type role for Billy and Zoe.

Let me clarify that: If a character should need to be killed off, it should be one of them.

Have I mentioned how much I hate the two of them?

 

[Kryton]

If they do a talking Segway, they will HAVE TO get Will Arnett back to voice it.

 

[nx1701g]

^ If it's true that Val Kilmer is going to run for office they may have to hire a new KITT voice...

 

[John Picard]

^ If it's true that Val Kilmer is going to run for office they may have to hire a new KITT voice...

Why? Ah-nuld was in a movie (or 2) while Governor. All he does is voice work, so I'm betting he could phone his lines.

 

[Kryton]

What movies did Schwarzeneggar make while in office?

 

[John Picard]

I believe both Terminator 3 and Around the World in 80 Days. A definite on the latter.

Perhaps he made T3 before being elected to office.

 

[Dick Whitman]

There were equal time rules in Political Campaigns for television networks. This issue came up back in the 70s with George Takei. He ran for local office in Southern California. This was while Star Trek : The Animated Series was starting. Local affiliates were worried that they have to give equal air time to his opponent. So the first episode was different in these areas, and episode without Sulu.

But the laws are different now. That was when the "fairness doctrine" was still in place. Which required tv and radio stations to give equal time to both political parties.But that was undone by the Reagan adminstation. So I am not sure if Kilmer pursoed a politcal career he would need to quit the show.

 

[nx1701g]

^ As someone working in the political arena with a degree in Campaign Administration I can tell you that equal time is still a factor and was even brought about during the Republican Primary with Fred Thompson (it was being argued by other candidates - McCain and Giuliani) that his being on NBC as a character on Law & Order counted and that they would have to give time equal to what he had on NBC to BOTH candidates if he continued on with the series). It's discussed in a text called "Campaign Craft".

Also, time wise the likelihood of Val Kilmer even having time to do the series is slim. When working on a campaign everything is strictly regimented including - believe it or not - bathroom breaks. During the campaign cycle almost every moment is fully utilized with campaigning and it doesn't get much better when you're elected either.

 

[nx1701g]

Also, Arnold had not yet decided to run for office during the filming of T3. He announced his run for governor during the press tour for T3 while on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His appearances in Around the World in 80 Days were little more than a cameo. I also am going to have to review my old notes but I'm fairly certain that when you're serving in a high executive role (President in the Federal Government, Governor in State Government) you are not permitted to hold any other employment position outside of a governmental sphere. Cameos in films and TV shows are different from actual full time employment.

 

[John Picard]

It might depend on New Mexico state law. I think we're putting the cart before the horse. We don't know if/when Kilmer would be running for office, and even before all that he has to file paperwork with the intent of running.

In any event, will this mean an episode where KITT is so badly damaged that his vocal circuits have to be changed? Hmmmmm