"Knight Rider" (1982) TV series 1982-1986

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Creator:

Glen A. Larson

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

26 September 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A lone crimefighter battles the forces of evil with the help of an indestructible and artificially intelligent supercar.

Plot Keywords:

Forces Of Evil | Artificial Intelligence | Detective | Electronic Music Score | Famous Opening Theme

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

David Hasselhoff	...	Michael Knight / ... (84 episodes, 1982-1986)
Edward Mulhare	...	Devon Miles / ... (84 episodes, 1982-1986)
William Daniels	...	K.I.T.T. (84 episodes, 1982-1986)
Richard Basehart	...	Narrator - Opening Titles / ... (83 episodes, 1982-1986)
Patricia McPherson	...	Bonnie Barstow (62 episodes, 1982-1986)

Runtime:

46 min (90 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Netherlands:MG6 | Australia:M (some episodes) | USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Glen A. Larson Productions

Trivia:

K.I.T.T. was referred to as a "Black Trans Am" in early episodes of the first season, then later simply as a "Black T-Top" for the rest of the series' run.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The copyright date at the end of the credits on the first (pilot) episode shows the roman numerals MCMLXXVII (1977) instead of MCMLXXXII (1982). Some people have suggested that this may have been when the idea was conceived rather than produced.

Quotes:

[closing narration - early episodes]
Narrator: Michael Knight, a lone crusader in a dangerous world. The world... of the Knight Rider.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Screenwipe: Screenwipe USA (#2.5)" (2006)

Knight Rider was among the BEST of the 80s

In 1982 an unknown actor named David Hasselhoff burst onto the scene in a weekly Friday night series aired on NBC. Hasselhoff played Michael Knight on a brand new 80s vehicle oriented TV show (that frequently targeted boys) called Knight Rider to rival The Dukes of Hazzard on CBS.

Hasselhoff was what many in the industry call an "8 x 10", a perfect hunky man with shoulder length wavy hair and beaming smile. Hasselhoff was also gifted with a keen sense of humor and wit, which allowed many of the outrageous stories of Knight Rider to work and not be taken too seriously. Knight Rider was about an undercover cop named Michael Long who was betrayed and left for dead in the desert. Long was rescued by an eccentric billionaire by the name of Wilton Knight, who nursed Long back to health. Wilton Knight also gave Long a new face and identity as "Michael Knight". Knight convinced Long to use his police officer skills to help his private organization (The Foundation for Law and Government), and equipped him with a super car with artificial intelligence named KITT (Knight Industries Two-Thousand). The supporting actors like Edward Mulhare, Patricia McPherson complemented Hasselhoff wonderfully as Devon Miles and Bonnie Barstow. It is rare that a cast gels so well like this, and in many ways KR was more about the characters then the stories or KITT.

Despite some negative and absurdly over the top reviews here, Knight Rider remains one of the most fondly remembered action adventure TV shows of the 1980s. Knight Rider was not an L.A. Law or St. Elsewhere type drama, nor was it Harlan Ellison level science fiction, and it never tried to be. Knight Rider had some camp, but campy doesn't mean a dog meat series. Every single one of those action/adventure shows from the 80s like A-Team, Dukes of Hazzard, Blue Thunder, Airwolf, Hunter and MacGyver had plenty of instances of overt stupidity. They ALL had their "what the hell was that about?" moments. Every one of those 80s shows. So why is Knight Rider singled out and getting ridiculously picked on like this?

The show was a fun yet not too serious one hour adventure series. Many people here seem to be overly concerned with "looking cool" as adults and join in on the over the top teasing of a series that you know everyone loved back in the 80s. Stop trying to be so cool just because you're now an adult in the 2000s versus being the young kid that watched this show every week back in 80s. I highly recommend Knight Rider, (it will blow you away!) and check out the newly released DVD if you can. The Season 1 DVD has rich vibrant colors and sound, complete with an assortment of extra features that will keep you busy for days.

My Rating:

9/10