Jalopnik: Knight Rider

Researchers Looking To Make KITT More Than A Hasselhoff Fantasy

Travis Hudson — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:40:00 EDT

Scientists and researchers at Stanford must have quite the fascination with David Hasselhoff and his KITT because they are working on making the talking-car technology a reality. The lead on this team, Clifford Nass, says that a more intelligent car that knows about the driver and communicates with the driver can help provide a safer and more engaging driving experience.

He continues to give examples of how his talking car concepts would help drivers:

Depressed drivers drive better when their car reacts as if it too is depressed
Cars that speak in complex sentences tend to make you pay attention, rather than zoning out
Older drivers prefer younger voices
Drivers feel closer to the computer if they believe it's embedded in the car, rather than a remote device.

The one downside is that this technology could provide more information to insurers than you would want. As long as you don't get a lot of tickets or get into wrecks the insurers don't need to know you drive like a bat out of hell, but this technology could make that happen. [Physorg via Giz]

New Knight Rider TV Show To Be Officially Live-Blogged By Alex Nunez, Lesbian Surfers Rejoice

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:45:00 EDT

So Knight Rider the TV show is going to be airing this fall on Wednesday nights, hoping to draw attention away from those 16 variations of CSI that CBS is running. Sickened by the obvious endings and lack of Will Arnett, we're going to skip on the Knight Rider Live-Blog and leave it in the capable hands of AutoBlog's Alex Nunez. How they got the on-again-off-again bisexual bad girl from Degrassi: The Next Generation to write for them is anyone's guess, but we think it'll go over well with the surf lesbian FBI agent demo the show appeals to. [AutoBlog]

Jalopnik Hearts Will Arnett, Will Arnett Hearts Jalopnik

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:30:00 EDT

While hanging out at the Audi Forum event last night we bumped into our fair share of celebrities, including the cast of some show called Gossip Girl that the kids seem to enjoy. It was one of those events. But then one half of America's favorite comedy power couple, Will Arnett, arrived. We have an awkward almost man crush on the man who was to voice KITT and then, all of a sudden, wasn't. We talked with him for a while about his unfortunate departure from Knight Rider and then he expressed his enjoyment of Jalopnik!

That's right Jalopniks, Will Arnett is among your ranks. Not only that, he's voting El Camino and we're pretty sure, as the voice of GMC Trucks, that he's a superdelegate. Somebody pinch us.

The Real Reason Why Will Arnett Was Dropped As KITT?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:40:00 EST

There was a time when we thought Knight Rider might be saved by having WIll Arnett voice KITT. This was right before they announced Will Arnett would not voice KITT. The excuse they gave had to do with this other job as the voice of GMC Trucks. This clip from Arnett suggests that the producers may have been going in a different creative direction. [MTV]

Knight Rider's Not-So-Surprising Climax, Yukon Smash

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST

For those not wanting to sit through the first 108 minutes of the two-hour Ford commercial that was Knight Rider, we've got the less-than-climactic climax (and no, Lesbian surf FBI agent is not involved in said climax). We don't want to give too much away, but needless to say GMC products did not fair well. If you didn't see the exposition, you may wonder how KITT manages to survive such a powerful impact. One word: Nanorobots.

Knight Rider: The Classic Intro Can Make All This Go Away

Ray Wert — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:15:00 EST

So you've seen the new Mustang-ed up KITT live, you've seen the live video of the new KITT, you've watched the made-for-NBC Knight Rider movie, re-watched the new Knight Rider intro and theme music and you've even participated in the made-for-Jalopnik Knight Rider live-blog. Heck you may have even wandered back for some Knight Rider stripper action and some Turkish Knight Rider action. So wethinks perhaps you're a bit Knight Rider-ed out. Wethinks perhaps you just want this all to go away. Well guess what, it can — just sit back and spend a few moments watching the classic Knight Rider intro and reminiscing about the way things were. Yes, it most assuredly must have been better back when KITT was an F-body. Just keep telling yourself that. Over and over again — all the while chanting the words "The only KITT I know has 'Turbo Boost'..." Do it while you hug that pillow made of man-hair clippings from das Hoff ever-more snugly to your bosom.

Knight Rider: The New Intro

marnold — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:10:54 EST

You've seen our first exclusive pics of the new KITT. You've seen our knee-jerk reactions in the live blog as we watched the premiere. But in case you missed it (or you avoided it), we've got the intro sequence of the new Knight Rider up and ready for you to watch as many times as you'd like to. Behold the CG! Watch the close-up beauty shots in awe! Attempt to read the font! Listen to the re-mixed theme music!

The Official Unofficial Knight Rider Live-Blog

Ray Wert — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:06:31 EST

Tonight's the first episode — err — part of the Knight Rider movie/mini-series/season, and we'll be live-blogging it live on NBC starting in a few minutes from the comfort of the Jalopnik world headquarters. So keep track of the Knight Rider tag to keep track of all of the Mustang-filled action all evening and keep track of the full live-blog between Hardigree and I after the jump:

9:08:09 PM Hardigree: "Looks like homeboy is having cardiac arrest"
9:08:14 PM Wert: ha!
9:08:57 PM Hardigree: uhhh... chicks in surfboards
9:09:11 PM Hardigree: this is more the sequel to TKR than KR
9:09:19 PM Wert: TKR?
9:09:40 PM Wert: lesbians?
9:09:41 PM Hardigree: team knight rider
9:09:44 PM Wert: Ha!
9:09:44 PM Hardigree: LESBIANS!
9:09:50 PM Hardigree: surf lesbians

9:09:52 PM Wert: HA!
9:09:57 PM Hardigree: crime fighting surf lesbians
9:10:09 PM Wert: Excellent, this IM will be the live-blog
9:10:18 PM Hardigree: it only took 9 minutes for them to jump the shark
9:10:42 PM Hardigree: "Holy shit, a black man in a library at stanford. He must be dangerous!"
9:11:25 PM Wert: Nice...umm...roadster?
9:11:41 PM Hardigree: they're getting investments to rebuild a Cobra?
9:11:50 PM Hardigree: is this unique performance all over again?
9:12:44 PM Wert: The good ol' Gunther building trick
9:13:18 PM Wert: Brought to you by the star of the show...the Ford Mustang!
9:15:58 PM Wert: How exciting is this?
9:16:22 PM Hardigree: Win a GT500
9:16:28 PM Hardigree: Can't drive a stick? Neither can they.
9:17:22 PM Hardigree: First continuity error, it looks like the window was down and then up
9:17:36 PM Hardigree: This is for fans of the wire
9:17:38 PM Hardigree: BNBG
9:17:49 PM Wert: BNBG?
9:17:57 PM Hardigree: gotta be a wire fan to get it
9:18:12 PM Wert: Apparently as you just lost me at hello
9:18:20 PM Wert: Val Kilmer sounds fat
9:18:24 PM Hardigree: yeah
9:18:38 PM Hardigree: Is KITT programed in tune with Isaac Asimov's three robot laws?
9:18:44 PM Hardigree: because he should have just run over them
9:18:48 PM Wert: Who wins in a race — a Ford Mustang GT or a Ford Edge?
9:18:58 PM Wert: I mean, who doesn't like to live on the Edge-uh?
9:19:00 PM Hardigree: i don't know, the edge might have SYNC
9:19:06 PM Wert: Oooh, so it might talk too
9:20:42 PM Wert: So so far we have lesbians, an Edge trailing a Mustang GT and Mike Knight getting a gatt drawn on his friend. Oh and Val Kilmer sounds fat.
9:20:46 PM Wert: Am I missing anything?
9:20:57 PM Hardigree: they're about to hit a focus
9:20:59 PM Wert: And yes, a Ford Foucs!
9:21:05 PM Hardigree: this is like VIPER
9:21:07 PM Wert: ha!
9:21:09 PM Hardigree: every car is a ford
9:21:16 PM Hardigree: land rover
9:21:21 PM Wert: Rover!
9:21:39 PM Wert: Passenger Impact Safety Test?
9:21:41 PM Hardigree: "This Isn't Fun At All"
9:21:42 PM Wert: Complete
9:21:47 PM Wert: I'd agree with that statement
9:21:50 PM Hardigree: there is the show's motto
9:21:55 PM Hardigree: the same land rover
9:22:10 PM Hardigree: Mazda5?
9:22:18 PM Hardigree: fusion
9:22:27 PM Wert: Is there any other automaker?
9:22:30 PM Hardigree: He does follow Asimov's three laws
9:22:31 PM Wert: No
9:22:31 PM Hardigree: Volvo
9:22:32 PM Wert: Fusion!
9:22:40 PM Wert: Volvo!
9:23:10 PM Wert: How many minutes between Ford commercials we think?
9:23:52 PM Hardigree33: you're sort of implying that this isn't just one long ford commercial with the occasional Loreal commercial
9:24:37 PM Hardigree33: Who is crazier? Michael Knight or Ann Curry?
9:25:29 PM Wert: Wait — a VW commercial?
9:25:38 PM Wert: I want to know if that's against the rules?
9:25:40 PM Hardigree33: VEEDUB!
9:25:48 PM Hardigree33: destroying a focus, btw
9:26:27 PM Wert: Wait, a mitsubishi commercial?
9:26:36 PM Wert: Are they whoring themselves out?
9:26:42 PM Wert: Wait — this is NBC, right?
9:27:13 PM Wert: KITT, I could kill you!
9:27:15 PM Wert: Me too
9:27:40 PM Wert: Oh look, it turned into...
9:27:43 PM Wert: ANOTHER Mustang!
9:28:25 PM Hardigree33: They'll never suspect it
9:28:35 PM Wert: KITT, you are MY father.
9:30:10 PM Wert: Maybe they could use Sync to track KITT!
9:30:32 PM Hardigree33: "I hate heterosexual men"
9:30:56 PM Wert: Who doesn't?
9:31:28 PM Wert: Profiler software is a new Sync upgrade
9:31:47 PM Wert: ANOTHER MustanG!
9:31:58 PM Wert: KITT is a master of disguise!
9:32:15 PM Hardigree33: Who is the target audience for this show?
9:32:32 PM Wert: Good question
9:32:38 PM Wert: Sweet, ANOTHER Ford commercial
9:34:09 PM Hardigree33: Anyone not enjoying this can go watch Turkish Knight Rider
9:34:10 PM Hardigree33: http://jalopnik.com/tag/gitt/
9:34:25 PM Wert: And seriously, how hot is that?
9:35:44 PM Hardigree33: I think everyone watching this show is The Biggest Loser
9:35:58 PM Hardigree33: wait, I take it back, Dennis Miller is the biggest loser
9:36:50 PM Hardigree33: "Play Artist Jewel"
9:37:06 PM Wert: "Play Artist Mustang Sally"
9:37:12 PM Wert: "Play Artist Toby Keith"
9:37:33 PM Wert: That would have been "Play Song Mustang Sally", btw
9:37:40 PM Wert: Except you can't do that with Sync
9:37:51 PM Wert: No "Play Song" feature
9:38:03 PM Wert: Yes, this show does...SUCK
9:38:11 PM Hardigree33: "Don't call my escorts whores, Michael"
9:38:48 PM Wert: "Dial Mike Tracer"
9:39:14 PM Hardigree33: I don't know, there's a rerun of Girlfriends on the CW
9:39:33 PM Wert: Check out those cobras
9:39:39 PM Wert: Hot detail shots
9:40:01 PM Wert: And the communicator uses Sync with bluetooth
9:40:09 PM Hardigree33: and the cops drive a Ford Escape Hybrid?
9:40:22 PM Wert: Don't all cops drive a Ford Escape Hybrid
9:40:25 PM Wert: ?
9:40:38 PM Hardigree33: What, they couldn't get Chris Cooper?
9:41:03 PM Wert: Is KITT in Vegas for SEMA?
9:41:16 PM Wert: Does he want some sweet carbon fiber appliques for his hood?
9:41:46 PM Hardigree33: "But the cards are hot, I can't go"
9:42:00 PM Wert: "But the cards are hotter than you, I can't go"
9:42:34 PM Hardigree33: Wow, the security at this hotel suck
9:42:38 PM Wert: If the bad guys had the face profiler option for Sync, they'd be able to easily determine who Mike is.
9:42:47 PM Wert: Totally teh suck
9:45:12 PM Hardigree: Tina Fey is hosting SNL this weekend
9:45:23 PM Hardigree: so that makes... one program on NBC worth watching
9:45:31 PM Wert: Ding! Ding! Ding!
9:45:37 PM Wert: Tina Fey = teh hotness
9:45:44 PM Wert: I want Tina Fey inside of me.
9:45:56 PM Hardigree: totally
9:46:07 PM Hardigree: btw,Duke is losing to Wake Forest with 3 minutes to go
9:47:24 PM Hardigree: for those keeping track at home, they're the only team in a big 6 conference with no conference loses
9:47:37 PM Wert: Still not as good as Michigan State
9:48:18 PM Wert: Yo, this Brit dude's pretty good
9:48:28 PM Wert: Except not when he's getting kicked in the no-no spot
9:48:48 PM Hardigree: this brit dude is horrbile
9:48:54 PM Wert: He's awesome
9:48:58 PM Wert: "Nice ride!"
9:49:03 PM Hardigree: he's like Clive Owen's retarded half-brother
9:49:10 PM Wert: Sure — if you like going in a straight line and never turning
9:49:30 PM Wert: He's going to put sugar in Val's gas tank.
9:50:16 PM Wert: What is "chollo?"
9:50:20 PM Hardigree: Latin gansta
9:50:22 PM Hardigree: that's racist
9:50:24 PM Wert: Is that some weird way of saying purple?
9:51:12 PM Wert: Mike's driving a Fusion?
9:51:16 PM Wert: Sorry, Focus
9:51:23 PM Wert: Woodward?
9:51:37 PM Wert: It's a "Focus"
9:52:01 PM Hardigree: he morphs into Chollo
9:52:08 PM Wert: I would have no programmed response for Mike driving a Focus either.
9:52:14 PM Wert: Mike FTL!
9:52:32 PM Wert: Denton hates this Edge commercial
9:53:53 PM Hardigree: i actually like that one
9:54:08 PM Wert: Denton thinks it is false advertising
9:54:10 PM Hardigree: not to disagree with our good looking, smart, check-not-bouncing boss
9:54:16 PM Wert: No Brooklyn hipster's gonna drive an Edge
9:54:47 PM Hardigree: feh
9:54:58 PM Wert: I heart the case girls from Deal or no Deal
9:55:16 PM Hardigree: I heart howie mandell
9:55:39 PM Hardigree: Wow, this is stupid
9:55:52 PM Hardigree: unnecessary plot twist FTW!
9:57:08 PM Wert: Blackrock?
9:57:11 PM Wert: Blackriver?
9:57:14 PM Hardigree: holy shit, is this taking down blackwater?
9:57:17 PM Wert: Blackstone?
9:57:22 PM Wert: Blackwater?
9:57:27 PM Wert: Black is back?
9:57:44 PM Hardigree: who knew that KR was going to make geopolitical commentary
9:58:15 PM Wert: Wait, buying a Focus isn't geopolitical commentary?
9:58:28 PM Wert: "Val, shut up?"
9:58:53 PM Wert: KITT's following them...
9:59:48 PM Hardigree: haha, the bad guys buy chevy
9:59:51 PM Hardigree: go figure
9:59:58 PM Wert: Second unnecessary plot twist
10:00:06 PM Wert: Maybe the Ford money ran out after the first hour
10:00:21 PM Wert: Turbo Boost?
10:00:23 PM Wert: Please?
10:00:25 PM Wert: Nope.
10:00:26 PM Wert: Sad.
10:01:56 PM Wert: Maybe he should have been using Sync
10:03:43 PM Wert: I already had an interactive driving tour of KITT.
10:03:55 PM Wert: Charlie over at io9 says she's never seen Turkish Knight Rider
10:04:04 PM Hardigree: Charlie is missing out
10:04:07 PM Wert: Charlie
10:04:14 PM Wert: Charlie's TOTALLY missing out.
10:06:00 PM Hardigree: Duke, which was 10-0 in the ACC just lost to a team that was 5-5
10:06:03 PM Hardigree: wow
10:06:29 PM Wert: Well, what do you expect — they have a team named after a Corvette
10:06:47 PM Hardigree: The ZR-1s?
10:07:03 PM Wert: The Blue Devils
10:07:05 PM Wert: Ha!
10:07:07 PM Wert: Ha!
10:07:08 PM Wert: Ha.
10:07:12 PM Wert: Or something.
10:07:22 PM Wert: Just fucking pretend it was funny, k?
10:08:10 PM Hardigree: like the people at Ford behind getting involved with this?
10:08:25 PM Hardigree: Me and Mike Traucer have something in comon
10:08:42 PM Hardigree: "Ray... I mean KITT... pull over the car"
10:08:54 PM Wert: Hey, Alan Hall called
10:09:01 PM Hardigree: haha, shit
10:09:03 PM Hardigree: what did he say?
10:09:17 PM Wert: He just watched it all on the corporate jet coming back from the Daytona 500
10:09:37 PM Wert: A Fusion did not win, that's sad.
10:09:45 PM Hardigree: boo
10:09:54 PM Wert: We're all very proud of their effort.
10:10:08 PM Hardigree: wtf is that?
10:10:16 PM Hardigree: is that a ute?
10:10:19 PM Hardigree: chero?
10:10:41 PM Wert: Was that a ranchero?
10:11:08 PM Wert: yes, Hall just said it IS a ranchero — Ford PR is now giving us official confirmation —
10:11:11 PM Wert: Actually he'
10:11:13 PM Wert: s not sure
10:11:36 PM Hardigree: Also, did they just hate on the future hydrogen economy?
10:11:45 PM Wert: The solar hybrid is part of Ford's long-term engine product plan.
10:11:48 PM Hardigree: take that fuel cell equinox
10:11:57 PM Wert: We don't need to live-blog Alan calling me though.
10:12:05 PM Hardigree: yeah
10:13:36 PM Hardigree: that's totally a ranchero
10:13:39 PM Hardigree: 10:10: VINTAGE RANCHERO! Jalopnik will be pleased. 10:14:24 PM Wert: Yeah, I saw
10:14:33 PM Wert: KITT is upset
10:14:41 PM Wert: Who the hell loans someone a Focus?
10:14:42 PM Hardigree: "I can't do that Hal"
10:14:50 PM Wert: Also — did KITT just call the Focus a "her"?
10:15:01 PM Wert: Or did he just call the person who drives a Focus a "her"?
10:15:33 PM Hardigree: hey, Mike Tracier
10:15:36 PM Hardigree: Tracer, get it
10:15:47 PM Hardigree: Focus/Escort/Tracer
10:16:05 PM Wert: Ha. Ha. Ha.
10:16:13 PM Wert: You....slay....me...
10:20:00 PM Wert: Her fuck-friend is named "Brock"?
10:21:20 PM Hardigree: btw, if he'd have been reading a blog instead of a magazine he might still be alive
10:23:59 PM Wert: Hey look, it went to a Wendy's commercial — not a Ford one!
10:24:03 PM Wert: Wendy's FTW!
10:24:14 PM Wert: Something smells fishy to me!
10:24:40 PM Hardigree: you realize you put the convo with alan hall up
10:24:54 PM Wert: Yes
10:24:58 PM Wert: It was funny
10:25:07 PM Wert: Never cut the funny, that's what Spinelli always tells me
10:25:10 PM Wert: Never.
10:25:12 PM Wert: Cut.
10:25:13 PM Wert: The.
10:25:28 PM Wert: Funny
10:25:43 PM Wert: .
10:25:52 PM Hardigree: You know who'd have made a great Mike traucer?
10:25:58 PM Hardigree: Mark Fields
10:26:01 PM Wert: How do we spell his name?
10:26:01 PM Hardigree: he had the hair
10:26:04 PM Wert: Oh totally
10:26:11 PM Hardigree: Traucer, I think
10:26:19 PM Wert: The mullet woulda made a helluva Mike Traucer
10:26:25 PM Wert: Sounds vaguely French to me.
10:16:36 PM Hardigree: I wonder if the sheriff is sheriff sunfire
10:17:42 PM Wert: Is Owen taking time off from his time spent in the crazy-house?
10:18:57 PM Wert: Use KITT's Sync system?
10:19:18 PM Wert: "KITT — Play Artist Lamegasm"
10:25:52 PM Hardigree: You know who'd have made a great Mike traucer?
10:25:58 PM Hardigree: Mark Fields
10:26:01 PM Wert: How do we spell his name?
10:26:01 PM Hardigree: he had the hair
10:26:04 PM Wert: Oh totally
10:26:11 PM Hardigree: Traucer, I think
10:26:19 PM Wert: The mullet woulda made a helluva Mike Traucer
10:26:25 PM Wert: Sounds vaguely French to me.
10:27:16 PM Hardigree: Actually, gotta give Ford credit. They found a show and a script that both appeals to people with bad taste and will be watched, ironically, by people who think they have good taste
10:27:47 PM Wert: Ooh, that may win Commenter Of The Show
10:27:51 PM Wert: Or C.O.T.S.
10:28:22 PM Wert: Dude, he almost got shot by his mom
10:28:33 PM Hardigree: it's like the sarah conner chronicles
10:28:34 PM Wert: How are they all going to fit?
10:28:41 PM Wert: There's NO BACK SEAT!
10:29:07 PM Wert: Another KITT, in another place...
10:29:23 PM Wert: You may know his father...
10:29:28 PM Wert: ...he loves cheeseburgers.
10:30:49 PM Wert: Manually???
10:30:53 PM Wert: Drive KITT Manually????
10:30:55 PM Wert: Oh noes!
10:31:10 PM Hardigree: that's gonna suck
10:31:15 PM Hardigree: who didn't see that one coing
10:31:47 PM Wert: No Mom, don't die!!!
10:31:50 PM Wert: NOOOOO!!!!
10:33:30 PM Wert: oooh, she's a hottie
10:33:55 PM Hardigree: "I'd like to ride in you"
10:34:02 PM Wert: Way too hot to be in a Focus.
10:34:16 PM Wert: KITT is such a cock-block.
10:36:18 PM Hardigree: i'd point out that my fiance has now fallen asleep
10:36:22 PM Hardigree: on the coach
10:36:23 PM Hardigree: couch
10:36:33 PM Hardigree: wow, that one vowel makes a big difference
10:36:43 PM Wert: As has the young lady sitting on the couch here.
10:37:35 PM Wert: How's Mike getting out of this one?
10:37:57 PM Wert: I guess that's how
10:38:20 PM Wert: "That's my father, I'm going with you!"
10:38:23 PM Hardigree: yeah, take the college professor and not the FBI agent
10:38:29 PM Hardigree: she's totally going to be the better shot
10:38:33 PM Wert: What the hell are the bad guys driving?
10:38:38 PM Wert: Is that a Chevy?
10:38:42 PM Wert: With no badging?
10:38:44 PM Hardigree: yeah
10:38:45 PM Hardigree: GMC
10:38:47 PM Hardigree: it was on earlier
10:38:54 PM Wert: Professional Bad Guy Grade
10:39:39 PM Wert: Mustang takes a hit and keeps on tickin'
10:39:46 PM Hardigree: yeah, this has gotten slightly better
10:39:46 PM Wert: Did I mention with ZERO damage?
10:39:51 PM Wert: Oh wait, the glass
10:40:21 PM Wert: Did he just shift with an imaginary stick?
10:40:23 PM Wert: And clutch?
10:40:35 PM Hardigree: is that thing on 24's?
10:40:41 PM Wert: Totally on 24's
10:42:41 PM Wert: Wow, KITT is "Ford Tough"
10:43:06 PM Wert: Wait — I can't believe I'm saying this —
10:43:11 PM Wert: Ford...For...The...Win?
10:43:44 PM Hardigree: and here's the segway into a series
10:44:35 PM Wert: Old man is the only one who survives? Seriously — how not-at-all-likely is that?
10:44:57 PM Hardigree: always wear your seatbelts kids
10:45:09 PM Wert: You're right — even when hacking Mustangs.
10:47:09 PM Hardigree: "The world is insane..."
10:47:16 PM Wert: Driving a Mustang is the definition of insanity?
10:47:19 PM Wert: Or sanity?
10:47:22 PM Wert: I'm confused.
10:48:03 PM Hardigree: "I can't help you, I don't believe in the same things... I don't believe in monogamy, I believe in hydrogen"
10:48:16 PM Wert: Is that a lincoln limo?
10:48:28 PM Wert: Lincoln: Reach Higher to the cemetary
10:48:46 PM Wert: I wonder if Pops makes it back in time to be late to the funeral.
10:49:04 PM Wert: CHEESEBURGER!!!
10:49:10 PM Wert: Robble! Robble!
10:50:26 PM Wert: That was the slowest drag race I've ever seen.
10:50:35 PM Wert: Did a Focus just beat a Mustang?
10:51:00 PM Hardigree: THE HOFF!
10:51:04 PM Wert: Hey Hardigree, you fall asleep over there?
10:51:05 PM Hardigree: I think it did
10:51:08 PM Hardigree: Focus, FTW!
10:51:08 PM Wert: Oh good, there you are.
10:53:32 PM Hardigree: HOFF, HIS HOFFNESS, THE HOFFMEIESTER
10:53:39 PM Wert: Touching.
10:53:45 PM Wert: Check out that mascara!
10:54:04 PM Wert: Damn he looks old
10:54:13 PM Wert: And fat.
10:54:48 PM Hardigree: I can't wait for Baywatch 3000
10:55:34 PM Wert: "I was that man..."
10:55:43 PM Wert: "...except I had an F-body Trans-Am..."
10:56:14 PM Wert: "Will I ever see you again?"
10:56:23 PM Wert: "I hope so...it all depends on what the network says."
10:56:23 PM Hardigree: "Let's see how we do in the demo"
10:57:50 PM Wert: And segue into the new show...
10:58:31 PM Wert: Gratuitous make-out...
10:58:35 PM Wert: Cue the theme
10:58:49 PM Wert: Hit the reverse turbo boost
10:58:58 PM Wert: Too bad Mike can't drive a stick
10:59:07 PM Wert: especially not backwards
10:59:21 PM Wert: Whoa! Nice upgrade from the trailer!
10:59:24 PM Hardigree: wow, a plane is so much better than a trailer
10:59:29 PM Wert: Seriously!
10:59:47 PM Wert: And that, folks, is that — hope you all enjoyed the show!
11:00:05 PM Hardigree: And if you did, I have same land in Florida for sale
11:00:43 PM Wert: Wait — so this was all a commercial for America's Got Talent? I'm so confused.
11:00:49 PM Wert: This movie has warped my fragile little mind.

KITT In Action: Exclusive Video

marnold — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST

Yesterday, Ray and Wes met KITT in the flesh— er, metal. Today we bring you the video footage of us doing our best Hasslehoff impression during our exclusive Brooklyn rendezvous. The new Knight Rider made-for-television movie premieres tomorrow on NBC, so our test ~~drive~~ ride just came right at our peak of anticipation. And while we still kinda agree with the "never meet your childhood heros" rule, we've gotta admit that the supercharged Mustang GT in GT500KR clothing looks and sounds pretty sweet.

Exclusive: Jalopnik Lifts KITT's Hood

Wes Siler — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Ray and I got to live out a major childhood fantasy of ours earlier today when KITT swung by Brooklyn and offered to take us for a ride. KITT's found new life not as an F-body, but as a Ford Mustang GT500KR. Well, a more accurate description would be a Mustang GT with an automatic transmission — the cast can't drive stick — a supercharger and GT500KR bodywork. They do say, "Never meet your childhood heroes, you'll be disappointed." In this case, they're only partially right.

Knight Rider, the made for TV movie, airs Sunday night on NBC, starring our friend KITT here and a cast of no name, blandly good looking actors. Val Kilmer provides KITT's voice. David Hasselhoff will make a cameo appearance to smooth the transition from 25 years ago to today. It's rumored that should the movie prove successful, we should expect a spin-off series some time in the near future.

In person, KITT is little more than a prop. It's roughly finished and beat to hell. We're some of the first people outside the show, after Jay Leno, to get our hands on the car. We're not NBC employees like Jay, so we couldn't drive the vehicle for liability reasons, but we were able to hop in for a short ride. It felt like a Mustang, one with loud pipes, a plastic interior and lowered suspension; it rides rough as hell. But that's the adult in me speaking. The five year old that still exists somewhere deep inside me is positively giddy with excitement at finally getting the opportunity to ride along with Michael Knight, or at least one of Ford's delivery guys who looked just a little bit like him. NBC's hoping a lot more people's inner child won't be able to resist KITT either.

Photography: Ray Wert and Wes Siler

Knight Rider Rides Again On The Today Show, Now With Added Hasselhoff

Wes Siler — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST

KITT made an appearance on the Today Show this morning alongside costar Justin Bruening to promote the new Knight Rider TV Movie. During the show it was revealed that David Hasselhoff will be returning as Michael Knight. Bruening also revealed the loophole that allows the new version to pick up where the old left off, apparently, KITT's true inventor was never identified. Oh joy, what a plot twist.

Turkish Knight Rider Saves Grocery Shoppers From High Interest Rates

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:45:00 EST

Our third installment of Turkish Knight Rider follows his introduction to the cause and his conquest of the Corvette fur coat guy. This time we find out the shape-shifting of the new Knight Rider has its roots in this classic Turkish series... though we don't think the new one will become a shopping cart. This one is fairly easy to figure out, unless our favorite young Turk, Oyumurtaci, has a different translation.

[Source: OPET]

Even The Knight Rider R/C Car Has Turbo Boost

Travis Hudson — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:15:00 EST

As far as we can tell, the new GT500KR Mustang KITT still lacks any kind of turbo boost. But now you can still enjoy a little bit of the old Knight Rider turbo in the form of a remote control car. Forget the Mustang—let's return to the Golden Age with the Pontiac Trans-Am KITT remote-control car from Firebox. You'll be the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Your dad will be able to beat up other dads. But not The Hoff, or course.

This R/C car features the famoous KITT strobing lights and is capable of going forward, backward—and using its turbo boost! It makes whooshing sounds and yes, it will even talk to you. No word on whether archived Hasselhoff chest hair is also included. The original Knight Rider KITT remote-control car is available for a relatively modest outlay of $50. [Firebox via Gearlog]

Stuff Happens In New Knight Rider Commercial, For Once

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST

We were getting pretty sick of Knight Rider commercials where nothing happened. In this commercial, brought to us by the folks at Knight Rider Online, we finally get some action. You got your machine gun fire, your explosions, your hand-to-hand combat and your maiden (the certainly illegitimate child of the Hoff). Though a step in the right direction, the lack of removable mullets still makes it inferior to Turkish Knight Rider, our new hero. [Knight Rider Online]

Turkish Knight Rider Rides Again

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:15:00 EST

Everyone had so much fun with with Turkish Knight Rider that we thought we'd share some more of the parody goodness with you. Whereas American Knight Rider merely fights crime with his tricked out ride, Turkish Knight Rider uses GITT to pick up girls, sell gas and mess with jerks in fur coats, which is exactly what we'd do. In this clip GITT races a Corvette around a track inexplicably used as a throughway for Turkish school children. Enjoy! [Source: OPET]

For All Of Those Sick Of Knight Rider: Turkish Knight Rider

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

We have to admit that any interest most of us had in Knight Rider quickly waned with the news that Will Arnett was out as the voice of K.I.T.T. But we have a new hero! You have to hand it to Turkish gas company OPET for capturing the sentiment, cheese and enthusiasm of the original series. And if you thought a Shelby Mustang was an unlikely heir to the original Pontiac, what could you possibly say about a Fiat-based Murat 124? GITT is truly the new KITT. [Source: OPET]

GMCock-Block: Arnett Out As Voice Of KITT, Val Kilmer In

Travis Hudson — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:22:17 EST

Will Arnett is out as the voice of KITT in NBC's upcoming Knight Rider revival, having been replaced with the Iceman himself, Val Kilmer. Arrested Development star Arnett was forced to pull out due to contractual conflicts; previously he'd done voice over work for GMC.

The swap comes due to Ford's ponying up huge sums of cash for advertising time on NBC to market the casting of the Shelby Mustang GT500KR as the show's star, The Knight Industries Three Thousand. It's believed that Ford was unhappy with the potential boost GMC ads could gain by featuring KITT's voice saying, "It's not more than you need, just more than you're used to."

Personally, we think the new voice for KITT is way sexier anyway. The media fan-boy in us is positively giddy over the potential homoerotic meta-ness Kilmer could bring to the show. "You can be my wingman anytime, Michael."
[Knight Rider Online]

New Knight Rider Commercial Airs, 30 More Seconds Of Less-Than-Exciting Action

Ray Wert — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:15:00 EST

Well, our good friends at Knight Rider Online have the scoop yet again on a new commercial for the new Mustang-ed up Knight Rider mini-series. The show'll be airing on the February 17th. The commercial? From what we understand, that aired last night on Conan O'Brien. The one new bit of info we're able to glean from the 30-seconds of 'stang-love is we get to see KITT's voice modulator for the first time. Oh yay. Want to see the other commercials? They're here, here and here and oh yes, here. We're going to get back to covering the Chicago Auto Show now. [via Knight Rider Online]

KITT PC Casemod is Hasselhoff-Approved

Travis Hudson — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST

Last year's Transformers is this year's Knight Rider if you couldn't already tell from all of the news including the first photos, trailers and more. Now we have something a bit astray from the new Knight Rider Shelby GT500KR, but equally as cool, at least in my techie book—a KITT PC casemod! The casemod features somewhat authentic lights and sounds of the older KITT. It even has a remote starter and pretty gauges that may or may not function.

Now while this mod doesn't have the ability to converse with you, it does include the ability to wow all of the ladies, leaving you a busy man this Valentine's Day. Thomas Fan is the mastermind behind this work of art. [Wired]

New Knight Rider Commercial: Like Us, KITT Hates Valet

Ray Wert — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:15:00 EST

We hate valet service. Nothing gives us more fear on earth than dropping off a vehicle — any vehicle — to some pimple-faced 17-year-old with a heavy ~~left~~ right foot and an inability to discern 2nd from reverse. Looks like the Mustang-derived KITT's got the same security issues we feel in this new commercial for the new Knight Rider movie/series/sequel dubbed "Valet." We just want to give the new GT500KR look-a-like a big hug and tell him everything's gonna be alright...don't cry...there, there.

[via Knight Rider Online]

Detroit Auto Show: KITT Heading to Detroit to Play on Ford Stage

Ray Wert — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:12:03 EST

We're hearing among the "plethora" of official reveals from Ford at the Detroit Auto Show this weekend will be an additional piece of product pr0n to feast our eyes on — for the second time (we know you remember the first time our Gawker LA videographer Molly caught KITT. That's right, our sources tell us the GT500KR-like Mustang GT playing the role of KITT in the new Knight Rider movie/TV show/Mini-Series/whatevs will be on display for the media come Sunday morning. Now if only they'd fly Will Arnett out so we could hear it say "Mark Fields, jump in!" Yes, that'd be epic. Of course you too can follow along live at our Detroit Auto Show tag page, or if you're technically inclined, hit up the RSS feed for your fave feed reader — or just keep madly hitting refresh on our main page — whatever works best for you. Because that's what we're all about here — you. And cars. And sometimes, the Hoff.

Ein Auto, Ein Computer, Ein Mann! German Knight Rider Intro

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

It's been a whole 30 seconds since we've posted something about the New Knight Rider and we were starting to get the shakes. But, c'mon, look at that smile. Is it any wonder that the Germans love David Hasselhoff? Two esses, two effs, all man. We love the voice over, it's kind of angry and threatening. Did this guy found the Neue Deutsche Härte movement? So Ze Germans. Enjoy. [YouTube]

New Clip From New Knight Rider, Still No Turbo Boost

Ray Wert — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:32:40 EST

No turbo boost in the first 15-second teaser of the new KITT, no turbo boost in the second, 30-second commercial for NBC's new Knight Rider, and now we're here. How sad is it there's now a third video — a minute-and-a-half clip from the new Knight Rider movie/show now up on the interwebs, yet still no turbo boost. Yes, sure, there's plenty more moments of the new Shelby-fied Ford Mustang GT500KR-powered KITT in action and there's the new shots of the new Hoff-ness, Mike Tracer. There's even some great ignition sounds of the big 550-HP 'Stang — but there's certainly no boost of a turbo nature. Although we hear Ford's working on that.

[via Knight Rider Online]

30-Second Knight Rider Commercial Airs, No Turbo Boost In Sight

Ray Wert — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:10:09 EST

UPDATE: We snagged ourselves a higher-res version of the new Knight Rider commercial. We've replaced the ol' and busted one with the new hotness you see above and added the text of the commercial below the jump. The second commercial for the new Knight Rider's aired just weeks after the first and it's got us thinking. OK, so the new K.I.T.T.'s a Mustang GT500KR, right? And it's got all these great standard features, right? 550 horses under the Cylon-like hood, race-tuned suspension, Xenon headlights with infrared, military satellite access, and all the rest. But where's the turbo boost, eh? Seriously — that's all we want — a little bit of turbo boost. Is that too much to ask for? We don't think so.

Finally, a motorcar that defines indulgence. 550 horsepower...standard. Racing-tuned suspension...standard. Xenon headlamps with Infrared night vision...standard. Metallic paint with nanotech-enhanced camouflage, access to military satellite...imaging...self-regenerating and damage...FBI network...high-speed internet...solar-powered hybrid engine...artificial intelligence...voice-activated GPS...standard. Driver? Optional. But really...enough about me.

Yup, still no turbo boost. [Hat tip to Knight Rider Online]

How K.I.T.T. Became A Mustang

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST

Confirming our suspicions about the Ford-NBC-Knight Rider Deal, AdAge is reporting how GM dropped the ball on picking up the Knight Rider tie-in and how Ford lunged at the opportunity. According to the article, Ford took note of the success of the Transformers film in pimping out the full line of GM vehicles and decided to buy its way in by making an offer NBC Universal couldn't refuse. Though there's no solid number on how much advertising Ford promised NBC if it used the Mustang, the co-chair of NBC Entertainment called it "enormous."

The show's executive producer also pointed out that neither the Camaro nor the Challenger were going to be out in time for the show, and that the Crossfire was going out of production &mdash though we can't imagine that anyone was actually considering the Crossfire. That left the Mustang as the most obvious domestic choice, though it has been argued that the Corvette could have fit the bill. Anyone shocked it came down to the money? [AdAge]

Hello KITT: Aussie Cops Testing Super Police Cruiser

bwojdyla — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:15:00 EST

Here is where Shakespeare's timeless question gets stretched to it's limit; Does a rose by any other name smell just as sweet? Or adapted: Does KITT, recreated in part by Aussie coppers, bust just as many bad guys? The cool swooshy light show will be roofside instead of in the nose, but it does a lot of the stuff that got our collective 12 year old engines revved. How about starting with the solid base of a Holden Commodore VE, add realtime cameras that stream video back to base, voice recognition, automatic plate recognition, and get this - the ability to fire a GPS enabled tracking dart into a cars' backside. Now doubt hoons everywhere will respond with rotating number plates, hardened trunk lids impervious to darts, and lasers. Also, turbo boost. What? You mean life doesn't imitate art? [couriermail.com.au]

Are These The Most Memorable TV Cars?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST

We occasionally see lists of the best television cars pop up on the Internet, and we always find ourselves at a loss to understand why people feel the need to limit themselves to just ten. A good list should probably come in closer to 30, so it's not just predictable choices like K.I.T.T. and the Batmobile. The list below isn't a bad attempt, though we're sad to see the Ferrari Daytona from Miami Vice didn't make the cut. Anything else missing?

Top Ten Most Memorable TV Cars

10. The Beverly Hillbillies' Truck
9. Starsky's 1975 Ford Gran Torino
8. The Original Batmobile
7.1983 GMC G-Series A Team Van
6. Thomas Magnum's Ferrari 308 GTS From Magnum P.I.
5. The Flintstones' Flintmobile
4. The Vista Cruiser from That 70's Show
3. The Car From My Mother The Car
2. The Original K.I.T.T.
1. The General Lee

[Internet Broadcasting via WKMG]

First Trailer For New Knight Rider Airs, Features New Shelby-fied KITT, Flashing Red Lights and Will Arnett

Ray Wert — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:00:00 EST

If anyone happened to have been watching NFL Football last night on NBC, they'd have seen a quick 15 seconds of promo reel that'll make their heart beat just a few seconds faster this morning. The rainbow-colored network dropped their first promo for the new Knight Rider TV movie. It was only a few seconds long, but as soon as we saw the ~~Ford/Shelby GT500KR logo~~ flashing red lights and the voice of Will Arnett they had us at hello.

[Hat tip to Knight Rider Online!]

Ebay Shenanigans: Original KITT for Sale?

Travis Hudson — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:45:00 EST

Hot off the rebirth of KITT as the Shelby GT500KR, the original KITT appears to have made an appearance on Ebay, or so the seller claims by the vehicle description: ORIGINAL KNIGHTRIDER TV SERIES CARThe 1984 Pontiac supposedly has 5,000 miles. After the validity of the car is questioned, the seller responds:

Yes it is the original Knightrider car. Car is in LA. Can fax you pictures. Bought in 2005 for 69K. Selling as executor of estate.

Matt Hickey over at CrunchGear says the deal is legit, but then again the actual auction page lists the vehicle as a Grand AM with 5,000 miles. Oh, and the picture is of Charlie Brown and Snoopy's backside, which is real convincing because everyone knows that Snoopy's uncle's third cousin was Hasselhoff's peanut butter licking ... oh, nevermind. We're working on blowing the dust out of the fax machine to contact the seller and get pictures. Stay tuned. [Ebay]

Knight Rider GT500KR's May Not Actually Be KR's

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST

UPDATE: The great "tip" we got apparently can be found directly in the press release handed out by Ford yesterday. Ford has been quite clear these aren't real KR Mustangs. Here's the Ford release. — Ed. All is not well in the land of Knight Rider as we hear the K.I.T.T. models that everyone was shown might not be actual KR's because most of the cast can't drive a stick. It's possible that two are stock automatic GTs converted to look like KR's and one is maybe an actual KR with an auto box swapped in. We also have it from one of our sources that there are a lot of people upset over the choice of the Mustang, but that NBC is too happy with whatever deal they have with Ford to care. The details below the jump:

This is what we have from our source:

None of theme are true Kr's...They had to be automatic cause most of the cast can't drive stick, so they had Galpin whip up some stock automatics to look KRish....and [name redacted] and the designer had expressed their problems with using the stang feeling fans would be a lil pissed and the Execs brushed them off. I spoke with [redacted] yesterday and he asked me what I thought knowing I was a fan and I told him I didn't like it...and he said "Everyone doesn't like it cept NBC"

This goes along with what we hear from another Universal Employee about all of the Stangs being automatic. What's the truth? If only there were some sort of mysterious Foundation for Law and Governance to send a lone man and a talking robot of some sort to aid in uncovering the deepest, darkest secrets.

The Other Semi-Sentient Television Automobile

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST

With all this talk of the new Knight Rider television movie, I think we've all forgotten that before K.I.T.T. there was another grand talking car on television. It was part Model T, Maxwell, Hudson and Chevrolet and powered by a 283 cubic inch Chevy V8. It also contains the soul of Jerry Van Dyke's deceased mother.

While My Mother The Car may have been cancelled after just one season, and though many people consider it one of the worst shows every created, it's hard to ignore the influence of the show. Besides Knight Rider, which can be said to borrow the concept, one of the show's writers was James L. Brooks, who went on to produce The Simpsons and direct Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News. Bet you didn't know that. [Wikipedia]

Ein Mann und Ein Auto? Nein! Team Knight Rider!

Murilee Martin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST

With all this frenzy surrounding the new Knight Rider series, some folks forget about the 1997 spinoff series: Team Knight Rider! This show didn't have just one sentient vehicle- oh, no, apparently an entire assembly line was cranking out self-aware Fords. Yes, Fords! And since the show was so good, it was promptly dubbed for export to eager audiences across Germany. Who knows, perhaps a fleet of such cars could start reproducing themselves, leading to a Gray Goo crisis, in which all of the planet's matter would be converted into talking Expeditions.

Jalopnik Holiday Gift Guide: Knight Rider Season One DVD

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:00:00 EST

For those who are skeptical of the new Knight Rider, and never managed to enjoy Team Knight Rider, may we suggest the original? The campy acting. The ridiculous plot twists. A talking Pontiac. The Hoff! It was a great time, before The Wire, when everything had to be resolved before an episode could end.

It's currently available at Amazon, for just $20.99, if you've got time to wait for the shipping. We bet you can also pick it up at your local Best Buy or independent movie retailer (if those still exist). It'll go great with a vintage Members Only jacket. [Amazon]

Will Arnett is The Voice of K.I.T.T.

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST

While we harbor a decent amount of suspicion regarding the new Knight Rider, we do feel much better knowing that Will Arnett of Arrested Development fame is going to be the new voice of KITT. (you may have noticed we make AD jokes whenever we can, just look at all our Dieter Zetsche posts). If only we could find a way to get KITT to say "I know what an erection feels like, Michael." What do you want to hear KITT/Gob Bluth/WIll Arnett say?

K.I.T.T. Joins Nancy Reagan To Say Nope To Dope!

Murilee Martin — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST

With all the focus on the new KITT yesterday, it's good to spend some time remembering the classic KITT. Apparently in hopes of counteracting the insidious influence of Jeff Spicoli on America's impressionable youth, 80s icons Nancy Reagan, Brooke Shields, Mr. T, a talking Pontiac, and David Hasselhoff joined forces to get the message out: Say Nyet To Intoxicants!

First Video Of Knight Rider's KITT Revealed Live!

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:31:28 EST

We here at Jalopnik aren't content to bring you just warmed-over press photos and spy photos. No, we also want to give you warmed-over video from the press reveal! Yup, we're continuing our role as the first to break news on the Knight Rider-Ford story with this video of the KITT from the new Knight Rider — revealed live today in sunny SoCal. He's a Mustang GT500KR and wait, there's not one, not two, nope, there's three of them. What? Seriously. Here's the scoop from Ford and NBC:

"The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle."

Full press release after the jump. UPDATE: Interior sketch below including what looks like a giant flux capacitor on the rear seat! Wow, talk about crossing sci-fi mythos, eh? Also, we've got a few live reveal shots from Gawker video goddess Molly to go along with her video above!

UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED "Knight Rider" Cast Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison Participate at the Unveiling Event Showcasing the Customized KITT Ford Mustang to Be Featured in Movie Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") to Serve as Executive Producers; David Hasselhoff, the Star of the Original "Knight Rider" Series, Appears as a Special Guest Star in His Original Role as Michael Knight NBC Also Forms Partnership with Ford Motor Company That Provides for Unique Content Opportunity BURBANK - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" — NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) — NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today. The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") — who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series — returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT. Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers. NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie. The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.
As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body — thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology — is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car — and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago — and that her father is in serious danger.

Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

It's Official! Knight Rider's KITT is a Shelby GT500KR Mustang

Ray Wert — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:00:09 EST

UPDATE: Official press photos added in the gallery below and the shot above. Supposedly we'll have Cylon-like red lights in a video coming shortly. Also press release now below the jump. UPDATE 2: Now we have video here! The Knight Rider Mustang story we first broke last month, and then brought you the first pictures of a week later, is now officially official, KITT from the new Knight Rider series is a Shelby Mustang GT500KR. Goodbye, F-Body. Hello, Ford body. We've got a reporter live at a press conference going on right now in sunny California so we'll have her video and photos shortly. We're also assuming we'll have the full press release up after the jump in a few minutes. For now, sit back and reminisce — and whatever you do, don't go here.

UPDATED 'KNIGHT RIDER' REVS UP TO RETURN TO NBC FOR SPECIAL TWO-HOUR MOVIE EVENT ON FEBRUARY 17 AS NEW KITT CAR IS REVEALED "Knight Rider" Cast Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Bruce Davison Participate at the Unveiling Event Showcasing the Customized KITT Ford Mustang to Be Featured in Movie Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") to Serve as Executive Producers; David Hasselhoff, the Star of the Original "Knight Rider" Series, Appears as a Special Guest Star in His Original Role as Michael Knight NBC Also Forms Partnership with Ford Motor Company That Provides for Unique Content Opportunity BURBANK - December 12, 2007 - As "Knight Rider" — NBC's iconic 1980s television classic that became a runaway success, comes roaring back to life on the network with an updated sequel that will air as a two-hour movie event on Sunday, February 17 (9-11 p.m. ET) — NBC unveiled the new customized KITT Ford Mustang to be featured in the series in a press event held at NBC's Burbank Studios today. The movie stars Justin Bruening ("Cold Case," "All My Children"), Deanna Russo ("NCIS," "The Young and the Restless"), Sydney Tamiia Poitier ("Veronica Mars," "Grindhouse") and Bruce Davison ("Breach," "Close to Home"). In addition, David Hasselhoff (NBC's "America's Got Talent") — who starred in the popular lead role as Michael Knight for four seasons during the original series — returns as the same character in a special guest-star appearance. Will Arnett (NBC's "30 Rock," "Blades of Glory") will provide the voice of KITT. Dave Bartis ("Heist," "The O.C.") and Doug Liman ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Bourne Identity") serve as executive producers. NBC also has an arrangement with Ford Motor Company that provides for a unique content opportunity that makes the Ford Mustang one of the stars of the movie. The three cars to be employed in the series include the KITT Hero — a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR that is playing the part of the everyday Hero car with 540 horsepower; the KITT Attack — a super high-speed version of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Hero car that transforms into Attack mode with the help of air-ride technology and specialized body parts — and a KITT Remote, which is a driverless Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR version of the Hero vehicle.
As the original story resumes, the new KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand) is absolutely the coolest car ever created: its supercomputer capable of hacking almost any system; its weapons systems efficient; and its body — thanks to its creator's work and nanotechnology — is capable of actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it the ideal crime-fighting partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite knowledge. It is the ultimate car — and someone will be willing to do anything to obtain it.

Sarah Graiman is a 24-year old Ph.D candidate at Stanford University, following in her genius father Charles' (Davison) footsteps. But when men attempt to abduct her, Sarah receives a mysterious call from KITT warning her that he's a creation of Charles, who also invented the first KITT 25 years ago — and that her father is in serious danger.

Sarah and KITT track down her best friend from childhood, Mike Tracer (Bruening), a 23-year-old ex-Army Ranger, whom Sarah hasn't seen since he left home at 18. Having served in Iraq, Mike is now jaded and lost and initially resistant. Eventually he agrees to help Sarah and the two set out to discover who's behind the attempt to procure KITT and find Charles. Along the way, Carrie Rivai (Poitier) plays the agile yet tough FBI agent who has a long-standing friendship with Charles and Sarah. Due to those ties, she is brought into the mix to help in the search.

David Andron is supervising producer and writer. Steve Shill ("Dexter," "The Tudors"), also a co-executive producer, directs the two-hour movie from Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven Productions.

Original KITT Makes Appearance In New 'Knight Rider'?

Ray Wert — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST

We were the first to break the news on the new-look KITT from the new Knight Rider TV series. But fear not, F-body fans. According to our friends at Ain't It Cool News, we're hearing the old Trans Am gets a bit of a cameo in the new TV show. We're not yet sure what the script looks like, but we're beating the story line will have something to do with using parts of the old KITT being used to build the new KITT. Or it could just be set decoration. We've no idea really — but check in with AICN and SpoilerTV to find out more. One more pic after the jump.

[SpoilerTV via AICN]

The Knight Rider Stripper Helps Us Banish our Pre-Mustang KITT Memories

Ray Wert — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST

So we had kind of a big n' exclusive story yesterday — something about K.I.T.T. being a Shelby GT500KR Mustang in the new TV series. Yeah, that was it. Despite what we're sure will be a great deal of hoopla surrounding the arrival of the new talking Knight Rider ride, a great number of us still have fond memories of the old F-body Pontiac. We wanted to give you an opportunity to breathe in those fond memories and let them alight in your brain one more time — and then watch as they get ripped to shreds by the unbelievably horrifying Knight Rider stripper. America may have talent, but she certainly did not. Watch the full train wreck above which may or may not be safe for work, depending on if you're allowed to see ladies wearing next to nothing.

Exclusive First Pictures of KITT From The New Knight Rider TV Series: Yes, It's a Shelby GT500KR

Ray Wert — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:01:00 EST

UPDATE: Sources with the involved companies tell us this is the real car — the actual car to be used in the show. But, because "it wasn't working at the effects studio yesterday," someone did photoshop the red light. UPDATE #2: We now have the official first images from the folks at NBC and Ford here, and the exclusive first video of the new KITT available here. Our detective work's paid off on yesterday's rumor on the new KITT. Now not only do we have off the record confirmation from the "involved parties" that KITT will lose the GM third generation F-body (and legions of mullet-swinging fans), but also that he'll be moving up a few steps on the horsepower ladder. That's right, everyone's favorite talking car (no, not spelled K-A-R-R) will be played by a black-with-gray-stripes 550 HP Ford Shelby GT500KR Mustang in the new Knight Rider TV show. And thanks to a very helpful tipster who's preference is to remain anonymous (we don't blame 'em) we've got the proof to show you — photos taken from inside of the vehicle build facility out in LA where they're prepping the new Knight Industries 'stang for Cylon-like close-ups. Yes friends, this is the new KI Two Thousand — who wants to touch it? I said, who wants to touch it? OK, well how about just your two cents? Anybody?