Justin Bruening in Knight Rider by Chris Haston/NBC Photo
Sunday's Knight Rider TV-movie reboot/backdoor pilot may have generated enough RPMs to earn itself a series pickup for the 2008-09 season. Not only was its audience of 12.7 million second only to Sunday night's Extreme Makeover, but KITT's latest adventure delivered the best 18-49 numbers of any TV-movie since March 2005's Their Eyes Were Watching God.Elsewhere, CBS' slightly tamed Dexter slayed 8.14 mil, or more than 10 times the audience the same series premiere drew during its original Showtime run. In the same 10 o'clock hour opposite Knight Rider, Brothers & Sisters took a hit, mustering just 8.5 mil. (But at least the bitter-stepchild storyline was nipped in the bud.)Related:• Matt Roush: Knight Rider Was Stuck in Reverse• Cheers & Jeers: A Not-so-good Knight Rider• Five Reasons We Love Dexter
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So I come back from a week away, and what should await me but a time warp to a long-forgotten (and happily so) era of kitschy schlock. Courtesy, naturally, of NBC, whose new regime appears to be operating under an embargo banning anything with a shred of originality. Two hours of American Gladiators (which I skipped) followed by two hours of Knight Rider (which I forced myself to endure). Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a forgettable night — unless you enjoy the rubbernecking spectacle of watching a network slip further into the abyss of cultural irrelevancy. (You doubt me? I guess you missed the promos for Monday’s newest reality gem, My Dad Is Better than Your Dad.)The new (more or less) Knight Rider wasn’t really a show, it was more like the longest car ad in human memory: “Brought to you by the star of our show, (name of car).” Almost made you pine for the good old days of the writers’ strike.Despite a few contemporary touches — on...
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Justin Bruening by Mitch Haddad/NBC
Jeers to Knight Rider for stalling at the starting line. I was never a fan of the original '80s series — in the Hasselhoff canon, my taste veers more to Baywatch — but it was more entertaining than this crap-tastic remake. As the voice of KITT 3000, the monotonous Val Kilmer sounded like he literally phoned in his performance (original choice Will Arnett, who had to drop out due to a sponsorship conflict, would've been more fun). New driver Justin Bruening is one bland slab of beefcake, and the special effects looked slapped together on roughly the catering budget for Transformers. Seriously, the Hoff's drunken-burger video was less embarrassing.For another take on Knight Rider, read the Roush Dispatch.• Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Lost's "rescue" team, CBS' Welcome to the Captain, the return of late-night TV and more!• Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board.• We may feature your Cheer or ...
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Justin Bruening in Knight Rider by Mitchell Haaseth/NBC Photo
It may not be the same as it was back in the '80s when the Hoff was showing off his chest hair, but none the less, we're really looking forward to seeing how the TV-movie remake turns out. Taking Hasselhoff’s place in the movie is All My Children alum, Justin Bruening, playing ex-army ranger Mike Traceur. Val Kilmer as the voice of KITT will take some getting used, but the fact that the Hoffster will be making a cameo as Michael Knight makes everything a-OK. Watch it now! | More online videos
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Justin Bruening, Knight Rider
Knight Rider airs Sunday at 9 pm/ET, NBC.
The realization hit Justin Bruening the moment the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR slammed its own doors. At 28, Bruening was only six when the original Knight Rider, which made a star of David Hasselhoff, roared off into TV mythology. Now, as the former All My Children actor slid into the Hoff's old seat behind the wheel of the franchise's signature (but updated) supercar, he felt the moment.
"We have a version of the car that's driven by remote control," says Bruening. "So someone's sitting a hundred yards away with two little joysticks, and I get in the car in the middle of a scene, and the doors slam shut on their own. That was the first moment that I went, 'Oh, crap, this is real — KITT actually lives.' It's cool that we're
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Val Kilmer by John Sciulli/WireImage.com
"Michael, call our lawyers.... "Will Arnett has been replaced as the voice of KITT in NBC's soon-to-premiere Knight Rider TV-movie/backdoor pilot. According to Variety, though Arnett had already recorded what I am sure was some deliciously dry dialogue, it came to light that because the Arrested Development alum has done voice-over work for General Motors — and KITT is "played" by a Ford Mustang — he'd have to graciously bow out.Val Kilmer instead will lend his pipes to the shape-shifting upgraded supercar.
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Justin Bruening by Chris Haston/NBC Photo
Here's a roundup of winter and spring TV-movies and specials to keep in mind when seeking out alternative, strike-time programming:Husband for Hire | Jan. 19, at 8 pm/ET, OxygenA single woman (Nadine Velazquez) has 24 hours to find a husband in order to inherit her share of the family fortune. Mark Consuelos, Erik Estrada and Mario Lopez costar.Daniel's Daughter | Jan. 26, 9 pm, Hallmark ChannelLaura Leighton (Melrose Place) plays a woman who realizes how much she has in common with her late father when she fulfills his last wish.The Russell Girl | Jan. 27, 9 pm, CBSAmber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia) stars as an aspiring med student who returns home to confront her difficult past.Bernard and Doris | Feb. 9, 8 pm, HBOEccentric billionaire Doris Duke (Susan Sarandon) hires penniless Irish butler Bernard Lafferty (Ralph Fiennes) and then leaves him her fortune in this fictional tale based on true events.The 50th Annual Grammy Awards | Feb. 10, 8 pm, CBSRapper Kanye West and troubled souls...
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Knight Rider Gets a MakeoverForget the Hoff, there’s a new mustang-driving badass in town come the New Year. NBC has recently released the official teaser for the upcoming two-hour Knight Rider TV movie. Looks like KITT is moving up in the world now that he’s been upgraded to a sick 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR (click here to check out the ride), and has a new manly voice (Arrested Development’s Will Arnett). A word of advice: the teaser is only a whopping 15 seconds long, so whatever you do, don’t blink!For more great videos, check out our Online Video Guide now!
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Justin Bruening by LRRB and Co./WireImage.com
Justin Bruening, the former soap stud playing TV's new Knight Rider in an NBC movie/backdoor pilot premiering in February, injured himself while filming a scene on Friday and as a result required hospitalization. "[Justin] experienced a knee injury Friday afternoon while filming a fight scene," an NBC rep tells Access Hollywood. "He was taken to the hospital and was treated and released. He's in good spirits and is looking forward to returning to work soon."Shortly after the mishap, setside sources say, KITT was overhead grumbling, "Next time, I finish him. This franchise is mine, baby!"
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