SciFiWire Talk To Justin Bruening

SciFiWire have posted an interview with Justin Bruening from the set of I Love The Knight Life -- now the season finale -- where the star of Knight Rider talks about the changes that have recently swept through the show.

"People will be able to relate more," Bruening says of the show post-'reboot.' "They reinvented the show, so it's going to be more of the original format, where it was usually Michael and K.I.T.T. going out on missions. 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."

With Mike on the road assuming the 'young loner' mantle of the original Michael Knight, he now sees less of his co-stars. "Obviously, I'm sad to see people go," Bruening explains. "They are great friends, and I've learned a lot from them, but the way it happens, it makes the story stronger, and it makes the remaining four characters much stronger. We all have to step up instead of relying on the other cast members. It gives us more to do."

The fact that the remaining cast members have more to do is something that has pleased Knight Rider fans on internet forums, who have complained vocally since the show premiered that the show lacked focus and that Mike was often not the driving force behind the capture of the bad guys -- regularly being bailed out of trouble by Sarah (Deanna Russo) or the team in the SSC. Now that Sarah is in charge of operations back at the SSC, the action and adventure is firmly Mike's department... but how does Justin see the dynamics of their other relationship changing?

"I wish I knew, and I don't even think my character even knows," he says. "We are getting to the point where we come together, events have happened, and it makes us shut down in terms of romance. In [I Love The Knight Life], there is a new girl from my past, someone I knew from my childhood, and Sarah knows of her. Oddly enough, she is going through things that are almost a carbon copy to what Sarah is going through. This episode is a new step for Michael and has nothing to do with Sarah. And Michael doesn't know what's going on with Sarah, and he's starting to get frustrated. In episode four, she knew he loved her, and still nothing. It's like 'Why beat a dead horse?'"

Of course, major relationship that defines Mike's character -- and the only relationship that really matters in a show called Knight Rider -- is that between Michael Knight and his car. "The relationship that is developing is more brotherly," Bruening says. "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."

So, no modern takes on classic episodes such as Killer K.I.T.T. this season then, but Bruening reveals that K.I.T.T. has plenty of aggressive ammunition in the season finale. "K.I.T.T. gets some new guns that exhaust his ammunition, which is 8,000 rounds, in seven seconds," he says. "It's pretty impressive, but I actually make fun of him for only lasting seven seconds. That's the fun part of the show. K.I.T.T. is becoming such a strong character that we're trying to find a way to make the scenes humorous."

So far, after Gary Scott Thompson's Exit Light, Enter Knight and Wednesday's Fight Knight the majority of fans are pleased with Knight Rider's new direction. Hopefully the network will follow suit. Bruening himself is happy with the result. "I think it's always fun to reinvent. It's exciting. There are changes, and you see progress that way. It's not stagnant, and it makes sense why we change. Plus, it makes it more like the original series with missions. Sarah is more of the mechanic, and she runs the place. Billy and Zoe are the computer techs, so knowing everyone's expertise allows Michael to call the right guy."

SciFiWire.com - Knight Rider Got An Overhaul...

Knight Writers Blog on Exit Light, Enter Knight

Over at NBC's Official Knight Writers Blog, Eric Buchman offers some behind-the-scenes photos and trivia about Wednesday night's show, Exit Light, Enter Knight.

"This episode wasn't originally supposed to air in this slot," Buchman says of Exit Light, the last episode to be filmed before the series was put on hiatus, "but by getting moved up, I actually think it helped add some tension that might not have been there had this episode aired later in the season.

"It's hard to put the main character of any show into serious 'will he/she make it?' jeopardy, let alone a character named Michael Knight on a show called Knight Rider, but after the last three weeks, hopefully this is at least one time where Mike's life might actually feel truly threatened. Could even Michael Knight be the next character to go?

"For the danger to be credible in the episode, the threat of violence had to feel real," Buchman continues. "The bank robbers had to feel like a real threat. So we show more people getting shot (by the bad guys) than we typically do. Every shot fired, especially a shot in the direction of another human being, is carefully monitored by numerous crew members. Safety is essential, as even working with blanks can be dangerous. (even the air that is shot of out of a gun firing a blank can critically injure a person at close range)."

During the filming of the siege, Buchman reveals that over 4000 bullet shells were expended (and each and every one was picked up when the shoot was completed)!

Buchman also gives a few teasers for next week's episode: Fight Knight! Head over there and check them out:

Knight Writers Blog: Exit Light, Enter Knight

Magazine Watch: SFX on the Reboot

The UK's SFX magazine has a new interview with Gary Scott Thompson regarding the current "reboot" we're seeing, and the new direction that Knight Rider is taking. It's a situation the network has forced on the showrunner, he reveals.

"When we spoke, NBC were still leading me to believe we were going in a certain direction," Thompson tells the magazine. "We had written scripts and shot episodes that detailed Mike's past and had flashbacks to what happened, and these were things we were forced to take out -- kicking and screaming, by the way. They just felt it was too dark. But it wasn't; it was just telling what happened and him trying to piece together his memory. It gave a sense of mystery that's missing and made it stand out more than just being a fluffy show.

"We had pitched NBC on the first 13 episodes and his backstory was a big part of that, so that by the time we got to episode 13 we had pieced together the puzzle, and from 13 to 22 we'd sort of solve what was left to solve about it. Once the network saw the cut of [A Hard Day's Knight], they had us rip all of it out and it's been a scramble to replace it. This is really the network's reboot. They don't like when I say that, but these are marching orders coming down."

It's been reported that the format the show will take is a lot more reminiscent of the Original Series: a modern-day Lone Ranger concept, with Mike and K.I.T.T. driving across the country and helping the common man. The seeds of this were sown in last night's episode, Day Turns Into Knight: "The dying wish of one of the characters is that they go back to what they had originally started with, before they got too involved with the government," Thompson says. "Mike is told to go back to the idea that one man can make a difference; that he should go out and help people who need help and not take on the terrorist of the week. As a result, they've kind of gone rogue and will be operating outside of the law. So the government shuts them down and what they do from there is the show's new direction."

What does Thompson think of the new direction? "I think the drama's good, especially in those episodes. We're just starting on the ones after that -- the reboot. Now it's like, 'what do we do?' and they actually ask that question. They go forward from there and fulfil someone's dying wish. It'll work, touch wood."

It's SFX, issue 179, February 2009, out now!

Knight Writers Blog Updated

NBC have updated the Official Knight Rider Blog with another Q&A session with Gary Scott Thompson. He talks about writing for film and television, the far-out technology and science used in the series, and lists the user names and passwords for exclusive access to hidden content at the Knight Industries Research Website.

Remember, Knight Rider returns to NBC on Wednesday, December 31st, with all new episodes. Don't miss it -- Knight Rider needs your support!

Knight Writers Blog: Quick Q&A with Gary Scott Thompson

New Set Reports at KRO

The lucky folks over at Knight Rider Online have been invited back onto the set of the currently-filming season finale, Exit Light, Enter Knight, and had an opportunity to speak to the cast and crew about what we can expect from the remaining episodes after the reboot, and NBC's worrying decision to bring production to an early finish.

"The show is not cancelled," Gary Scott Thompson tells them. "We're doing a reboot, and a lot of people don't know this but NBC cut a lot of costs by cutting episodes on a lot of shows, but also laid off 750 people in their production offices and their other offices, so this is a cost cutting measure, not a cancellation measure." Thompson encourages fans of the show to write in to the network to show their support for Knight Rider.

"We're making [the show] more like the original one," Justin Bruening says of the reboot. "The natural progression of the story is that it just becomes more like the original. It's K.I.T.T. and I, and we're on the road and I'm the only person K.I.T.T. really needs. I drive around, I find a mission, I solve it. It's smaller crimes, you know, I'm not trying to save the world each week."

Writers Rachel Mellon and Teresa Huang agree. "It's very exciting," Rachel explains. "It's more like the original where it's a guy in a car saving the world, or saving the little guy, depending on the week and the writer." Teresa Huang adds, "I think it's really going to bring a lot to the show because it's simplifying all the elements. We thought very big at the beginning of the show, and I think we saw that it's really the smaller stories, the saving the guy of the week, saving the everyman that's exciting to us."

One episode that fans are anxiously waiting for is the twelfth installment, Knight to King's Pawn, which features the return of K.A.R.R. Justin can't hide his excitement over it: "He's a scary mofo, let me tell you," Justin says. "It's epic, it's huge. It's bigger than [the season finale]. I can't say anything because it might give it away... I'm just gonna tell you it's K.I.T.T. Vs. K.A.R.R. That's it. And that's not even the big part of it." He describes the showdown as being "like 20 rounds with Tyson, it's awesome. Take the original K.I.T.T. Vs. K.A.R.R. and multiply that by a thousand, it's nuts. And I'm stuck in the middle of it."

The finale looks to be filled with action: a beat-up Justin says that he is involved in several fight sequences and rides a motorcycle, while around 4000 rounds of ammunition were expended in an exterior scene involving K.I.T.T.!

Knight Rider Online: GST Says KR NOT Cancelled

Knight Rider Online: Knight Writers On Set Interview

Knight Rider Online: Justin Bruening On The Set

Knight Rider Revamped - Three Cast Members Dropped

The Hollywood Reporter has broken the story that Knight Rider will be undergoing big changes leading into the 'back-nine' episodes that were recently ordered by NBC.

"It's a reboot," says Gary Scott Thompson. "We're moving away from the terrorist-of-the-week formula and closer to the original, making it a show about a man and his car going out and helping more regular people, everymen." This will, of course, make the show feel much more like the Original Series, but also a better fit into the network's newly rebranded crime drama Wednesday lineup alongside Life and Law & Order.

The biggest change involves the fact that three regulars on the show will not be returning: Sydney Tamiia Poitier (Carrie Rivai), Yancey Arias (Alex Torres) and Bruce Davison (Dr. Charles Graiman). There are no immediate plans to add new regulars to the show, which will now focus on the five remaining characters: Mike (Justin Bruening), Sarah (Deanna Russo), Billy (Paul Campbell), Zoe (Smith Cho) and K.I.T.T. (voiced by Val Kilmer). The producers also are looking to do stunt guest castings.

Thompson stressed that the decision to let the co-stars go was a difficult one tied to the show's change in direction and had nothing to do with the actors.

The revamps will kick off with the two-part episode Don't Stop the Knight, which filmed last month. According to Reporter, "NBC is planning a major push, including possibly airing on Sunday after an NFL football game in January, with the conclusion airing the following Wednesday. Such a move would bring Knight back to Sunday night, where the two-hour movie/backdoor pilot drew big ratings in February."

The Hollywood Reporter: Knight Rider Goes Back to its Roots

Knight Writers Updated

The Knight Writers Blog has been updated last night with a behind-the-scenes perspective of last night's show. Knight of the Living Dead was originally supposed to air on 29th October, a couple of days before Halloween, but unfortunately it was preempted to make room for President-Elect Obama's commercial. Even more unfortunately, another tie-in was nixed by the move to November:

"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Ford and Knight Rider partnered to make Kitt one of their "Warriors in Pink" for this very special cause. This limited edition Warriors in Pink Mustang is for sale at many dealerships across the country, and proceeds from the sale of each one are donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You can find out more about this project and other Warriors in Pink at "the Ford Warriors in Pink website."

GST also teases about the return of K.A.R.R. (to be seen in the episode Knight to King's Pawn), and reveals that more content is on its way to the Knight Industries Research website. You just had to be paying attention when Sarah entered her father's password into the computer.

Knight Writers: Knight of the Living Dead

Magazine Watch: SciFiNow

UK magazine SciFiNow continues its great coverage of the new Knight Rider with a five-page feature in the latest issue! The piece gives detailed rundowns on the cast and the characters, a creator profile on Gary Scott Thompson, and a lot of pictures. The detailed article summarises pretty much everything that's happened this year, from the 2-hour TV movie through to the series premiere, and they also round up a list of "Inspirations" -- movies and TV shows that they believe have formed the DNA of the new series.

It's all in issue #21, £4.00 from Imagine Publishing.

SciFiNow Magazine Website

Gary Scott Thompson Answers More Questions!

Showrunner Gary Scott Thompson has posted another Q&A over at the Knight Writers Blog. Some of the highlights include:

Q: Will KITT eventually smash into things or just continue to avoid them?
A: Hopefully we’ll do a little of both.

Q: Will you explain specifically how Charles Graiman connects to the original series? Flashbacks perhaps?
A: Upcoming episodes will clarify Graiman’s connection to the original series.

Q: Keep up the good work but make it a little darker to give some edge for the older viewers like myself, I'm 20.
A: Working on giving it a little more edge.

Head over there for more answers!

Knight Writers: More Questions, More Answers

Doug Liman Talks Knight Rider

Doug Liman, who has produced and directed some of the most successful action movies of the last few years, was part of the team assembled by NBC to bring Knight Rider back late last year. He's been talking to CanMag about his role as executive producer and his thoughts on K.I.T.T.'s development as a character.

"I try to just give the people who are working on the show the confidence to take chances," he says, "because I've always been rewarded personally in my own career by taking chances. So I try to just create an environment where the directors we've hired and the editors we've hired feel some sense of the freedom that I've personally given myself to just go for it."

Liman thinks that this K.I.T.T., voiced by Val Kilmer, is becoming a full, three-dimensional character, and compares what Gary Scott Thompson is doing with the high-level characterisations found in many of today's animated movies. "When you watch what Gary's doing, he's made K.I.T.T. into such a complete character," Liman says, "as complete as a character would be in an animated movie that you actually forget that he's a car. I'm telling you, you forget it. I honestly think that of all the characters, K.I.T.T. actually has probably the biggest arc, is in a way the most complete character. I guess it makes sense because the car is at the center of the show. Unlike the TV movie, he's built an arc that will run over the course of the series because he's really embraced the fact that okay, if this is artificial intelligence, K.I.T.T. is going to be learning."

CanMag suggest that it is that learning curve that forms K.I.T.T.'s story arc for the series. Liman elaborates, "K.I.T.T. is actually going through all the stages of youth and adolescence so it's actually incredibly entertaining and it's incredibly interesting because this character is going through all the stages that a human being might go through. I don't know when you stop growing. I certainly feel like I'm still growing but this character is going through all those stages of a lifetime in the course of a year or two years."

CanMag: Doug Liman on Knight Rider

Gary Scott Thompson Answers Your Questions!

The Knight Writers Blog over at the Official NBC Website has been updated with a post by Gary Scott Thompson. He hints that we are going to learn what happened to the original characters and the Foundation in Episode 13, and addresses the criticism the show has been receiving.

Knight Writers Blog: You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Knight Rider Returns to Australia This Weekend

Knight Rider makes its return to Australian TV screens as a weekly series this Saturday, on Channel 7 at 9 pm (in the Eastern territories), after the TV movie performed well last week. To promote the series, the Herald Sun is running a piece where producer Gary Scott Thompson and star Justin Bruening talk about the show.

Talking about how the new show differs from the original, Thompson says, "It's going to get pretty boring in today's age to watch a guy in a car talk for 43 minutes. For a production reason, and also for the world as it is, we needed to have a base of operation where we could have people who worked there who would send this car out as opposed to just a mobile team. We needed a real base, and we affectionately call it the K.I.T.T.Cave. It has satellite surveillance that can track anybody and anything around the world."

"The car is the star of the show," Justin tells them. "But it's a whole ensemble cast. We all deal with the car. But the car is the central foundation of the show, and that is what we use to accomplish our missions." He also reveals how the long hours behind the wheel sometimes take their toll. "Every couple of weeks I'll spend every day in the car for 14 hours [filming] and by the end I'm just like, 'I really don't want to drive'," he laughs. "On weekends I don't drive at all. Every time I have to drive I'm kind of cranky. My wife is like, 'Why are you in a bad mood?' And I'm like, 'What do I do every day? I don't want to be driving right now. I want out of the car'."

Knight Rider is back on our screens for the 21st century

NBC Official Site Updated

Paul Campbell's character Billy Morgan -- who is already one of the most popular new additions to the series -- has been given his own blog: Billy's Notes From the Underground. In it, he reveals what's going on in his personal, "behind-the-episodes" life. The first few posts give insight into Billy's thoughts about his promotion , his ex-girlfriend, and life in the SSC/K.I.T.T.-Cave.

The writers of Knight Rider have also got their own space to speak to their audience. NBC has established a Knight Writer's Blog, and Gary Scott Thompson has made the first, introductory message:

"We’ll be posting on this blog regularly to give you some insight on the inner workings of the show. Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below and we’ll try to answer as many of them as possible as we go along. -GST"

Knight Industries Research has also gone live. This is a restricted website for employees of Knight Industries Research and Development only. Enter your name and password to access your KR work computer account!

No Changes for Carrie Rivai

SciFiWire continue to roll out their coverage to conincide with Knight Rider's primetime premiere, and today it's focused on Sydney Tamiia Poitier and her character, Carrie Rivai. Rivai was by far the most controversial character in the pilot, based purely on her introductory scenes involving a supposed lesbian one-night-stand. "I was really surprised that people were thinking about it and that they were so concerned," Poitier says. "Bottom line, to be honest, I don't think you are going to see her have a personal life. She literally lives [in the K.I.T.T.-Cave], and she is head of security, watching everyone 24/7, and has responsibilities. You're not going to see her out on a date with someone or see her wink at somebody... I don't think you're going to see her have any kind of life, unfortunately, but you never know."

There has been talk that Rivai's background has been altered for the series, but Gary Scott Thompson reveals that that is not necessarily so. "My inclination is to leave her as she was," Thompson says. "Why change it? But the thing about my argument is that, in the case of Anne Heche, she was straight, then bi, then a lesbian, then bi, then straight. If [Rivai] is actually bisexual, she would appear different ways, depending on the situation. Of course, in my book, that would make her a much more interesting character, much like Capt. Jack Harkness in Torchwood. If I could use Jack in Torchwood as a role model -- I would absolutely use him as a role model -- I love his conflictedness about... everybody. He's real cool."

That's doesn't mean that Knight Rider is going to follow Torchwood's lead, and introduce overt sexuality into the weekly adventures. "We can't get away with what they do," Thompson adds. "America is extremely [prudish], and we're living in a Republican regime, where it becomes even more [so]. The reality is that there are people who are out there who are bisexual. There are people who are gay, that's the reality... It's, like, deal with it. I mean, trying to shove people back in the closet isn't correct."

SciFiWire: Knight's Poitier Still Lesbian?

Reviews Everywhere

Knight Rider made its return to primetime television on NBC last night, and the reviews have been flooding in. Predictably, the majority of them have not been favourable, criticising the young cast (especially Justin Bruening and Deanna Russo), Gary Scott Thompson's script and the action sequences.

Ain't It Cool News have declared the show "the Fall's worst new scripted hourlong so far" and rounded up several bad reviews from the press. UK site Den of Geek describe the show as "moronic", and are staggered that "they’ve been able to nimbly limbo under the incredibly low bar that the pilot set... I was frankly shocked how much of a clunker a script they cobbled together for this show. It makes some of this years other new shows seem like they’ve been written by channeling Ernest Hemingway. I’ll go as far to say that this is actually worse than a really bad Hoff-era episode, and that’s saying something."

BuddyTV.com have a more positive, and realistic outlook: "TV critics seem determined to mock its cheesiness, implausibility and general lack of coherence. The frustrating thing is that those critics don’t seem to understand the context in which Knight Rider should be viewed. To compare the series to other serious dramas is a mistake. One cannot review Knight Rider using the same criteria one uses when reviewing Mad Men or Lost. Is Knight Rider cheesy? Of course it is, but why should that surprise anyone? This is a show about a talking car that solves crimes." They suggest that "a more accurate review would judge Knight Rider on the basis of what it’s trying to accomplish. The show has no delusions that it will win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series or top the critics' "best of" lists at the end of the year. Knight Rider is about fun. It’s a show with sexy stars in ridiculously dire circumstances getting into fast car chases. On that basis, Knight Rider is a rousing success."

SyFyPortal call the show "television's most promising series of the year." Writer Michael Hinman goes on to say, "there was just enough in this first episode of Knight Rider to get me wanting to come back for more. I am not sure exactly what more I can expect... I think I'm not quite ready to give up on Knight Rider just yet."

As the screenwriter William Goldman once said, "Nobody knows anything" -- it's how the audience responds that counts. We'll know soon how many tuned in to see the premiere, and in a few weeks we'll know how well the show retains its audience. In the meantime, here's what David Hasselhoff had to say about the reaction to the Original Series: "You know, I read all this stuff and said, 'Hey, we got bad reviews. That means we're gonna be a hit.' I don't know why, but it seems to be a formula every time."

Magazine Watch - SFX

The UK's SFX Magazine has a huge 5-page feature on NBC's new Knight Rider in their latest issue. Entitled The Road Warrior, they talk at length with showrunner Gary Scott Thompson about the series. He talks about how the low expectations of the critics are driving the writers to raise their game ("You could just feel the hate... Hopefully we can change some minds about it, but to have a preconceived notion of it is challenging"), how he has ensured that the writers are on-set for the filming process ("That's the person that wrote the script. It's a big advantage to the director and an even bigger advantage to the actors"), and also how pleased he is with the SSC, or K.I.T.T.-Cave ("Seeing it as a model and plans is one thing, but then you step into the set and say, 'Uh, we're going to need more than 30 extras, because this place is huge!'").

They also have a brief interview with Justin Bruening, who talks about the difference in approach between the TV movie and the series, the attention being paid to scripts and characterisation, and his relationship with his talking car. "[Mike] is very much the Lone Ranger, but at the same time he has to learn to be part of a team," he says. "I feel like Mike gets annoyed with K.I.T.T. as he would a girlfriend, because K.I.T.T. is always telling him what to do and the right way to do it."

It's all in issue #175, November 2008, on sale now!

Paul Campbell Talks KR, and Halloween Episode

SciFiWire have a short piece where they talk to Paul Campbell, known to fans of re-imagined Glen A. Larson shows as Billy. "I do seem to be the record-holder for characters named 'Billy' in re-imagined television shows," Campbell said. However, the character he plays on Knight Rider is going to stand apart from his earlier role. "I don't think I left much of a mark with the [Battlestar Galactica] character. He was so humorless. Now I play something much different."

Details have started to emerge about a Halloween episode which will feature nods to Campbell's Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. Billy goes to a costume party as Torchwood's Captain Jack Harkness, and when he isn't recognised someone suggests he dress up as Battlestar's Billy. "I say, 'Oh, I'm not anything like that character in Battlestar. Did you watch that show?' " Campbell said. "I thought it was a hilarious gag. I don't know if it is too insider... but it is funny, and little things like the connection to Battlestar will set the blogs ablaze."

SciFiWire: Battlestar's Billy is Knight's Too

KR in SciFiWire TV Smackdown

SciFiWire have included Knight Rider in their Fall TV Smackdown, and pitted it against new syndicated series Legend of the Seeker.

"After getting great ratings with Knight Rider's TV movie last spring, it's no surprise NBC decided to go forth with a new series," Kathie Huddleston writes. "Executive producer Gary Scott Thompson has said that he has plans to take the new series far beyond the TV movie and yet revisit some of the things that made the original series such a hit, by amping up the special effects and bringing back the turbo boost from the 1982 series. There is plenty of competition to face in the 8 p.m. Wednesday timeslot, with Fox's Bones and ABC's Pushing Daisies, but this new Knight Rider may appeal to the entire family, considering its early timeslot. While NBC's take on the Bionic Woman is a reminder that not all iconic television shows were meant to be remade, if Thompson can achieve the right mix of fun and drama (with lots of car special effects and action), the series will find an audience."

To see who wins this round of the smackdown, check out Wire's article at:

SciFiWire: TV Smackdown II: Rider Vs. Seeker

Knight Interviews at SciFiWire

SciFiWire have posted a new interview with Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo and Gary Scott Thompson, in anticipation of the series' September 24th premiere on NBC. They talk about the challenges of exciting the audience for the series, of keeping K.I.T.T. a car of the future, and going back to the drawing board.

"We went back to the original series to look at what made that work," Thompson says. "We went through the pilot, and then, you know, we don't want to disappoint some of the fans of the two-hour [film], so we have four characters coming from that. So we made sure that those four characters clicked into what the new mythology was for the series. Again, it's 25 years later, so we have to update the car, update the people and be in touch with the times. So I think that's really what we did...just try to bring it up to date."

The speculation about David Hasselhoff returning with his version of K.I.T.T. is addressed. Thompson reveals that "David [Hasselhoff] and NBC and myself, we're discussing," although they "haven’t spoken about William Daniels at this point."

Thompson reveals that most of the episodes are stand-alone stories, but they will all be part of a larger mythology. "It's boy and car save world," Thompson says. "We plan on going a long time with this one. We've got great stars here and a great car. We've got a few new cast members, great writers. There's a lot of stories to tell."

SciFiWire: Knight Revs Up its Premiere!

More on Hasselhoff's Possible Return!

David Hasselhoff has been talking about the new series again, this time on KZZP Phoenix Radio. In the interview, he explained that the people who didn't didn't want him to be a part of the new series are no longer at the network, and said: ""I don't have to be in every episode, I'd be in five, I don't care."

The Knight Rider Online team have learned from an "industry insider" that Hasselhoff's return could indeed be more than just a one-shot, or a two-parter.

"As previously reported, Gary Scott Thompson said that he has been in talks with David Hasselhoff to make an appearance in the new show. The only issue was scheduling. An "industry insider" told Knight Rider Online that the Hoff's role might be a bit bigger than we were led to believe. Rather than being a one-time appearance, Hasselhoff would return in a major multi-episode story arc. Negotiations are not final but don't be surprised to see a significant ongoing storyline featuring Hasselhoff in the second half of the season."

Knight Rider Online: The Hoff's role to be expanded in new series (?)

Magazine Watch

The UK's SFX Magazine includes Knight Rider in their fall preview, and give it a 3-out-of-5 excitement factor. They do, however, place their faith in Gary Scott Thompson, who is interviewed in the piece. He talks about the level of competition the new series faces, not just from other TV shows and movies, but interactive computer games and how they're going to compete with that. Thompson describes this incarnation of the show as "fast cutting, fast-paced, the cool car, sexy girls, cool-looking guys, fighting and everything." SFX also refer to the new Knight Rider team as an extension of Team Knight Rider, although this is almost certainly a misunderstanding of the new team dynamic. There is still no word on a UK broadcast for the movie or series.

It's issue #174, October 2008, on sale now!