Knight Rider Aproaching Cancellation

[Scorbing]

More info and source here: http://syfyportal.com/news425627.html

By MICHAEL HINMAN

Dec-03-2008

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Another 1980s series NBC thought would be great to remake is going back to its rightful place in history: Cancellation.

The network, which last year brought the grand failure "Bionic Woman" to television screens, has now pretty much declared the new "Knight Rider" to be dead on arrival.

NBC released its mid-season schedule, and while there is a place for "Knight Rider," its episode order has been cut to just 17 episodes, and it appears the network is not apt to make many more, according to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello.

"Low ratings have promoted NBC to trim 'Knight Rider's' order from 21 episodes to 17," Ausiello said. "As a result, the show's season (and possible series) finale will be broadcast Feb. 25."

While a cancellation isn't official, the fact that NBC is looking to cut its production of the show is not a good sign, despite the network's claims that it would recommit itself to the show with a retooling that dumped some of the original actors from the backdoor pilot that aired a year before.

NBC had given "Knight Rider" a full season order just a month ago while at the same time announcing the departure of Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Yancey Arias and Bruce Davison after the 13th episode. Their absence will apparently only be felt through four episodes, and there are no plans to give "Knight Rider" a proper sendoff because of the current production schedule, not that one has really been demanded by fans.

"Knight Rider" has aired eight episodes through Nov. 19 and averaged a 4.1 rating/6 share in overnights, getting whooped my most of its other competition with the lone exception of "Pushing Daisies," which has also crashed and burned on ABC.

NBC tried something different in "Knight Rider's" timeslot last week by airing a variety show by Rosie O'Donnell, but the ratings for that outing were even worse than what "Knight Rider" was generating, and that show survived just one episode.

[DigitalE]

Aw, I liked both Bionic Woman and Knight Rider.

[Got3n]

not sure this would be back page news, i would have just put it in the KR thred in the media room ^_^. But the show does suck, i dont like the mustang at all, only good thing on that show is the female eye candy.

[Rappy Veteran]

not sure this would be back page news, i would have just put it in the KR thred in the media room ^_^. But the show does suck, i dont like the mustang at all, only good thing on that show is the female eye candy.

Which is exactly where I put it late last night :p

[BrainDedd]

Knight Rider sucked, but I was kinda partial to Bionic Woman.

[x-byte]

Knight Rider sucked, but I was kinda partial to Bionic Woman.

I agree. The pilot movie for Knight Rider was decent, but the series is awfull. Bad acting mostly the case. Bionic Woman though I thought was enjoyable to watch. Is there going to be a season 2?

[»X«]

This is a shocker. Watched 20 mins of the pilot and switched off and I liked the original.

Knight Rider wasn't about the story. It was about a car which could do amazing things. The most the new one could muster up is impersonating Val Kilmer. Not one sign of turbo boost!! Outrage! :p

Glad its gone.

[Cyplex]

That's how I see it, the show sucked from day 1.

[Ji@nBing]

I loved the original and I never even bothered watching this. That "car" is not KITT. BAD choice on trying to make him a Mustang.

[Denholm]

I loved the original and I never even bothered watching this. That "car" is not KITT. BAD choice on trying to make him a Mustang.

+1

All the special effects probably contributed to the show getting cancelled, a Mustang :blink: Kitt? Pfft.

[ThisSiteHasLostItsCharm]

+1

All the special effects probably contributed to the show getting cancelled, a Mustang :blink: Kitt? Pfft.

i agree the effects are pretty fake and over done. but as for the show itself, i found it quite enjoyable.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

The problem with the new Knightrider is that it had nothing new. Go throw some "babes" on screen and yeah that will work. NOT!

Whereas I actually liked the new Bionic Woman.

[mtrftw]

I liked Bionic Woman and Knight Rider. I also like My Own Worst Enemy which is dead too.

This is a shocker. Watched 20 mins of the pilot and switched off and I liked the original.

Knight Rider wasn't about the story. It was about a car which could do amazing things. The most the new one could muster up is impersonating Val Kilmer. Not one sign of turbo boost!! Outrage! :p

Glad its gone.

It's not impersonation when it is Val Kilmer's voice :p

[BrainDedd]

I agree. The pilot movie for Knight Rider was decent, but the series is awfull. Bad acting mostly the case. Bionic Woman though I thought was enjoyable to watch. Is there going to be a season 2?

Unless there's a fan outcry and it gets a movie a-la Firefly, I doubt it. :-/

[inactive]

not sure this would be back page news, i would have just put it in the KR thred in the media room ^_^. But the show does suck, i dont like the mustang at all, only good thing on that show is the female eye candy.

i disagree .... cause the GT500 is probably the ONLY thing good about the show.

p.s. i barely seen the show maybe 5minutes of some random EP... but i used to watch the show back in the day though ;) ... show wise, the original 1980's one was better..... car wise, the Shelby GT500 (easily the best remake of the old school 1960's muscle cars ;) ) is FAR better than the original one.

[x-byte]

Unless there's a fan outcry and it gets a movie a-la Firefly, I doubt it. :-/

That's to bad. The series had potential. Some interesting characters.

[+primortal Subscriber²]

Hopefully going back to the original premise of knight rider (driving all over the country helping people) will bring some life back into it....

The whole idea of working out of a "cave" just didn't sit right and the car "transforming" to other vehicles was very bad choice in my opinion. The on-again-off-again relationship with Mike and Shara has to go along with Zoe and Billy trying to get together.

And can someone please tell the Zoe character to stop acting like Paris Hilton....

[PL_ Veteran]

Moved to Media Room

[LTD]

Knight Rider wouldn't be Knight Rider without The Hoff. Even if he's eating Wendy's off the bathroom floor after getting totally blotto, only The Hoff can do it.

[Pygmy_Hippo]

Knight Rider wouldn't be Knight Rider without The Hoff. Even if he's eating Wendy's off the bathroom floor after getting totally blotto, only The Hoff can do it.

This post requires a:

+1

QFT

AMEN BROTHER!

Hoff rocks! :yes:

PS - w00t! My 300th post on Neowin and I fill it with Hoff statements and daft internet acronyms! I rule!!! :D