Though NBC kept touting that the revival of Knight Rider was a success, the ratings have told a different story. Just about everyone in the industry was shocked when the network gave the Justin Bruening series an order for the back nine episodes. Now, to little surprise, NBC is pulling the plug.
Knight Rider debuted on September 24th, as a follow-up to the TV movie that aired last February. The new TV show takes place 25 years after the original exploits of Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) and his high-tech, four-wheeled partner KITT (voiced by William Daniels). Mike Traceur (Bruening) is the son of Knight and the driver of the newest KITT (voiced by Val Kilmer). The car was built by Charles Graiman (Bruce Davison), the father of Mike’s former girlfriend, Sarah (Deanna Russo). As in the original series, Mike and KITT work together to thwart evil and save the innocent. The rest of the cast includes Paul Campbell, Yancey Arias, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, and Smith Cho.
A few revivals of Rider have been attempted over the years but none have been a success. The newest version is, unfortunately, no exception. The premiere episode debuted to just 7.35 million viewers and a 2.5/7 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. The audience for Rider’s second episode grew to 7.77 million while the demo remained essentially flat at 2.4/7. The following three episodes averaged about 7.2 million but the demo began slowly dropping with each new installment.
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Likely due to the state of the rest of NBC’s sagging schedule, the network decided to stick with Rider and gave the series a greenlight for nine more episodes. This would bring the order to a full 22 installments for the season. Soonafter, the ratings took a serious hit in the November sweeps period.
After a week off, Rider’s audience sank to just 5.12 million and a terrible 1.6/4 in the demographic. The ratings weren’t much better for the rest of the month.
A few days after the first November ratings dip, showrunner Gary Scott Thompson announced that the show was going through a retooling. He told The Hollywood Reporter, “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.”
As a part of this effort, three castmembers were let go – Poitier, Arias and Davison. Thompson maintained that this move had nothing to do with their performances. The decision likely had more to do with an effort to cut costs and make the bottom line more attractive to the network.
It seems the network hasn’t been sufficiently impressed by what they’ve seen and execs have cut the episode order back to 17 installments. The cast and crew are currently working on their 17th episode, written and directed by Thompson. They’re expected to wrap some time next week.
That episode, now the Rider season finale, is scheduled to air on February 25, 2009. The five remaining scripts will be utilized on the off chance that the series is renewed for a second season. Unless the ratings seriously improve, there’s no way that that will happen. Not even Mike and KITT will be able to save the day. Stay tuned! 
Related links:
Knight Rider on DVD || Knight Rider books || Knight Rider apparel || downloads
Image courtesy NBC.
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Knight Rider (2008)
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It was my dream – the new KR!!! I was waiting for it since 98th… But now they gave just 1 season and thats all? hey!!! people from NBC!!! You are crashing the dreams of people!!! We need KR!!! It’s a great show!!
Eugene, Ukraine
It’s sad how a show has to be an instant ratings magnet or it gets canned, instead of someone at the network actually appreciating the quality and potential of the show and realizing that better advertising and better time slot is the answer, not canceling it. Broadcast the new Knight Rider on Friday night just like its 1980’s predecessor and I’m sure it can be a hit series. There are also many more millions of 80’s Knight Rider fans which I’m sure NBC is not reaching and a little more marketing could pay off hugely.
I’ll agree the series needed some tweaking that they had started to do at the end of the first season. I just can’t believe that crap like the office is still running, while halfway decent shows like knight rider and bionic woman get cancelled after one season. Being a 10 month old post I’m hoping things have changed, but won’t be surprised if it hasn’t. Very close to canceling cable since I end up spending less and less time watching tv.
aw what? only just seen the first episode in the UK and its already been cancelled? that just sucks, theres too many decent shows getting binned for no reason. We just get into watching something and it gets finished. Watched about 30 episodes of Invasion for it to finish on a cliffhanger and get cancelled. Reaper has been cancelled and we loved that, now this. Pointless watching any more episodes then really.
If its not some stupid losers stuck in a house together for several weeks, or some random woman whos had a baby with some random bloke and he’s an alcoholic and blah blah blah then its not good tv and no-one will watch it. Load of tosh, too much rubbish on tv and not enough long term programming. Can’t just give things 1 season to see if its worthy, need 2 or 3 for sure.
Getting sik of watching USA tv programs on UK tv now, they’ll only be cancelled before the season finishes anyway so whats the point.
for real this is an awsome show! why they canceled it idk maybe becouse NBC is stupid or maybe becouse there so impatient like the rest of the tv companies out there if the had spent more money on production and advertising of the show and less on looking at reviews and ratings then they would of had a load more viewers instead they cancelled…… yeah go ahead NBC put your tail between your legs and run just like you always do!!!! money isent everything i really wanted to see Mike and Sarah get toghter everyone knew it was gonna happen instead of cancelling yall should of wondered around on that idea good luck NBC your gonna need it. im truly upset with how this went!!!
I GAVE IT chance but u know what killed it for me besides the terrible plots…. K.A.R.R.voiced by optimus prime… hahahahaha
They need to put the show back on tv. this was a good show. so please put it back on the air.
Who was the IDIOT that cancled the new knight rider when the Hasselhoff series ran so long with no where near the thrills compaired to the new one?!? I will agree changing into the pickup was pushing it but over all it was better in every way to the original, Except for knight rider 2000 movie. and the spin off Knight Rider 2010.
Knight Rider, the series of my childhood dreams! KR 2000 was thin, except for David Hasselhoff. Then KR 2008 came along, I was really really glad to say the least. AND the new KITT was one of my fav. cars, it had a really good start, lost morale somewhere along the middle, but it had real potential given a few tweaks. NBC , you people have shattered a few million hopes all over the world. I live in an Asian country, and there is a Huge KR following here. Shame on you NBC> See the poll results!
i love the new knight rider. i want to see more of KITT and the others.
the only tink i realy hate was how easy KITT “killd” KARR
but still i loveknight rider
Knight Rider jumped the shark on its first regular episode when they tried to turn KITT into a morphing Transformer. Bad idea. The original show had a believeable premise. The pilot for the current show did as well. But turning KITT into a terrorist fighting Transformer was a deal killer for a great many fans.
Based upon this article the producers clearly saw this as well and tried to return the show back to its roots, but it was too late. Many loyal fans had tuned out for good. I do, however, think the premise of a made for TV movie would be successful IF the producers and writers keep the show on track.
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