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! 
Image courtesy NBC.
I watched this series probably more than 5 times already and when I rewatch it I fall in love with it all over again (in fact I’m watching it again now). I love how they changed the car because the mustang is much much prettier than the trans am especially this one the GT500KR in that black colour. I also love how modernized everything is. I don’t understand why people hate it so much as it is a very good show. I have to admit that I’m deeply disappointed with the critics because they don’t know a thing about a… Read more »
I loved this series could of done more with the KARR episode though that seemed rushed and maybe a old and new kitt crossover fans would of loved that, i have heard there is another knigh trider in the making no doubt be a Tesla
My 15 year old son and I absolutely loved the show and wanted them to bring it back
kitt was a trans am not a mustang and people did not like the change
Not to happy they need bring back auto man
I’m not happy about them cancelling this show
Even though I am watching the episodes of Knight Rider after they been taken off the air. I like the show, maybe start streaming the tv series. As you know alot of people are starting to stream, because cable and satalight are getting to expensive, for me streaming is the way to go. I am watching old shows like the Equalizer, Six Million Dollar Man, and Batlestar Galactica (1978). I like watching alot of these type of showes.
Knight rider 2008 is amazing it makes perfect sense to me I am sad that there is only one season. The show is so exciting and incredible I want to keep watching the episodes. I am always excited to see what comes next and I hope that there can be a season 2,3, and 4 if possible. Please take this into consideration. I’m begging you don’t cancel it and keep it going because I know I will watch it and I’m sure other people will too when they see how awesome it is.
Knight rider new one is a better than old seriously great ,im don’t telling old one is bad but new knight industry 3000 have new features i like those things plz don’t cancel new knight rider im begging you don’t cancel…….
Knight rider the new one is one of the best series i ever seen so please dont stop making it
If I could get any thing in the world it would be not money not a fantasy car but more seasons of this movie I loved it so much that I am telling a lot of people about it and they even say it sounds cool
I thought both was cool but the new one is better I thought thought the old kitt sounded girly and lame the new one I just want to see more please new kitt u rock