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.
you should not cancel new knight rider we love it you have chosen good car and has good story lines to it
I love the new KIIT…the morphing was great….. some might find it riddiculus ….but hey its SCI-FI…that what it seems at first….. Two problem with the show:
1. TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much female body appearence…with skin tight dress and bikini.
2. It is a show of KITT and we have very less of KITT…they should have emphasize on KITT more. if they have done that then the show would not been a flop.
I can’t believe they just cancelled Knight Rider, this totally unfair! And more without rating! This tv serie have fans, and they want to watch the new version of Knight Rider, why NBC just cancelled whitout our opinion, if audience is what matters???
**** you NBC!
Actually, This show alone was proberbly the Best show by NBC.
I cant believe they just cancelled it without allowing it to recover and increase in Ratings. They should Renew the Knight Rider series ASAP as many people are very sad about NBC’s decision to cancel the show.
Hoping for a RENEWAL soon.
I can’t believe that they have cancelled their best show!!! I was getting into Knight Rider and they had to go and cancel it. I am bored of shows like heroes and lost which drag on and on. I can’t believe how much ratings lost and heroes get when it is a crap show. Heroes is a rip off the x-men. Lost is just lost the plot. What is the world getting to. Knight Rider was the only show about cars. It was an awesome action drama but it had less of the drama I had to admit. I hope… Read more »
This IS THE BEST TV SERIES EVER!!! WHY DID THEY END IT
It’s a darn shame that NBC cancelled it. When it was on last year, it almost seemed like they were trying to tank it intentionally. I remember a few weeks they would pre-empt it for other shows (notably that “Biggest Loser” crap) , not to mention shelving it together for a few months. Their “Terrorist of the Week” formula for the original episodes rather than keeping the original Knight Rider series theme of helping the little person against criminals did not help either. With NBC seemingly not supporting the series from the get-go with all these factors, it shouldn’t be… Read more »
Some of us work nights and were unable to see every episode.. I’ve seen too many good series axed in the first season because of ratings… The Fan base is out there, give us a chance
i love this show
i never knew there was a series they should broadcast it
bc i know alot of people who didnt know there was a series
good show keep it running and broadcast it more
bc i dont think many people watch nbc
knight rider is amazing. they souldn’t cancel the show its just to good. kitt nd mike are really good todether, sure the transforming into attack mode is kinda wierd nd transforming inta da truck even wierder, its still an amazing show
Poll me. My friends had to watch it online because of work. I use knight rider as my muse. I am going to paint my car with self healing paint and put a iceled scanner. Anything I can find to make my car better, I ll do it. Knight rider is my idea generator and my escape. Tivo now is going to invade privacy and poll watchers, that could rating. .
come on are you kidding. I have my DVR ready. i record it while i am working and Sundays i get to watch my show. DAMN. okay some of the writing was boujee but the show itself was ready. COME ON NBC i have already purchased season one through my ZUNE whats up. Bring in some team knight riders help for a second show i dont care but let KITT and MIKE ride again
I fell in love with the Trans Am because of Knight Rider. The chemistry between Michael and KITT was key to the originals success. Now, it’s more of an infomercial for the Ford Company. I love the way the new KITT could morph into Mustang variations, but when a sports car changes into a full size truck or econo-van is way out there. An the writing was way to corny. The show needed more action and adventure but every episode was about a forbidden love affair between Mike and his ex. The show has great potential, but the writers have… Read more »
Please give the show a chance to gain an audience. Bring in new writers with fresh ideas, poll viewers to find out what people want to see in the series. I loved the original show, loved that it was being re-made and will be very disappointed if it is cancelled before we even see the episodes here in Australia. I much prefer the concept of this show than all of the countless forensic crime shows currently on and think that Justin Bruening is perfectly cast in his role. I have always preferred series TV to movies and will watch a… Read more »
What DONOT CANCEL KR. I watched the original series when I was a kid and, now 36, love this series too. I own two seasons of KR the Original Series.
Let’s keep it going. Besies, Law and Order, this is the ONLY OTHER NBC show I watch.