Now as a kid I loved this show, but as I have grown older I realise why I still appreciate it so much. The reason is a simple one; I am partially like the character of Michael Knight. He is a loner in a dangerous world, and in some way I can relate to that feeling, though I do not want to be involved in any crime-fighting business of any sort. Looking back Knight Rider made 80's TV a good time to live through and who can forget the talking car, KITT, what a dream to work with that would have been.
This review is going to be a little different, considering I am reviewing a TV show that lasted 4 years or more. I am going to look at the 6 main characters, my favourite episodes and what I found to be good and bad with `one man making a difference'.
Characters:
David Hasselhoff: He was the main star of the show, that being Michael Knight. His character had his face blown off as the cop, Michael Long. However, after billionaire Wilton Knight, found the man near to death in the desert, he had found the one' he wanted to front his new crime-fighting outfit. In a social sense, Michael is a real ladies man, with Knight able to attract almost any female he wants. He is a good fighter and can take on almost any person he wants. He works very well with his Trans Am, KITT, that has artificial intelligence.
Edward Mulhare: Edward played Devon Miles, the front for the foundation for Law and Government. He is of British decent and Michael gives him nothing but a headache, from all his antics. He is a very knowledgeable fellow when it comes to criminal activities and personnel. In addition, his experience from war and prison camps helps Devon in many areas of his work for FLAG. He died in 1996 from lung cancer.
Patricia McPherson: Patricia starred as Bonnie Barstow, a female mechanical engineer who looked after Michael's car, KITT, and was given plenty of opportunity to do so. She was a university student and then become a member of FLAG, who makes Devon and Michael look good. She is stunning on the eye and a very intelligent computer operator to boot. I think Bonnie is a good character to have on Knight Rider and to have her as a female Mechanic is even more intriguing. Patricia also had a contract dispute, that saw her role temporarily taken over by a new actress.
Rebecca Holden: Rebecca replaced Patricia McPherson in the second season as the mechanical engineer, April Curtis, who looked after KITT. She was a good replacement, though she did not have the same appeal that Bonnie had, which is a comment I hear all the time. April is a bright and bubbly character, which also helps make Knight Rider a fun show to watch. Her experience in other areas also helps in her job for FLAG ( boy I wish I had that going for my resume). With one episode entirely devoted to April's niece, a lovely young girl who has a very dangerous medical condition.
William Daniels: He played the popular voice of KITT (the Knight Industry Two Thousand), who controls the car that belongs to Michael Knight. KITT is a funny personality, if you think of him like that, who is very protective of humans and makes many friends along the way. He changes many times throughout the four years onscreen, with Super-Pursuit' Mode a fantastic innovation. Can anyone find me a car like KITT?
Peter Parros: Starred as Regional Cornelius the third (RC3) in the 4th series. I am still unsure why he was ever given the role. His character has the worst vocabulary I have heard, and does nothing to invigorate the 4th series, though he does try to. He is sort of a back-up for Michael, but is lacking in FLAG class, that suits Michael Knight. I would have to say Peter Parros is one of the worst actors I have ever seen.
My favourite episodes of Knight Rider:
Just My Bill ( Series 1): Michael becomes the bodyguard for a crusading state senator who has stepped on one too many toes.
Race for Life (Series 2): Michael races the clock to find a gang leader who's the only compatible donor for a girl needing a life-saving transplant.
K.I.T.T. vs. K.A.R.R. (Series 3): Kitt's evil prototype Karr returns, seeking to destroy Michael and Kitt with a new laser stolen from the Foundation. [Knight Automated Roving Robot]
Junk Yard Dog (Series 3): Michael vows to nail the owner of a toxic-waste dump when Kitt is nearly destroyed in an acid pit.
Knight of the Juggernaut (Series 4): Michael hopes a street gang can rebuild Kitt in time to prevent a criminal mastermind from stealing a radio-active isotope. Devon is kidnapped and impersonated.
Killer K.I.T.T. (series 4): An embittered electronics genius gains control of Kitt's programming and turns the car on Michael.
Knight Rider did have its faults. I found that the reusing of the same actors for two or more episodes was a pretty poor, as was the repeat of many driving sequences. While the driving stunts were so poorly executed at times that I can not understand how I did not know it was being done by a stunt man.
Yet this show also had it's good points. The fighting stunts were enjoyable, as was the idea of a talking car and how KITT was improved from season to season, with the best improvement Super-Pursuit Mode'. I am not going to rate this show, but I will admit this, that there are better TV show than this one. However, this show did have a certain nostalgia with it, that for some reason I can not let go. Perhaps I am trying to remain young and innocent and enjoy a bit of action TV.
