Knight Rider Remake Jeered - Cheers & Jeers

Justin Bruening by Mitch Haddad/NBC Jeers to Knight Rider for stalling at the starting line. I was never a fan of the original '80s series — in the Hasselhoff canon, my taste veers more to Baywatch — but it was more entertaining than this crap-tastic remake. As the voice of KITT 3000, the monotonous Val Kilmer sounded like he literally phoned in his performance (original choice Will Arnett, who had to drop out due to a sponsorship conflict, would've been more fun). New driver Justin Bruening is one bland slab of beefcake, and the special effects looked slapped together on roughly the catering budget for Transformers. Seriously, the Hoff's drunken-burger video was less embarrassing. For another take on Knight Rider, read the Roush Dispatch. • Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Lost's "rescue" team, CBS' Welcome to the Captain, the return of late-night TV and more! • Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board. • We may feature your Cheer or Jeer on TVGuide.com or in TV Guide magazine! Leave a Comment
TVGuide Links: David Hasselhoff Val Kilmer Will Arnett Justin Bruening Knight Rider
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Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 17, 2008 11:33 PM Report Abuse

Oh God oh God oh God oh God. How can this show, excruciatingly awful in its original verison, have become a candidate for remaking? Is there any hope for humankind?
Posted by DaMess Feb 18, 2008 3:14 AM Report Abuse

My husband were waiting anxiously for this show to come on last night. We are both big fans of the original and have high hopes for this one. In the end we were both please with the remake and saw lots of room for growth. We hope NBC will give this show a chance. There are so many shows about death why can't we have a chance for something different?
Posted by gizmo_71 Feb 18, 2008 8:35 AM Report Abuse

The Jeer author's advodacy of "Baywatch" certainly indicates their mindlessness and lack of taste. The new Knight Rider was enormously entertaining. In a TV world of mindless reality shows and ridiculous game shows, what more can one ask for?
Posted by ssbn777 Feb 18, 2008 9:19 AM Report Abuse

There are so many shows about death why can't we have a chance for something different? Well this show is indirectly about death. It made me realize I was two hours closer to mine.
Posted by Buffy Freak Feb 18, 2008 9:21 AM Report Abuse

Good one, Buffy Freak! Is Baywatch really more mindless and tasteless than Knight Rider? I'd say it's a draw. It just depends on your taste for kitsch. I prefer the beach kind to the automotive variety.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 18, 2008 10:51 AM Report Abuse

I've already posted over on the Roush Dispatch, so I'll just say that my family and I enjoyed this movie/pilot and hope that it does become a series. It was mindless fun. My 13-year-old son, who is NOT a car guy, repeatedly said, "I WANT THAT CAR!"
Posted by Cindy Feb 18, 2008 11:03 AM Report Abuse

My 11-year-old son said the same thing. I think NBC has found its target demo with this show.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 18, 2008 11:32 AM Report Abuse

My 11-year-old son said the same thing. I think NBC has found its target demo with this show.

Nothing wrong with that. It's fun enough for the whole family to watch together, without being super sweet or preachy like some family shows can be. (I watched a whole episode of Hannah Montana last night. It was slightly amusing but can I just say that the male hairstyles were horrid and the acting wasn't a whole lot better. But it doesn't pretend to be great television. So, for what it is, it's not bad. Same for Knight Rider.)

Posted by Cindy

Feb 18, 2008 11:49 AM

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Haha that is funny, my 32 year old friend wants the car too! I didn't mind the show, it was somewhat campy, and i will watch it. Its funny you mentioned death.. I watched Dexter after it. :p
Posted by indy500 Feb 18, 2008 11:49 AM Report Abuse

Aren't you being a little harsh? I've seen MUCH worse. I don't think it deserves a "Cheer" or a "Jeer." Maybe a quick "Leer." I also think that you were just looking for an opportunity to use "crap-tastic." I have to admit-it is a fun word to say, isn't it?!!!
Posted by Mr. Furley Feb 18, 2008 12:49 PM Report Abuse

What a piece of... (well, you know, it rhymes with KITT). Another huge misfire from NBC that amounted to nothing more than a bunch of pretty faces shilling for Ford. I wonder what franchise NBC will resurrect and screw up next?
Posted by BosleyJBosley Feb 18, 2008 1:00 PM Report Abuse

A hot car that talks to you! It was pure schlock but entertaining!
Posted by miso Feb 18, 2008 1:43 PM Report Abuse

My favorite parts were the scenes where KITT (Val Kilmer) didn't speak. Other than that, it wasn't a bad movie/pilot.
Posted by SuperSage21 Feb 18, 2008 2:27 PM Report Abuse

I kept hoping it would get better, in fact it got worse! The blatant commercialism that they factored in also got on my nerves! The original show was somewhat entertaining if you didn't expect TOO much, but this show was just horrible to watch. I am still shuddering. Couldn't leave the airwaves fast enough for me.
Posted by showme Feb 18, 2008 3:03 PM Report Abuse

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