Earlier today, I posted the Greatest Picture, EVER!
There was much discussion about Knight Rider, and I have wondered this all day: Am I the only person who was crestfallen upon finding out that the voice of KITT was not, in fact, the voice of the car, but was, in truth, the voice of actor William Daniels?
When Bill was president of SAG, I had lots of meetings with him, because I am on the Board of Directors, and was part of our TV and Theatrical negotiating team. When I would have a meeting with Bill, I’d call Anne, and tell her, “I won’t make it for dinner tonight. I have a meeting with KITT.” And she’d say, “Is it in his office? Or is he meeting you around back in 5, buddy?”
Continuing the trip down Knight Rider lane…back in the old days, when there was only one Universal Studios, and the main focus of the whole experience was the tour, not the damn animal shows and gift shops…well, okay, it was the gift shops, but not as transparently as it is now…
But I digress.
Back in the day, at Universal Studios, they had a KITT car parked in this area where you could go and sit in it, and, I am not making this up, talk to KITT!
You could ask KITT all sorts of questions, and while you waited in line, you could hear the questions asked, and the answers given out by none other than KITT HIMSELF!
So people would sit in KITT, and ask all sorts of questions about the show, and “what did you do in episode [whatever]?”, and all sorts of technical questions about the specifics of his design, etc.
I so badly wanted to get into the car, and say, “Hey, KITT, I was wondering, do you ever cut loose when the people go home? I mean, tell me the truth. You can kick the A-Team Van’s ass, right? Do you ever just head on over to the backlot and do donuts, just because you can?”
But I totally chickened out, and, when I got up there, I froze, and asked, “What’s your top speed, KITT?”
The sad thing is, I can’t even remember what the answer was.
update: 8:41 PM PST: Cherish, a cool girl and helpful soapbox mod, just sent me this picture of her, sitting in KITT!
Second. Best. Picture. EVER.
Rock.
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Knight Rider – I’ve always remembered an episode where KITT was heavily damaged for some reason, in fact it seemed he was a total write off. Then Michael was introduced to KITT rebuilt and improved, with extra features such as the ability to become a convertable. Or did I dream it? Nobody I know seems to remember that happening.
Battlestar Galactica – Why on Earth did Universal mask out the top and bottom of the picture for the pilot epside’s DVD release? That doesn’t magically make it was a widescreen movie!!! Anyways, anyone heard further developments on the new Battlestar series that was approved a couple of years ago?
Back in the 80’s in Bethesda Maryland there was this guy who drove an exact replica of KITT around. The interior, the steering wheel, the red light up front…everything. No, I never did see any chicks in the front seat.
Kman
HEY WIL:
I just want you to know what happened to the real “KITT” car…and no, that one you encountered at Universal Studios is *not* it, sorry.
I interviewed with David Hasselhoff and his wife to be their child’s nanny way back when (in the early 90’s, but who’s counting anyways, eh?).
The interview was conducted in their home, at the time in Sherman Oaks, just off the 405 freeway (assuming that they, like most other showbiz folks, have since moved to more tonier digs, more secluded digs, or out of the city altogether), and get this, Wil!!
The fireplace mantle in the family room of David’s home was the front end of KITT!!! I kid you not, seriously, and when David finally joined his wife towards the end of my interview, he was like a little kid, wanted to show it off for me, the buttons, the lights, the noise and all.
So there you have it, KITT’s on fire, and I’m not.
MissMissy (to you)
Hey Bob Curtis… RE: George Lucas and his aversion to DVDs:
As far as I know, and this is all hearsay, George Lucas has personal reasons for not releasing things on the DVD format. Apparently he was developing a type of temporary dvd that would stop working after about 25 viewings, but was beaten out by the company that originally developed the permanent DVDs we have today. So Georgie is bitter about losing out to the DVD people, and has little to no incentive for releasing his catalogue of movies on their format.
I’m just annoyed that we won’t see Indiana Jones or the original Star Wars eps on DVD any time soon. Grr. Boo, hiss!
Firemage: wheeeee! Lost Boys reference! You made my night!
I watched Tron for the very first time last night (I know, I know… I was a deprived child), and all I could see was the grandpa from Lost Boys (Barnard Hughes). “Something I never could stomach about Santa Carla, all the damn vampires!”
Well, him and the Dude (“Hey, careful, man, there’s a beverage here!”)… and the Scarecrow.
Question: am I the only one who forever associates Bruce Boxleitner with the “Scarecrow and Mrs. King”? Maybe it’s wrong to ask this forum though, considering the enormous sci-fi contingent here. 🙂 Hey, I never got into Babylon 5 okay? I mean, the captain guy was the Scarecrow. How could I take it seriously? 🙂
Oh yeah, Knight Rider was cool.
Especially the music.
Psst… as a current employee of Universal Studios (giving tours that no one cares about anymore, in fact), I can safely say that WATERWORLD is the main focus of the experience now. That, and uh… Big Fat Liar. Yup.
And I think KITT is gathering dust at the tram garage. I know Magnum P.I.’s car is. How the mighty have fallen. 🙁
HuttonGirl > Too cool! Does it still talk? 😀
Wil > I remember asking KITT two questions:
“What’s your top speed, KITT?”
“I was last clocked at 320 miles per hour.”
“Wow! How much memory do you have, KITT?”
“1000 megabytes of ROM, and 1000 megabytes of RAM.”
Heh heh. That’s it, KITT? (Well, that was back in the 80’s.)
I too remember ‘meeting’ KITT at Universal Studios (are we THAT old?!).
When I went KITT was on a small platform in the middle of a small expanse of water (so that there wasn’t a crowd preventing photos being taken!).
Although you couldn’t hear what was asked, you could hear the answers, and about every other answer was “I turbo-boosted out here”. Seems you weren’t the only one who couldn’t think of a question!
KITT never had a top speed though. At least never shown in any episode. KITT was always accelerating, especially during super pursuit mode.
RE: Battlestar (according to many sources)…
Fox was going to bring back the series with Boxey (did you know his adult name is Troy?) as the main character, and about a half-dozen young unknowns playing young Colonial warriors fighting Cylons.
The show was slated to ignore the original story line, ignore the original cast members (though Noah Hathaway was approached and “lunched” with producer Tom DeSanto to reprise his role as Boxey/Troy, Fox wanted someone else ), and jus’ be a bunch of 20-somethings shooting at aliens, with soap-opera like relationships between cast members.
Fox was betting the store on director Bryan Singer, but when he left to do X-Men 2, Fox lost interest. And due to all kinds of ownership issues, it’s doubtful that anyone else will pick up the show.
*cough*Bubblegun*cough*
I sure liked my KITT Pedal car… it had three buttons, one for the front red lights, and two that made the car talk.
it was really cool… then I got too big for it 🙁
Aw man…
So I go to bed at what is a decent hour for working people here in the Eastern Time Zone, and I wake up to find a new blog about Dr. Mark Craig’s alter ego (the cool one, not that “Boy Meets World” crap.)
A whole new post regarding a shadowy flight into the world of a man who does not exist.
And comments… with references to ‘A Christmas Story” and “Star Wars”…and “Battlestar Galactica.”
Not just “Battlestar” but the Universal ride that I never got to go see.
And to top it all off, my first comment is relegated to the bin at number one sixty something.
Does anyone ever read this far down?
Anyone?…one…one…ne…e
Hello?…hello…ello…llo…lo…o
Echo…cho…ho…o
Now batting for the Dodgers…Manny Mota…mota…ota
Hmmm, maybe I should quit my job, relinquish my life and just stay here and monitor the status of the blog…
Anthony Daniels was the voice of C3PO. William Daniels was the voice of KITT (for those who have confused the 2).
And Wil, you wrote “But I totally chickened out, and, when I got up there, I froze, and asked, “What’s your top speed, KITT?”
The sad thing is, I can’t even remember what the answer was.”
Actually Wil, the sad thing would have been if you HAD remembered what it was…
Oh yeah – http://www.knighton-line.com/ and http://www.markscustomkits.com/KITT-restoration.html
Firemage…Lost Boys ..that is the best..even
have the soundtrack…
NewYork,New Jersey,Florida,California,Florida
again..North Carolina..and finally Georgia!!
Actually there was no, one KITT. There were loads of them. I remember watching a show and the interviewer guy asked where the real KITT is kept at night, and the guy went on about how there was no one KIT and there is a Garage full of them where they blah blah blah blah blah.
OK, So if everyone AGREES Knight Rider kicked some serious ass, who all in here remembered it’s competitor…..AirWolf
Ovaltine, why do they call it Ovaltine, shouldn’t it be called Roundtine.
I loved Airwolf-at least the Jan-Michael Vincent/Ernest Borgnine version. That show had a cool theme song too.
One of the things I liked best about it was that the copter usually helped tell the story. There were some good episodes that didn’t even feature Airwolf in it. Unlike that crappy short lived “Blue Thunder” (with Dana Carvey and Dick Butkus) series that seemed like it had to make sure there were X number of shots of Blue Thunder using it’s machine gun.
I did the whole KITT Thing growing up. I was totally depressed when I found out that it was an actor playing the voice of KITT. (of course, I was like 9 when I found that out) 🙂
Airwolf was alright… more of a Knight Rider in the sky type of thing.
There’s no way KITT could kick the A-Team van’s ass. Granted KITT itself is technically superior, but with Mr. T or even ‘Howling Mad’ Murdoch at the wheel, David Hasslehoff wouldn’t stand a chance.
my fav band, Johnny Socko wrote a song bout David Hasselhoff (aptly titled “Hasselhoff” .. it’s on their third album, Full Trucker Effect. one of the lines is “not afraid of crying to my car, KITT. it brought all those memories screaming back.
http://www.johnnysocko.com
amellia
The only problem with Knight Rider & KITT (well, apart from the utterly terrible season with “Super Pursuit Mode”, and Knight Rider 2000, and Team Knight Rider, and…) was that I am now completely unable to take “The Graduate” seriously. Or “St Elsewhere” but that’s not quite as much of a leap.
I’m sure there is a cable tv network out there that plays all of these old shows for us children of the 70s/80s to reminisce over… but where?
I remember sitting in Kitt at Universal Studios. I don’t know how many people asked “Where’s Michael?” and got the same response – “He’s back at the Foundation with Devon and Bonnie.” I, being the Knight Rider nut that I was asked “How do you feel about Karr?” and got my illusions shattered when “Kitt” said “Who’s Karr?” Then proceeded to tell me there was never another version of him made, completely ignoring the fact that Karr was made before he was. Sometimes you just can’t trust a car.
AirWolf!!!! OMG! I loved that show. I had the biggest crush on Jan Michel Vincent! And now, in real life, I have Apache helocopters flying overhead just about everyday. It makes me think of AirWolf for some reason…
Jan Michael Vincent WAS a hot item..
Much better than Hasselhoff (spelling?)..liked
the car much better.
Next topic?
Ok, I had to get in on this….
Not to be too technical, but Wil, it was
“BE SURE TO DRINK YOUR OVALTINE”, Ovaltine? A crummy commercial! Son of a bitch!
And the queen mother…
“I want a Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time!” *deep breath*
and one of my faves..
“My father wove a string of obscenities, that to this day, still hovers over Lake Michigan.”
SONS A BITCHES! BUMPESES!!!!!!
Ok. I’m done.
The best thing about Knight Rider was Devin a.k.a. The Captain, Edward Mulhare from TV’s The Ghost and Mrs. Muir fame!
Ahoy!
KITT was a tacky piece of junk. KITT lied to
me..he said he was real! He’s not damnit!
My mates buy rubbish cars then put KITT lights
on the front that flash in red dots from side to side like that
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
They say it makes their cars look good but I
know its to satisfy Knight Rider fantasies
We all know the universal studios mock up
but where’s the real one? some scrap heap? or hanging on some freak’s bedroom wall?..we as loyal K.Rider fans have a right to know! rust in peace KITT! WE love u! Well, no actually
ps David Hasslehof has silly hair
That was -29 Gaea? It didn’t feel like it in Ottawa. I personally thought that it was just right. Alas, I don’t remember much of night rider, but Where is spongebob? You promised.
Please?
That was -29 Gaea? It didn’t feel like it in Ottawa. I personally thought that it was just right. Alas, I don’t remember much of night rider, but Where is spongebob? You promised.
Please?
Does anybody remember the K.I.T.T. Kit promo poster/car diagram that NBC put out? I still have mine!
Sorry for the double click.
Oh, and to answer the how far does Wil’s posse go? I’m from Wisconsin (Proud to see the Cheesheads are totally representin’ here!) now living just down the road from Uncle Willie (I’m sorry, may I call you Uncle Willie? Being new, I don’t want to overstep my bounds) in Sunny San Diego.
And, damn, I almost went to the ComicCon. Now I REALLY wish I would have…..
V
KARR – Knight Automated Roving Robot. the “superior prototype” to KITT – Knight Industries Two Thousand, also known as the “inferior production model”. Ah yes. All that is lodged in the back of my brain. Oh god.
As is Goliath, the truck covered in the same stuff as KITT (except for a weak spot, natch). And Garth Knight, otherwise known as Hasselhoff with the patented Beard of Evil(tm).
Great days. Here in the UK there are a few cable/sat/DTT channels devoted to old and cheesey shows; UK Gold & UK Gold 2 (less cheesy) , Bravo and Sci Fi spring to mind. Currently this means that Airwolf, Knight Rider, The A-Team, The Bionic Woman, The Time Tunnel and Fantasy Island are all kicking around.
Hey,
What was it with the 80’s and vehicles? Must’ve been the trickle down effect of Reagan’s Star Wars Program. Dukes of Hazard, Knight Rider, and Airwolf.
Ahhh, the eighties, I am glad they’re coming back. No more o the dank 70s and downer 90s grunge. The makers of That 70’s Show are coming out with the 80’s show and it’s gonna be hilarious seeing spiked hair and frost eye shadow all over again!
Does this mean Wil’s going to come back in style?
Did you audition for That 80’s show?
Gosh, I used to love Airwolf too. A-Team, Knight Rider (now I have the theme going thru my head, thank you very much). And, my favorite cartoons were GI-Joe (A real American Hero), Go Bots and TRANSFORMERS (more that meets the eye. Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons). All my friends thought I was weird cuz I didn’t get into Strawberry Shortcake (I just liked to smell the dolls) or any of the other “girlie” things. That, and I played with Star Wars action figures….
Memories, light the corners of my mind…..
Vickie
omigosh you just named all the crucial formative television shows of my 80s youth!!!
Do you remember the episdoe of GI Joe where they kill off that huge slimy thing that eats everything in it’s path by leading it through the APPLE ORCHARD – since apple seeds have CYANIDE in them!! “Knowing is half the battle.”
hhhaaaha. : )
I heard they are making a Knight Rider film. Is this true?
Yay! I wasn’t the only girl who loved those shows.
But, I did watch the Dukes of Hazard because John Schneider was soooo dreamy. And, I thought that the General Lee was the greatest car in the world. That, and ROSCOE P COLTRANE…..and Flash.
Knight Rider was THE stuff, well except for maybe MacGyver. I think that would be a close match.
And I’m not the only one who had a crush on Roscoe P Coltrane!!!!
Yeah, and did you always try to get in your parents car THE DUKES OF HAZZARD way when they weren’t looking??!! : )
John Schneider getting in his car that way was like his superpower move, like wonder woman’s powerturn…
I never got into strawberry shortcake. It was probably too domestic for me.
I remember my family taking my baby brother to the Buffalo Car Show to see the KITT car (I was probably 14-15 or so, he was 4-5). Somewhere, my mom has pictures…
If you get the Ovaltine with the blue label, it’s much better.
I believe you’re thinking of DIVX, which I felt was doomed from the start. Disposable movies? Riiiiiight.
Oh hell yeah – goin through the window when Mom wasn’t looking. I just couldn’t slide across the hood. I mean, how could you not love a show that has a character named Cooter?
I would play with the SS dolls – only because I liked how they smelled. Give me Transformers anyday….
BY THE POWER OF GREYSKULL – I HAVE THE POWER!!!!
Let me explain, no there is too much. To sum up:
I’m from Texas, Houston to be exact. Haven’t seen any other Texans listed…that’s odd. There’s ALWAYS people from Texas.
I once stayed home from school sick and saw the first part of a two part G.I. Joe. I had to go back to school the next day and I was crushed…I had to know if Dusty (I think that was his name) woke up from his coma. (Two parter with a character in a coma in a children’s cartoon???I love it!) This was before the handy dandy VCR was in every room in our house so I made my mom watch it and tell me what happened when I got home from school.
I always liked Luke Duke much better. I always go for the underdog…and Tom Wopat was not hyped like Schneider was. And no, I’m not talking about the Bonnie Franklin loving variety.
I also used to get up at 6 am one summer so I could watch reruns of the Hardy Boys…starring Parker Stephenson who was in Baywatch with Hasslehoff who starred in Knight Rider with KITT…six degrees of separation, KITT version. I’d then go swim laps in the neighborhood pool and come back to watch Battlestar Galactica.
Good times.
Jenn
I liked the fact that in the 80’s growin up watching shows, there was always a GOOD guy and a very clear BAD guy. Pretty cut n dry, nice and simple for young minds. Refreshingly simple, in today’s ethical climate.
I remember the first time I saw an episode with the X-Men. I was like, these poor kids! They gotta learn the rules *first* before they can BREAK em!
Hey remember Thunderstar??
I mean, ThunderCats!!
ACK!! He-man!
Remember Dungeons and Dragons? I rarely got to watch it cause it scared my lil sisters, but I love it.
And what about…
Thunder
Thunder
Thundercats
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
whee!
Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Cats!
The 80s. Gotta love ’em, gotta hate ’em.
Remember Garbage Pail Kids?