# K.I.T.T. Transform Yourself Into a Vacuum Cleaner 'Cause We Suck! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 30, 2007, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560 "2007-10-30T11:32:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/1 "2007-10-30T11:32:30Z")
[Knight Rider to return.](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ib75cb9375cab37f9e142de1ec524d3d2) > [@](#): > > “The Kill Point” director Steve Shill is set to direct NBC’s two-hour backdoor pilot “Knight Rider,” **a “Transformers”-inspired** redo of the 1980s series starring David Hasselhoff. > > Doug Liman, who is executive producing the project, had been eyed to direct it subject to availability. His feature schedule prevented him from helming the pilot, which is expected to air as a two-hour movie on NBC later this season. \*(emphasis mine)\*The 'hoff won’t be reprising the lead role, however. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/2 "2007-10-30T12:47:32Z")
What do they mean by a “backdoor” pilot? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/3 "2007-10-30T12:57:45Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] What do they mean by a “backdoor” pilot? [/QUOTE] Maybe it stars Larry Craig? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/4 "2007-10-30T13:14:37Z")
> [@Wiki](#): > > A backdoor pilot is a “pilot episode filmed as a standalone movie, so it can be broadcast if not picked up as a series”.[8] It is distinguished from a simple pilot in that it has a dual purpose. It has an inherent commercial value of its own while also being “proof of concept for the show, that’s made to see if the series is worth bankrolling”. That according to [wikipedia.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_pilot) ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/5 "2007-10-30T13:49:37Z")
A backdoor pilot can also be an episode of an existing series that features new characters being tested for a possible spin-off. Happy Days (itself a backdoor pilot from Love American Style) featured a number of these, including Laverne and Shirley, Blansky’s Beauties, Mork & Mindy and Out of the Blue. ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/6 "2007-10-30T15:18:25Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] Maybe it stars Larry Craig? [/QUOTE] _snerk_ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/7 "2007-10-30T15:34:46Z")
What are they going to do for the car? A [2008 GTO](http://cars.blogs.ca/wp-content/2008PontiacGTO.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/8 "2007-10-30T18:44:31Z")
I might give this one a look. I watched “The Kill Point” and found it to be excellent. With the right cast, it could be watchable. I have hopes it won’t be a bomb like the “Bionic Woman” remake. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/9 "2007-10-30T21:49:39Z")
> [@](#): > > “The Kill Point” director Steve Shill is set to direct NBC’s two-hour backdoor pilot “Knight Rider,” a “Transformers”-inspired redo of the 1980s series starring David Hasselhoff. I had to read this a few times before I figured out that they _weren’t_ saying Hasselhoff would be starring in the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/10 "2007-10-30T23:16:02Z")
It’d be awesome if they kept it a 1980s Trans Am with super powers. The ever-mulleted Billy Ray Cyrus could play Michael Knight and no one would be the wiser. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/11 "2007-10-30T23:53:19Z")
I loved Knight Rider as a kid but this is like the 4th or 5th “almost relaunch” of the show in as many years. I’ll believe it when I see it. ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/12 "2007-10-31T00:09:46Z")
[QUOTE=Morbo] I had to read this a few times before I figured out that they _weren’t_ saying Hasselhoff would be starring in the pilot. [/QUOTE] See how important commas are? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/13 "2007-10-31T00:47:40Z")
In what way will the show be “ **Transformers** -inspired?” There’s a phrase that could mean any number of things, some of them quite alarming. Will the car “transform” into another style of car, in the same manner as the one in \*\*Knight Rider 2000 \*\* or whichever TV movie that was? Will K.I.T.T. be revealed as an alien being from a dying planet? Will there be a tubby black kid as comic relief? My guess: probably 1 and 3. ---
**Author:** ![Montgomery0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Montgomery0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montgomery0)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/14 "2007-10-31T00:56:24Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] In what way will the show be “ **Transformers** -inspired?” There’s a phrase that could mean any number of things, some of them quite alarming. Will the car “transform” into another style of car, in the same manner as the one in \*\*Knight Rider 2000 \*\* or whichever TV movie that was? Will K.I.T.T. be revealed as an alien being from a dying planet? Will there be a tubby black kid as comic relief? My guess: probably 1 and 3. [/QUOTE] “Transformer inspired” in the way that, money inspires you to try and make more money. The Transformers was an 80’s show that just made a lot of money. They are inspired by the fact that dredging up oldies seems to be a good way of getting people to pay them money. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2007, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/15 "2007-10-31T03:07:55Z")
They can call it what they want but without “The Hoff”, it’s not Knight Rider. With “The Hoff” and maybe a couple of his video’s woven into the plot, I’m already a fan. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/16 "2008-02-07T22:37:47Z")
For anyone who might be interested, the new KITT will be a Mustang. This revelation created a conflict for Will Arnett and his voiceover gig for GMC commercials; GM didn’t want their guy providing his voice for a Ford. NBC has announced Val Kilmer as the new voice of KITT. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/17 "2008-02-07T23:05:54Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] For anyone who might be interested, the new KITT will be a Mustang. This revelation created a conflict for Will Arnett and his voiceover gig for GMC commercials; GM didn’t want their guy providing his voice for a Ford. NBC has announced Val Kilmer as the new voice of KITT. [/QUOTE] That’s probably for the best… “Michael, I’ve made a huge mistake…” ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/18 "2008-02-07T23:10:34Z")
“Michael, I’m your huckleberry.” ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/19 "2008-02-07T23:24:11Z")
Seriously? _ **checks internet** _ Huh. Well…that’s cool…I guess… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560/20 "2008-02-07T23:35:31Z")
I’d give it a chance. I enjoyed **The Kill Point**. And from the synopses I’ve read, the main character will be Michael Knight’s son. So, David Hasselhoff will return for a cameo. Let’s not piss on this one until it’s aired. People are too quick to judge a book by its cover sometimes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-i-t-t-transform-yourself-into-a-vacuum-cleaner-cause-we-suck/424560.md?page=2)