TBOExtra.com - TBOExtra is Tampa Bay Entertainment Online

Remake Of 'Knight Rider' Loses Its Power

By WALT BELCHER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

"Knight Rider" is more than just an elaborate product placement scheme to help Ford sell those $79,000 Mustang GT550KRs.

It's also an attempt to cash in on nostalgia for the 1970s and '80s.

The kids who grew up with the original "Knight Rider" would be product-consuming adults now, assuming that they aren't among those facing unemployment or home foreclosure.

With gasoline prices soaring, the new and improved talking car is so high-tech and high-powered that it might need its own offshore oil rig to keep running. Affectionately known as KITT (Knight Industries Three Thousand), the car has an indestructible body, can morph into other shapes and colors, can tap into any computer system and has a genius IQ and an attitude.

In fact, KITT, flatly voiced by actor Val Kilmer, is so darn smart that it really doesn't need a driver. But the plot needs one. So enter soap opera actor Justin Bruening as Mike Traceur, son of David Hasselhoff's Michael Knight.

Hasselhoff's character was more or less a lone rider. But the new guy needs help, so he is paired with a beautiful passenger, a special agent named Sarah (Deanna Russo).

The opening episode at 8 tonight on NBC is so ludicrous that it's almost worth watching to see how bad it is. In one scene, KITT is engulfed in a bomb blast so hot that Sarah and Mike have to take off their clothes to survive.

Last year, NBC bombed with a remake of "Bionic Woman," and this one won't last either. Let's hope they don't try to bring back "The A-Team" next year.

MO' MATT: Many of the people who came out to the "Today" show Tuesday seemed to love co-host Matt Lauer. He got cheers every time he emerged from Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.

Lauer says that the road trip here was important because it put him in touch with his audience.

"Back in the studio, it can get a little antiseptic," he said in an interview following the broadcast. "But it reminds you who you are broadcasting to. When I come out and meet people and listen to what they are commenting about, the segments they like, how they feel about the coverage, I take that to heart. Those are my customers."

But how does Lauer feel about charges from some conservatives that all the networks are "in the tank with Obama"? He says it's a false charge. Read the complete interview at Walt TV on TBOExtra.com.

CBS RENEWAL: CBS is bringing back the summer crime drama "Flashpoint" for another season. The network ordered another round of episodes of the Canadian-produced series to air next summer.

DAVID BLAINE: Assuming that illusionist David Blaine doesn't take a tumble before tonight's special at 9 on ABC, viewers may get to see his "Dive of Death" just before 11.

For three days, Blaine will have been hanging upside down from six stories in the air near New York City's Central Park. During this ordeal, Blaine has planned to not eat or sleep. He urinates through a catheter and has taken just a few breaks.

Supposedly he is risking several health hazards by dangling for about 60 hours. Among them: increased blood pressure, blindness and possible brain damage. Some might argue that his brain already is addled for trying this.

It can't be that entertaining for two hours. I'd just tune in at 10:49 p.m.

"OFFICE" PARTY: In celebration of the return of NBC's "The Office" on Thursday, the Chili's in Brandon is hosting a trivia contest and watching party.

Fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character for a look-alike contest and trivia challenge at 8 p.m. followed by watching the season debut at 9.

Chili's is at 1949 W. Brandon Blvd. in the Province Square Shopping Center.