Team Knight Rider
Encyclopedia
Team Knight Rider is a syndicated television spin-off
series of the Knight Rider franchise that ran between 1997 and 1998. TKR was created by writer/producers Rick Copp
and David A. Goodman
, based on the original series created by Glen A. Larson
, who was an executive producer. TKR was produced by Gil Wadsworth
and Scott McAboy and was distributed by Universal Domestic Television
and ran only a single season of 22 one-hour episodes before it was canceled due to poor ratings.
The story is about a new team of high-tech crime fighters assembled by the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG, formed by Wilton Knight) who follow in the tracks of the legendary Michael Knight
and his supercar KITT
. Instead of "one man making a difference", there are now five team members who each has a computerized talking vehicle counterpart. Like the original duo, TKR goes after notorious criminals who operate "above the law" – from spies and assassins, to terrorists and drug dealers. The final episode of the season, and series, featured the reappearance of Michael Knight, seen only from behind, at the very end.
, these are specialized units with specific roles in the team. In addition, after the K.R.O. incident, Garland has had each vehicle installed with intentional weaknesses to act as a fail safe in case any of them go rogue.
Although armored to protect their occupants, the vehicles do not share the original KITT's nearly indestructible "molecular bonded shell". Bullets can shatter windows or blown open with a small explosive, for example, while body panels can be damaged in collisions and roll-overs. The vehicles deploy their own self-repair system enabling the cars to fix their own minor damage – shattered windows and crushed body panels have been shown "fixed" soon after taking damage. More severe impacts however, require body shop maintenance to repair the vehicles.
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series of the Knight Rider franchise that ran between 1997 and 1998. TKR was created by writer/producers Rick Copp
Rick Copp
Rick Copp is an American television writer, story editor, producer and occasional actor. He was a recurring character in the short-lived TV series Team Knight Rider, in addition to writing and serving as an executive producer for several episodes. He was executive story editor for 11 episodes and...
and David A. Goodman
David A. Goodman
David A. Goodman is an American writer and producer and a graduate of the University of Chicago, earning an BA in 1984. He was one of the executive producers of Family Guy, beginning its fourth season, joining the show as a co-executive producer in season three...
, based on the original series created by Glen A. Larson
Glen A. Larson
Glen Albert Larson is an American television producer and writer best known as the creator of Battlestar Galactica, The Fall Guy, Magnum, P.I. and Knight Rider.-Career:...
, who was an executive producer. TKR was produced by Gil Wadsworth
Gil Wadsworth
Gil Wadsworth is an American actor, film producer, and director.-Career:...
and Scott McAboy and was distributed by Universal Domestic Television
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
and ran only a single season of 22 one-hour episodes before it was canceled due to poor ratings.
The story is about a new team of high-tech crime fighters assembled by the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG, formed by Wilton Knight) who follow in the tracks of the legendary Michael Knight
Michael Knight (Knight Rider)
Michael Knight is a fictional character and protagonist in the 1980s Knight Rider television series played by David Hasselhoff. The character first appeared in the opening scenes as Michael Long, played by Larry Anderson in the beginning of the pilot.- Michael Long :Born Michael Arthur Long on...
and his supercar KITT
KITT
KITT is the short name of two fictional characters from the adventure TV series Knight Rider. While having the same acronym, the KITTs are two different entities: one known as the Knight Industries Two Thousand, which appeared in the original TV series Knight Rider, and the other as the Knight...
. Instead of "one man making a difference", there are now five team members who each has a computerized talking vehicle counterpart. Like the original duo, TKR goes after notorious criminals who operate "above the law" – from spies and assassins, to terrorists and drug dealers. The final episode of the season, and series, featured the reappearance of Michael Knight, seen only from behind, at the very end.
Team Knight Rider members
- Kyle Stewart, (played by Brixton KarnesBrixton KarnesBrixton Karnes is an American actor who starred as Steve Letourneau in the 2000 made-for-TV movie The Mary Kay Letourneau Story, as well as the team leader in the short-lived but well received Team Knight Rider, a 1997-1998 TV series based on the original Knight Rider series...
), a former CIA agent and leader of TKR - Jenny Andrews, (played by Christine SteelChristine SteelChristine Steel is an actress who played the role of Jenny Andrews on the TV series Team Knight Rider, as well as the Tiberium Mutant Umagon in Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun.-External links:...
), a former Marine and Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
veteran. An episode of the series insinuates she may be the daughter of Michael KnightMichael Knight (Knight Rider)Michael Knight is a fictional character and protagonist in the 1980s Knight Rider television series played by David Hasselhoff. The character first appeared in the opening scenes as Michael Long, played by Larry Anderson in the beginning of the pilot.- Michael Long :Born Michael Arthur Long on...
, however the question is never resolved. - Duke DePalma, (played by Duane DavisDuane DavisDuane Davis, the son of NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Davis, is an American actor who has been in such films as Ghosts of Mars and Paparazzi. He played Joe Louis in a made-for-TV movie about Rocky Marciano, James "Buster" Douglas in the HBO original movie Tyson and as ESU football star...
), a former ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
police officer and small time boxer. - Erica West, (played by Kathy Trageser), a former con artist and thief who was given a second chance to use her skills for law enforcement.
- Kevin "Trek" Sanders, (played by Nick WechslerNick WechslerNick Wechsler is an American actor best known for his role as Kyle Valenti in the The WB teen drama series Roswell . He stars as Jack Porter on the ABC drama series Revenge.-Life and career:...
), a geeky yet handsome technical genius. His nickname was given to him by his parents, who are huge Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
fans.
Other FLAG members
- Gil, (played by Vince Waldron), one of the lead mechanics aboard Sky One.
- Clayton, (played by Rick CoppRick CoppRick Copp is an American television writer, story editor, producer and occasional actor. He was a recurring character in the short-lived TV series Team Knight Rider, in addition to writing and serving as an executive producer for several episodes. He was executive story editor for 11 episodes and...
), the head chef aboard Sky One. - Captain J.P. Wyatt, (played by Lowell Dean), the pilot of Sky One.
- Dr. Felson, (played by Steve Sheridan), the medical doctor aboard Sky One.
- Scott, (played by Michael Lexx), a mechanic aboard Sky One.
- Shadow, (played by Steve Forrest), a mysterious person who guides and feeds the team information throughout the season, eventually revealed to be a holographic projection controlled by K.I.T.T.
Other prominent characters
- Jim Marland is a character that replaced the original series' Devon Miles as leader of FLAG and was responsible for the design and construction of KRO (See other vehicles below). Later, Marland stepped down and Stewart was given both operational and field service control over TKR. His mindset since the KRO incident was "One man can be given too much power" and thus the 5 vehicles were created, each with their own weaknesses.
- Martin Jantzen, (played by Bill Bumiller), the criminally psychotic driver of K.R.O.
- Mobius, (voiced by David McCallumDavid McCallumDavid Keith McCallum, Jr. is a Scottish actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as interdimensional operative Steel in Sapphire & Steel, and Dr...
), the wheelchair and ventilator bound, criminal mastermind behind season 1's inter-episode subplot. - Dennis, (played by Jim FyfeJim Fyfe-Filmography:Movies-Note:...
), a mechanic aboard Sky One eventually revealed to be a mole paid off by Mobius to infect the cars with a computer virus. - Liz "Starr" Starrowitz, (played by Rainer Grant ), a criminal who later reappears as the sidekick/lover of Mobius, and as a member of Mobius's "Legion of Doom".
- Max Amendes (listed as Max Amato in the credits of both episodes he appeared in and played by Jim PiddockJim PiddockJames Anthony "Jim" Piddock is an English actor, writer, and producer who began his career on the stage in England, before emigrating to the U.S. in 1981.-Life and career:...
), a criminal who later reappears as a member of Mobius's "Legion of Doom". - Kayla Gordon, (played by Marta MartinMarta MartinMarta Alicia Martin is an American television and film actress.-Personal life:Martin was born in Medina, Ohio. She is of partial Mexican American heritage on her mother side. She is one of four children. She relocated to California at the age of 19. She married singer-songwriter, producer Shawn...
), a criminal who later reappears as a member of Mobius's "Legion of Doom". - Roland Laschewsky, (played by Roland KickingerRoland KickingerRoland Kickinger is an Austrian-born bodybuilder and actor from Vienna. Standing 6-feet-4-inches-tall and weighing from 250-300 pounds, he has appeared in numerous bodybuilding competitions, fitness magazines and training videos...
), Starr's bodyguard (and, therefore, Mobius' bodyguard as well).
Team vehicles
Team Knight Rider use five different vehicles for their missions, each with its own computer AI system like the original Knight Industries 2000 vehicle. Unlike KITTKITT
KITT is the short name of two fictional characters from the adventure TV series Knight Rider. While having the same acronym, the KITTs are two different entities: one known as the Knight Industries Two Thousand, which appeared in the original TV series Knight Rider, and the other as the Knight...
, these are specialized units with specific roles in the team. In addition, after the K.R.O. incident, Garland has had each vehicle installed with intentional weaknesses to act as a fail safe in case any of them go rogue.
Although armored to protect their occupants, the vehicles do not share the original KITT's nearly indestructible "molecular bonded shell". Bullets can shatter windows or blown open with a small explosive, for example, while body panels can be damaged in collisions and roll-overs. The vehicles deploy their own self-repair system enabling the cars to fix their own minor damage – shattered windows and crushed body panels have been shown "fixed" soon after taking damage. More severe impacts however, require body shop maintenance to repair the vehicles.
- Danté (DNT-1), (voiced by Tom KaneTom KaneTom Kane is a prominent American voice actor with over 25 years of experience. He is most widely known for his animation work...
), is a modified Ford ExpeditionFord ExpeditionThe Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 as a replacement to the Ford Bronco, it was previously slotted between the smaller Ford Explorer and the larger Ford Excursion, but as of the 2005 model year, it is Ford's largest and last truck-based,...
sport utility vehicleSport utility vehicleA sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
driven by Kyle, but the truck has enough room to transport the entire TKR team and functions like a mobile command center. Danté's AI expresses himself in a haughty British manner and has no misgivings about making his driver and passengers feel uncomfortable. He is the de facto leader of the vehicles (if they'd ever listen to him) and he usually speaks on their behalf. - Domino (DMO-1), (voiced by Nia VardalosNia VardalosAntonia Eugenia "Nia" Vardalos is a Canadian-American actress, screenwriter, director, singer and producer. Her most notable work is the 2002 Academy Award–nominated film My Big Fat Greek Wedding.-Personal life:...
), is a modified Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
convertible driven by Jenny. The AI's manner is sleek, sexy and flirtatious. She is also talkative and likes to gossip to the annoyance of the other TKR vehicles. - Attack Beast (BST-1), (or just Beast), (voiced by Kerrigan MahanKerrigan MahanKerrigan Mahan is an American voice actor, also known as Ryan O'Flannigan.Mahan was born in Los Angeles, California. His voice ranges from young and exuberant to sneering and Lee Van Cleef-ish...
), is a modified Ford F-150 full-sized pickup truckPickup truckA pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
with off-road capability and is driven by Duke. Beast's AI has a stubborn and argumentative attitude that talks tough and is not afraid to stand up to a fight. Much to Duke's embarrassment, Beast also has a fondness for the music of Alanis Morrissette. His favorite tactic is to crash through walls and surprise the enemy. Beast does not like to take orders from Duke or anyone else, but he is fiercely loyal and gets the job done. TKR member Jenny is the only one Beast will listen to, and his aggressive nature softens when she is around. - Kat (KAT-1), (voiced by Andrea Beutner), is a high-tech motorcycle that merges with her twin, Plato, to form the advanced High Speed Pursuit Vehicle, capable of high speeds and incredible maneuverability. Kat is driven by Erica and her AI has a polar opposite personality to that of her driver. Kat is always concerned with rules and regulations and is in constant conflict with Erica's amoral traits. She acts more like Erica's mother than her partner, but she will do whatever is necessary to get Erica out of a jam.
- Plato (PLATO-1), (voiced by comedian John KassirJohn KassirJohn Kassir is an American actor, voice artist, and comedian who is best known as the voice of the Crypt Keeper in HBO's, Tales from the Crypt franchise...
), is the other motorcycle that merges with his twin Kat to form the High Speed Pursuit Vehicle. Plato is driven by Trek and, like his operator, Plato is a nerdy brainiac completely consumed by facts, figures and data. Plato likes to quote television commercials and famous movie lines and talks in sort of a code that only Trek can understand. The two have developed a strange symbiotic relationship that the other TKR members can never figure out.
Other vehicles
- Sky One (SKY-1), (voiced by Linda M. McCollough), is a massive C5C-5 GalaxyThe Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
military cargo airplane with special VTOLVTOLA vertical take-off and landing aircraft is one that can hover, take off and land vertically. This classification includes fixed-wing aircraft as well as helicopters and other aircraft with powered rotors, such as cyclogyros/cyclocopters and tiltrotors...
capability. Sky One acted as TKR's mobile base and vehicle transport, and carries a crew of 65, including the TKR field operatives, the flight crew, maintenance crew, mechanics, fire crew, kitchen staff, and medical staff. - K.R.O., was supposed to have been the replacement for KITT (however the TKR series gives no mention of the Knight Rider 2000Knight Rider 2000Knight Rider 2000 is a 1991 sequel movie to the television series Knight Rider. It is included in the Region 1, Region 2 and Region 4 versions of the Knight Rider Season One box set/...
TV movie, where the Knight 4000 was KITT's original replacement). KRO is a modified black Ferrari F355Ferrari F355The Ferrari F355 is a sports car built by Ferrari from May 1994 to 1999. It is an evolution of the Ferrari 348 and was replaced by the Ferrari 360. It is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive V8-powered 2-seat coupe...
with a highly unstable AI that parallels KARRKARR (Knight Rider)KARR is the name of a fictional, automated, prototype vehicle featured as a major antagonist in two episodes of the television series Knight Rider and was part of a multi-episode story arc in the 2008 revived series....
. After events that led to his murdering of five people, KRO was deactivated. KRO's operator, Martin Jantzen, was equally unstable. KRO later escapes to kill his creator and FLAG is forced to destroy him. KRO was voiced by John B. Wells. - K.A., short for Knight Alpha, a prototype vehicle introduced in "Legion of Doom" for a possible European Knight Rider team being prepared for delivery to Berlin. KA is a European-made Ford KaFord KaThe Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere.The current European version is produced by Fiat Auto in Tychy, Poland, while the model sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina....
compact hatchback. KA only speaks German. (He is capable of many languages, but chooses to speak German.)
Episode list
| Ep# | Title | Original airdate | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Fallen Nation | October 6, 1997 | The team rescues a supposed kidnapped general, only to uncover he is behind a plot to detonate a nuclear bomb over Washington D.C. |
| 102 | The Magnificent TKR | October 13, 1997 | The team goes after a foreign spy who has stolen a top-secret device and smuggled it to Mexico. |
| 103 | The 'A' List | October 20, 1997 | The team infiltrates a mega-corporation believed to be responsible for the deaths of scientists developing competitive technologies. |
| 104 | K.R.O. | October 27, 1997 | The team goes after a crazed Ferrari super car called the "Knight Reformulation One" which escaped while being transported for reprogramming. |
| 105 | Inside Traitor | November 3, 1997 | Erica's loyalty is questioned when she rejoins an elite gang of thieves during an undercover assignment. |
| 106 | Choctaw L-9 | November 10, 1997 | After a mishap, Kyle is suspended as leader or TKR and the rest of team must deal with a hardball FBI agent that replaces him while searching for a stolen prototype military helicopter. |
| 107 | Everything to Fear | November 17, 1997 | An assassin kidnaps Jenny and uses her to force TKR to work for him during his next hit. |
| 108 | Sky One | November 24, 1997 | Sky One is hijacked by terrorists who threaten the TKR team's lives with a deadly nerve agent. |
| 109 | The Iron Maiden | December 1, 1997 | The team must destroy three power-suited super-soldiers under Starr's control. |
| 110 | Oil and Water | December 8, 1997 | The team goes after an insane engineer bent on sabotaging the automotive industry. |
| 111 | Et Tu Dante? | January 5, 1998 | While hunting down a terrorist bomber, the TKR vehicles are taken over by a strange computer virus and turn against their drivers. |
| 112 | The Bad Seed | January 12, 1998 | The team goes after a mad scientist who threatens to poison the world's largest rivers. |
| 113 | Out of the Past | January 19, 1998 | Kyle's past comes to haunt him when the team discovers he is wanted for robbery in South America. |
| 114 | The Return of Megaman | January 26, 1998 | The team searches for a neutron bomb hidden in New Mexico that threatens to kill millions if detonated. |
| 115 | Angels in Chains | February 3, 1998 | Jenny is accused of government espionage and the rest of the team work to clear her of the allegations. |
| 116 | The Blonde Woman | February 10, 1998 | The team desperately hunts down an elusive assassin known as Eve before she can claim another victim. |
| 117 | The Ixtafa Affair | February 16, 1998 | Jenny finds that an ex-boyfriend is involved with busting a Guatemalan drug lord from prison. |
| 118 | Home Away From Home | February 23, 1998 | The team works to capture a notorious hacker who has fled to a strange little town in Iowa before enemy agents intercept her first. |
| 119 | E.M.P. | April 27, 1998 | TKR goes in search of a stolen Electro Magnetic Pulse weapon that can shut down electronics for miles. |
| 120 | Apocalypse Maybe | May 4, 1998 | The team goes after an insane reverend destined to destroy Las Vegas with an earthquake machine. |
| 121 | Spy Girls | May 11, 1998 | TKR must join forces with a team of undercover women in search of a stolen microfiche that contains the formula for a deadly nerve agent. |
| 122 | Legion of Doom | May 18, 1998 | TKR has a showdown with a nemesis agent known as Mobius and his team of criminal masterminds who he has recently sprung from prison. |
External links
- Team Knight Rider.com- Comprehensive website about the series
- Team Knight Rider fansite