Well, it’s the final episode of Remember That Show? for 2024, and we’re finally covering the show that popped into my mind when this whole project was conceived. When I think of “obscure show from the 80s and 90s”, I immediately think of Team Knight Rider. Sure, there are better known shows, but this one comes to mind because I’ve often felt like I was the only one who watched it. I mean, it only lasted one season – in syndication, mind you- so, clearly, there weren’t many of us! Still, I feel like Team Knight Rider sort of embodies what Remember That Show? is all about: either you also watched this little-known show, or you’re about to learn all about something new to you!
Everyone knows Knight Rider, as it was Peak 80s. You either remember the talking car or you remember David Hasselhoff, back when he was allowed to wear more clothes than just swum trunks. Though the series only lasted 4 seasons, it not only helped put NBC back on top, but it became an iconic aspect of the entire decade. What a lot of folks don’t know, however, is that there have been MANY attempts by Universal to reboot the franchise. MANY. Whether we’re talking about the TV movies Knight Rider 2000 or Knight Rider 2010, or the weekly series like Knight Rider (2008), and the show we’re talking about today, Team Knight Rider, Universal knows the potential of the concept, but they just haven’t figured out how to crack the nut of updating it for modern audiences. I mean, at its core, the draw was the sexy, talking car. Well, we live in a world where most cars are sexy, and most can talk to you, if that’s something you want. So, why watch Knight Rider when you’re living Knight Rider? Still, it wasn’t always like this- especially not in 1997, when Team Knight Rider premiered.
Launched as part of Universal’s Action Pack syndication block, Team Knight Rider followed the core Knight Rider concept of “One man can make a difference”, yet some changes had been made. In the days since the original series, the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG) came to realize that One Man can sometimes have too much power. As a response, the organization moved to a team model for its missions. So, in this series, there are 5 members of Team Knight Rider, and they’re each aided by a vehicle supplied from the Ford Motor Company, with its own A.I. to compliment the driver. Over the course of one 22-episode season, the team goes after enemies who operate “above the law”, while also investigating its own handlers at FLAG.
I loved this show, and it was Appointment Television for me that season. I’ve pretty much gone on record as to what the Knight Rider franchise has meant to me throughout my life, and I’ll jump at anything with that name on it (I even still have the NES game!). TKR may not have been the show fans wanted, but it showed a lot of promise, and took the concept in some interesting directions. If you’re a Child of the 80s OR you just like sassy talking cars, then you’re gonna want to check this episode out – here or wherever you get your podcasts. And, if you enjoy it, TELL A FRIEND!
PS: When the show started, we were part of The Retro Network. Then, that became Geekster Media. Well, I guess you could say we “New Coked” it, or this is like Community‘s “gas leak season”, but we’re back to calling it The Retro Network again. Ya know, kinda like how you never know when you’re supposed to use “Comcast” and when you’re supposed to use “Xfinity”. I don’t know if there’s gonna be a formal announcement, and I figure if I’ve gotta be confused, then you’ve gotta be confused! Maybe it’ll be treated like the aftermath of a DC Comics event, where they’ll just say that nothing about 2024 happened except for the events of Remember That Show? and Wizards: The Podcast Guide To Comics. I’m not part of that decision-making process, so I guess I’ll find out when y’all do lol.
