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"Date: Sep 27, 2007 3:30 PM
Subject: "Knight Rider" and "Tales From the Hoff"
Body: NBC is bringing back "Knight Rider," tapping Doug Liman to
produce a "Transformers"-inspired reworking of the 1980s hit
action-drama series about a man and his indestructible supercar.
Peacock is readying a two-hour backdoor pilot for the project, with
tentative plans to air it as a telepic later this season. Liman is
open to the idea of directing, assuming his feature sked allows. If
the telepic clicks, a new-model "Knight Rider" could be on the air as
early as next fall. For full story click here"
From full story link above:
<http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972829.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&query=knight+rider>
"NBC taps Liman for 'Knight Rider'
Network readying two-hour backdoor pilot
By JOSEF ADALIAN
Liman
Original 'Knight Rider' was a hit for NBC from 1982-86.
NBC is bringing back "Knight Rider," tapping Doug Liman to produce a
"Transformers"-inspired reworking of the 1980s hit action-drama series
about a man and his indestructible supercar.
Peacock is readying a two-hour backdoor pilot for the project, with
tentative plans to air it as a telepic later this season. Liman is
open to the idea of directing, assuming his feature sked allows. If
the telepic clicks, a new-model "Knight Rider" could be on the air as
early as next fall.
Dave Andron ("Raines") is writing the pilot script and will serve as
supervising producer alongside exec producers Liman and Dave Bartis
("The O.C.," "Heist") for Universal Media Studios and Dutch Oven
Prods.
Success of "Transformers" had a role in inspiring NBC Entertainment
chief Ben Silverman's decision to revive "Knight." The thinking is
that smallscreen f/x have advanced to the point where it'd be feasible
to have a weekly series in which cars shift shapes.
It's also likely the new show will explore the idea of "evil" cars to
offset the heroic talking K.I.T.T. car of the original skein, which
starred David Hasselhoff. That said, skein is expected to essentially
remain focused on the story of a single man fighting for justice with
the help of his superadvanced car.
There's also huge potential for advertiser integration. General Motors
was all over "Transformers," and it's easy to see NBC striking a rich
deal with a single automaker to serve as the exclusive auto brand for
the new "Knight." It's understood preliminary talks have already
begun.
Peacock is also veering from current conventional wisdom by moving
forward with a telepic/backdoor pilot for "Knight." Nets rarely
produce telepics with an eye on turning them into series anymore, in
part because the telepic has essentially disappeared from the
broadcast network scene.
But NBC execs no doubt feel "Knight Rider" is enough of a pre-sold
brand to lure an audience. What's more, the telepic could serve as a
good replacement for repeats come spring, perhaps replacing an encore
of "Heroes" or "Bionic Woman."
"Knight" originally aired on NBC from 1982 until 1986, with Hasselhoff
playing smooth crimefighter Michael Knight. A spinoff skein, "Team
Knight Rider," aired in syndication during the 1997-98 season.
Project was put together by CAA and Adam Kolbrenner of Madhouse
Entertainment.
Glen Larson created the original "Knight Rider" for Universal
Television."
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