Knight Rider (1982 TV series)

Knight Rider is an American action television series that originally aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986. The series follows the adventures of Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff), a high-tech crime fighter, and KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), his artificially intelligent, self-driving car.

The show's premise revolves around the concept of a lone crimefighter using advanced technology to combat injustice. Michael Knight, presumed dead after an assassination attempt, is given a new identity and recruited by the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG), a private organization dedicated to fighting crime beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement.

KITT, a heavily modified 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, is the series' most recognizable element. Equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, a virtually indestructible molecular bonded shell, turbo boost, and a multitude of other gadgets and capabilities, KITT is both a vehicle and a partner to Michael Knight. William Daniels provided the voice for KITT.

The series was created by Glen A. Larson and became a cultural phenomenon, popularizing talking cars and influencing subsequent science fiction and action genres. Its theme music, composed by Stu Phillips, is instantly recognizable.

Throughout its four seasons, Knight Rider tackled a range of issues, often focusing on corporate greed, government corruption, and the abuse of power. Each episode typically involved Michael and KITT investigating a crime, outsmarting the perpetrators, and bringing them to justice.

The series spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and reboots, including the television films Knight Rider 2000 (1991) and Knight Rider 2010 (1994), as well as a short-lived television series reboot in 2008. Despite these attempts to revive the franchise, the original Knight Rider remains the most iconic and enduring version.