Back when Knight Rider debuted in 1982, the concept of a talking car seemed like outlandish science fiction. “It’s weird — the Knight Rider car has come true,” David Hasselhoff told Closer at the recent A&E Networks’ Upfronts in New York City. “All these cars are driving themselves with artificial intelligence — and they talk to the driver,” he added.

And while the program may have only been on the air for four seasons, it had such an impact on pop culture that it is one of the first things you think of whenever you happen to come across the 66-year-old’s name. Well, that and Baywatch. In fact, the former is so popular that it’s making a return — sort of.

David Hasselhoff
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David, who played Michael Knight on the show, will get back behind the wheel of the original KITT car as the host of an upcoming History special tentatively titled Battle of the ’80s Super Cars. The two-hour telecast will feature the actor and KITT racing against Dirk Benedict in the van from The A-Team and Erik Estrada on a motorcycle from CHiPs. But this may not just be a tease for Knight Rider fans, as David is all for returning to the role. “I would like my character to be exactly where I am today,” he said. “And I’d like to tell KITT about what I’ve learned and what I haven’t learned in 30 years.”

NBC attempted a reboot in 2009, in a series that only lasted one season. Although David did make a cameo. And many people would love to see the ’80s TV show about the talking car return, especially David Rogers, an Emmy Award-winning editor, whose credits include Seinfeld and The Office.

David Hasselhoff
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“Michael Knight was cool, good looking, and funny. I wanted to be him. And look who his best friend was — an amazing car that was invulnerable to bullets, better looking, and faster than every other vehicle on the street,” he told Closer Weekly in an exclusively interview. He continued, “But even more important was that KITT had a brain, a personality and heart. It’s like, if you weren’t tough enough as Michael Knight, your car would protect you and keep you safe and was this loyal friend that you could talk to.”

He added, “I think every teenage boy back then wished they had their own KITT, and some of us ‘grownups’ still do.” We certainly hope KITT takes one more ride!

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