# Knight Rider

> 1982–1986 American television series

**Wikidata**: [Q464009](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q464009)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight_Rider_(1982_TV_series))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/knight-rider

## Summary
Knight Rider is a 1982–1986 American television series created by Glen A. Larson that aired on NBC. The show follows Michael Knight, a crimefighter aided by KITT, an artificially intelligent, self-aware car.

## Key Facts
- Original run: September 26, 1982 – August 8, 1986 (4 seasons, 90 episodes)
- Creator: Glen A. Larson (1937–2014), American television producer and writer
- Original network: NBC (American television and radio network, founded June 19, 1926)
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Crime television series, science fiction television program
- Followed by: Knight Rider (2008 TV series), Knight Rider 2000 (1991 television film)
- Wikidata ID: Q604524
- IMDb ID: tt0083437
- Wikipedia title: Knight Rider (1982 TV series)
- Sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**What is Knight Rider about?**
Knight Rider follows Michael Knight, a young loner who crusades to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, and the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law. He is aided by KITT, an artificially intelligent, self-aware car.

**Who created Knight Rider and when did it air?**
Knight Rider was created by Glen A. Larson and aired on NBC from September 26, 1982 to August 8, 1986, spanning 4 seasons and 90 episodes.

**What genre is Knight Rider?**
Knight Rider is classified as both a crime television series and a science fiction television program, combining elements of action, adventure, and futuristic technology.

**What came after the original Knight Rider series?**
The original Knight Rider series was followed by a 2008 television series reboot and a 1991 television film titled Knight Rider 2000.

## Why It Matters
Knight Rider matters as a pioneering television series that blended crime-fighting action with science fiction elements, introducing audiences to the concept of an artificially intelligent vehicle as a crime-fighting partner. The show's innovative premise of a talking, self-driving car named KITT captured the public imagination and influenced subsequent portrayals of AI in popular media. As a product of the 1980s, Knight Rider reflected contemporary fascination with technology and automation while addressing themes of justice and individual heroism. The series helped establish Glen A. Larson as a significant television producer and contributed to NBC's programming during its original run. Its cultural impact extended beyond television, spawning merchandise, video games, and a lasting legacy in the science fiction and action genres.

## Notable For
- Pioneering portrayal of an artificially intelligent, self-aware vehicle as a central character
- Blending crime drama with science fiction elements in a mainstream television series
- Creating one of the most recognizable fictional cars in television history (KITT)
- Running for 4 seasons and producing 90 episodes on NBC
- Inspiring subsequent television series, films, and media featuring intelligent vehicles
- Establishing Glen A. Larson as a prominent television creator and producer
- Reflecting 1980s cultural fascination with technology and automation
- Generating significant merchandising and cross-media adaptations

## Body
### Creation and Development
Knight Rider was created by Glen A. Larson, a prolific American television producer and writer who lived from 1937 to 2014. Larson was known for creating several successful television series throughout his career, with Knight Rider being one of his most notable works. The series was developed as a crime-fighting drama with science fiction elements, centering on the partnership between a human protagonist and an artificially intelligent vehicle.

### Original Run and Broadcast
The series premiered on NBC on September 26, 1982, and concluded its original run on August 8, 1986. During its four-season run, Knight Rider produced a total of 90 episodes. NBC, the original network for Knight Rider, is an American television and radio network founded on June 19, 1926, making it one of the oldest broadcasting networks in the United States.

### Genre Classification
Knight Rider is classified under multiple genre categories. It is primarily identified as a crime television series, focusing on the protagonist's efforts to combat criminal elements that operate above the law. Additionally, it falls under the science fiction television program category due to its incorporation of advanced technology, particularly the artificially intelligent car KITT. The series also contains elements of action and adventure genres.

### Central Characters and Premise
The show's premise revolves around Michael Knight, described as "a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law." His primary ally is KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), an artificially intelligent, self-aware car equipped with advanced technology. This partnership between human and machine formed the core dynamic of the series.

### Legacy and Follow-up Projects
Knight Rider's success led to several follow-up projects. A television film titled "Knight Rider 2000" was produced in 1991. Additionally, a reboot television series simply titled "Knight Rider" aired in 2008, attempting to revive the franchise for a new generation. These subsequent projects demonstrate the lasting appeal and cultural impact of the original series concept.

### Cultural Impact
Knight Rider became a significant part of 1980s popular culture, with KITT becoming one of the most recognizable fictional vehicles in television history. The show's premise of a crime-fighting hero aided by advanced technology resonated with audiences during a period of growing interest in computers and automation. The series contributed to the broader cultural conversation about artificial intelligence and human-machine interaction, themes that have only grown more relevant in subsequent decades.

### Production Context
As an American television series, Knight Rider was produced within the context of the United States entertainment industry during the 1980s. The show reflects the production values, storytelling conventions, and technological fascinations of its era while maintaining a distinctive identity through its unique premise and characters.

## References

1. IMDb
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Library of Congress
4. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/knight-rider-1982)
5. MusicBrainz
6. Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Kinopoisk
9. mymovies.it
10. The Movie Database
11. YouTube API
12. FilmVandaag.nl