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KNIGHT RIDER: KNIGHT OF THE PHOENIX

2 HOUR SERIES PREMIERE
NITPICKS

September 26, 1982
SEASON 1, EPISODES 1 & 2
Production #57309
2-Part Version: #57375-6
Filmed: July 8-26, August 18-19 & 26, 1982 (1)

Note: Timecodes are based on DVD releases of the episodes (Region 1, NTSC).

CONTINUITY:

0:07:46
0:07:55

This is David Hasselhoff in shadow. This scene was filmed as part of the NBC Presentation, long before Larry Anderson became involved in the role of Michael Long.

0:08:43
0:08:55

Someone has moved Michael Long's body. He collapsed against the car facing in the opposite direction.

0:37:09
0:37:41

Maggie spills Michael's drink in his lap. When he leaves the bar a minute later, he is dry and unstained.

0:40:14
0:40:21
0:40:22

Maggie backs her Volkswagen into K.I.T.T. In the first shot the licence reads 191CRO. When we next see the plate it reads 24623K. The cutaways to Michael and Maggie show the car smoking, but in the insert shot of the broken bumper no smoke is visible.

0:52:25

At the start of the Demolition Derby, a shot of K.I.T.T. is included where Buddy can be seen in the passenger seat - before he surprises Michael. A rearview mirror is in place of the overhead console, and a double is driving.

1:22:16
1:23:24

Devon's phone changes completely during the sequence of Michael's call. This is because of pickups filmed months after the original NBC Presentation.

DASH:

0:29:02
0:31:13
1:10:53

K.I.T.T.'s voice modulator was originally stencilled with KNIGHT 2000, and this can be spotted at 0:31:13 and 1:10:53. It is a clean red light for most of the episode, and first half of Season One.

K.I.T.T.:

0:32:36

Here K.I.T.T. is a stock Trans Am. Filmed for the NBC Presentation, the car has not yet been modified with rear light blackouts and KNIGHT vanity plate.

1:00:42

As the car comes to a halt, the back seat can be seen flopping forward.

MINIATURES:

1:27:26

The first instance of a miniature in Knight Rider. It would become standard practice the following season, with the work of Sessums and Slagle.

STUNTS & DOUBLES:

0:16:35

Not David Hasselhoff.

0:55:45

Ski ramp can be seen behind the car.

CREW:

0:31:35

The camera crew on the tow truck are reflected in the hood of the police car.

0:51:08
1:30:42

Motorhomes in background.

MISCELLANEOUS:

0:11:18

Richard Anderson's name tag reads "Dr. Miles", as scripted. In the episode he's credited as "Dr. Wesley", and Devon inherited the name Miles.

0:45:47

An ad for Pepsi has been blacked out in the background. This is also the first appearance of Michael's comlink; throughout the episode he wears a different watch, but these scenes were added much later after the series was in production.

0:55:19

The image has been flipped, resulting in the reverse licence plate. The door is open for some reason.

CREDITS:

1:35:39

The official copyright date for this episode is MCMLXXVII, or 1977! This is incorrect, Knight Rider was written and produced in 1982.