One of our frequent commenters “Nick C” has been told that NBC is trying to “save” Knight Rider by some pretty novel means. According to Nick, NBC is in negotiations to bring both “The Hoff” (David Hasselhoff) and the original voice of K.I.T.T. (William Daniels) back to the show. Not just back for a guest cameo, but back on a permanent basis. The show started relatively well for NBC, particularly in the 18-34 male demo, but has drifted lower over time.

While we have no way of independently confirming the reports or whether if true they will actually come to anything, but it does raise the fun question:

Whose Return Is More Likely to “Save” Knight Rider: The Hoff or The Original Voice of K.I.T.T.?

Seidman: Unless we’re talking about ratings in Germany, the answer is NEITHER. The only thing that can really save this show is better writing. The Hoff will do more for bit torrent downloads worldwide than he’ll do for the ratings. Sure, there may be a brief blip. But because I have to pick a side, I’ll go with William Daniels and the original voice of K.I.T.T. as KR’s savior. Daniels was outstanding as the voice. I’m not hating on Val Kilmer, since that may be the best part of the current show, but, he’s no William Daniels, and if you’re going to have an old school show, you need the old school voice. Plus Daniels was on hit shows like ER St. Elsewhere and Boy Meets World (as more than a voice, and realistically, how could I possibly pick against Mr. Feeny?).

The Hoff has some bad side effects here in the U.S. Fans mocked Dallas Mavericks’ star Dirk Nowitzki for his love of the Hoff’s music in the 2006 NBA playoffs and psychologically, he’s seemingly never recovered.

On the other hand, Daniels does not have his own branded web site including games like Hoff Pac Man and Hoff Frogger (you think I’m making this up? You can’t make stuff like this up!).

And though I know there will certainly be an A Team comeback on NBC sooner or later, maybe what would really save the show is Mr. T, in both the role of Knight AND the voice of the car.

I pity the fool who doubts Mr. T’s ability to save the show!

So yeah, Daniels. I mean neither.

Gorman: Such little faith you have in the power of The Hoff! I love Daniels’ voice, but return of David Hasselhoff would definitely have a better chance of saving the show.

He’s got multi-generational appeal! He’s been on US television since 1975. For many, there can be no other Michael Knight.

He’s got international appeal! He was the star of, and now the very wealthy syndicator of Baywatch, the most watched TV show in the world.

He’s a comeback story! He’s had life struggles, put on a little weight, had a bit of Nip/Tuck done. He’s the John Daly of television (although much richer, poor John).

He’s a freak show! For everyone fan that tunes in, you might get as many viewers to watch the spectacle of his return to broadcast network prime-time.

It’s The Hoff or Bust!

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Odds Tivo will be a stand-alone company in 2012?

Seidman: I don’t see how it could be without changing its business model, but they will have some cash to play with once they raise all that money in debt financing. 30% for 2010, but 0% for 2012. Then again some people think the world ends in 2012.

Gorman: 2012? You have to be kidding me! How can you be so optimistic? They’re out of money now and trying to raise some. I know you love your Tivo, but it’s clear the Tivo business model is flawed. Into the Dead Pool Tivo will go (as a standalone) sometime in ‘09, perhaps even sooner.

Seidman: You were a ReplayTV guy, how’s that working out for you?

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Katie Couric Experiment lasts: 1 more year

Gorman: OVER! Les Moonves jumped into this with both feet, and he is not a man who likes to admit failure.

Seidman: The producers are making us answer the wrong question! Katie may leave on her own first!  I’m with you though, OVER. 

They need to try something to attract YOUNGER viewers though.  Sure, they alienated some of their existing viewers, but they were probably all in the 55+ category the advertisers don’t want to pay for anyway.  They’ll stick with it a while.

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Odds Apple lowers the price of TV shows on iTunes to $.99 during the next year?

Robert: If the question were for a longer time window, say 2 or 3 years, I’d say 100%.  In the long run the Studios are screwed and it will all be “free” and $.99 will seem great. But that’s a ways off.  Given everything Apple is trying to juggle right now, including the fear, greed and egos at the studios, I’d put it at a 30% chance it happens in the next twelve months.

Bill: 100%. The writing is on the wall. Studios are going to be opting to stream their shows free [with ads] from their own websites or offer them bundled for significantly less than $1.99/show. iTunes is the most convenient way to get content on your iPod, but people will go through a bit of inconvenience for *free*.

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First question.  Over or under ONE YEAR before NBCU shows are back on Apple’s iTunes? 

Robert:   UNDER!  NBC Universal has a problem. The way it is set up I believe they will ONLY be able to sell well digitally if someone actually wants to watch it on the iPod! Otherwise, they’ll go to NBC’s site looking to see where they can buy Heroes and one of two things will happen: 

1.  $4.99?  WTF!?

2. Even if it’s $1.99 – HEY! they archive all the shows here during the season!  I’ll just watch it FOR FREE (there are ads, but only a few with what any of them are currently doing. It adds about 2 minutes instead of 20 you’d see on TV).   Under, definitely under. 

Bill: OVER!  You’re insane to think that the executives making these decisions at NBCU are sane, rational people trying to figure out how to make the most money and act in their own self-interests..  It’s all about ego, and they can’t handle that Steve Jobs is so, so fabulous and they’re so, so not.  Unless GE & Vivendi fire the dopes at NBCU who made this choice, I’m sticking with OVER. 

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