---
title: "Knight Rider"
year: 1982
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/knight-rider-1982"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 2384
imdb_id: "tt0083437"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 4
episodes_count: 84
runtime_minutes: 48
community_rating: 7.5
vote_count: 1434
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# Knight Rider (1982) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/knight-rider-1982

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Knight Rider is a television series created by Glen A. Larson that originally aired between 1982 and 1986. The series features David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Richard Basehart, and Patricia McPherson. The narrative follows the adventures of a lone crime-fighter named Michael Knight who battles criminals with the assistance of an artificially intelligent and virtually indestructible supercar known as KITT. The protagonist was formerly an undercover police officer named Michael Long. After being shot and left for dead during an investigation, he was rescued by a wealthy inventor named Wilton Knight. Following life-saving surgery that provided him with a new face and identity, Michael Knight accepted a mission to apprehend criminals who operate beyond the reach of the law. Supported by the Foundation, Michael and KITT combat various forces of evil throughout the series. The program focuses on these exploits as the pair works together to maintain justice. The provided sources regarding the historical definition of a knight as a medieval cavalryman are unrelated to the production of this television series.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A lone crime fighter battles criminals with the help of an indestructible, artificially intelligent car."

### Why Watch
- features a unique high-tech vehicle
- fast-paced crime fighting

### Caveats & Content Note
- dated production values
- Tone & Suitability: The series contains action-oriented violence suitable for general audiences.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: action, crime, drama, adventurous

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | The Roku Channel | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (21 Episodes)
## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 84
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 12 (14%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 72 (86%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Glen A. Larson
- **Networks / Studios**: NBC

## Key Cast Continuity

- **David Hasselhoff** as *Michael Knight*
- **Edward Mulhare** as *Devon Miles*
- **William Daniels** as *KITT (voice)*
- **Patricia McPherson** as *Bonnie Barstow*
- **Rebecca Holden** as *April Curtis*
- **Peter Parros** as *RC3*
- **Catherine Hickland** as *Stephanie 'Stevie' Mason*
- **Ann Turkel** as *Bianca Morgan*
- **Jack Starrett** as *Sheriff*
- **Alex Kubik** as *Mike Zoormagian*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who is the main character?
The main character is Michael Knight, a crime fighter assisted by his car.

### Q: What is KITT?
KITT is a computerized, virtually indestructible car that assists Michael Knight.

### Q: When did the show air?
The series originally broadcast on NBC from September 26, 1982, to April 4, 1986.

### Q: How many episodes are there?
The series consists of 90 episodes.

### Q: What is the premise of the show?
Michael Knight uses his car to apprehend criminals who are beyond the reach of the law.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Knight - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight)
- [Knight | History, Orders, & Facts | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/knight-cavalryman)
- [Knight Rider (TV Series 1982-1986) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083437/)
- [KNIGHT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knight)
- [Medieval Knight - World History Encyclopedia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medieval_Knight/)
- [Knight - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*