A Shadowy Flight into the Dangerous World of a Pajiba Who Does Not Exist
The Daily Trade Round-Up / The TV Whore
Oct. 3, 2007
Just as the movie industry has moved steadfast into the era of remakes, so follow the TV networks. Hot on the heels of its “Bionic Woman” remake, NBC has given the green light to another remake, in the form of a TV movie which will also serve as a pilot. Yes, boys and girls, Michael Knight and KITT are returning to TV because NBC is inexplicably reviving “Knight Rider.” Little more is known about it at this point, although it’s safe to say that David “This is a Mess” Hasselhoff won’t be the star (but I’d put good money on a lame cameo). However, we do know that it’ll be written by Dave Andron, whose sole writing credit appears to be one of last season’s many busts, NBC’s “Raines.” So that’s not promising. But it is promising that the TV flick is actually going to be produced, and possibly directed, by Doug Liman. Now I’m not holding my breath about this in any way, shape or form, but I love me some Doug Liman. So I have to say that my curiosity is at least a little piqued. But … oh shit, there goes my curiosity right out the window, as these rumors also suggest that KITT (and other cars) are going to be some form of freaking transformers. Why, oh why, can’t they just leave well enough alone? (And for the record, while I loved the show as a kid, I’ve learned that like many things loved for the sake of nostalgia, those old episodes so do not hold up to new viewings.)
Meanwhile, the news that we all knew was coming seems to have finally landed — Cinematical recently interviewed Ian McShane, our old pal Al Swearengen, and McShane said that the “Deadwood” sets are being torn down. Assuming this is true, it’s game, set, match for all our favorite cocksuckers. McShane said that, like all us fans, he feels cheated because of what a great job it was: “It was a fabulous place to be and work. It was a workshop cum theater cum film. It was an extraordinary time. But everything has to come to an end, babe.” And W. Earl Brown (Swearengen’s man, Dan Dority) talked about the fact that, love it or hate it, “The Sopranos” at least had a chance to go out on its own, as did “Six Feet Under” (he called it “the best send off episode in the history of television”), as will “The Wire.” But “Deadwood,” meanwhile: “It just stopped. No ending. Just stopped. It’s like never finding out that ‘Rosebud’ was his sled or that Darth was Luke’s father. …Fuck.” I hear you brother. Fuck indeed.
But wait! All is not lost. Sure, we may never again have new “Deadwood.” But who cares, for Comedy Central has renewed “Mind of Mencia”!!! That means we will get scads more of the comedy-stealing self-titled beaner.
Fuck.
My favorite line from the recent roast of Flavor Flav was when Jimmy Kimmel was talking about how this was the first Comedy Central program to be all green. And he noted that, if Comedy Central really wanted to help stop noxious things from being sent into the air, it would cancel “Mind of Mencia.” I guess Comedy Central hates the environment.
However, Comedy Central makes up for this a little by the fact that it has licensed 10 new episodes of the Canadian show “Kenny vs. Spenny,” along with acquiring rights to 10 of the existing episodes (which will start airing on November 14). This show was the inspiration for a show which some of you may have seen on BBC America called “Ed vs. Spencer,” and the premise is simple — two friends (Kenny and Spencer, duh) face off against each other in stupid competitions, like who can stay naked for a longer period of time, or who can attract more gay guys. At the end of the episode, the winner gets to come up with some type of humiliation for the loser. I’m sure our Canadian readers can tell us more, but if it’s anything like “Ed vs. Spencer,” I’m sure it’s quite funny and entertaining, even if the reality of it is sometimes a bit dubious. And as part of the deal, the new episodes will be executive produced by “South Park” boys Trey Parker and Matt Stone, which will surely help the comedic elements of the show.
And of course I have no choice but to leave you with the following classic video:
Although, for my fellow Phillies fans out there, I’ll leave you with Harry Kalas and the roar of the crowd and the goosebumps from Sunday’s top of the ninth. Let this lift your spirits as we all get ready for this afternoon’s big showdown:
Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television editor. Has he mentioned that the Fightin Phils are the NL East Division Champs?
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Comments
So, in other words, Knight Rider 2000 and Team Knight Rider (or as I call it, Mighty Don't-Morphin Knight Riders) weren't good enough reasons to not do this?
Doug Liman, you're our only hope.
At least we now know, thanks to Mythbusters, that you CAN drive a car into the back of a semi without crashing.
Posted by: Vermillion at October 3, 2007 8:44 AM
That's it. I'm done.
Eureka just finished the season, Foyle's War seems to have gone on permanent hiatus, Deadwood seems to be following suit, and the only thing left worth watching on TV is The Daily Show.
Posted by: wenchmaster at October 3, 2007 9:05 AM
I must say...Rebecca Holden = WAAAAAYYYYYY hotter than Patricia McPherson. Pat Mc loked at times like she could have been a linebacker for the Giants. All I can remember of her is huge hair and equally huge shoulder pads.
Posted by: PissBoy at October 3, 2007 9:10 AM
...and before I forget, being a Philly local.... GO PHILS!!!!!!!!!! I was in 7th effing grade the last time this happened!
Posted by: PissBoy at October 3, 2007 9:14 AM
So far the new Knight Rider has two things going for it...Doug Liman and a lack of the Hoff. That's about it.
Kenny vs Spenny is hilarious. I've seen the BBC America version and they're pretty close to the same thing...with the orignal always being better.
Now hussel up your take on Pushing Daisies...I don't think I've been so giddy while watching a show in years. Like inhaling nitrous oxide giddy.
Posted by: Ms. Parker at October 3, 2007 9:25 AM
Hooray for the Phillies! I love it when PA sports are doing well.
Posted by: Erin at October 3, 2007 9:41 AM
Oh I remember the last time the Phillies got to far too. I was in 5th grade! Ha Ha! I can't believe it has been so long!
Posted by: Erin at October 3, 2007 9:52 AM
I guess I need to go get a Rockies cap. This is depressing
Posted by: Brian at October 3, 2007 9:55 AM
The best thing to come out of the playoffs this season is Jon Stewart's reaction to the Mets epic collapse. For anyone who missed it, look up the into starting off Monday's show.
Really, Knight Rider? Really?
Posted by: Melody at October 3, 2007 10:00 AM
Melody - is this available on Comedy Central's site?
Posted by: Brian at October 3, 2007 10:53 AM
Canadian reporting in. Kenny vs. Spenny is wonderful, wonderful stuff.
Posted by: Justin at October 3, 2007 11:44 AM
Pissboy: so was I!
Please don't break my heart Phils, the Eagles are in a 1-3 hole, I need something to comfort me.
Posted by: Julie at October 3, 2007 11:55 AM
It was a workshop cum theater cum film.
I appreciate the origin of this expression, but in modern times I think people may need to stop using it. All I can think of when someone uses that phraseology are laughable porn titles like Guess Who's Cumming at Dinner? I just think the Latin word "cum" is now ruined for anything but diplomas, and even that is questionable: "Was she hot?" "Man, she graduated magna cum louder."
Anyone else experiencing this phenomenon?
Go Giants! Now that Barry's not returning, we can dream of a World Series within the next ten years, i.e., after the massive and complete rebuilding required in the wake of the late Bonds Era.
Posted by: socalledonlycousins at October 3, 2007 12:04 PM
Seth - thanks for the Phils clip...these last few hours before the game are taking forever! Go Phillies!!!!
PS Mets, HA - HA!
Posted by: Patti at October 3, 2007 12:21 PM
Kenny vx Spenny is balls to the wall awesome. Listen to this: In one episode the competition is who can keep an octopus on his head the longest. Pretty good concept right there. Then Spenny slips Kenny acid. There you go. Acid. And an octopus... WOW
Posted by: E B at October 3, 2007 12:28 PM
Kenny vs. Spenny is hilarious. Funniest show on television, ever.
As for remakes, obviously the odds are against Knight Rider, but who would have imagined Battlestar Galactica would have turned out to be the show that it has?
Posted by: jon29 at October 3, 2007 12:47 PM
Kenny vs Spenny is pretty freakin funny... my guy absolutely loves it and the humiliations are priceless... and usually quite public! I've seen everything from Kenny eating Spenny's boogers to Spenny having to walk downtown Toronto (at least I am pretty sure it was Toronto) in women's lingerie. Kenny is super earnest and neurotic and Spenny always cheats and messes with Kenny so if you have any sadistic older sibling issues to work out maybe this show isn't for you. I suggest Tivoing it and watching with your friends while drinking before going out for the night. (or if you don't do that anymore, maybe after football or something)
Posted by: Zanna at October 3, 2007 12:59 PM
I gave up cable TV a couple of years ago and the channel I thought I would miss the most was Comedy Central. After about six months of not watching it I was near a TV with cable and decided to tune into Comedy Central to get a fix. I came upon Mind of Mencia, whose commercial breaks were overwhelmingly filled with more Mind of Mencia promos. I realized that getting rid of cable hadn't been such a bad choice. What happened to Comedy Central? Is it them, or is it that I'm no longer in my 20's?
Posted by: katy at October 3, 2007 1:02 PM
Zanna, it's Spenny who is the earnest and neurotic one, and Kenny who cheats. It's shot entirely in Toronto. By far the best episode I ever saw was when they had a series of mini-competitions, but that was mainly due to the punishment portion of the show. "Who makes a more convincing woman?" is also hilarious.
Posted by: Mary at October 3, 2007 2:01 PM
Kenny vs Spenny is hilarious! But I have to wonder how American audiences will handle this show. In a contest of who could create the most man juice in time period Kenny (evil) went to the back alley of a gay bar and "milked" condoms. In an episode of who could make the best porno the loser Spenny's humiliation was to climb aboard a blow up doll and mutter something about his "grampapa". Comedy gold! They do have some non-filthy ones though, so I guess you guys will see those. Good to see a cheap ass, dirty Canadian comedy make the jump to the big time!
Posted by: jenn at October 3, 2007 2:26 PM
Sadly socalled, I also suffer from this particular affliction resulting in childish giggling at completely inopportune times. For somewhere, deep down inside, I am still 12 years old.
I had the misfortune to catch the feature length pilot of Knight Rider on TV a couple of years ago. Man, was I disillusioned.
Posted by: Alex the Odd at October 3, 2007 2:34 PM
Am I the only goddamn Rockies fan on this site? Come on! Also: You babies keep crying about how young you were the last time the Phillies made the playoffs, well you know how old I was the last time the Rockies did it? Oh wait, the Rockies have never even fucking been to the playoffs. Cry me a river. I'm sure the Phillies will kick our asses.
Posted by: the_wakeful at October 3, 2007 2:56 PM
Ok, I lied. They went to the playoffs once before (in 1995), but that didn't go anywhere.
Posted by: the_Wakeful at October 3, 2007 9:04 PM
Brian, you can likely Youtube it. Really funny.
Posted by: Melody at October 3, 2007 10:00 PM
the_wakeful :
Nope, I am also a Rockies fan, and proud to say they fucking won today. Jeff Francis was awesome (yes, I'm ignoring the fifth inning, and Phillies fans are welcome to ignore the second, if they choose to love Hamels)
Posted by: kdm at October 3, 2007 10:30 PM
Kenny vs. Spenny is pretty damn good - even though I wanted to hate it, I just couldn't. Although there is an occasional sense of 'performance' in the show, it is pretty much based upon a seething rivalry between the two guys. The lowdown and dirty levels to which Spencer will sink to issue a severe beat down to his earnest buddy are really engaging. I particularly liked the episode where they try to keep the 'newborn baby' dolls alive to determine 'who is a better daddy?'.
Posted by: rebeccah at October 5, 2007 3:40 AM
Mary: my bad :)
Posted by: Zanna at October 5, 2007 12:07 PM
Found the Jon Stewart Video
Go to www[dot]ifilm[dot]com/2899973
sorry about writing it that way - site never likes it when I try to post links
Posted by: Brian at October 10, 2007 12:20 AM
