Bruening Riffs On Knight Rider

A man and his car have a special bond, and that’s just what David Hasselhoff told Justin Bruening on the first day of shooting the new Knight Rider TV movie.

The movie airs Sunday, Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. on NBC, and Bruening, who plays the new Knight Rider, Mike Tracer, was happy for the advice from the man who originated the role.

“I was nervous about continuing this franchise. It is big shoes to fill,” Bruening says in an ETOnline story. “[Hasselhoff] was one of the first people to mention that the key to the show is the relationship between a man and his car and how they become best friends.”

Executive producer David Bartis says there was never any question that the original Knight Rider would be a part of it. “He had this inherent understanding of what made it work and what the fans responded to. For us, that was a tremendous asset to tap into. He definitely had a role in helping us conceive what [the series] might be, as well as being in it. I think everyone will be excited to see how we work him into the show as Michael Knight.”

Bruening and Hasselhoff have a similar history. Both are former soap stars – Bruening from All My Children and Hasselhoff from The Young and the Restless.” And here’s something interesting that was mentioned in ETOnline's article: The Hoff’s ex-wife married Michael Knight, who played Bruening’s father on All My Children. Hmmm…