Back to the Future was mainly filmed in early 1985. There might have been some Eric Stoltz footage in 84, but I don't believe Michael J. Fox joined the cast until 1985. Coincidentally, Thomas F. Wilson has said they never reshot the scene in the diner where Marty punches him in the face so there is still Eric Stoltz footage in the finished movie.
Two of my favorite shows came together in epic fashion, was a (Dream/Nightmare)come true. Robert Englund will always be the one and only Freddy Krueger to me!!
I always got a kick out of this episode and the fun chase through all the attractions at the end. And yes I was there in January and the Jaws stuff was still there. And the 2008 Attack Mode KITT as well.
Pat Buttram as we saw in this episode he played also as you said in Back to the future 3 and he also played I think it was the 1960s Green Acres. His character was is Mr Haney.
My mother was in the movie Looker and lived in LA through the 80's. If you ever want to see really weird filming stuff you have to watch family commercials filmed. It's always interesting to see how perfect the families are. The kids always look model perfection and the parents are always the perfect parents everyone wished they had.
This was a very good Knight Rider episode. Excellent job with the commentary and I’m very happy that you pointed out the different sets on on the stage… trailer set, Devon’s office, etc.
Stage 28 at Universal Studios, which was the Phantom of the Opera set, was used as the Culver Institute Southwest Lab and the hyperbaric chamber in the pilot episode of The Incredible Hulk, where Bill Bixby & Susan Sullivan try to figure out what caused David to hulk out into the hulk, thought that would be an interesting Easter egg about Stage 28 at Universal Studios
I'm a junkie for Universal Studios history, so well done on this one, Joe. @32:15 the Orca in that scene is actually the ship used in the film. Unfortunately, Universal let it rot, so Quint's vessel now permanently swims with the fishes. The rest of Cabot Cove aka Jaws Lake remains, though there have been a few upgrades.
I really enjoyed this. Probably in my top 5 of all the commentaries. Only watched this episode last week (watch each episode week before the ep commentary is due) and I had no idea. Fascinating about the sets etc. Fantastic work Joe. Gutted only 2 more left.
The Hasselhoff / Groenevelt Race for life team was a real Indy car team! Arie Luyendyk was involved & they tried to get Al Unser Jr to drive but he would not leave Penske.
Yes, the Jaws (Amity Island) set that is seen on the tram tour is still there in Hollywood. The Jaws attraction in Orlando was removed YEARS ago! Also, a BIG Yes on tinting the windows in your Trans Am! Hello from Phoenix Arizona❗🔥
I’m thinkin’ this ep was a final fling, almost celebrating the series since they knew it was soon going away. Still hard to believe it took three people to write this though. The Simon & Simon Camaros were just as rough as the KITTs, ‘Scheibed’ numerous times and moldy inside from roof leaks during hiatus periods.
The two Camaros and the two Power Wagons were sold off after the show went away, and that was after the show was extended an extra season due to the Writers’ Guild strike. That extension cost Jameson Parker a lead role in a sitcom. He was shot by a Studio City neighbor during an argument, won a massive settlement and retired from acting. The Power Wagons looked ‘beat’ but were pristine inside and had very low miles. The Camaros were victims of leaking targa roofs and Uni’s daily car wash ritual during hiatus, heavily mildewed and rusted to the point that the doors sagged. Late eps showed McRaney stepping over the door to enter the car usually because the door wouldn’t open. In short they were shiny junk. One of the trucks was bought by a record store owner in Hollywood… I used to see it parked on the street.
Ok I forgot to mention... during the chase scene towards the end a partial full size viper from Battlestar Galactica can be seen in front of the Gold Monkey bar from Tails Of The Gold Monkey.
I hope you’ll do a commentary on the reunion movie Knight Rider 2000, it’s a shame that Patricia McPherson and Peter Parros didn’t make the movie along with David Hasselhoff & Edward Mulhare, that would have been SO COOL to have all of the cast from the final season of Knight Rider in the reunion movie Knight Rider 2000
32:17 - In that shot, one of the two Orcas used in the actual Jaws film can be seen sitting in the background. The second Orca was the one designed for the sinking sequence in the third act of the film and was left abandoned. The one seen in the background is the primary one used throughout the third act. Steven Spielberg stated that on lunch breaks during working on some of the other productions he was working on for Universal, he would sneak down and get onto the boat. Unfortunately, due to being in shallow water, the bottom of the boat rotted out and Universal trashed the whole boat. It's unfortunate both of are gone, and this is probably the last time the Orca was seen on screen.
I really enjoyed this commentary! The background of the show, especially that semi set and lots of easter eggs there were lovely treats. All that crazy world of filming - you discover that everything looks different, organised chaos everywhere - well, a nice place for a phantom, I guess! Thank you.
Some notes on Universal Studios, since my curiosity got the better of me a few weeks ago. Stage 1 is still standing (and is the building you point out), but in 2008 was extended with audience facilities, dressing rooms and offices. It has been home to "America's Got Talent" (although according to my sources that was after David left as a judge), "The Tonight Show" (both Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon had hosting stints there), and currently "The Kelly Clarkson Show" tapes from there. Stages 3 and 4 are still standing pretty much as seen in the episode. Google just doesn't have a marker for them on the map. Amity Village is still standing. The bridge that shook the camera as KITT drove onto it was from the tram tour, the bridge had a mechanical system that as "Bruce" (the "Jaws" shark) swam alongside the bridge it would rock the tram cars like it was going to tip them over into the lake, providing his next meal, trams just driving across it made it feel rickety, so a much lighter than a studio tram Pontiac Trans-Am probably gave it a bit more shake. I've got some links to documents that show most of this detail, I'll send them to you in e-mail.
I recall seeing this in its first run. this was so fascinating to me because i wanted to be a cinematographer when i was in elementary school then. seeing the grip truck, the lights, the cameras -- it reinforced my love for wanting to be on a film set. i finally got my first job in 1989 as a camera op and thats been my career since.
I love watching this episode because I have a Universal Studios pass and I get to see the backlot all the time. I always look at those barnes in the western sets and imagine how Hasselhof was running through the entrance of that barn. There are a few barns that look similar so it's a bit difficult for me to distinguish which one they used in this episode when I'm on the tram. But I have a good feeling which barn was the one they used for Ring of Fire and as you said in this episode this is the same barn so I have a good idea which one it is and I believe it's the last barn you see before the tram takes you to Amity Island (Jaws). Funny thing a few months ago I could have sworn I saw a Comptron semi with the red-orange stripes parked on the backlot. Are they still around?
When I was a kid, my family and I went to Universal Studios. While there they were filming "Back to the Future: Part II", so I wanna say this was 1988-ish, (the movie came out in 89). Anyway the tram went through the futuristic Hill Valley set, saw all the futuristic cars parked around the town, and they had KITT on display by the fountain. I got to sit in him. I also sat it a KITT at an auto show once and we could get a photo taken. I remember getting yelled at by a staff person because they didn't want anyone touching KITT's dash! They had a sign slapped right on the dash. And I guess that even counted the steering wheel which I grabbed as soon as I got in! Some guy flipped out over it and scared me - I remember my mom getting mad at him for it, LOL. My pic showed me with kind of a disappointed scowl on my face and my hands at my side. : ( ALSO I thought it was funny when Dirk Benedict did a double take with the Cylon in movie studio episode of A-Team.
Thanks Joe. I hope you will make an extra long and special episode commentary about Voodoo Knight. Just like the pilot at the start, the last one needs a little more attention. Would love to hear some new details about why the show ended.
Well since you bring up the question about Kitts window tint well his window tint tinted automatically right... well these days you can actually buy a product that does that... There is a product called "Smart Tint, Smart Film". Simply by a flip of the switch you can have a tinted blacked out window. Might even be able to wire it into the Ignition switch, be black when it shut off clear when it's turned on and driving... I suggest you look into it, It might be pricey, I don't know but Kitt is definitely worth it, LOL
I always found it wild that the didn't give Robert Englund a "Special Guest Star" billing. Nightmares 1 and 2 had already come out by this point and he was a huge star. Maybe it was because of his limited onscreen time. If you notice, in a lot of the Phantom scenes its clearly not him in the costume. If I remember correctly, you don't get a good look at him until he is waiting for the guy in his car.
Robert England was definitely a household name by this point which qualified him to be billed as a special guest in this episode. It's possible he chose not to be. I don't think his limited screen time was a factor. A special guest star is an actor or actress the general audience is likely to know from other well-publicized TV or movie roles. Their guest appearance does not need to be more than a cameo.
Like many others wrote: Thanks a lot for the profound insight into the early-1986 backlot. :-) Concerning Simon & Simon: being a 3rd gen FBody fan I know that at least the Simon & Simon "hero car" had this targa roof WITHOUT the middle traverse (which likes to get rusty on our 3rd gens... ;-) ). So I don´t know how many Camaros they used but this one HERE looks to me as if it was a "normal" T-Top Camaro and not the (C4 - Corvette - like) targa without the middle traverse.
Not only was that the cafe from Back to the Future at the 30:20 point in the video, that street KITT was on was the same spot Marty gets chased by Biff when he's skateboarding around town trying to escape Biff and his buddies. Oh and by the way....I think "Knight of the Rising Sun" IS worse than "Voodoo Knight"....but apparently I'm in the minority.
Hey Joe. Though I am sad to see this series coming to an end you did an awesome job. I do have an idea for you since your building the set inside the Semi. RC was always working on his motorcycle in season 4 in the mobile center you show get a bike frame of the same kind he was building. Especially since it was the focal point for many of his interactions with Devin. Keep up your great preservation work for these rare and amazing artifacts. If you ever come to Connecticut please let us know so I can come meet you and Aj.
100%. You should tint the windows not only will it look good but it is period as well as on screen, correct ! Cheers! Also, if you ever feel like doing some interesting stuff on the A-Team, let me know!
Hate me for this if you want, but I thought this would make an okay final episode with all the setpieces revisited and the director trying to interest hasselhoff in a role in a beach movie! ( "Scent of Roses" will always be the true ending), keep up the good work Joe and your channel has better taste than the "Knight Rider Official" channel
I find it funny when a show depicts a movie or tv show set and extras are portraying extras (and almost always very exaggerated ones in the cliche costumes, too) oddly enough, I have never met Bob Englund before. As I previously stated a few times before, one of my best friends was in a couple of the Elm Street movies (she replaced Patricia Arquette from part 3). and as far as I know, Jaws is still there. I think the attraction that's in Florida is no longer there. but, the Florida one doesn't matter - we had it first!!!
From my own research, apparently the Phantom set was put into storage before stage 28 was demolished in 2014. There are some gut wrenching photos of the stage being torn down. Just do a search of Universal Studios stage 28.
I remember watching this episode 2-3 times on DVD and the Chase made me have to look a few times and the Dodge Ramcharger had White California Plates and at the end of the Chase the License Plates change to Blue
24:44 the little TV on the table with the binders. I'm betting that wasn't intentionally placed, but it was on the same day the Challenger exploded and was used to keep up with unfolding events. It looks hastily placed and it's focus isn't towards the main desk as it would be. Everyone there that day would have been concerned, and the small TV was a great way to keep informed in '86
The building seen in the background at 16:27 will be familiar to fans of cult 80’s film/feature length Atari commercial, Cloak & Dagger. It’s in the opening scene where Jack Flack parachutes in before intercepting the portly Luftwaffe officer to divest him of his briefcase as he squeezes out of a limousine! Other than that I vaguely recall this episode featured background artists wearing costumes from _Buck Rogers in the 25th Century_ (another Glen A Larson show of course). Specifically Princess Ardala’s less risqué ensembles if I’ve remembered correctly! Overall a strange episode which feels like one big excuse to advertise Universal Studios theme park, which it undoubtedly was. Still, good fun regardless. 😁
Love night rider when I was 5 I was admitted to hospital for quite a serious ailment, I was in for 3 months my mom and dad worked and they would come back to the hospital and sleep there every night for 3 and a half months, when knight rider was on we had our own TV and my mom would sllep beside me and my dad would lie in the bed with me and we watched knight rider and then ther was a show tharmt I remember I think it was the greatest American hero. Yeah when I think of my hospital time them shows were comfort food for my young mind, to youse at knight industries historians thanks for the memories, you just took mee back 40 year, and by the way they could show knight rider on repeat and I'd keep watching because if the safe memories, thank you for what you do and why you do it, you'll always have people saying it's stupid then you'll have people like us saying it's History, keep doing what you guys do, youse keep dreams alive and that's priceless.. Thanks... A massive Fan... Mark..
At the time stamp of 30:11 if you look at the very top of the screen you will see some scaffolding. It was left over from the movie Firestarter that starred a very young Drew Barrymore. you can just see if you look really close the black tarp that they used to make it night time when really they were filming during the daytime. Also at the 30:36 time stamp that the ice tunnel from the movie The Eiger Sanction which used to be part of the backlot tour in the 70's. IMO. the "old" tour was Way better than how it is now. Now it's like let's put up a ride for the latest comic book movie. I'm glad that I took the tour then and not now. The barn that has Livery Stable painted on it's side is left over from another Universal tv show. The Virginian.
as far as the tint , unless you can get the tint you can turn on with a switch I wouldnt bother putting regular tint on if you plan to take it off again because that seems like it could be a huge pain and risk of damage to the interior.
Very cool episode I remember going to work with my father and being in the old back lot. I work there periodically and it’s a shame too see what history universal has demolished. It’s changed a lot. Yes Jaws lake is still there just a little updated and the stages have been renumbered multiple times
The 'Town ' theatre was in BTTF 1985 repurposed as a church, while in 1955 it was showing a movie called The Atomic Kid. The adjacent building to the right is also missing completely in this episode.
Very nice work Joe. I enjoyed that. The behind the scenes scenes were kinda cool to see. Any idea on the production costs on the final episodes? It does feel like less action and more talking.
at 20:06 , Who was Carlos? Who was his secret love? Poor Carlos, I wonder if he ever knew... :) At 6:09 , Devon looks to be intrigued at whatever is in the centre fold of the Newspaper! Dirty Devon lol
I’m pretty sure courthouse square was also in season one a good day at white rock as the general store, that would have been before back to the future.
I was just there back in February. Amitiville Island and lake is still there complete with Jaws and the collapsing bridge. Among other productions, it also served as Cabot Cove where Angela Lansbury conducted Murder She Wrote investigations. The spinning ice tunnel is still there and the tram goes through it while giving tours. For anyone taking a vacation to So. Cal that includes a trip to Universal Studios...a hot tip. Go during the week and take the tram tour during the day. Cant garantee star spotting, however the backlot does hum with activity. You never know what you might see. Weekends and the night tours will feel like the back lot is closed for the night and nothing is happening. On a side note...the cowboy Pat Buttram....it is not pronounced Butt Ram. It is pronounced ButTram....😉
25:04 I don't think that's a Simon and Simon Camaro because I believe I see the center T bar for the t-top roof and the Simon and Simon Camaro was a custom Targa top so it doesn't have a T bar.
Geee Whiz, I wonder who the bad guy will be in this episode... and he would have gotten away with it if it weren't for that snooping stringbean. The Simon and Simon car had a targa top, that red Camaro has T-Tops... could still be an insert car or something, just wanted to point that out. Great vid.
has anyone noticed besides me if you watch the episode where kitt v karr when karr goes off the cliff isnt the car showing going off the cliff is the same car from the film the car
I liked this one. Never knew that about the office. I guessed it was real, but didn't know it was RF's office. Never spotted the Semi set either. Would have been good if you could see a bit of the wall... But you can see the oblong shape of it. Considering the Stock footage of driving and "reused shots", was shooting for this one 100% at Universal?
Hey Joe. Universal Studios has changed over time since Fright Knight. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you: Did you go to Universal Studios to see how it is now after Knight Rider? Let me know. Thanks🎸👉♥✌
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial What's in the Knight Rider lake location now? Alas I never went there when that was on. As a kid I was taken to Florida, not CA.
Back to the Future was mainly filmed in early 1985. There might have been some Eric Stoltz footage in 84, but I don't believe Michael J. Fox joined the cast until 1985. Coincidentally, Thomas F. Wilson has said they never reshot the scene in the diner where Marty punches him in the face so there is still Eric Stoltz footage in the finished movie.
Jaws is still there! Looks exactly like it used to in the 80ies. Just been there this August! :)
Two of my favorite shows came together in epic fashion, was a (Dream/Nightmare)come true. Robert Englund will always be the one and only Freddy Krueger to me!!
I agree, Robert Englund will always be Freddy Krueger to me too
Behind Pat Buttram when Micheal pulls up is one of the Panthers from the clock tower in Back To The Future
So fun to see the old Universal when it was more original. The avalanche tunnel was demolished also. But classic Jaws remains
I always got a kick out of this episode and the fun chase through all the attractions at the end. And yes I was there in January and the Jaws stuff was still there. And the 2008 Attack Mode KITT as well.
I liked seeing what Devin's Office set, Staircase set, and the semi set look like on the outside!
I remember seeing the KITT on display at Universal Studios, happy it is in your trusted hands.
Pat Buttram as we saw in this episode he played also as you said in Back to the future 3 and he also played I think it was the 1960s Green Acres. His character was is Mr Haney.
My mother was in the movie Looker and lived in LA through the 80's. If you ever want to see really weird filming stuff you have to watch family commercials filmed. It's always interesting to see how perfect the families are. The kids always look model perfection and the parents are always the perfect parents everyone wished they had.
1 of the favourites from season 4. Can't believe we've only got 2 more left. I can confirm that in 2017 the Jaw's bit was still there.
This was a very good Knight Rider episode. Excellent job with the commentary and I’m very happy that you pointed out the different sets on on the stage… trailer set, Devon’s office, etc.
yeah that was cool to see. back when i saw this in its first run i of course was not paying attention but good gosh it was cool.
I think BTTF was filmed into April of ‘85. Great job, Joe!
Stage 28 at Universal Studios, which was the Phantom of the Opera set, was used as the Culver Institute Southwest Lab and the hyperbaric chamber in the pilot episode of The Incredible Hulk, where Bill Bixby & Susan Sullivan try to figure out what caused David to hulk out into the hulk, thought that would be an interesting Easter egg about Stage 28 at Universal Studios
I would put this episode in my top Ten Knight Rider episodes. all because of Freddie!!!!
Really fun episode this one. Thank you Joe for pointing out the SEMI Set as well as all the other stuff on Stage 1 🙂👍
At the end of the episode that shot of the "Commissary" a costume from Heartbeeps can be seen, the green and grey suit to the right.
I'm a junkie for Universal Studios history, so well done on this one, Joe.
@32:15 the Orca in that scene is actually the ship used in the film. Unfortunately, Universal let it rot, so Quint's vessel now permanently swims with the fishes.
The rest of Cabot Cove aka Jaws Lake remains, though there have been a few upgrades.
I heard Spielberg was pissed when he found out they'd destroyed the Orca instead of letting him restore it.
@@KasumiKenshirou he was furious
I really enjoyed this. Probably in my top 5 of all the commentaries. Only watched this episode last week (watch each episode week before the ep commentary is due) and I had no idea. Fascinating about the sets etc. Fantastic work Joe. Gutted only 2 more left.
Great review on the episode and definitely my one of my favorites,I think reinstalling the tint is a great idea !
The Hasselhoff / Groenevelt Race for life team was a real Indy car team! Arie Luyendyk was involved & they tried to get Al Unser Jr to drive but he would not leave Penske.
Yes, the Jaws (Amity Island) set that is seen on the tram tour is still there in Hollywood. The Jaws attraction in Orlando was removed YEARS ago!
Also, a BIG Yes on tinting the windows in your Trans Am!
Hello from Phoenix Arizona❗🔥
You could have made a double length episode commentary of this. So many details. I just can't get enough of it. Just great as always !
Glad you enjoyed it!
So cool to hear details about those different movie sets! Nice work!
Jaws still there in 2021. Also famous for the harbor in Murder She Wrote in the opening credits
Great video! I remember that "Different Strokes" episode too, they broke for a commercial just before a stunt car exploded with Gary Coleman inside.
I’m thinkin’ this ep was a final fling, almost celebrating the series since they knew it was soon going away. Still hard to believe it took three people to write this though.
The Simon & Simon Camaros were just as rough as the KITTs, ‘Scheibed’ numerous times and moldy inside from roof leaks during hiatus periods.
I can only imagine! Wonder what happened to those cars?
The two Camaros and the two Power Wagons were sold off after the show went away, and that was after the show was extended an extra season due to the Writers’ Guild strike.
That extension cost Jameson Parker a lead role in a sitcom. He was shot by a Studio City neighbor during an argument, won a massive settlement and retired from acting.
The Power Wagons looked ‘beat’ but were pristine inside and had very low miles. The Camaros were victims of leaking targa roofs and Uni’s daily car wash ritual during hiatus, heavily mildewed and rusted to the point that the doors sagged. Late eps showed McRaney stepping over the door to enter the car usually because the door wouldn’t open. In short they were shiny junk. One of the trucks was bought by a record store owner in Hollywood… I used to see it parked on the street.
Robert England one of the biggest guest stars in knight rider like genna Davis and Jason Bateman
Ok I forgot to mention... during the chase scene towards the end a partial full size viper from Battlestar Galactica can be seen in front of the Gold Monkey bar from Tails Of The Gold Monkey.
Great episode and even more interesting when you point out all this information for example about the semi set, Devon's office, etc. :)
I hope you’ll do a commentary on the reunion movie Knight Rider 2000, it’s a shame that Patricia McPherson and Peter Parros didn’t make the movie along with David Hasselhoff & Edward Mulhare, that would have been SO COOL to have all of the cast from the final season of Knight Rider in the reunion movie Knight Rider 2000
Im kind of glad..the movie wasnt really a good thing.
This was one of my favourite Knight Rider episodes.
32:17 - In that shot, one of the two Orcas used in the actual Jaws film can be seen sitting in the background. The second Orca was the one designed for the sinking sequence in the third act of the film and was left abandoned. The one seen in the background is the primary one used throughout the third act. Steven Spielberg stated that on lunch breaks during working on some of the other productions he was working on for Universal, he would sneak down and get onto the boat. Unfortunately, due to being in shallow water, the bottom of the boat rotted out and Universal trashed the whole boat. It's unfortunate both of are gone, and this is probably the last time the Orca was seen on screen.
Awesome Work Joe, Thanks 👍👍👍😀 Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸🇫🇮🇺🇸
I really enjoyed this commentary! The background of the show, especially that semi set and lots of easter eggs there were lovely treats. All that crazy world of filming - you discover that everything looks different, organised chaos everywhere - well, a nice place for a phantom, I guess! Thank you.
Great episode one of my favorite..did anyone notice the barn from Friday the 13th ...
Some notes on Universal Studios, since my curiosity got the better of me a few weeks ago.
Stage 1 is still standing (and is the building you point out), but in 2008 was extended with audience facilities, dressing rooms and offices. It has been home to "America's Got Talent" (although according to my sources that was after David left as a judge), "The Tonight Show" (both Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon had hosting stints there), and currently "The Kelly Clarkson Show" tapes from there.
Stages 3 and 4 are still standing pretty much as seen in the episode. Google just doesn't have a marker for them on the map.
Amity Village is still standing. The bridge that shook the camera as KITT drove onto it was from the tram tour, the bridge had a mechanical system that as "Bruce" (the "Jaws" shark) swam alongside the bridge it would rock the tram cars like it was going to tip them over into the lake, providing his next meal, trams just driving across it made it feel rickety, so a much lighter than a studio tram Pontiac Trans-Am probably gave it a bit more shake.
I've got some links to documents that show most of this detail, I'll send them to you in e-mail.
I also read that when they expanded Stage 1, they tore out the old director's booths that had been there from the beginning. What a shame...
Really interesting episode
Thanks for a top tier commentary Joe!
This was one of my favorite episodes of Knight Rider
I recall seeing this in its first run. this was so fascinating to me because i wanted to be a cinematographer when i was in elementary school then. seeing the grip truck, the lights, the cameras -- it reinforced my love for wanting to be on a film set. i finally got my first job in 1989 as a camera op and thats been my career since.
I love watching this episode because I have a Universal Studios pass and I get to see the backlot all the time. I always look at those barnes in the western sets and imagine how Hasselhof was running through the entrance of that barn. There are a few barns that look similar so it's a bit difficult for me to distinguish which one they used in this episode when I'm on the tram. But I have a good feeling which barn was the one they used for Ring of Fire and as you said in this episode this is the same barn so I have a good idea which one it is and I believe it's the last barn you see before the tram takes you to Amity Island (Jaws). Funny thing a few months ago I could have sworn I saw a Comptron semi with the red-orange stripes parked on the backlot. Are they still around?
Nice! There was a Comtron trailer there at least in 2014...very well could still be there today!
When I was a kid, my family and I went to Universal Studios. While there they were filming "Back to the Future: Part II", so I wanna say this was 1988-ish, (the movie came out in 89). Anyway the tram went through the futuristic Hill Valley set, saw all the futuristic cars parked around the town, and they had KITT on display by the fountain. I got to sit in him. I also sat it a KITT at an auto show once and we could get a photo taken. I remember getting yelled at by a staff person because they didn't want anyone touching KITT's dash! They had a sign slapped right on the dash. And I guess that even counted the steering wheel which I grabbed as soon as I got in! Some guy flipped out over it and scared me - I remember my mom getting mad at him for it, LOL. My pic showed me with kind of a disappointed scowl on my face and my hands at my side. : ( ALSO I thought it was funny when Dirk Benedict did a double take with the Cylon in movie studio episode of A-Team.
We would love to see any photos you have! Knightriderhistorians@gmail.com
Thanks Joe. I hope you will make an extra long and special episode commentary about Voodoo Knight. Just like the pilot at the start, the last one needs a little more attention. Would love to hear some new details about why the show ended.
Well since you bring up the question about Kitts window tint well his window tint tinted automatically right... well these days you can actually buy a product that does that... There is a product called "Smart Tint, Smart Film". Simply by a flip of the switch you can have a tinted blacked out window. Might even be able to wire it into the Ignition switch, be black when it shut off clear when it's turned on and driving... I suggest you look into it, It might be pricey, I don't know but Kitt is definitely worth it, LOL
I always found it wild that the didn't give Robert Englund a "Special Guest Star" billing. Nightmares 1 and 2 had already come out by this point and he was a huge star. Maybe it was because of his limited onscreen time. If you notice, in a lot of the Phantom scenes its clearly not him in the costume. If I remember correctly, you don't get a good look at him until he is waiting for the guy in his car.
Robert England was definitely a household name by this point which qualified him to be billed as a special guest in this episode. It's possible he chose not to be. I don't think his limited screen time was a factor. A special guest star is an actor or actress the general audience is likely to know from other well-publicized TV or movie roles. Their guest appearance does not need to be more than a cameo.
I'm surprised that they didn't give Robert Englund a "Special Guest Star" billing too
Like many others wrote: Thanks a lot for the profound insight into the early-1986 backlot. :-) Concerning Simon & Simon: being a 3rd gen FBody fan I know that at least the Simon & Simon "hero car" had this targa roof WITHOUT the middle traverse (which likes to get rusty on our 3rd gens... ;-) ). So I don´t know how many Camaros they used but this one HERE looks to me as if it was a "normal" T-Top Camaro and not the (C4 - Corvette - like) targa without the middle traverse.
Thank you for the lovely comments I enjoy watching from South Africa
Not only was that the cafe from Back to the Future at the 30:20 point in the video, that street KITT was on was the same spot Marty gets chased by Biff when he's skateboarding around town trying to escape Biff and his buddies. Oh and by the way....I think "Knight of the Rising Sun" IS worse than "Voodoo Knight"....but apparently I'm in the minority.
Hey Joe. Though I am sad to see this series coming to an end you did an awesome job. I do have an idea for you since your building the set inside the Semi. RC was always working on his motorcycle in season 4 in the mobile center you show get a bike frame of the same kind he was building. Especially since it was the focal point for many of his interactions with Devin. Keep up your great preservation work for these rare and amazing artifacts. If you ever come to Connecticut please let us know so I can come meet you and Aj.
I think I'd probably want KITT to be left without the darkened windows. I like to see inside.
One of my favorite commentary videos
100%. You should tint the windows not only will it look good but it is period as well as on screen, correct ! Cheers! Also, if you ever feel like doing some interesting stuff on the A-Team, let me know!
Hate me for this if you want, but I thought this would make an okay final episode with all the setpieces revisited and the director trying to interest hasselhoff in a role in a beach movie! ( "Scent of Roses" will always be the true ending), keep up the good work Joe and your channel has better taste than the "Knight Rider Official" channel
I find it funny when a show depicts a movie or tv show set and extras are portraying extras (and almost always very exaggerated ones in the cliche costumes, too)
oddly enough, I have never met Bob Englund before. As I previously stated a few times before, one of my best friends was in a couple of the Elm Street movies (she replaced Patricia Arquette from part 3).
and as far as I know, Jaws is still there. I think the attraction that's in Florida is no longer there. but, the Florida one doesn't matter - we had it first!!!
The movie theater in Back To The Future was playing "The Atomic Kid"
Thank you
From my own research, apparently the Phantom set was put into storage before stage 28 was demolished in 2014. There are some gut wrenching photos of the stage being torn down. Just do a search of Universal Studios stage 28.
I remember watching this episode 2-3 times on DVD and the Chase made me have to look a few times and the Dodge Ramcharger had White California Plates and at the end of the Chase the License Plates change to Blue
24:44 the little TV on the table with the binders. I'm betting that wasn't intentionally placed, but it was on the same day the Challenger exploded and was used to keep up with unfolding events. It looks hastily placed and it's focus isn't towards the main desk as it would be. Everyone there that day would have been concerned, and the small TV was a great way to keep informed in '86
The building seen in the background at 16:27 will be familiar to fans of cult 80’s film/feature length Atari commercial, Cloak & Dagger. It’s in the opening scene where Jack Flack parachutes in before intercepting the portly Luftwaffe officer to divest him of his briefcase as he squeezes out of a limousine!
Other than that I vaguely recall this episode featured background artists wearing costumes from _Buck Rogers in the 25th Century_ (another Glen A Larson show of course). Specifically Princess Ardala’s less risqué ensembles if I’ve remembered correctly!
Overall a strange episode which feels like one big excuse to advertise Universal Studios theme park, which it undoubtedly was. Still, good fun regardless. 😁
Love night rider when I was 5 I was admitted to hospital for quite a serious ailment, I was in for 3 months my mom and dad worked and they would come back to the hospital and sleep there every night for 3 and a half months, when knight rider was on we had our own TV and my mom would sllep beside me and my dad would lie in the bed with me and we watched knight rider and then ther was a show tharmt I remember I think it was the greatest American hero. Yeah when I think of my hospital time them shows were comfort food for my young mind, to youse at knight industries historians thanks for the memories, you just took mee back 40 year, and by the way they could show knight rider on repeat and I'd keep watching because if the safe memories, thank you for what you do and why you do it, you'll always have people saying it's stupid then you'll have people like us saying it's History, keep doing what you guys do, youse keep dreams alive and that's priceless.. Thanks... A massive Fan... Mark..
At the time stamp of 30:11 if you look at the very top of the screen you will see some scaffolding. It was left over from the movie Firestarter that starred a very young Drew Barrymore. you can just see if you look really close the black tarp that they used to make it night time when really they were filming during the daytime. Also at the 30:36 time stamp that the ice tunnel from the movie The Eiger Sanction which used to be part of the backlot tour in the 70's. IMO. the "old" tour was Way better than how it is now. Now it's like let's put up a ride for the latest comic book movie. I'm glad that I took the tour then and not now. The barn that has Livery Stable painted on it's side is left over from another Universal tv show. The Virginian.
Great details, thank you for sharing!
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial Hey no problemo. It's just some trivia that I remember the tram guide telling us.
I really like the tinted look, but I'm concerned a viewer at a show or whatever would not be able to look in to see the dashboard as easily.
I was thinking this exactly. If I were going to drive it, I would tint them, but if it is a display car, I would leave them clear for the viewer.
You should do a video on David's stunt double
as far as the tint , unless you can get the tint you can turn on with a switch I wouldnt bother putting regular tint on if you plan to take it off again because that seems like it could be a huge pain and risk of damage to the interior.
You can see the orca boat in the jaws area , was the boat used in film it’s long gone now
Very cool episode I remember going to work with my father and being in the old back lot. I work there periodically and it’s a shame too see what history universal has demolished. It’s changed a lot. Yes Jaws lake is still there just a little updated and the stages have been renumbered multiple times
The 'Town ' theatre was in BTTF 1985 repurposed as a church, while in 1955 it was showing a movie called The Atomic Kid. The adjacent building to the right is also missing completely in this episode.
17:24 Hey Joe is there a tint available that tints and then goes clear on command? That would be cool. KITT had that privacy feature on command
Very nice work Joe. I enjoyed that. The behind the scenes scenes were kinda cool to see.
Any idea on the production costs on the final episodes? It does feel like less action and more talking.
That 2 tone Astro at 13:18 looks like Joe Flynn's truck from 10 Wheel Trouble. I wonder if it's the same one, with it being in the Universal fleet
at 20:06 , Who was Carlos? Who was his secret love? Poor Carlos, I wonder if he ever knew... :) At 6:09 , Devon looks to be intrigued at whatever is in the centre fold of the Newspaper! Dirty Devon lol
Excellent commentary interesting video
2:14 what I find odd is that the building in the back ground with the balcony looks similar to the bar in back to the future part 3
Robert England it was awesome to see him on this episode
I saw one of the knight rider cars in the Peterson museum
Yes...it is ours.
The Semi set... It's bigger on the inside than on the outside 🤣
I’m pretty sure courthouse square was also in season one a good day at white rock as the general store, that would have been before back to the future.
They did save the set. I don't think it has ever been reassembled. So it's sitting in storage
I was just there back in February. Amitiville Island and lake is still there complete with Jaws and the collapsing bridge. Among other productions, it also served as Cabot Cove where Angela Lansbury conducted Murder She Wrote investigations. The spinning ice tunnel is still there and the tram goes through it while giving tours.
For anyone taking a vacation to So. Cal that includes a trip to Universal Studios...a hot tip.
Go during the week and take the tram tour during the day. Cant garantee star spotting, however the backlot does hum with activity. You never know what you might see.
Weekends and the night tours will feel like the back lot is closed for the night and nothing is happening.
On a side note...the cowboy Pat Buttram....it is not pronounced
Butt Ram. It is pronounced ButTram....😉
Yessss tint the windows! 😊
How did you get that song at the beginning like every time it pauses that song plays
25:04 I don't think that's a Simon and Simon Camaro because I believe I see the center T bar for the t-top roof and the Simon and Simon Camaro was a custom Targa top so it doesn't have a T bar.
Geee Whiz, I wonder who the bad guy will be in this episode... and he would have gotten away with it if it weren't for that snooping stringbean.
The Simon and Simon car had a targa top, that red Camaro has T-Tops... could still be an insert car or something, just wanted to point that out. Great vid.
Very neat!
Jaws set was still there as of a few years ago
Incredible Hulk was filmed a lot on the back lot and in a few episode you can actually see the psycho house
No, don't retint the KITT that you spoke about. It looks better without the tinted windows.
Street hawk was also filmed at universal
has anyone noticed besides me if you watch the episode where kitt v karr when karr goes off the cliff isnt the car showing going off the cliff is the same car from the film the car
The shark used in the movie Jaws is named Bruce!
you should tint it. i think it looks 100% better tinted . go with 20% on the doors and rear window.
I liked this one. Never knew that about the office. I guessed it was real, but didn't know it was RF's office.
Never spotted the Semi set either. Would have been good if you could see a bit of the wall... But you can see the oblong shape of it.
Considering the Stock footage of driving and "reused shots", was shooting for this one 100% at Universal?
Yes JAWS is still there.
My vote: Retint the car to match how it was on the show
Hey Joe. Universal Studios has changed over time since Fright Knight. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you: Did you go to Universal Studios to see how it is now after Knight Rider? Let me know. Thanks🎸👉♥✌
Yes we were there in 2011 and 2012...vastly different than the 80s!
@@KnightRiderHistoriansOfficial What's in the Knight Rider lake location now? Alas I never went there when that was on. As a kid I was taken to Florida, not CA.
I think V the Series Happened in 1985 as well So Robert England was a busy man that year
Robert Englund also co-starred in the V series
Leave it alone 17:40