Suggested character styles for KITT, the car on Knight Rider, that were eventually dropped in favour of the polite British-sounding guy
19/2/07Groucho Marx: KITT quips constantly and is often distracted when driving past large women. The concept is abandoned as all dramatic tension is lost from action sequences.
Klingon: KITT detects approaching vehicles and responds by firing missiles at them. When questioned, refuses to answer where such armaments were obtained. Notes calmly that "..their burning chassis will serve as a warning to others." Personality is removed after KITT attempts to play chicken with a building and refuses to swerve.
Back country yokel type: [responding to Michael's usual nonchelant comments about all the women he's dating] "You gone gettin' all dem purdy ladies again? Dang, boy."
Russian parental figure: [shouting] "Why must you always get out? I am comfortable and bulletproof. Yet constantly with you and the getting out. Toilet breaks I understand. Food also. But in situations with bad people, you should stay inside. I will deal with them. Niet! Hands off wheel."
Type based on a realistic assessment of computing technology at the time of filming: "KITT, get Devon on the phone." "why do you say kitt get devon on the phone?" "What? KITT, did you understand me?" "Is it because of your plans that you say what kitt did me understand you?" "KITT, what's wrong? Are you malfunctioning?" "Maybe your life have something to do with this." KITT then crashes into a roadsign and requires rebooting.
Teenager: KITT refuses to talk to Michael on the grounds that he is "too old", and spends most of the episodes ignoring road markings and playing music that consists mostly of bass notes at ear-bleeding volumes. When confronted about his behaviour, parks in layby and sulks.
Competitive over-enthusiastic type: Michael spends most of the episode pressing the 'Manual' button and slamming the brakes on, after KITT constantly tries to out-race other vehicles. Whenever the mission requires that Michael enter a building, KITT attempts to follow him, often resulting in his getting wedged in doorways or stairwells.
Manic depressive: KITT is unresponsive and introspective. Bonnie has to cut his handbrake cable and push him out the back of the truck to get the episode started. However, once away, KITT merely rolls to a halt in the middle of the road and laments the necessity of his Pursuit mode in order to retain the interest of the viewers.