Cedar County native’s TV show debuts

Oct. 1, 2008

HOLLYWOOD — A Cedar County man has made it big in the land of entertainment.

On Wednesday evenings area residents can see Wynot High School graduate Justin Bruening starring in the NBC TV series “Knight Rider.”

NBC launched the new “Knight Rider” a two-hour TV movie last February. Strong ratings encouraged the network to expand the show, which Bruening also starred in, to a one-hour prime-time offering which debuted on Sept. 24.

The “Knight Rider” series is a remake of a TV series from the 1980s.

For the new version, the 29-yearold St. Helena native tried out for the lead role originally played by David Hasselhoff in the 1980s series.

Bruening got the gig and is the leading man behind the wheel of the famous talking car, KITT in the revamped “Knight Rider”.

In the new version Bruening drives a 2008 black Ford Shelby Cobra KR.

The original Knight Rider car was a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am containing a bunch of tricks similar to James Bond surprises.

Of course, with the new KITT the features are bigger and flashier this time around and also include physical transformation.

“The original show was pitched like the Lone Ranger - only with a car instead of a horse,” said Bruening. “I love my part, it is kind of like a cowboy only my horse is a car. My horse transforms now.”

Bruening said he has usually ended up playing the hero parts in the shows he has been in.