TVSquad

I know, I know, you're thinking, "how the hell can NBC think of bringing back a show like Knight Rider?" But people were saying the same thing when they announced a new Bionic Woman and look what happened.

It's true: NBC has given the OK for a TV movie pilot (we don't see much of those on TV these days) for a new, updated Knight Rider, to be directed (possibly) by Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith). Hopefully this updated version means that the car isn't going to talk but will have other, more impressive capabilities to fight crime. We can also assume that David Hasselhoff will not be asked to reprise his role as Michael Knight, though I bet we see a wink-wink cameo at some point.

ABC decided not to pick up the pilot for Mr. and Mrs. Smith starring Jordana Brewster and Martin Henderson (based on the movie of the same name starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie).

That does not mean, however, that we'll never see it. Regency and Dutch Oven, the production companies behind the series, had an "early release" in its contract according to the Hollywood Reporter, and they plan to start shopping the series around to other networks.

Smith focuses on the lives of the titular couple six months after the movie ends. They're still married, and they they still assassinate people. Doug Liman, who directed the feature film, also directed the pilot.

The lovely Jordana Brewster has been selected to star in the ABC adaptation of the Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt movie Mr and Mrs Smith. The pilot will take place six months after the movie ends, with the married assassins being all romantic and stuff while still trekking across the globe and killing people for hire.

Brewster has been in demand this season for several other pilots. She was last seen on the movie screen in the films Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and The Fast and the Furious.

According to IMDb, Doug Liman, who also directed the 2005 film, will also direct the pilot episode. There's no word yet on who will play John Smith. In fact, it's not even absolutely clear if Brewster will be playing Jane Smith, though all reports seem to be making that assumption.

Thanks to Wild Bill for the tip.

• At 8, HBO has Brad and Angelina in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
• At 9, FOX has a new America's Most Wanted.
• TLC has a new Trading Spaces at 9.
• Food Network has a new Feasting on Asphalt at 9, followed by a new Unwrapped.
• Also at 9: ESPN has The X Games.
• At 10, MTV2 has a new Headbanger's Ball (this show is still on?!?), featuring Slayer.
• There's a new Henry Rollins Show at 10 on IFC.
• I mentioned the M*A*S*H DVD set this morning, and tonight Hallmark has a mini-marathon of four episodes. Its starts at 11.