'Knight Rider' getting additional episodes

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- NBC executives have ordered up four more episodes of the first-season U.S. TV series "Knight Rider," The Hollywood Reporter says.

The entertainment publication reported Friday the series, a remake of a 1980s action series, received the new script order despite a sluggish ratings start this season.

The most recent episode of "Rider" drew 6.9 million viewers, earning NBC a second-place finish during the series' Wednesday time slot.

Just like the TV series that inspired it, NBC's "Rider" follows a technologically advanced car and its driver as they fight crime together.

The additional episode order comes in the wake of CBS officials' decision to order more scripts for the network's new drama, "The Mentalist."

The Reporter said such episode orders typically indicate the new series should enjoy a full season run before network executives make a renewal decision.

Two new series already picked up for full seasons include Fox's "90210" and "Fringe."