MovieChat Forums > Knight Rider (1982) Discussion > Why did Bonnie leave then come back?

Why did Bonnie leave then come back?

posted 13 years ago by dja7316
9 replies | jump to latest

Contract? Money dispute? Problem with the writing or her character? April was alright, but I'm glad they brought Bonnie back in season three. It would have been nice if in the series they made some kind of quick passing refrence to her leaving, it's like they bring in April and act like she's been there the whole time then all the sudden Bonnies back and nothing is said about the sudden disapperaence of April - I hate that. It was the same when Dr Crusher was replaced by the horrible Dr Pulski in Star Trek The Next Generation, I aboustly loathed her character, unlike Knight Rider at least they made a quick statement about her being transfered to starfleet medical.

[–] adampearce96 13 years ago

Not entirely sure why they ditched her. I think the producers or something thought they could have a new female character every season (kind of like they did on the A-Team) and they brought her back because Hasselhoff and Mulhare and the fans wanted her back.

Last Movies Seen
Johnny English Reborn -
Omen (2006) - 6
Clue - 8

[–] Mr_Garak 13 years ago

They only had two regular females on The A-Team, Melinda Culea in season 1 and part of season 2, and then Marla Heasley who replace Culea's character for the rest of season 2 and the first two episodes of season 3. But both of them were basically forced out by George Peppard who didn't want a female on the team.

[–] WilliamsBlair 13 years ago

I read something about this in my Knight Rider book. I'll look it up, but I'm pretty sure she left over financial matters and returned when they were resolved.

[–] PatrickS77 13 years ago

They wanted to sex things up and got a pin up girl to replace Bonnie. I'm fuzzy on when it was, but when they changed they made a reference on one of them getting a degree or something like that (not sure though when that was, either a reason for April leaving or Bonnie coming back). Haven't seen that episode in a long time... I think it was the one with the robots.

[–] Flippitygibbit 13 years ago

This. According to Patricia, "When Robert Cinader (producer) died and (Robert) Foster came in, I felt I was in trouble." Foster wanted to run the show his own way, and that meant replacing Patricia with Rebecca Holden, but the fans didn't take to April, so Bonnie was brought back in season three.

On the show, Bonnie left for San Francisco to further her qualifications in computer science, but Devon and Michael tempted her back to the Foundation in 'Knight of the Drones'. April's departure after season two was never mentioned.

"Tony, if you talk that rubbish, I shall be forced to punch your head" - Lord Tony's Wife, Orczy

[–] justinmacri2032 12 years ago

Bonnie wanted to have Micheal as a love you know so that is why

Bond James Bond

[–] mhickstrio 10 years ago

Per "Knight Rider, where are they now," Patricia was fired by the producer Robert Foster for being "cold and uncalculating" as a character, and he hired Rebecca Holden in hopes that she would be more likable as K.I.T.T.s 'mechanic'. The cast was furious that Patricia was fired and threatened Foster they would quit if he didn't bring her back. If you pay attention to the producers and executive producers, Robert Foster was only the producer for that one year. Other sources say she was pregnant, which would have screwed with the romantic story line between her and Michael.

[–] justinmacri2032 8 years ago

she did not look present in season 3 intro i Patty was more of a slim figure type Becky had more body weight (A little)

Bond James Bond

[–] Cognoscente (2778) 4 years ago

In the October 8, 1984 issue of US, Patricia McPherson denied NBC's official story about herself wanting to try other things: "I got fired. I got kicked in the teeth is what I got. The first producer died after the first 13 episodes, and the new producer wanted to go with a more voluptuous type. I'm more the athletic, all-American type. I was told there was a lot of fan mail asking what happened to me. David and Edward were always pitching to get me back on the show. The producer called me up and apologized for the whole thing. He said I had every right to feel vindicated, and I said, No Problem."

When she signed her new contract, they renegotiated the money. She said: "So I came out smellin' a little better."