In December last year, Microsoft hit a roadblock in their attempt to renew the Killer Instinct trademark. As it turned out, Microsoft had let the trademark expire in 2005 and Fox jumped at the opportunity and snagged it for themselves. Due to this, a judge in the case denied Microsoft the renewal on the basis that it would conflict with Fox’s seven year old, unsuccessful television series of the same name. In April of this year, Microsoft and Fox reached an agreement, however, allowing Microsoft to use the name as intended. Thinking about all of this recently led me to do a bit of research to find out what exactly Fox’s show was all about.
The Killer Instinct television series was an American Crime Drama starring Johnny Messner, Kristin Lehman, and Chi McBride. Johnny and Kristin played the part of a couple of detectives who would investigate unusual crimes in San Francisco selected by the head of the DCU (Deviant Crimes Unit), who played by Chi. The show premiered its pilot in September 2005 and the final episode aired in December of 2005, a mere thirteen episode run. It’s also worth noting that the final four episodes weren’t even aired in the United States; they were relegated exclusively to the UK.
If you’re curious to actually see for yourself how good or bad the show was, I’ve embedded the pilot episode below for viewing. Who knows, you may actually like it!
@2:38. Wow to think this show halted KI development for 7 years…