"ALF" (1986) TV series 1986-1990

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Creators:

Paul Fusco
Tom Patchett

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

22 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A furry alien wiseguy comes to live with a terran family after crashing into their garage.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Cat | Family Relationships | Cult TV | Blind Woman

Awards:

3 wins & 12 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 12	6:00 PM	WGNAMER	Take a Look at Me Now	#2.3
Sun. July 12	6:30 PM	WGNAMER	Can I Get a Witness?	#2.15

Cast

Max Wright	...	Willie Tanner (101 episodes, 1986-1990)
Anne Schedeen	...	Kate Tanner (101 episodes, 1986-1990)
Andrea Elson	...	Lynn Tanner (101 episodes, 1986-1990)
Benji Gregory	...	Brian Tanner (101 episodes, 1986-1990)
Paul Fusco	...	ALF / ... (59 episodes, 1986-1990)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | Germany:25 min (100 episodes) | USA:30 min (102 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | USA:TV-G | Canada:G | Argentina:Atp | Singapore:PG

Company:

Alien Productions

Trivia:

In the years since the show's demise, both Max Wright and Anne Schedeen have stated that tensions were very high among the cast and crew. The technical demands of the series made for very long shooting schedules, and none of the actors enjoyed playing supporting roles to a puppet who always had the best lines.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Halloween episode of season two, Kate answers the door with four Carmel apples on the tray, and the stooges take all four. When she puts the tray down, there is still one left.

Quotes:

[at the cat Lucky's funeral]
ALF: Where I'm from, this is ludicrous. It's like having a funeral for a hamburger.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Future War (#11.4)" (1999)

Quotable, and then some

Was there ever a comedic TV series ever in the history of the medium such as "ALF" was as was full of plenty of deadpan quips and wisecracks that were actually DESERVING of further use as, say, catchphrases?

If anything, I think perhaps the ALFster's reference to the German airship "Hindenberg" vis-a-vis the pregnant Mrs. Shumway might have been helped by cutting away to the newsreel footage of the Lakehurst tragedy, complete with Herbert Morrison's famous descriptive ("Ohhh, the humanity!!").

As for the "slam" opening, perhaps the best that I recall was ALF's take on "Jeopardy!", complete with categories as included "Martian Tourist Traps" (thank G-d Wisconsin Dells wasn't among them!)--basically dissing off the two kids.