"ALF" (1986) TV series 1986-1990

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Creators:

Paul Fusco
Tom Patchett
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

22 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | 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. Nov. 15	6:00 PM	WGNAMER	Breaking Up Is Hard to Do	#3.3
Sun. Nov. 15	6:30 PM	WGNAMER	Night Train	#2.9

Cast

Paul Fusco	...	ALF / ... (103 episodes, 1986-1990)
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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Nick Havinga		(31 episodes, 1987-1990)
Burt Brinckerhoff		(17 episodes, 1987-1989)
Gary Shimokawa		(12 episodes, 1987-1989)
Peter Bonerz		(9 episodes, 1986-1987)
Paul Miller		(8 episodes, 1989-1990)
Tom Patchett		(7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Paul Fusco		(6 episodes, 1987-1990)
Nancy Heydorn		(5 episodes, 1986-1987)
Tony Csiki		(3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Rick Gough		(2 episodes, 1986)
Peter Baldwin		(2 episodes, 1987)

Series Writing credits
Paul Fusco		(43 episodes, 1986-1990)
Tom Patchett		(43 episodes, 1986-1990)
Steve Pepoon		(14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Lisa A. Bannick		(11 episodes, 1987-1989)
Bob Bendetson		(8 episodes, 1986-1987)
Howard Bendetson		(7 episodes, 1986-1990)
Laurie Gelman		(6 episodes, 1986-1987)
David Silverman		(6 episodes, 1987-1990)
Stephen Sustarsic		(6 episodes, 1987-1990)
Victor Fresco		(6 episodes, 1989-1990)
Donald Todd		(5 episodes, 1986-1987)
Al Jean		(5 episodes, 1988-1989)
Mike Reiss		(5 episodes, 1988-1989)
Thad Mumford		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Scott Spencer Gordon		(4 episodes, 1987-1989)
Alicia Marie Schudt		(4 episodes, 1987-1989)
Steven Hollander		(4 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jerry Stahl		(3 episodes, 1986-1989)
Nelson Costello		(3 episodes, 1987-1989)
Seth Weisbord		(3 episodes, 1987-1989)
Wendy Graf		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Lisa Stotsky		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Beverly Archer		(3 episodes, 1988-1990)
Ron Burla		(2 episodes, 1988-1989)
Bruce David		(2 episodes, 1989-1990)

Series Produced by
Steve Lamar	....	associate producer (78 episodes, 1986-1989)
Bernie Brillstein	....	executive producer (40 episodes, 1986-1990)
Tom Patchett	....	executive producer (40 episodes, 1986-1990)
Paul Fusco	....	producer (38 episodes, 1986-1990)
Laurie Gelman	....	co-producer (24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Thad Mumford	....	supervising producer (21 episodes, 1986-1987)
Steve Cioffi	....	associate producer (21 episodes, 1989-1990)
Lisa A. Bannick	....	supervising producer (14 episodes, 1988-1989)
Stephanie Hagen	....	associate producer (12 episodes, 1988-1989)
Steven Hollander	....	co-producer (9 episodes, 1988-1989)
Bob Bendetson	....	co-producer (2 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Original Music by
Alf Clausen		(40 episodes, 1986-1990)

Series Cinematography by
Alan Walker		(26 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ron Miller		(9 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Film Editing by
Steve Cioffi		(14 episodes, 1986-1990)
Robert Bramwell		(12 episodes, 1986-1987)
Michael Gavaldon		(11 episodes, 1986-1987)
Tony Porter		(10 episodes, 1988-1990)

Series Casting by
Meryl O'Loughlin		(38 episodes, 1986-1989)

Series Production Design by
David Sackeroff		(16 episodes, 1987-1990)

Series Art Direction by
David Sackeroff		(23 episodes, 1986-1987)
Thomas Fichter		(16 episodes, 1987-1990)

Series Costume Design by
Jason Cort		(50 episodes, 1986-1990)

Series Makeup Department
Mary Guerrero	....	hair stylist (40 episodes, 1986-1990)
Christy Ann Newquist	....	makeup artist (40 episodes, 1986-1990)

Series Production Management
James M. Jaffee	....	executive in charge of production (38 episodes, 1986-1990)
Steve Cioffi	....	post-production supervisor (28 episodes, 1988-1989)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tony Csiki	....	associate director (1 episode, 1988)

Series Art Department
Greg Gneier	....	assistant art director (100 episodes, 1986-1990)
Carl Buck	....	property master (36 episodes, 1986-1990)
Thomas Fichter	....	assistant art director (14 episodes, 1986-1987)
Lisette Thomas	....	assistant art director (5 episodes, 1986-1987)
Richard F. Anderson	....	carpenter (unknown episodes)
Jim Mingin	....	graphic designer (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Doug Nelson	....	sound / audio (32 episodes, 1986-1990)
Craig Porter	....	sound sweetening / sound re-recording mixer / ... (31 episodes, 1986-1990)
Allen Patapoff	....	sound re-recording mixer / sound re-recordist (26 episodes, 1986-1990)
Dana Mark McClure	....	sound (7 episodes, 1986-1987)
Blaine Stewart	....	sound (2 episodes, 1986)
Laura King	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)
Valerie Stulman	....	audio assist (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Ken Tarallo	....	special effects coordinator (101 episodes, 1986-1990)
Randy Simper	....	animatronics specialist (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Jon Purdy	....	camera operator (99 episodes, 1986-1990)
Jack Chisolm	....	camera operator (37 episodes, 1986-1989)
Gary Allen	....	camera operator (36 episodes, 1986-1990)
Bob Kaufman	....	video controller (35 episodes, 1986-1989)
Carol Wetovich	....	camera operator (25 episodes, 1986-1987)
Bob Minges	....	camera operator (15 episodes, 1987-1989)
J. Kent Inasy	....	lighting technician / lighting (14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Alan Walker	....	lighting technician / lighting (13 episodes, 1988-1990)
John O'Brien	....	video controller (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Michael Fastoso	....	grip (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Stephanie Hagen	....	post-production coordinator / post-production supervisor (25 episodes, 1986-1988)
Steve Cioffi	....	post-production coordinator (22 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Music Department
Alf Clausen	....	composer: theme music / composer: main title theme / ... (102 episodes, 1986-1990)
Tom Kramer	....	composer: theme music / composer: title theme (102 episodes, 1986-1990)

Series Other crew
Lisa Buckley	....	special assistant to Alf / personal assistant: "ALF" / ... (39 episodes, 1986-1990)
Bob Fappiano	....	special assistant to Alf / personal assistant: "ALF" / ... (39 episodes, 1986-1990)
Linda Fusco	....	technical supervisor (38 episodes, 1986-1990)
Scott Hopper	....	production assistant / stage manager / ... (37 episodes, 1986-1990)
Terrie Barna	....	assistant to producers (37 episodes, 1986-1989)
Sheila Lauder	....	production associate (36 episodes, 1986-1990)
Susan Polmanski	....	production coordinator / assistant to producers / ... (36 episodes, 1986-1990)
Steve Cioffi	....	production assistant (28 episodes, 1986-1988)
Katy Penland	....	assistant to producers (27 episodes, 1986-1988)
Randy Sutter	....	production assistant / production coordinator (26 episodes, 1986-1989)
Vince Poxon	....	stage manager (26 episodes, 1986-1987)
Howard Bendetson	....	executive story editor / creative consultant (25 episodes, 1986-1987)
Elizabeth Gower	....	personal assistant: "ALF" (25 episodes, 1986-1987)
William C. Irwin	....	technical director (24 episodes, 1986-1990)
Bob Bendetson	....	executive story editor (24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Donald Todd	....	story editor (24 episodes, 1986-1987)
David Steven Cohen	....	executive story consultant (24 episodes, 1988-1989)
A.J. Johnson	....	stage manager (23 episodes, 1986-1989)
Rick Gough	....	associate director (23 episodes, 1986-1987)
Lloyd Garver	....	creative consultant (21 episodes, 1986-1987)
Tom Kyle	....	technical director (15 episodes, 1986-1987)
Nancy Kirschner	....	production coordinator (14 episodes, 1986-1987)
Matt Avallone	....	production coordinator (14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Theresa Mingin	....	production assistant / production coordinator (13 episodes, 1988-1990)
Steve Pepoon	....	executive story editor / story editor / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1990)
Leslie Ann Podkin	....	assistant to producers / assistant to producer / ... (13 episodes, 1988-1990)
Tony Csiki	....	associate director (12 episodes, 1988-1990)
Steve Gabriel	....	production assistant (12 episodes, 1988-1990)
Leslie Rieder	....	production assistant (12 episodes, 1988-1990)
Brad Uecker	....	production assistant / production accountant (12 episodes, 1988-1990)
Paul Ohrt	....	production assistant (12 episodes, 1988-1989)
Scott R. Reynders	....	production assistant (12 episodes, 1988-1989)
Roger S.H. Schulman	....	executive story consultant (11 episodes, 1988-1989)
Sandy Wernick	....	executive consultant (10 episodes, 1986-1990)
Sheryl E. Hurwitz	....	production assistant / production coordinator (10 episodes, 1988-1990)
Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros	....	personal assistant: "ALF" (9 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ron Burla	....	story editor (5 episodes, 1988-1989)
Erma Elzy-Jones	....	script supervisor / production associate (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Laura Lonsdale	....	assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1986)
Wendy Neckels	....	production associate / associate director (3 episodes, 1988-1989)
Carl Lauten	....	associate director (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Thad Mumford	....	creative consultant (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
John Lovelady	....	personal assistant / technical supervisor (2 episodes, 1986)
Lisa A. Bannick	....	executive story consultant (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Andrea Covell	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Eleah Horwitz	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Al Jean	....	executive story editor (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Mike Reiss	....	executive story editor (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Randy Sutton	....	production assistant (2 episodes, 1987)
A.J. Johnson	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1988-1990)
Sheila Lander	....	production associate (unknown episodes)
David Michaels	....	story editor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Alien Productions

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1986-1990) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Alien Productions
• Baby Records (Italy)
• DPI (France)
• Hrvatska Radiotelevizija (HRT) (2004) (Croatia) (TV)
• Kabel 1 (????) (Germany) (TV)
• Pro 7 (????) (Germany) (TV)
• RTL2 (2006) (Germany) (TV)
• Sat.1 (????) (Germany) (TV)
• Televisión Federal (Telefe) (Argentina)
• Veronica Television (1997-????) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Warner Bros. Television (1986) (USA) (TV)
• Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) (1988) (Germany) (TV)

Other Companies

• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies

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:

The name of every episode is also the name of a song. Each is relevant to the episode's plot.

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:

Willie: You know, Trevor. It seems this young man is a little Mister Fix-it.
Lynn: Little Mister Fix-it. How cute.
Jake Ochmonek: You want me, don't you?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Neues vom Süderhof: Das Versteck hinterm Deich (#1.1)" (1991)

Another Cool And Crazy Sitcom From The 1980s

This show was cool! Alf was an alien that crashed in the Tanner's family living room. Then he ended up staying there to live. He had to hide from other humans the first couple of seasons. Then the Ochmonics and the Tanner's mother in law discovered him. One serious episode was the Christmas episode. Alf stopped an old man from jumping off a bridge, helped deliver a baby, and became friends with a girl with leukemia. A silly episode was the Gilligan's Island episode. I can still hear Alf singing the Gilligan's Island theme song in my head today! The Alf cartoon was stupid. And when they added Alf Tales the second season, it made the cartoon more stupid! It was cool to see a movie called Project Alf years later. But why did Alf appear in stupid 1800COLLECT commercials?