Broken Promises & Burger King Puppets: The Crazy History of ALF - The Sitcom, Cartoon & Talk Show!

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  • Опубліковано 5 січ 2022
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    Gordon "ALF" Shumway is the protagonist and title character of the 80's NBC TV series ALF and its animated spin-offs, ALF: The Animated Series, and ALF Tales.
    At the height of ALF's popularity he was a merchandising machine with dolls, stickers, the ALF telephone and, of course, ALF Burger King puppets.
    Due to some broken promises ALF also starred in the poorly received television film Project ALF for ABC, and eventually hosted the short lived talk show ALF's Hit Talk Show for TV Land.
    ALF was created and has been performed for his entire existence by Paul Fusco.
    To see the episode of VCR Party Live with the Burger King ALF puppet coat: • VCR Party Live! Episod...
    Muppet Show promo originally uploaded to archive.org by FlemishDog
    The promo: archive.org/details/Muppet_Sh...
    The FlemishDog Collection: archive.org/details/flemishdog
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @mydjsobad
    @mydjsobad 2 роки тому +199

    Paul Fusco: Alf is NOT a puppet.
    Dan Larson: *calls Alf a puppet as many times as possible in a 26 minute timespan*

    • @glennsimpson_aka_bobbysaccaro
      @glennsimpson_aka_bobbysaccaro 2 роки тому +13

      Dan Larson isn't beholden to Paul Fusco.

    • @SynopsisGrim
      @SynopsisGrim 2 роки тому +32

      Well, Larson IS one of ALF's villains after all.

    • @comettamer
      @comettamer 2 роки тому +7

      I mean, to Fusco he was no doubt as real as Hobbes was to Calvin. That said, Larson isn't Fusco or Calvin. Plus, that's just darn good entertainment.

    • @mistermaestersirthomas9164
      @mistermaestersirthomas9164 2 роки тому +2

      Kinda… I dunno… petty…

    • @Domarius64
      @Domarius64 2 роки тому +3

      Hah! You killed him.

  • @ChristianHansard
    @ChristianHansard 2 роки тому +815

    Remember ALF? He's back, in POG form.

    • @chocomin5059
      @chocomin5059 2 роки тому +78

      You traded my soul for POGS?!?!

    • @elbarto6668
      @elbarto6668 2 роки тому +15

      *:)*

    • @greenkoopa
      @greenkoopa 2 роки тому +2

      You said the same thing on IG 🤣

    • @HighHeelKnight
      @HighHeelKnight 2 роки тому +7

      Darn! Beat me to the punchline. 😄

    • @nicholashurst780
      @nicholashurst780 2 роки тому +8

      I had no idea you could post comments to Future UA-cam videos in 1997

  • @shenloken2
    @shenloken2 2 роки тому +308

    Paul Fusco as Alf and Lorenzo Music as Garfield were some of the most prominent voices of my childhood.

    • @MentalLiberation
      @MentalLiberation 2 роки тому +17

      And thanks to Cartoon All Stars to the rescue, they got to crossover that one time

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 2 роки тому +6

      @@MentalLiberation It was cringe looking back at it, but at least it happened.

    • @shenloken2
      @shenloken2 2 роки тому +6

      There is a reanimated version of the song “A Million Ways to Say No” that’s actually very entertaining though.
      Lookit up.

    • @xxOS1R1Sxx
      @xxOS1R1Sxx 2 роки тому +14

      Add Petter Cullen, Frank Welker, Larry Kenney and the great Mel Blanc and we have the best childhoods. Hahahaha

    • @JohnDoe-wq5eu
      @JohnDoe-wq5eu 2 роки тому +7

      @@xxOS1R1Sxx
      The '80s for all its problems was a magical decade for being a kid.
      The '90s were all so incredibly good but the '80s just seem so special.

  • @LoneTiger
    @LoneTiger 2 роки тому +33

    Willie: _"ALF, what are you doing?"_
    ALF: _"Hammering."_
    Wilie: _"Can you be more specific?"_
    ALF: _"Hammering nails"_

  • @LNSLateNightSaturday
    @LNSLateNightSaturday 2 роки тому +166

    One other, more personal story: when I was about six I had surgery which required me to stay in the hospital for a time, and I took my Burger King Alf Puppet with me. This led to some interesting back-and-forth's when they sent a volunteer with a puppet up to the pediatric wing; I refused to talk to the puppet, and Alf did all the talking! It's a neat memory for me...

    • @TitularHeroine
      @TitularHeroine 2 роки тому +8

      Awesome.

    • @madmike8v72
      @madmike8v72 2 роки тому +12

      I love this! Thanks for sharing your memories!

    • @CarynDPrescott
      @CarynDPrescott 2 роки тому +6

      What did they talk about?

    • @LNSLateNightSaturday
      @LNSLateNightSaturday 2 роки тому +22

      @@CarynDPrescott Just puppet stuff. I'm not at liberty to say; puppet/client privilege... ;)

    • @CarynDPrescott
      @CarynDPrescott 2 роки тому +1

      @@LNSLateNightSaturday 😄

  • @alexpayne5914
    @alexpayne5914 2 роки тому +29

    Willie - Brian, no soda before bed!
    Brian - don't worry Dad, it's beer.
    ALF - You're about out of Coors.

  • @jy285
    @jy285 2 роки тому +118

    I will never understand Magic Spoon’s business model. Too adult to eat Lucky Charms, too childish to eat a real breakfast? Magic Spoon! It tastes bad and costs a lot, but you can eat it while watching reruns of the Real Ghostbusters!

    • @mikekz4489
      @mikekz4489 2 роки тому +9

      👏

    • @chrisbaker8533
      @chrisbaker8533 2 роки тому +13

      I made the mistake of looking this stuff up, and nopped right out.
      about $20 a pound, ah hell no.

    • @JohnDoe-wq5eu
      @JohnDoe-wq5eu 2 роки тому +8

      I mean basically yes all of that.
      Nothing like exploiting nostalgia.

    • @scotthardie5141
      @scotthardie5141 2 роки тому +8

      Was making a comment dumping on the company paying for the video you're watching an effective use of your time?

    • @amandapike2477
      @amandapike2477 2 роки тому +28

      @@scotthardie5141 They have a right to comment on the quality or cost of the product, just as we do for commercials on actual TV.

  • @grantpark9093
    @grantpark9093 2 роки тому +136

    One of the creepier aspects of this show for me as a kid was that you rarely, if ever, saw ALF's legs... I can recall in the intro when he runs into frame after setting up the timer on the camera for the family portrait and thinking "that ain't right" even at age 7... a full size ALF (with visible legs) is the stuff of my nightmares

    • @singaporesammy
      @singaporesammy 2 роки тому +26

      I had the same reaction when Kermit rode a bike and when Elmo was showing off his new shoes.

    • @JohnDoe-wq5eu
      @JohnDoe-wq5eu 2 роки тому +17

      Yeah seeing puppet/muppet legs is just some uncanny weird stuff. They try their best to not make it super weird but especially with Alf it just felt like it poked that part of my brain that found the way he ran to be just super weird and creepy.

    • @brandonpage7087
      @brandonpage7087 2 роки тому +6

      Grant Park, you're not alone. I found the full body shots of ALF to be pretty darn creepy, as well. Even though, thanks to my mom telling me, I knew that it was a little person in a suit, it was still creepy to me.

    • @lydias376
      @lydias376 2 роки тому +5

      Yeah that always freaked me out, puppets should not have legs!

    • @peterwong8028
      @peterwong8028 2 роки тому +3

      Yup also at the end when they're all posing for a photo at a bque

  • @williamcrowe2576
    @williamcrowe2576 2 роки тому +26

    As with most sitcoms of the time, ALF had an episode that tackled the subject of drug abuse. The episode featured ALF getting addicted to the cotton balls that are placed in medicine bottles.

    • @1pcfred
      @1pcfred 2 роки тому

      They could have just had Max Wright smoke some crack.

  • @everything80spodcast68
    @everything80spodcast68 2 роки тому +73

    I just want to know if the story of Max Wright attacking the ALF puppet is real, because that takes this show to a new level

    • @OldManTheseDays
      @OldManTheseDays 2 роки тому +12

      I really do hope that story is real, and I really wish I'd seen it happen.

    • @johnpenguinthe3rd13
      @johnpenguinthe3rd13 2 роки тому +25

      It appears to be very real. I remember reading interviews long ago where at least one cast member confirmed it happened for real. Long story short, by season 4 of ALF, Max Wright (Willie Tanner) and Paul Fusco (the English voice actor of ALF, one of the puppeteers and also the creator of ALF) were NOT getting along. Max HATED him by season 4 and Max was miserable as hell and with a nasty attitude. If you ever rewatch season 4 you will notice that Willie is a lot more aggravated towards ALF than usual in some episodes. That's REAL aggravation coming through. Anyway, IF Alf had returned for a fifth season, there is a high chance either Willie Tanner's character would have been completely written off the show since Max Wright didn't want to return and wanted out of his contract and Paul and some of the cast were NOT comfortable around Wright during season 4 and entirely replaced him with Jim J. Bullock (who played Willie's younger brother Neal in season 4) or if Max wanted to stay because of the huge paycheck (and he was still under contract), Willie's role would have been drastically reduced (probably only interacting with the human characters and NOT so much with ALF... mainly because I don't think Paul Fusco wanted Max Wright legit destroying the ALF puppet, or Paul himself, out of anger since Max was already on the edge of insanity during season 4, so there is no telling how insane he would have gotten throughout an entire season 5 shooting schedule) and increasing Willie's brother, Neal, role on the show (if you noticed, during the later part of season 4, Jim J. Bullock as Willie's brother, Neal Tanner, was starting to show up more and longer. They were already toying around with that idea by the later half of season 4).

    • @feck2594
      @feck2594 2 роки тому +6

      Cocaine is a hell of a drug , so I'm guessing it's true.

    • @Jose-se9pu
      @Jose-se9pu 2 роки тому +2

      @@johnpenguinthe3rd13 you can tell they already had Neil as a back-up plan.

    • @jessragan6714
      @jessragan6714 2 роки тому +6

      @@johnpenguinthe3rd13 See, Jm J Bullock has no shame, so he probably would have been up for permanently joining the cast. Like how David Spade slithered into Eight Rules after John Ritter died.

  • @Jayk129
    @Jayk129 2 роки тому +14

    If I am ever able to send a message through time to my 11 year old self it will be this: In the future you’ll be able to sit down with a computer the size of your social studies notebook and watch a half hour documentary about ALF anytime you want anywhere on Earth. But, uh, we still haven’t cured cancer. Have fun kid!

  • @christophersummers1939
    @christophersummers1939 2 роки тому +21

    remember alf? he's back! in toy galaxy form!

  • @Larry
    @Larry 2 роки тому +250

    ALF's rise and fall is eeriely simialr to a pupet character we had in the UK called Roland Rat. A character who pretty much saved Breakfast television in the '80s.

    • @IsiahTomas
      @IsiahTomas 2 роки тому +8

      Was he an Avenger or a member of Excalibur?

    • @angelbangtana9885
      @angelbangtana9885 2 роки тому +12

      @@IsiahTomas roland rat was a rat. who had a car. and was a puppet. with a car. it was a crazy time

    • @capnmo6718
      @capnmo6718 2 роки тому +13

      'POG form' is mentioned at the end of the show.

    • @tigerbread78
      @tigerbread78 2 роки тому +9

      Thanks, Millhouse

    • @JoseJoseC626
      @JoseJoseC626 2 роки тому +1

      I hear his worth in that form is quite substantial

  • @thetechn1que518
    @thetechn1que518 2 роки тому +26

    I loved Alf as a kid, but had no idea how much darkness was behind the scenes, which this only barely touched on. Everyone hated working on the show because of the difficult production. Fusco was said to be verbally abusive. Max Wright’s struggles with crack addiction are well known. Writer Jerry Stahl wrote an autobiography about his heroin addiction, Permanent Midnight, which was turned into a movie starring Ben Stiller. Alf is called “Mr Chompers” in the movie adaptation.

    • @spenserbeckerszs
      @spenserbeckerszs 2 роки тому +4

      Ok I need to look this up now. I had no idea the behind the scenes struggle of this show was turned into a movie. Not mention one starring Ben Stiller no less. Where was the last time you saw it? I wonder if it’s streaming on any of the services. How old is the movie?

    • @thetechn1que518
      @thetechn1que518 2 роки тому +4

      @@spenserbeckerszs The book and the movie are both called Permanent Midnight, and the movie came out in 1998. It’s unusual to see Ben Stiller in a dramatic role. Not sure if any streaming services carry it. Also, to clarify, the movie is about television writer Jerry Stahl’s drug addiction and not about Alf, though it does include the part where he started writing for Alf. Some names are changed, probably due to legal concerns. Alf is “Mr. Chompers” in the movie.

    • @DaisyPusher
      @DaisyPusher 6 місяців тому

      Jfc! No wonder I never enjoyed watching this show. Loved the merchandise but the energy showed.

    • @Joecbg100
      @Joecbg100 3 місяці тому +1

      You're telling me the dad was hooked on crack????😮
      Holy fuck. No idea.

    • @Tornado1994
      @Tornado1994 Місяць тому

      @@Joecbg100 He was also Closeted. And couldn't deal with his Sexuality. So he was heavily addicted to Crack and often made Homosexual Amateur Porn. Even more tragic, his Wife completely kicked him out of the house in 2003 and divorced him. He spent his tragic final years reclusive, almost homeless and practically broke.

  • @108Stars
    @108Stars 2 роки тому +71

    Alf was so HUGE in Germany when I was growing up.
    Back then I heard it was even more popular here than in the US. He was everywhere like Pokémon would be a decade later. The number of different Alf toys of all sizes I have alone is staggering. I didn't exactly collect them but I must still have about 15 variants with fur, plus some more all plastic ones.
    That cliffhanger in the final episode scarred me. My mom was shocked too how they would end a show kids loved with an unhappy ending. Back then there was no internet, and when it was aired here it was already clear it was the final episode, not a "to be continued".
    When the movie came out (it came to cinemas here) I was older but still went to see it. But even there... They put in that throwaway joke about the Tanners having been sent to antarctica or something? I haven't watched it since but it was something like that... And I thought to myself, really? After all those years you now show Alf to be okay but the Tanners have been punished so still no happy end? XD
    I love Alf, he is a big part of my childhood. But at this point I think it is better to just let him retire for good.

    • @VorpalDerringer
      @VorpalDerringer 2 роки тому +13

      Pretty sure the Tanners were witness protected to Iceland....for some reason.

    • @brandonpage7087
      @brandonpage7087 2 роки тому +5

      I disagree, ALF doesn't need to retire yet. I propose a new series, or a new movie. Do it while Paul Fusco is still alive & well, cause he's getting old. Oh, & in Project: ALF, the Tanner's were said to be put into witness protection.

    • @johnpenguinthe3rd13
      @johnpenguinthe3rd13 2 роки тому +4

      I traveled a bit back and fourth between Germany and the United States when I was younger. Two shows that I noticed were popular during the late 80's in both countries were ALF and this other show called Out of This World (but in Germany that show was called "My father is an Alien: Mein Vater ist ein Außerirdischer). Anyway, during the Project: Alf movie (which takes place years after the 4th and final season of ALF), the Tanners were put into the witness protection program and relocated to Iceland and you couldn't see the actors.
      One of the behind the scenes reasons for that had to do with the actor who played Willie Tanner. Behind the scenes of season 4 they had A LOT of huge problems between him and Paul Fusco (creator of ALF and the American voice and puppeteer of ALF). By season 4, Willie Tanner's actor (Max Wright) legit hated Paul Fusco. It got so bad Max legit attacked the ALF puppet on set for real out of real anger one time and people had to restrain him. If you ever watch season 4 again and you notice that Willie is far more aggravated than usual in some of those episodes, it's because he really is aggravated for real. Anyway, he was not interested in coming back (if a season 5 had happened, his character most likely would have disappeared while Willie Tanner's younger brother, who showed up in season 4 and was played by Jim J. Bullock, would have had a larger role in a season 5 if it had happened) and they didn't want him back either. Also, the daughter Lynn Tanner, while she was on good terms with everyone, she had some personal stuff she was dealing with so she couldn't come back for Project ALF. They most likely could have had the son show up since he was on good terms with everyone, but he was significantly older at that time and not recognizable since he was a teen by the time Project ALF was made. I do believe the mom was available and she definitely was on good terms with everyone, but with only 2 out of the 4 Tanners available (and from the 2 that were available one of them was older and looked very different) I guess they decided to do the relocated to Iceland joke.

    • @tartrazine5
      @tartrazine5 2 роки тому +2

      So a show about an oppressed minority (whose people have lost their homeland, and have strange dietary customs) hiding from the military with a family that takes them in was very popular in Germany? I can't imagine why.

    • @yanikkunitsin1466
      @yanikkunitsin1466 2 роки тому +1

      That and Harry and Hendersons. Furophilia of some sorts...

  • @wimvanderstraeten6521
    @wimvanderstraeten6521 2 роки тому +7

    I remember Alf saying that his planet exploded because the inhabitants all turned on their hairdryers at the same moment.

  • @melasn9836
    @melasn9836 2 роки тому +46

    1. Man, it feels like ages since HBO made all-ages programming. And not just for streaming like now.
    2. Everything about making ALF sounds intensely frustrating for everyone but Fusco, who sounds more & more bizarre the more I hear about him.
    3. Wait, the Simpsons' composer did the theme song?!
    4. Fun fact - while watching this at lunch, my cat stopped begging for my food & sprinted from the room when Alf appeared on screen. I'm not saying that they instinctively know but...

    • @comettamer
      @comettamer 2 роки тому +5

      If Alf is evil, then I for one welcome our new, fuzzy, overlord.

    • @michiganscythian2445
      @michiganscythian2445 2 роки тому +4

      Also, ALF writers Mike Reis and Al Jean later went on to be Simpsons Show runners and writers.

    • @paulforester6996
      @paulforester6996 2 роки тому +5

      That would be a funny detail, if they put a sound only sensitive to cats when alf entered the frame, scaring cats with his presence.

    • @Attmay
      @Attmay 2 роки тому +1

      @@michiganscythian2445 If they ever cancel *The Simpsons* they can always get their old job back.

  • @wstine79
    @wstine79 2 роки тому +80

    I remember getting the Surfing ALF puppet at Burger King. This was an interesting show. The dad was my favorite non-puppet character on the show.

    • @ironmaster6496
      @ironmaster6496 2 роки тому +5

      yeah Willy was ironically really funny and had a great dynamic with Alf

    • @edrose2772
      @edrose2772 2 роки тому +1

      I had the same puppet, I put it on the transfer case shifter in my jeep! Awesome show, I was a sarcastic obnoxious 20 year old when the show came out and I totally related to ALF!

    • @bigdaddyroy5382
      @bigdaddyroy5382 2 роки тому +2

      I ended up with a 4 puppets. But I remembered getting the last one on the day I ended up going camping. Kinda like 1 big happy memory. Man I miss being a kid

    • @zimmerlicker
      @zimmerlicker 2 роки тому +1

      that guy was awesome as Mr. Denby on The Norm Show too🙂

  • @DJsleng06
    @DJsleng06 2 роки тому +43

    Wow, Paul Fusco was so committed to maintaining Alf as kayfabe that he should have transitioned to pro wrestling.

    • @salruotolo5754
      @salruotolo5754 2 роки тому +2

      Lol

    • @budsak7771
      @budsak7771 2 роки тому +5

      I could see myself as an Alfaholic

    • @Joecbg100
      @Joecbg100 3 місяці тому +1

      That it is, he took it as seriously as if Alf was his own child

  • @ravager48
    @ravager48 2 роки тому +50

    Fun fact: Melmac exploded because everyone plugged in their hair dryers at the same time.

    • @CartoonMitchell
      @CartoonMitchell 2 роки тому +1

      I could think of even more embarrassing scenarios!

    • @ryan489
      @ryan489 2 роки тому +1

      Another Fun Fact: Melmac is the name of the planet but also what it was made out of.

    • @Optimegatrongodzilla
      @Optimegatrongodzilla Рік тому +2

      The actual reason is nuclear warfare.

    • @daniiel1495
      @daniiel1495 Рік тому

      Hahahahaha

  • @RazorFoxDV
    @RazorFoxDV 2 роки тому +23

    I loved my ALF Burger King puppet. I had the one with the Hawaiian-style shirt. Years later, I figured I'd outgrown it and gave it to charity, but then I really came to miss it as puppets are just so much fun. When a faraway friend of mine on Facebook was looking to clear out a few items, among them was that same ALF puppet. I notified her, she graciously sent it on over, and I'm so happy to have my ALF puppet back!

  • @mothersbasement
    @mothersbasement 2 роки тому +91

    How many takes did it take to say "Alf himsalf" without breaking?

  • @ExtremeWreck
    @ExtremeWreck 2 роки тому +9

    All I can think of now is Paul Fusco making Space Cats with Marvel Productions lol. That was aired on NBC's last season of Saturday Morning cartoons from 1991 to 1992.

  • @mpettengill1981
    @mpettengill1981 2 роки тому +58

    When I was a kid I remember watching that cliffhanger episode. I tuned in next week for what I assumed would be the final episode. It clearly said 'to be continued', right? We would find out about Alf and his friends, right? NO! What's on instead? A HOCKEY GAME!
    Well, thank you for solving that mystery for me for all these years later 🤣

    • @brodriguez11000
      @brodriguez11000 2 роки тому +4

      Mine too.

    • @machupikachu1085
      @machupikachu1085 2 роки тому +4

      I hate hockey to this day...

    • @Jose-se9pu
      @Jose-se9pu 2 роки тому +6

      In my country, they edited the episode so it ended before the military arrived...I learned about this years later...wish I never had.

  • @grapeshot
    @grapeshot 2 роки тому +22

    Yes I remember that miniature Chewbacca looking cat eating alien. Nothing says 1980s like ALF.

    • @jeremybrooks7415
      @jeremybrooks7415 2 роки тому +1

      The last Renaissance Fair I went to there was somebody in a Chewbacca suit complete with bandolier. When he turned around, he was wearing an Alf mask.

    • @Jose-se9pu
      @Jose-se9pu 2 роки тому

      Probably the reason why the movie was so bad is because Alf made in thr '90s felt...wrong

  • @starwarsunfiltered7848
    @starwarsunfiltered7848 2 роки тому +7

    My mom handed out gift packs of ALF trading cards to everybody who attended my 9th birthday. It was awesome.

  • @Hyde_Hill
    @Hyde_Hill 2 роки тому +8

    He is as real as Max Headroom, Kermit the Frog and Hulk Hogan. Wait a minute........

    • @ramenkingcruz
      @ramenkingcruz 2 роки тому +1

      Well yeah man.... you're going to have to face it but... Kermit was always just a puppet.

    • @Tornado1994
      @Tornado1994 2 роки тому

      I NEVER thought as ALF as Real. In the 80s as a Young Child, I saw him as a Kid's Mascot.

  • @beardedbubba7628
    @beardedbubba7628 2 роки тому +4

    I’m 43 years old and I love ALF as much today as I did in 1986 when I was 8.

  • @beanshadow7810
    @beanshadow7810 2 роки тому +3

    What a shock that a man who refuses to admit his puppet is a puppet is, in reality, a huge creep. Didn’t see that one coming.

  • @snukastyle
    @snukastyle 2 роки тому +34

    I think I had the full run of the ALF comics. But to find out Gordon never joined the X-Melmen during the Dark Kleenex Saga has broken my heart. Nor the time he ran a D&D game for the Tanners as "Danny the Elfman".

  • @philippkemptner4604
    @philippkemptner4604 2 роки тому +3

    Alf was a curse for his german voice talent Tommi Piper. His voice became so very much related to that role he had little job offers after voicing Alf.

  • @jeremymenning56
    @jeremymenning56 2 роки тому +10

    Gordon Shumway is my favorite pop culture reference.

  • @carjamlaw753
    @carjamlaw753 2 роки тому +7

    Damn ALF. I drove my parents crazy with a constant, "No problem!", all day.

  • @johnsensebe3153
    @johnsensebe3153 2 роки тому +7

    The idea of the cartoon being a prequel was genius. The only problem is knowing that most of the characters are destined to die horribly.

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 2 роки тому +1

      Yes, but we as kids did not care, as we were getting more ALF, and that's all that mattered.

    • @creativeconsciousness7392
      @creativeconsciousness7392 2 роки тому +1

      That's pretty dark for a kid's show...

    • @salruotolo5754
      @salruotolo5754 2 роки тому +2

      Rhonda alf's girlfriend and a few friends one named skip survived.. they made a cameo in an episode of the original TV show.

  • @christopherwaldrop5293
    @christopherwaldrop5293 2 роки тому +17

    For secondary characters the Ochmoneks, played by John LaMotta and Liz "Lady Seinfeld" Sheridan really brought a lot to the show. They were supposed to be obnoxious, nosy neighbors but often came across as much nicer than the Tanners. As a kid I was genuinely upset when Mrs. Ochmonek sees Alf, gets made fun of on a local talk show, and has a breakdown. I even hoped it would mark the beginning of the Tanners and Ochmoneks working together. I still hope for an alternate version where Alf lands on the Ochmoneks' garage.

    • @AlexReynard
      @AlexReynard 2 роки тому +6

      "I still hope for an alternate version where Alf lands on the Ochmoneks' garage."
      They did that in the comics one issue! Alf used his ship's Wotif machine on occasion to show alternate versions of events.

    • @Attmay
      @Attmay 2 роки тому +3

      That's why I was disappointed that *Project: ALF* disregarded them completely.

  • @lukedufour
    @lukedufour 2 роки тому +54

    Love to see people talking about ALF. So awesome! Great video! I would say 1 notable highlight he had was he was on Hollywood Squares for a while. While it seems like a weird thing to mention, he was on there fairly regularly I believe.

    • @orenkiyama6860
      @orenkiyama6860 8 місяців тому +1

      I remember that, he was usually the middle square.

  • @comettamer
    @comettamer 2 роки тому +7

    ALF is a classic from before my time. I did grow up watching reruns hither and thither, but it is only recently I have found myself finally cracking into the series as a whole. Such a sweet, mostly wholesome series that really does make one smile at the simpler times. Remember when Alf phoned the President to insist upon nuclear disarmament?

    • @liwojenkins
      @liwojenkins 7 місяців тому

      Tons of great shows from that decade and the one before. Unfortunately I can't watch any of them anymore, except Sci-fi or Westerns, due to the ever present laugh track. If you know anyone selling AIs that remove laugh tracks from shows, I would pay money for that.

  • @RichRetr0
    @RichRetr0 2 роки тому +10

    I always imagined Willie Tanner from ALF and Danny Tanner from Full House were related somehow (brothers, cousins, etc) and hoped we would get a crossover at some point...
    That would've blew my young mind lol

  • @nicholashurst780
    @nicholashurst780 2 роки тому +10

    I grew up in the carnival business my mother worked in what is called a balloon store which is the game where you pop a lot of balloons to win a bigger and bigger teddy bear, and the one stuffed animal display that was not available to be given away because it was hers personally was Alf. She kept it up on display until basically the turn of the millennium

  • @geardog24
    @geardog24 2 роки тому +33

    "Unfortunately the network didn't like the idea of him drinking alcohol, that's not the kind of behavior that's going to sell bedsheets and dolls to the moms of America."
    It worked for the Simpsons.

    • @ramenkingcruz
      @ramenkingcruz 2 роки тому +5

      They came just a little later tho, on a network that was actively pushing the envelope.

    • @singaporesammy
      @singaporesammy 2 роки тому +2

      Forget the Simpsons. Spuds MacKenzie is the prime example.

  • @CantankerousDave
    @CantankerousDave 2 роки тому +33

    The cartoon’s writing was definitely not aimed at kids. It was more like The Critic.

    • @user-hc9qv9yb9m
      @user-hc9qv9yb9m 2 роки тому

      or SNL

    • @ColdHighway7
      @ColdHighway7 2 роки тому +17

      I wouldnt mind seeing Toy Galaxy do a video on The Critic (along with Duckman for that matter)

    • @jimmyju76
      @jimmyju76 2 роки тому +3

      Loved Alf Tales, combining tall tales with Hitchcock 😂, Favorite was John Henry

    • @Trevor-08
      @Trevor-08 2 роки тому +1

      @@ColdHighway7 yes

    • @JohnDoe-wq5eu
      @JohnDoe-wq5eu 2 роки тому +2

      @@ColdHighway7
      Duckman was basically George Costanza in animated form.
      Although I feel like they did a much better job of humanizing and giving the character pathos then you would think.

  • @malikot63
    @malikot63 2 роки тому +4

    The Burger King commercial managed to get "Take Me, ALF, To The Ballgame" stuck in my head. I'm not mad.

  • @forkgod
    @forkgod 2 роки тому +2

    I was obsessed with ALF as a youngling. Apparently I insisted my parents call me 'BALF', Brother of ALF.

  • @theslimjames
    @theslimjames 2 роки тому +4

    Remember Alf? He's back, in vlog form.

  • @Slayerthecrow
    @Slayerthecrow 2 роки тому +38

    Alf has one of the most disturbing Christmas Specials for sitcom standards.

    • @behindthescenesphotos5133
      @behindthescenesphotos5133 2 роки тому +2

      I've gotten used to it, but that first viewing is jarring compared to what we were used to.

    • @Slayerthecrow
      @Slayerthecrow 2 роки тому +4

      @@behindthescenesphotos5133 Is a great episode indeed but man, the first time you see it is a total kick in the nuts when you weren't prepared.

    • @JustinEmlay
      @JustinEmlay 2 роки тому +1

      I just watched it last night. I though it was pretty good! For some reason I have no memory of that one.

    • @JustinEmlay
      @JustinEmlay 2 роки тому

      Ah, got ya!

    • @hadara69
      @hadara69 2 роки тому +1

      I remember this! Was a teen fan so the daughter’s ‘rebelliousness’ WAS jarring, especially since my family has always had good Latin “Christmas Spirit”.
      I guess they were going for an “It’s a wonderful life” homage. I’ll have to watch it again.
      Miss 80s tv.

  • @OldManTheseDays
    @OldManTheseDays 2 роки тому +8

    I wanted that big ALF plush SO BAD. Kinda still do.

  • @JLvatron
    @JLvatron 2 роки тому +9

    Paul Fusco made an amazing decision to hold onto the rights and not sell to Disney. This allowed him to keep the integrity of Alf, as well as his maintaining the illusion.

    • @Joecbg100
      @Joecbg100 3 місяці тому

      I didn't know much about the man behind it but that's got some guts to not sell out and keep Alf special in his eyes.
      It was like his son, I like that

  • @legendsneverdie7498
    @legendsneverdie7498 2 роки тому +2

    My nickname as a kid was ALF, my dad said I reminded him of ALF because I was always into everything lol. I have fond memories of watching the show as a little kid.

    • @salruotolo5754
      @salruotolo5754 2 роки тому

      Awesome 👍

    • @Tornado1994
      @Tornado1994 2 роки тому

      I had two Storybooks with Cassettes AND a Poster back during 1987-88!

  • @honkylips9072
    @honkylips9072 2 роки тому +20

    I still have my ALF plush from the 1980s. It’s still a big hit when people see it. He often makes appearances at holidays and family functions. Great video 👍🏻

    • @davidm4566
      @davidm4566 2 роки тому

      All of a sudden I just had a clear memory of getting the large ALF stuffed animal when I was in 3rd grade for Christmas.
      I had a large box that I was playing with inside it with ALF and think I was pretending it was his spaceship.

    • @HisNameWasCrazy
      @HisNameWasCrazy 2 роки тому +1

      @@davidm4566 the box it came in looked like a spaceship, I remember cos it was half the reason I wanted it so bad - drove my poor dad crazy bugging him about that Alf toy before Christmas that year!

    • @davidm4566
      @davidm4566 2 роки тому

      @@HisNameWasCrazy I forgot about that! I think I still have the ALF puppets at my Dad's house.

  • @darktoylord
    @darktoylord 2 роки тому +28

    Randomly picked up the first issue of that ALF comic in the past few weeks. I was content with leaving it at that but now that you have informed me that it ran for 50 issues, well the collector in me has taken over and I need to find every one 😆

    • @ericturczynowsky3243
      @ericturczynowsky3243 2 роки тому +1

      Or just hold out hope for an ALF Omnibus

    • @tigerbread78
      @tigerbread78 2 роки тому

      Or just find it digitally

    • @Ravenfellblade
      @Ravenfellblade 2 роки тому +1

      Dude... There's an issue where ALF has to fight a sentient aloe vera plant. It was bonkers! Loved that comic.

    • @PeterTarkulich
      @PeterTarkulich 2 роки тому +1

      The comics are totally worth getting if you can find them. I have maybe 2/3 of the collection (maybe more? Been a while since I pulled them out of their hiding spot), and it's been a goal of mine to try to fill in the gaps one of these days.

    • @VengefulNonsense
      @VengefulNonsense 2 роки тому

      A comic shop I lived near a while ago had all 50 issues that they were selling for like $30. They where there the entire I lived there. Apparently people weren't crazy about the Alf comic.

  • @gonzolowars
    @gonzolowars 2 роки тому +11

    Last month, watching Alf's Christmas Special was one of the highlights of my holiday's binge watching. That episode brought me to tears again.

  • @timvanboening9432
    @timvanboening9432 2 роки тому +2

    I had the baseball Alf puppet. I wanted the surfer one, because it made more sense to me as a kid that he’d be wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

  • @Belgand
    @Belgand 2 роки тому +4

    ALF followed by The Hogan Family was such a big part of my childhood. NBC had an absolute lock on Mondays with those two.

    • @orenkiyama6860
      @orenkiyama6860 8 місяців тому

      I loved the Hogan Family. Though the show started off as Valarie's Family with Valarie Bertinellii, I vaguely remember those earlier episodes. It was always Sandy Duncan that was Mother figure as far as I was concerned.

  • @Jian13
    @Jian13 2 роки тому +12

    It's funny how something as influential to pop culture as Alf got replaced with something as influential to pop culture as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

    • @therealcrisis8439
      @therealcrisis8439 2 роки тому

      my Thoughts exactly! That was truly the great age of TV Entertainment.

    • @jessragan6714
      @jessragan6714 2 роки тому +3

      Fresh Prince was a fish out of water series like ALF, but it was way way way way WAY better than ALF. Having the two shows get directly compared left me blinking in confusion.
      (By the way, when Fresh Prince debuted, it was on in the same hour as the TV adaptation of Ferris Bueller. The show which insulted the movie. The show that lasted maybe thirteen episodes.)

    • @paulforester6996
      @paulforester6996 2 роки тому

      So your saying Alf was ratted out by the Fresh Prince, so he could take Alf's time slot?🤔

  • @0errab0
    @0errab0 2 роки тому +2

    I loved watching ALF on Monday nights right after homework and dinner at 8PM and NBC.

  • @PaulSpurgeon
    @PaulSpurgeon 2 роки тому +2

    Solid Thew Adams reference. A+

  • @doublecreeptheater376
    @doublecreeptheater376 2 роки тому +4

    On my family’s Christmas 1987 vhs my dads cousin asks my dad if he had watched ALF yet and then they go into talking about ALF for about a minute. People loved ALF!

  • @burntmarshwigglestudio597
    @burntmarshwigglestudio597 2 роки тому +20

    Alf was on on Monday nights for me. Bath time and then run out of the bathroom in a towel as fast as possible so I didn't miss the show. Picked up two of the puppets in the drive thru and remember playing the paper records. We used to torment the dog with one of the puppets (he loved it and tore it up). I have a couple of the puppets and stuffed animal. The later special was fun, but dang it I really wish they'd bring Alf back

    • @rickybryan1759
      @rickybryan1759 2 роки тому

      Rushing out of the bath towel around my waist! That was my Mork and Mindy memory. Also cracking it cos Mum said bath-time right before!!

    • @spenserbeckerszs
      @spenserbeckerszs 2 роки тому +1

      I seem to remember he got the Teddy Ruxpin treatment too as a toy. You could put a tape in his back and his mout and ears would move up and down to make it look like he was talking along with the audio tape.

  • @Dr.Quarex
    @Dr.Quarex 2 роки тому +4

    My greatest personal relationship with ALF was that I lived for a while in Thailand when it was on, and as a result there are surely episodes I have only seen dubbed in Thai without subtitles, and I still to this day know what it sounds like to say "Willie" with a Thai accent

  • @maplejames6992
    @maplejames6992 2 роки тому +4

    ALF is the Hulk Hogan of television. He's recognizable in every country, my girls even knew who he was before I introduced him. I sleep every night on an ALF pillowcase, and have all the stuffies. What can I say, I'm a fan, and this breakdown from Dan is awesome :)

  • @Rockhead84
    @Rockhead84 2 роки тому +10

    I definitely had an ALF sleeping bag as a kid, and was totally heartbroken by the cliffhanger ending. Hard as a kid to understand that the show wasn't coming back on air the next week

  • @hjames78
    @hjames78 2 роки тому +3

    Bring back ALF! Good memories that ALF was. He fit perfect perfectly in the 80s

  • @Naterz_
    @Naterz_ 2 роки тому +3

    You totally should have mentioned ALF's appearance in Cartoon All-Stars To The Rescue!

  • @aputridpileofb-movies6542
    @aputridpileofb-movies6542 2 роки тому +3

    The live action show's final episode is one of the darkest family friendly sitcom episodes ever. You should give it a look.

  • @sevenpastmidnight9542
    @sevenpastmidnight9542 2 роки тому +7

    Been waiting for this, I had a talking ALF doll when I was little.. kept it in the closet cuz it freaked me out.

    • @TheBronyBraeburn
      @TheBronyBraeburn 2 роки тому +1

      I had that same doll. I liked it a lot but I buried it under blankets at night. If I saw it in the dark, it would freak me out.

  • @paulfisher9926
    @paulfisher9926 2 роки тому +5

    I liked the Saturday morning cartoon version of Alf.

  • @machupikachu1085
    @machupikachu1085 2 роки тому +1

    "BLT - Bacon, LUCKY, and Tomato"
    "He's quick. I'll give him that!"
    -Gordon Shumway

  • @jordanhoughton1948
    @jordanhoughton1948 2 роки тому +1

    ALF was great! I remember having ALF pajamas, ALF coloring books, and an ALF puzzle. ALF! ALF! ALF!

  • @mattr75
    @mattr75 2 роки тому +4

    I was definitely looking forward to this episode! Very nicely done

  • @Volyren
    @Volyren 2 роки тому +4

    My girlfriend always told me I should learn from ALF. He knew how to eat 🐱

  • @skyden24195
    @skyden24195 2 роки тому +2

    ALF does just "show up anywhere:" In 2001 I had moved into a new place with my (then) girlfriend. Within the first few months of living at the new place a 1 & 1/2 ft tall stuffed ALF doll was discovered amongst my belongings. I had no idea where it came from as I had not remembered ever owning it before, and no one else that I knew claimed to have given it to me. I still have the mysterious ALF, and still have no idea where it came from.

  • @SangreTarasco
    @SangreTarasco 2 роки тому +4

    Alf finally got to work with Garfield on Cartoon All Stars to the Rescue.

    • @neocelestia
      @neocelestia 2 роки тому +2

      And Kermit, albeit in Muppet Babies form. :)

    • @Tornado1994
      @Tornado1994 2 роки тому +1

      1989. I love the Chipmunks song "There's a Million Wonderful Ways to Say No".

  • @GearsinMotionGraphics
    @GearsinMotionGraphics 2 роки тому +4

    Lol.... So funny you would bring this TV icon back to life because I did have a Burger King puppet

  • @mwc1707
    @mwc1707 2 роки тому +4

    Till this video I thought Alf's voice actor had died a couple years ago. Happy I was wrong. 😊

    • @mwc1707
      @mwc1707 2 роки тому

      @@KasumiKenshirou Maybe that's what I heard and just miss-understood. Meh, happens. 🙂

  • @A_YouTube_Commenter
    @A_YouTube_Commenter 2 роки тому +2

    The daughter on Alf was a huge crush in my childhood. She was so cute.

  • @3DJapan
    @3DJapan 2 роки тому +1

    One of my favorite shows when it was on. I still remember it was on Mondays at 8pm.

  • @UFOCULTVHS1
    @UFOCULTVHS1 2 роки тому +8

    finally someone gives Madame the respect she deserves

    • @TheBlueB0mber
      @TheBlueB0mber 2 роки тому +4

      4:30 This young guy definitely
      appreciates "Madame's Place" 👀

    • @crush41gb
      @crush41gb 2 роки тому +3

      @@TheBlueB0mber That's when Corey Feldman became a man lol!

  • @waffensuperninja
    @waffensuperninja 2 роки тому +3

    Warm memories of my father and I rushing home from Cub scouts just to catch Alf on night time TV

  • @skree_fpv436
    @skree_fpv436 2 роки тому +2

    I remember when I was a kid my Aunt had large talking ALF doll. I was similar to a Teddy Ruxpin where you put a cassette tape in him. I liked the show, I thought ALF was funny and I liked getting to stay up past my 8 o'clock bedtime to watch it even more

  • @Summertimeblues28
    @Summertimeblues28 2 роки тому +1

    I had a Polaroid with an ALF stand up cut out taken at the CN tower in 1990. I showed the kid next door. I’m pretty sure he still thinks I actually met the real ALF.

  • @dinomonzon7493
    @dinomonzon7493 2 роки тому +5

    Happy New Year!
    Thanks for the ALF video. This was one of my fave sitcoms. Loved his interaction with Willie; and the way he exchanged barbs with Willie’s mother-in-law. The Marvel Comics series via their Star Comics imprint.

  • @jaredduncan6604
    @jaredduncan6604 2 роки тому +3

    There's already an ALF feature film. It's called Permanent Midnight.

  • @coltsinglearmy
    @coltsinglearmy 2 роки тому +1

    You guys are so talented! Thank you so much for your work in creating such amazing material!

  • @lanternsown3525
    @lanternsown3525 2 роки тому

    Thanks for Covering This!

  • @AlexReynard
    @AlexReynard 2 роки тому +3

    I think I could only be okay with CGI Alf if he's an actual puppet, and they just do things like painting over cables or puppeteers so he can walk around and shoot hoops 'n stuff.

  • @kahndigifer7106
    @kahndigifer7106 2 роки тому +6

    Actually The masters are in great condition. Lionsgate saying they werent in good condition was just an excuse. They are notoriously cheap and didnt want to spend the money on music licensing, that's the real reason they didnt use the original broadcast masters. I have the complete set from Germany. They look better than the ones they used, there about about roughly 3 edits made on the box set from my research. Pretty much all the pop songs are intact, except an Alvin and the Chipmunks song, Gilligan's Island, also the toaster in the tub is the edited version instead of the original. So the German DVD set release is the way to go, they also released Project ALF on dvd in Germany as well.

  • @lp-xl9ld
    @lp-xl9ld 2 роки тому +2

    I got my first car in 1989 and the first accessory I got for it was an ALF sunscreen (the thing you put inside your front windshield in the summer to keep the interior from getting TOO hot). But what I don't get is that I didn't hear about the PROJECT ALF program when it happened...I remember the cliffhanger and would certainly have remembered seeing its resolution...

  • @thedoctor755
    @thedoctor755 2 роки тому +2

    No, no CGI Alf please. And thank you.

  • @AaronLitz
    @AaronLitz 2 роки тому +3

    I was also 10 when ALF premiered. I still remember the countdown "ALF lands in X days!" and I was really excited to see what it was.

  • @ecnayonnA
    @ecnayonnA 2 роки тому +7

    I loved the cartoon. The theme song was awesome.
    As for the show. I still remember the giant cockroach episode. Bug spray just made it bigger.

    • @orenkiyama6860
      @orenkiyama6860 8 місяців тому

      Ah yes and Kate's anniversary gift , some cheap perfume finally killed it.

  • @WillmobilePlus
    @WillmobilePlus 2 роки тому +2

    You would think that current day animatronics, you could just eliminate the need for all of the puppeteers, and make Alf more versatile.

  • @DamonNomad82
    @DamonNomad82 2 роки тому +1

    I was a preschooler when the Alf sitcom launched. While my TV watching was extremely limited, Alf was one of my favorite TV characters. I had a refrigerator magnet with a picture of Alf saying "No Problem!"

  • @federicorobles3032
    @federicorobles3032 2 роки тому +4

    I def loved that episode when ALF made a music video for Andrea Elson's character in which he performed as different rock stars.
    Also, ALF inspired women hairdos at the end of the 80s.

    • @freddyvidz
      @freddyvidz 2 роки тому +3

      "You're the one who's out of this world"

    • @RobCamp-rmc_0
      @RobCamp-rmc_0 2 роки тому +1

      @@freddyvidz sweet baby! you’re one who’s out of this world
      i’m spinnin’ in an orbit, something something… aw screw it i don’t remember any more off the top of my head

    • @freddyvidz
      @freddyvidz 2 роки тому

      @@RobCamp-rmc_0 I ain't ever been in, but you're the one who's out of this world

    • @RobCamp-rmc_0
      @RobCamp-rmc_0 2 роки тому +1

      @@freddyvidz I thought that might have been it but I figured I was just misremembering, thanks for confirming

  • @-C.S.R
    @-C.S.R 2 роки тому +4

    *ALF* was always one of my favorites!
    He was so funny and I would love to see him back on earth! 🙏

  • @barttcounts8456
    @barttcounts8456 2 роки тому +1

    The cliffhanger was absolutely devastating to us ALF fans. The implication: ALF was captured, experimented on and obviously killed. 🥺

  • @itsbiju
    @itsbiju 2 роки тому

    You guys are helping in bringing him back. Thanks!

  • @robgable2426
    @robgable2426 2 роки тому +3

    Hah! I kill me! Alf is classic.

  • @Dreamyblue101
    @Dreamyblue101 2 роки тому +3

    Wow that's amazing

  • @benjamingarner2881
    @benjamingarner2881 2 роки тому

    This was far more interesting than I had originally given it credit for. Thanks, dude.
    Love the channel and content.

  • @LoepkeVisionFilms
    @LoepkeVisionFilms 2 роки тому

    What a great video guys! ALF still lives in my heart!