TV SERIES · 1986– · USA
ALF
58 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (58)
- #001
Max Wright later said that although he did not enjoy working on the series, he took satisfaction in the fan letters that shared how much joy and happiness the show brought them.
- #002
The ALF puppet was operated through various hatches hidden inside the set, which made filming more dangerous than on a normal sitcom. The actors had to remember where the doors were so they could dodge them.
- #003
In the years since the series was cancelled, Max Wright and Anne Schedeen said that tension on the set was very high. The show's technical requirements demanded very long shooting schedules, and none of the actors enjoyed playing supporting roles next to a puppet that always had the best lines.
- #004
At the time, it was one of the most expensive 30-minute sitcoms to produce because of all the required technical elements and long recording schedules. To help offset the costs, NBC licensed the character for toys, breakfast cereals and an animated TV series.
- #005
Because of the series' technical demands and to keep its secrets from being revealed, the show was filmed without an audience on a closed studio set. A laugh track was used to make it appear as though it had been recorded in front of a live audience.
- #006
The title of every episode is also the title of a song. Each one relates to the episode's subject.
- #007
Before the pilot aired, the series was heavily promoted as a potential breakout show. NBC came close to cancelling it in the first season because of marginal ratings and mixed reviews. It stayed on the air largely because of licensing deals involving the ALF character.
- #008
Max Wright was reportedly so ready to be done with the series that when the final day of recording ended, he immediately cleared out his dressing room and left the studio without saying goodbye to any of the cast or crew. At the time the show's fate was still uncertain, so it was probably unknown whether the actors would return.
- #009
Years later, creator Paul Fusco is working on a reboot, hoping to introduce ALF to a new generation of viewers.
- #010
Baby Eric was written into the series after Anne Schedeen became pregnant in real life.
- #011
The series was an instant hit in Germany, an unfortunate situation for the town of Alf on the Moselle River. So many "City limits" signs bearing the town's name were stolen that the municipal council decided to put a large number of the signs up for sale.
- #012
Creator Paul Fusco modelled ALF's grumpy voice on Rowlf from The Muppet Show (1976).
- #013
According to Paul Fusco, NBC cancelled the series shortly after a 1990 policy change that allowed the network to own the copyright to programs it aired. Fusco refused to hand over ownership of the series, so NBC replaced it with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990).
- #014
If the series had continued for a fifth season, the final episode would have moved to the military base where ALF, having been captured, was separated from the Tanners.
- #015
ALF drank alcohol in the early episodes. This was stopped when NBC demanded that the show be more family-friendly.
- #016
The character ALF ranked 8th on TV Guide's "25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends" list (1 August 2004; Volume 52; Issue 31) and appeared on one of its three collectible covers.
- #017
The original, unaired pilot episode was broadcast in the United States on 10 August 2004.
- #018
Project: ALF (1996) reveals that the alien task force captured ALF in Think Me Gone (1990) and that the Federal Witness Protection Program moved the Tanners to Reykjavik.
- #019
Beneath the set there were mini refrigerators, snacks and small beds at the disposal of the stage crew.
- #020
In 1987, ALF merchandise generated more than $250 million in sales, including $85 million from ALF figures alone.
- #021
The writers tried to push the boundaries of what kinds of jokes and storylines the show could get away with. NBC pulled back once it realized the series appealed to many young viewers and insisted on more "family friendly" scripts.
- #022
A. L. F. (1987), an animated spin-off, premiered on September 26, 1987. It is a prequel about ALF's life on Melmac. It ran for 2 seasons.
- #023
Paul Fusco and Beverly Archer are the only actors who appeared in both this series and Project: ALF (1996).
- #024
In the 1980s, Paul Fusco turned down many offers, including ones from Burger King, Coca Cola and Budweiser.
- #025
NBC initially promised Paul Fusco that the series would end with a proper finale. Six years later it was cancelled without a finale, until Project: ALF (1996).
- #026
To this day the series remains a big hit in Germany. Max Wright's death was major news there.
- #027
Producer Paul Fusco was the voice of ALF.
- #028
Series creator Paul Fusco provided ALF's voice and operated the puppet. In all shots showing ALF from the waist up, a puppet controlled by two puppeteers was used. When ALF's entire body, including his feet, was shown, a puppet with a person inside was used. The puppets' faces are noticeably different. Sometimes the actor Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros, who stood only two feet, nine inches (84 cm) tall, wore the ALF costume.
- #029
NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff was going to pass on the series after the pilot. He changed his mind because his 4-year-old daughter loved it so much.
- #030
In 1987 and 1988, Topps released a series of trading cards based on the show. Each pack contained randomly inserted bouillabaisseball cards. Bouillabaisseball, a popular sport on ALF's home planet, resembles baseball but a rotting fish is thrown instead of a ball. The cards depicted some of the game's great and not-so-great players.
- #031
After filming the pilot, co-creator Tom Patchett received a message from Steven Spielberg, who wanted to know whether the ALF puppet looked like E. T. from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) in any way.
- #032
The character ALF has eight stomachs.
- #033
Only syndicated versions of the series, edited down to just 3-5 minutes, are available on Region 1 DVD. Except for For Your Eyes Only (1986), which is missing a short scene due to music rights, the German DVDs (Region 2) are unedited.
- #034
In his memoir "Permanent Midnight," Jerry Stahl wrote about achieving success as a television writer on Moonlighting (1985) and Thirtysomething (1987) while struggling with a heroin addiction. The book was adapted into Permanent Midnight (1998), with Ben Stiller playing Stahl. Renamed "Mr. Chompers," this series appeared on set in various scenes, including a nightmarish drug-induced hallucination featuring the show's puppet.
- #035
Jim Henson, a big ALF fan, asked Paul Fusco to work together on a show. Paul declined the invitation because he did not want ALF to be seen as one of The Muppets.
- #036
The character ALF is left-handed.
- #037
Cast and crew kept falling into the trenches the puppeteers used to control ALF. They named those who fell into the trenches.
- #038
In 1987, Paul Fusco wanted to make a prequel episode of ALF. It was rejected because of budget problems.
- #039
According to producer Bernie Brillstein, the Monday scripts were funny. By Friday, Paul Fusco had given all the funny dialogue to ALF.
- #040
ALF's real name is Gordon Shumway, and he is from the planet Melmac.
- #041
The Tanners' house address is 167 Hemdale Ave.
- #042
During a taping, Max Wright punched ALF in the face after ALF called him a "total idiot" and a "Jewish loser."
- #043
Four of the cast members died in June. Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros died on June 12, 2016. Max Wright died on June 26, 2019. Benji Gregory died on June 13, 2024. Anne Schedeen died on June 14, 2026.
- #044
Throughout its entire run, ALF aired on Monday nights at 20:00 EST, on the same night and at the same time as MacGyver (1985) on ABC.
- #045
The character ALF hosted both The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and The New Hollywood Squares (1986).
- #046
As of June 14, 2026, Andrea Elson (Lynn Tanner) is the last surviving cast member.
- #047
Season 5 became Project: ALF (1996).
- #048
ALF stands for Alien Life Form.
- #049
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ had to cancel its broadcast on June 25, 1990, when the FIFA World Cup match between the Republic of Ireland and Romania went to extra time and penalties. Ireland won and the country celebrated. However, some viewers complained that the episode was not shown as scheduled.
- #050
Alf lived with the Tanners for about 3 1/2 years.
- #051
During the period this series aired, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush were the presidents of the United States.
- #052
After NBC declined to renew ALF for a fifth season, Brandon Tartikoff told Paul Fusco that cancelling ALF had been a big mistake and that it had one or two seasons left.
- #053
A single Alf puppet was very expensive, costing about 250 thousand dollars. So a cheap, scruffy puppet was used during rehearsals.
- #054
In the United Kingdom, the decision to buy and broadcast the series was up to the individual ITV regional franchise owners. Those who decided to show it tended to broadcast it on Sunday afternoons. The series was also picked up by the SKY ONE satellite channel subscription, which gave it a more prominent time slot in its programming.
- #055
Anne Meara's husband, Jerry Stiller, later appeared alongside Liz Sheridan in Seinfeld.
- #056
Max Wright, Benji Gregory, Anne Schedeen and Michu Meszaros all died in June. Max Wright died in 2019. Benji Gregory died in 2024. Anne Schedeen died in 2026. Michu Meszaros (who played ALF in the body costume) died in 2016.
- #057
The Tanners' phone number is 555-4044.
- #058
Composer Alf Clausen wrote the music for the series.
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