ALF (TV series): Difference between revisions

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The show unexpectedly ended on a season cliff hanger, with Alf being taken off to an undisclosed location by government agents. A later [[Made for TV Movie]] would reveal the result and provide closure for the series. Despite being relatively formulaic, the show was original in many regards, and had a loyal following.

While viewers saw a delightful, lighthearted sitcom, the show is noted for having been very grueling for the cast, and a hotbed of tension and discomfort when the cameras were off. The technical demands of the ALF puppet required a myriad of trapdoors on set, which had to be reset many times during even a single scene. This led to the show being shot in a very halting, piecemeal fashion, with a single 30-minute episode sometimes taking 20-25 hours of studio time to complete. The effects on the cast were devastating; for example, Andrea Elson (Lynn) suffered from depression and bulimia during the series, while Max Wright (Willie), both physically exhausted and resentful of playing straight man to a puppet, reportedly [[Screw This I'm Outta Here|left the studio immediately after the final shot of the series finale, without even saying goodbye to fellow cast members]].

While viewers saw a delightful, lighthearted sitcom, the show is noted for having been very grueling for the cast, and a hotbed of tension and discomfort when the cameras were off. The technical demands of the ALF puppet required a myriad of trapdoors on set, which had to be reset many times during even a single scene. This led to the show being shot in a very halting, piecemeal fashion, with a single 30-minute episode sometimes taking 20-25 hours of studio time to complete. The effects on the cast were devastating; for example, Andrea Elson (Lynn) suffered from depression and bulimia during the series, while Max Wright (Willie), both physically exhausted and resentful of playing straight man to a puppet, reportedly [[Screw This, I'm Outta Here|left the studio immediately after the final shot of the series finale, without even saying goodbye to fellow cast members]].

An [[Animated Adaptation]] was broadcast from September, 1987 to January, 1989. It depicted Gordon's life on Melmac before he came to earth. It introduced Gordon's family members and friends , such as little sister Augie and girlfriend Rhonda (both voiced by Paulina Gillis). A villain threatening Melmac was also introduced to add some tension. He was called Larson Petty (a pun on petty larceny). The show had its own [[Spin Off]], ''ALF Tales'', which had the characters as [[Animated Actors]] performing [[Fractured Fairy Tale|modernized versions of classic stories]].

An [[Animated Adaptation]] was broadcast from September, 1987 to January, 1989. It depicted Gordon's life on Melmac before he came to earth. It introduced Gordon's family members and friends , such as little sister Augie and girlfriend Rhonda (both voiced by Paulina Gillis). A villain threatening Melmac was also introduced to add some tension. He was called Larson Petty (a pun on petty larceny). The show had its own [[Spin-Off]], ''ALF Tales'', which had the characters as [[Animated Actors]] performing [[Fractured Fairy Tale|modernized versions of classic stories]].

There was also a comic book adaptation which tended to play down the sitcom aspects in favor of giving him strange technological toys; it seemed more inspired by the [[Animated Adaptation]] than the original sitcom and would in fact often include stories set on Melmac, usually with the framing story of Alf telling the Tanners of life on his home planet. (Willie and Kate, for some unnexplained reason, found these [[Flash Back|flashbacks]] incredibly tedious. Lynn was fairly indifferent to them, and Brian loved them.)

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* [[The Television Talks Back]]: A regular occurance on the [[Animated Adaptation]]. People even reach through the screen to grab the Shumways from time to time.

* [[They Would Cut You Up|They'd Cut You Up]]

* [[Ugly Guy Hot Wife]]: Willie and Kate Tanner. Apparently, the kids more closely resemble the mother.

* [[Ugly Guy, Hot Wife]]: Willie and Kate Tanner. Apparently, the kids more closely resemble the mother.

* [[Ugly Guys Hot Daughter]]: Lynn Tanner.

* [[Whole Episode Flashback]]:The comic would often include these to tell stories set on Melmac. These stories were either stories of Alf's own life, with the setting from the cartoon, or parodies of famous stories or historical events, starring an [[Expy]] of Alf (sometimes one of his ancestors).