ALF (1986)
The lovably obnoxious alien who crash-landed into America's living rooms — and never quite left.
ALF - Series Information
- Original Title: ALF
- First Air Year: 1986
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: Paul Fusco, Tom Patchett
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Family, Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 23 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 101
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 22, 1986 (United States - NR), September 22, 1986 (Germany - 0), September 22, 1986 (France - NR), September 22, 1986 (Australia - G), September 22, 1986 (Brazil - L), September 22, 1986 (Mexico - AA), September 22, 1986 (Italy - T), September 22, 1986 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Alf, Uma Coisa do Outro Mundo (PT), アルフ (JP), Alf, o E. Teimoso (BR)
- Production Companies: Alien Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
ALF - Plot
A furry alien wiseguy comes to live with a terran family after crashing into their garage.
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ALF - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Paul Fusco
- Tom Patchett
Main Cast
- Paul Fusco
- Max Wright
- Anne Schedeen
- Andrea Elson
- Benji Gregory
- John LaMotta
- Liz Sheridan
- Josh Blake
- Anne Meara
- Jim J. Bullock
Writers
- Steve Pepoon
- Lisa A. Bannick
- Paul Fusco
- Bob Bendetson
- David Adam Silverman
Executive Producers
- Tom Patchett
ALF - FAQs
Where can you stream ALF online today?
ALF is available to stream on several platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, fuboTV, and Pluto TV. You can also rent or purchase episodes through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Shout! Factory TV, and Xumo Play.
Is ALF based on a real alien or true events?
ALF is entirely fictional. The character — whose name stands for Alien Life Form — was created by Paul Fusco, who also provided the voice and operated the puppet. The show is a comedic fantasy sitcom with no basis in real events, drawing humor from the culture clash between an extraterrestrial and an ordinary American family.
Who are the main cast members of ALF?
The main cast includes Paul Fusco as the voice of ALF, Max Wright as Willie Tanner, Anne Schedeen as Kate Tanner, Andrea Elson as Lynn Tanner, and Benji Gregory as Brian Tanner. Recurring players include John LaMotta, Liz Sheridan, Josh Blake, Anne Meara, and Jim J. Bullock.
Why did ALF end after Season 4?
ALF concluded after four seasons primarily due to declining ratings and behind-the-scenes tensions on set. The series ended on a cliffhanger in 1990 when ALF is captured by the Alien Task Force, leaving fans without a proper resolution. A TV movie, Project: ALF, was produced in 1996 to wrap up the storyline.
What is ALF about?
ALF follows a sarcastic, cat-obsessed alien named ALF — short for Alien Life Form — who crash-lands into the garage of the Tanner family in suburban California. The comedy centers on the family's efforts to hide their unusual houseguest from nosy neighbors and government agents while navigating his outrageous antics and cultural misunderstandings.
How many seasons and episodes does ALF have?
ALF ran for four main seasons on NBC, comprising 101 episodes in total. Season 1 had 26 episodes, Season 2 had 25, Season 3 had 26, and Season 4 had 24. An additional collection of 12 special episodes is also catalogued, bringing the full episode count including specials to 113.
What is the content rating for ALF?
ALF carries a TV-G content rating in the United States, making it suitable for general audiences of all ages. The show's gentle humor, family-friendly storylines, and absence of mature content made it a popular choice for family viewing throughout its original NBC run from 1986 to 1990.
Did ALF win any awards during its run?
ALF earned recognition during its run, most notably receiving an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Special Visual Effects in 1987 for the innovative puppet work that brought the title character to life. The show was also nominated for multiple Young Artist Awards, reflecting its strong appeal among younger audiences throughout its four-season run.
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