NBC canceling Alf ater only four seasons

[TMC]

Originally Posted by glickmam

Indeed, I really would have liked it if ALF was actually a benefit, and not a hindrance, and that the humans around him were suffering misfortune only as a result of their own undoing.

I was thinking, how much longer could they keep the whole premise of the Tanners have to keep their extraterrestrial friend a secret going? I mean, how many episodes can you do from that house and keep things fresh?

ALF kind of struck me as a parody or a sitcom variant of the movie ET. The unplanned series finale in 1990 seemed to be the getting to the part in the second half of ET where the government agents raid and quarantine Elliot's house.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

There is an article about Alf from I think Cracked.com which states that it was one of the most difficult shows to do which included trapped doors in the floor. This is the article. According to Andrea Elson who played the daughter, everyone would have “lost it” of the show went went more year. Supposedly the puppeteer was somewhat of a control freak.

https://www.cracked.com/article_135_...bers-life.html

While I don’t know, it seems that Max Wright having to play a supporting role to a puppet had to have some challenges to say the least. I am sure the pay was excellent but still.

Yep, Max Wright in later interviews admitted that after the last episode, he had his items packed and was ready to leave. He didn't stick around for the season finale party which ended up being the last time the cast got together as NBC pulled the plug. He also stated that he would not have came back for a 5th season and a few other actors felt the same way so that also weighed into the cancelation as production was tough for the show and no one liked being in a sitcom playing second fiddle to a puppet. I've seen it where shows did end solely because the actors were done with the roles and were ready to move on. The movie should have aired in Summer 91 or 92 at the latest, by 1996, no one had cared and so much time had passed and not to mention, the Tanners were not seen nor mentioned in the film.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by TMC

I was thinking, how much longer could they keep the whole premise of the Tanners have to keep their extraterrestrial friend a secret going? I mean, how many episodes can you do from that house and keep things fresh?

ALF kind of struck me as a parody or a sitcom variant of the movie ET. The unplanned series finale in 1990 seemed to be the getting to the part in the second half of ET where the government agents raid and quarantine Elliot's house.

Sci-Fi was really a trending theme in the 1980s with many sitcoms and shows playing off it but it was becoming stale by 1989 and 1990. Small Wonder was played out to many people even though some argued it had another season or two left in it but Jeremy Suprian stated he was growing tired of that show and wanted to move on to other roles (sadly, he wasn't seen in anything major since the cancelation of the series and was last reported working as a steakhouse server and homeless).

[rusty spike]

I think the show ran out of gas after the 2nd season.

I always thought Alf and Sophia from Golden Girls were on par because they were so brash and unlikable.

[BestTVever]

Originally Posted by rusty spike

I think the show ran out of gas after the 2nd season.

I always thought Alf and Sophia from Golden Girls were on par because they were so brash and unlikable.

I agree with you that the show ran out of gas after the second season. However the censors ruined the show. Alf was supposed to be much more cutting edge but NBC knew kids watched and his behavior and lines were curtailed to much more boring. There was an early episode where Alf put a cat in the microwave and child watched and did the same to their cat. His parents had a fit and contacted NBC. Its sad what Alf could have been.

On another note, what other sitcom left fans hanging. The last episode has Alf almost recused by his alien family and it was to be continued to the next season. Well that season never happened so we never know if he got rescued or captured by the government.