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ALF 1986

“Got cat?”

★ 7.6/10 · 1,240 votes TV-G ComedyFamilySci-Fi & Fantasy 4 seasons · 101 eps Ended
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Quick answer

What is ALF?

ALF is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 22, 1986, to March 24, 1990. Created by Paul Fusco and Tom Patchett, the series follows the adventures of a furry alien who comes to live with a suburban California family.

Type
TV series
Year
1986
Status
Ended
Episodes
101
Runtime
23 minutes
First aired
Sep 22, 1986
Last aired
Mar 24, 1990
Original language
EN
Origin
US
Networks
NBC
Genres
Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Updated
Availability by region

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Overview

ALF is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 22, 1986, to March 24, 1990. Created by Paul Fusco and Tom Patchett, the series follows the adventures of a furry alien who comes to live with a suburban California family. The titular character, whose real name is Gordon Shumway, is an acronym for Alien Life Form. Originally from the planet Melmac, he crash-lands his spacecraft into the garage of the Tanner family. The family treats him as a guest and allows him to live in their home, where he frequently comments on the nature of mankind. The show features a cast including Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, and Mihaly Meszaros. As a wise-cracking creature who enjoys eating cats, the protagonist navigates life with his new hosts throughout the duration of the program. The series concluded its run in March 1990 after four years of production. The show is recognized as a classic television production that reflects the style of its decade.

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Should you watch it?

“A wisecracking alien from the planet Melmac crash lands and moves in with a suburban family.”

Reasons to watch
  • classic eighties nostalgia
  • humorous alien antics
Keep in mind
  • dated production style
  • some viewers find the tone specific to its era

Watch it if you enjoy classic eighties sitcoms featuring extraterrestrial fish-out-of-water stories.

The series is a lighthearted family sitcom appropriate for general audiences.

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Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 26 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 25 episodes
Season 3 · 26 episodes
Season 4 · 24 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What does ALF stand for?

ALF is an acronym for Alien Life Form.

Where is the alien from?

The character is from the planet Melmac.

Who does the alien live with?

ALF lives with the Tanner family after crashing into their garage.

What is the alien's real name?

The character's real name is Gordon Shumway.

When did the show originally air?

The series aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990.