Ever Wondered How They Made ALF? The Furry Alien’s Secrets Revealed!
Let’s talk ALF. You know him, right? The funny alien from Melmac? This guy crashed into our TV sets in the late 80s. Bringing him to life was no easy task. It took puppets, suits, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Let’s explore how they pulled off that chaos.
The Many Faces (and Bodies) of ALF
How did they make ALF move and talk? It wasn’t just one method. ALF required a team effort. He was both a puppet and a person in a suit. Think of him as a shape-shifting alien with more felt and fewer real transformations.
- Puppet Master Extraordinaire: Paul Fusco
The brilliant mind behind ALF is Paul Fusco. He was not just the creator; he voiced and operated the puppet too. Fusco controlled ALF during most scenes. He gave us all those classic zingers. Imagine hearing that voice all day. It’s funny and a bit scary.
- The Man Inside the Fur: Michu Meszaros
For the full-body shots, they needed someone in a suit. Enter Michu Meszaros, a Hungarian actor who stood 33 inches tall. Michu wore the ALF suit in the first two seasons, handling the walking and alien antics. He passed away in 2016, but his contribution brought ALF to life. He embodied the character completely.
Animatronics: Puppets with a Tech Upgrade
ALF wasn’t just a puppet; he was an animatronic puppet. Think of animatronics as puppets that have gone high-tech. They use remote controls to move and express feelings. This tech made ALF seem more alive. It was clever engineering, allowing for nuanced movements.
The Puppet Dream Team
Bringing ALF to life needed a crew. It was like a furry sitcom Frankenstein. It was a puppet ensemble instead of a one-person job.
- Fusco: The Head Honcho (and Arm Controller)
Paul Fusco handled ALF’s head and one arm. He orchestrated big movements, ensuring ALF’s expressions matched the dialogue. It required great coordination.
- The Second Arm Specialist
A second puppeteer controlled ALF’s other arm. This made for natural-looking arm movements. Imagine coordinating two arms while hidden under a stage. Puppeteering is serious work.
- The Face Whisperer
A third puppeteer controlled ALF’s eyes and facial expressions remotely. Here, animatronics truly shined. This puppeteer commanded the subtleties, showing surprise or mischief on ALF’s face. It’s all in the eyes, after all.
The Secret Stage: ALF’s Hidden World
To create the puppet magic, they built a special sound stage. It was raised four feet off the ground, letting Fusco and others hide below to operate ALF while filming. Imagine it as ALF’s secret lair under the Tanner’s living room. It must have been cramped down there!
Who Exactly IS ALF? Unpacking the Alien Enigma
Beyond puppets and suits, there’s ALF’s character. Where did he come from? Let’s explore his backstory.
Planet Melmac: Home Sweet… Exploded Home?
ALF stands for “Alien Life Form.” He hails from Melmac. That was his home until it blew up back in 1980. Poor ALF is a refugee from this galactic disaster. A sad story for such a funny character.
Melmacian: Not Your Average Alien Species
ALF is not just any alien; he is a Melmacian. Melmacians are unique. They supposedly have eight stomachs. Eight! That explains his constant hunger. It’s just biology at play.
Gordon Shumway: The Name Behind the Fur
We know him as ALF, but his real name is Gordon Shumway. Gordon Shumway from Melmac. This name sounds almost normal, doesn’t it? It’s like discovering your quirky neighbor has an ordinary name.
A Gourmet Alien Diet (Cats and Creamed Corn, Mostly)
Let’s discuss food. ALF has some peculiar tastes. Two things top his list:
- Cats: A Melmacian Delicacy?
Yes, ALF is famous for his interest in cats, particularly his desire to eat them. Lucky, the Tanner family cat, always tempts him. It’s a running gag throughout the show, though Lucky always escapes ALF’s clutches.
- Creamed Corn: The Comfort Food of the Cosmos
When he’s not eyeing up the cat, ALF loves creamed corn. Seriously? Creamed corn! It’s a staple for him, a taste of home. An odd choice for comfort food but who are we to judge?
“ALF” The Show: A Hilarious, Troubled Run
The “ALF” TV show aired from 1986 to 1990. It brought us four seasons of funny alien antics. But the story behind the show is a rollercoaster.
Premiere, Cancellation, and a Smith Prince
The show premiered in 1986 and ended in 1990. Then it got canceled. NBC wanted to make space for “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” starring Will Smith. Yes, you read that right! “ALF” got the boot for a fresh prince. A TV shake-up! The cancellation left “ALF” with a cliffhanger ending that we’ll discuss next.
The Cliffhanger That Never Resolved (Properly)
The series finale left ALF captured by the Alien Task Force. DUN DUN DUN! This cliffhanger was meant for leading into a fifth season, hinting at ALF’s fate. But alas, we never got that season. Thanks, Fresh Prince! Fans wondered about our furry alien’s fate.
- “Project: ALF”: The Movie That Tried (and Mostly Failed)
Years later, a TV movie named “Project: ALF” was released in 1996. It aimed to wrap up that cliffhanger storyline but failed to give closure. Fans deemed it non-canon due to poor writing and absent original cast members.
Technical Nightmares and Tense Sets
Behind the scenes, things were not smooth for “ALF.” It was technically demanding to operate ALF with puppets and suits, leading to long shooting schedules.
- Cast Discontent: Puppets vs. People
Reports say tensions arose on set, particularly during later seasons. Max Wright, who played Willie Tanner, disliked working with a puppet. Imagine being overshadowed by an alien! Some claimed cast relations were okay; others pointed to high tensions for Wright.
Why We Loved (and Still Love) ALF
Despite drama behind the scenes and abrupt cancellation, people loved ALF – they still do! Why?
According to Paul Fusco, “People like ALF because he says what’s on his mind. He says things we’d like to say but don’t. His outrageousness appeals to people, too.” ALF unleashed our thoughts. He was unfiltered and funny. He expressed what we thought but didn’t say. In a world of polite families, ALF was chaotic fun.
The People Behind the Puppet: Key Players in the ALF Saga
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Bringing ALF to life involved more than puppets. It was about the people who made it happen. Here are key players:
- Paul Fusco: The Architect of ALF
Paul Fusco is the ultimate ALF creator. He was the voice, puppeteer, writer, and producer. He dreamed up ALF, gave him life, and made stories. Fusco even used the ALF puppet to joke with family before the show existed. That’s commitment!
- Michu Meszaros: The Body of ALF (Seasons 1-2)
Michu Meszaros wore the ALF suit in early seasons. He gave ALF physical presence. Sadly, he has passed away, but his contribution is clear. Rest in peace, Michu. Your work lives on.
- Max Wright: Poor Willie Tanner (RIP)
Max Wright played Willie Tanner and passed away in 2019. Despite his dislike for the puppet, he was perfect for the role. His reactions were priceless as ALF caused chaos. RIP Max; your humor brought joy.
- Benji Gregory: Brian Tanner (Gone Too Soon)
Benji Gregory, who played young Brian Tanner, passed away in June 2024 at 46 years old. Another sad loss for the ALF family. He was the cute kid tangled in ALF’s schemes. Gone too soon, Benji.
Where is ALF Now? The Alien’s 21st-Century Comeback
So, what’s ALF up to now? Is he still around? Yes! ALF is making a comeback.
- The Original Puppet Lives On (with Fusco)
The original ALF puppet, voiced and operated by Paul Fusco, is still alive and kicking (or being puppeteered). Fusco owns it and still uses it for events. ALF is not just a memory; he is here in puppet form.
- Ryan Reynolds: Resurrecting ALF for a New Generation
Here’s a twist: Ryan Reynolds is reviving ALF! Reynolds, through his production company Maximum Effort, has teamed with fubo for segments with ALF. Yes, Deadpool and ALF are together now. Prepare for ALF on your streaming services!
This is the story of ALF, from puppetry to behind-the-scenes drama and a surprising revival. He’s more than just a furry alien; he’s pop culture history. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly crave creamed corn… and I’ll watch the cat closely.
