ALF Reboot in Development at Warner Bros.

[lime]

Hide your cats, earthlings, because that crazy, cynical Melmacian ALF is returning to TV. According to TVLine, Warner Bros. is in the early stages of rebooting the hit sitcom, and is presently looking for a writer to “spearhead the update.”

Gordon Shumway, a.k.a. ALF, was voiced by Paul Fusco, who likewise operated the puppet, and co-created the series along with Tom Patchett. As of now, Fusco’s involvement in the reboot remains unclear. Though, it must be said, he has continually tried to revive the popular alien over the years, and was rumored to be actively developing a CGI-animated film in 2012 with Sony Pictures.

ALF first appeared on NBC on September 22, 1986 and ran for 99 episodes until its rather abrupt cancellation on March 24, 1990. ALF’s final episode teased viewers with the immortal “to be continued” tagline, but, alas, a proper finale never materialized. Instead, the character has appeared in various media forms, including a TV movie entitled Project: ALF in 1996, which was meant to provide closure to the show despite featuring none of the original cast; a comic book published by Marvel Comics, which ran for four years and totaled 50 issues; ALF: The Animated Series, which served as a prequel and ran on Saturday mornings from 1987-1988; and even ALF’s Hit Talk Show, which featured the titular alien in a late night talk show format, complete with sidekick Ed McMahon. The character also made guest appearances on other TV shows such as Blossom, Hollywood Squares, and The Simpsons, among others.

The original TV show followed the exploits of ALF, an alien from the planet Melmac, who crash lands on Earth and befriends the Tanner family. The Tanners, headed by Willie (Max Wright), Kate (Anne Schedeen), Lynn (Andrea Elson), and Brian (Benji Gregory), hide the alien from the Alien Task Force, and deal with his day-to-day shenanigans.

For scenes featuring ALF’s full body, Mihaly Meszaros performed the alien’s actions.

Interesting...

 

[lime]

Ugh...sorry I did not see the comingsoon at the end. Please a moderator to change the title.

 

[Teelie]

I'm game for it. I really doubt it will be great but why the hell not? ALF got cancelled on a cliffhanger nearly 30 years ago and the idea of them picking up now could be entertaining. There is another article on Variety saying one pitch is to pick up with ALF escaping Area 51 after being there all this time.

One idea that has reportedly been discussed for the reboot would involve ALF emerging from Area 51–where he has been held captive since the original series finale–and observing how much the world has changed since that time.

 

[superhero]

they did remake alf couple years ago!!! it was on tv land but it was kind of like talk show but as alf as the host but it didn't last long!!

 

[Dark Raven]

I only just saw this thread now. I'd be up for an ALF reboot. Apparently he's going to be with a different family now.

I hope they keep the theme tune but update it.

they did remake alf couple years ago!!! it was on tv land but it was kind of like talk show but as alf as the host but it didn't last long!!

The talk show thing he was in was not really the same as a situational comedy with a family. It wasn't so much a remake as just trying to feature him in a different format. A late night chat show doesn't quite work for him though because of the complexities of the puppetry. Even the original show couldn't actually film before a live studio audience.

I'm game for it. I really doubt it will be great but why the hell not? ALF got cancelled on a cliffhanger nearly 30 years ago and the idea of them picking up now could be entertaining. There is another article on Variety saying one pitch is to pick up with ALF escaping Area 51 after being there all this time.

They'd have to take into account the TV movie Project ALF. He was captured and experimented on, but eventually was able to escape and life in peace here on earth while the Tanners were in protective custody.

You can watch the movie in parts on YouTube here: