The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›TV series›ALF
Entertainment • TV series

ALF

ALF is an American science-fiction sitcom created by Tom Patchett and Paul Fusco that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

ALF is an American science-fiction sitcom created by Tom Patchett and Paul Fusco that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990. It follows Gordon Shumway, an alien nicknamed ALF (“Alien Life Form”), who crashes into the garage of the Tanner family and lives with them in secret. The series was performed and co-created by Paul Fusco, who puppeteered the title character.

Premise

The series follows ALF, an extraterrestrial from the planet Melmac who lands in the garage of the Tanner family in suburban California. The family hides him from neighbours and authorities while dealing with his disruptive behaviour and attempts to adjust to Earth life.

Production

ALF was created by Tom Patchett and Paul Fusco and produced by Alien Productions. The title character was portrayed by puppeteer Paul Fusco.

Broadcast history

The series originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990 and ran for four seasons. It later appeared in syndication, with the episode count often listed as 100 after three hour-long episodes were divided into two parts.

Franchise and follow-up

The franchise included *ALF: The Animated Series*, which explored ALF's life on Melmac before Earth, and the 1996 television film *Project: ALF*, intended to provide closure after the series finale cliffhanger.

Key facts

  • The series centers on the Tanner family and an alien named Gordon Shumway, known as ALF.
  • ALF is an acronym for “Alien Life Form.”
  • Paul Fusco performed the title character and co-created the show with Tom Patchett.
  • The original run lasted four seasons and 97 episodes, with three one-hour episodes later split for syndication.
  • The show ended with an unresolved cliffhanger; the 1996 film *Project: ALF* was released as a franchise finale.
🍁
Canadian context

ALF was widely distributed in North America and remains a recognizable U.S. sitcom for Canadian viewers through later reruns and streaming availability.

Frequently asked questions

What does ALF stand for?
ALF stands for “Alien Life Form.”
Who created ALF?
The series was created by Tom Patchett and Paul Fusco.
When did ALF originally air?
It originally aired from 1986 to 1990 on NBC.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Gordon Shumway, an alien from Melmac who is called ALF after arriving on Earth.
How many episodes does ALF have?
The original run had 97 episodes, or 100 in syndication after three one-hour episodes were split into two parts.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series premise, creators, cast, run dates, episode counts, and franchise follow-up.
  2. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alf/1000139838/
    Supports: Premise describing ALF as an alien visitor living with the Tanner family.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090390/
    Supports: Basic series identification and premise.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF:_The_Animated_Series
    Supports: Animated prequel series and its relation to the original show.