ALF's Paul Fusco enjoyed creating shows for families and kids
Earth has not been the same since ALF the alien crash-landed in 1986. ALF, who hailed from the planet Melmac, was one of the most recognizable aliens of all-time and became a cultural phenomenon by the late 80s.
One could even argue that ALF was more out of this world than E.T. was.
For those that don't know, the series ALF revolved around the Tanner family who discovered the alien in their garage. ALF becomes part of their family while they keep him hidden and try to help him return to his planet.
Paul Fusco was the man who helped bring ALF to earth. He was the co-creator, the voice of ALF and he brought the alien to life through his skill set in puppetry.
According to a 1988 interview with The Courier-News, Fusco said ALF was meant to be a program that was for everyone. No matter your age, the slapstick humor and heavy one-liners was something anyone could find funny.
"This is what I'm all about," Fusco said. "My background is kids' and family programs. There are not enough shows that parents can watch with their kids and feel they're being entertained. And the kids, even if they don't always get the joke, will be enchanted."
ALF the alien life-form found a happy home on NBC for four seasons. At the time, there were only a few shows aimed at children. Fusco said he wanted to provide children with the opportunity to be inspired by and learn from someone who wasn't from earth.
"There's nothing on that kids can laugh at," Fusco said. "What are the shows? Turtles, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice. They like things that are on the verge of disgusting - slimy characters. But there's nothing they can laugh at."
Fusco said his love for children's programs stemmed from him watching Captain Kangaroo as a kid. He had been working hard to fill the void ever since.
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According to the interview, he and co-creator, Tom Patchett, were making their pitch for ALF to NBC executives when Fusco noticed that "The NBC executives started to look at each other and roll their eyes," Fusco said.
Explain ALF to anyone and it would sound like a fever dream, or a nightmare, depending on how you explain the story of ALF. "We were dead in the water," Fusco added. So, he called in someone could help sell any pitch: ALF himself.
"ALF sat next to Brandon, and they just stared at each other for a minute," Fusco said. "Then ALF picked his nose and wiped his finger on Brandon's sleeve. The room broke up. In five minutes, ALF and Brandon we talking to each other. I knew we were home free."
Sometimes seeing really is believing. Fusco said despite receiving some criticism for its reliance on slapstick comedy, the series left a lasting impact on pop culture, spawning merchandise, a spin-off and an animated series.
However, ALF wasn't just for kids, adults could identify with the alien too. Despite being sarcastic, mouthy and obnoxious with a slight appetite for cats and kittens, ALF was able to give viewers an out of this world perspective on the world we lived in.