Here's the reason Paul Fusco believed everyone loved ALF
When ALF crash-landed on Earth in 1986, pop culture was never quite the same. The lovable, wisecracking alien from Melmac had a taste for cats, a knack for finding trouble, and quickly earned his place alongside E.T. as one of the most iconic aliens.
For a classic TV sitcom, the premise of ALF was as far out there as his original home planet. While many fans loved the furry alien, others found it hard to get into the series, often skipping it in favor of shows with a fully human cast.
Lead star Paul Fusco—the creator, puppeteer, and voice behind ALF—could name a few reasons he believed ALF was one of the best aliens of our time, even for people who weren’t fans of the cat-eating creature.
According to a 1988 interview with The Courier-News, Fusco said ALF was everywhere. There were stuffed animals, air fresheners, candy dispensers, bed sheets, towels, and more—all with ALF’s face on them.
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Burger King even offered four different stuffed ALFs as part of an advertising campaign, which Fusco said sold faster than Whoppers.
"People like ALF because he says what's on his mind," Fusco said. "He says things we'd like to say, but don't. And I think his outrageousness appeals to a lot of people, too."
In addition to ALF becoming a pop culture icon, the series soared in weekly ratings on NBC, so much so that it was followed by a weekly animated sitcom in 1987.
Fusco said another reason for ALF’s popularity is that he added a dash of pizzazz to the boring household of the Tanners. If it weren’t for him, the onscreen family would be less likable.
"The demographics are incredible," Fusco said. “Obviously, many children watch him, but he’s also popular with college students, blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, yuppies, men, women, and even senior citizens."
But why have an alien as the centerpiece of a TV series? Fusco had an answer for that, too.
"I liked the idea of someone being able to comment on the world, someone who could say anything about it because he's not responsible for anything," Fusco said. "He just appears out of no where into this crazy world. The idea of an alien seemed perfect."