A Beloved ‘80s Character Is Making A Huge Comeback
Reboots and remakes are everywhere these days. From Ghostbusters to Gumby, all of our favorite classics are getting the onscreen makeover treatment and now...
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Reboots and remakes are everywhere these days. From Ghostbusters to Gumby, all of our favorite classics are getting the onscreen makeover treatment and now the late ’80s sitcom, ALF, is next in line. Deadline reports that the distribution rights for the fuzzy alien have been sold by Lionsgate to Shout! Factory. Teaming up with Alien Productions, the two companies have their eyes set on bringing the original series, as well as its two animated spinoffs and singular film offshoot, back to screens everywhere. This is while also creating their own content surrounding the world of ALF.
The news of the acquisition was made by Shout! co-founders and CEOs, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos, as well as Alien Productions team, Paul Fusco and Brian Patchett. Both teams hope to bring the puppet-led show to digital media platforms, streaming-based domestic syndications, and on-demand programming. Prior to the new takeover, fans could catch the series on streaming service Tubi, in a deal that Fox struck with Lionsgate.
Running on NBC from 1986 until 1990, ALF told the story of a sarcastic, brown, furry alien named Gordon Shumway. While zooming through space after leaving his home planet, Melmac, Gordon’s craft took a dive and crashed into a garage. Luckily for him, the garage belonged to the Tanner’s, a kind sitcom family. Quickly showing their new visitor generosity and care, the Tanner’s boarded the misplaced extraterrestrial, deciding to rename and call him ALF (Alien Life Form). Through countless hijinks, the Tanners and ALF found themselves in strange situations, but would always come together to get through it. A household hit, the series was the brainchild of Tom Patchett, who fans may know from his work on The Carol Burnett Show, and Paul Fusco, who also served the series as the puppeteer for the titular ALF.
Boasting a huge docket of content, Shout! Factory gained exclusive U.S. rights to ALF across its streaming service, Shout! Factory TV. The list of content includes 102 episodes of the original live-action series, 26 episodes of ALF: The Animated Series, 21 episodes of the animated ALF Tales, made-for-TV movie Project: ALF as well as the rights to create new pieces based around the storyline of the lovable alien. In a statement released to celebrate the ALF takeover, Shout’s SVP of programming and new business development, Jeffrey Peisch, shared his enthusiasm for bringing the beloved show back to screens everywhere and working with the original creators, Paul Fusco and Tom Patchett. Peisch also referred to the series as an “instant classic” and is confident that it will continue to bring in viewers from “multiple generations.”
Following the failed reboot of the series by Warner Bros. Television in 2018, we are happy to see that we can expect new stories to be told around the witty and charismatic alien. Though no more information has been released at this time, hopefully, we will see ALF again soon. And whatever the new content may bring, let’s just hope it doesn’t involve ALF finally getting his wish of eating the family dog.
