Explore every episode of the podcast ALFsplaining

"ALF is worried about Willie when a criminal resembling him is profiled on a crime-stopper TV show."

As we've discovered over three seasons, Willie Tanner is a lot of things but could he be a bigamist swindler? That's the question on everyone's lips - plus whatever ALF has instead of lips - in this fun, multiple Willie-themed show.

Can Ben Baker and John Matthews handle all those Willies? As if you well need to ask. All will become clear - as will special guest David Alan Grier - in this new edition of ALFsplaining.

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"ALF is accidentally photographed by a tabloid photographer."

Or is that a lie? Well, no but it does bring up a trope that has plagued us since episode one - how does nobody notice ALF sticking his hooter through the kitchen portal every single episode?

Your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are sneaking in your van to eat all your film in this romp featuring our absolutely favourite ALF thing - Willie making up increasing amounts of old bollocks to get out of a situation the alien has put him in. Damn you paparazzo!

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"ALF earns the right to babysit Eric."

You asked - so we did! Although please don't call us (your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews) 'baby', that is a private name between us and our lord ALF. And would you believe it we're onto talking about the fourth and final series of the US sitcom about the hairy houseguest from space.

And after a kind of rough season 3 we're very much hoping for calmer weather here. Just don't let ALF lose a baby or anything.

Oh.

Well, we're sure it will be fine....

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The second part of our look back at the entire third series of ALF and this very podcast presented by Double Sided Heavy Duty 3m Clear Sticky Tape (Unbranded) gets round to the listeners' questions. As ever, you played a blinder with some eye-opening, funny and smart missives inquiring about all things Shumway from past, present and future. And maybe some of the smells too.

Note: If this is your first time to ALFsplaining - for crikey's sake - don’t start with this one! Its a looser chat than our usual edited reviews but it'll be the last one until September so hear all the others first and build up to it.

Want more sidebar Splaining in your eyes and ears and other extremities? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

And for all your Double Sided Heavy Duty 3m Clear Sticky Tape (Unbranded) needs, please buy Double Sided Heavy Duty 3m Clear Sticky Tape (Unbranded)

Can that really be another full season of the Old ALFer's adventures done? What will Ben Baker and John Matthews do when its over? Well, the same old nonsense probably which is on full display in this special looking at the third run of both ALF and ALFsplaining which is only slightly in the shadow of powdered egg and child endangerment.

Its such a big season to discuss that we've split this into two parts so join us next week for even more hoof-gazing and your personal questions!

NOTE: This was recorded before we learned of the sad death of Anne Schedeen although we remain huge fans throughout. R.I.P. to a great actress.

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Its another very special ALFsplaining, friends! And, despite everything, Ben Baker and John Matthews are being trusted with a guest! Someone who was actually on screen in "ALF" too! ...and not even Sassy Plumber Number Three or anything but an ongoing character!

Josh Blake has quickly become one of our favourites in season three of ALF with his increased role as Jake Ochmonek, the streetwise nephew of the Tanner's gawdy but loveable neighbours.

He's worked with some of the biggest names in the business and popped up in shows like "The Wonder Years", "Home Improvement" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch".

We spent an hour in his company recently and he was happy to answer all our questions and give his own personal take on everything from the supposed on set dramas to being a recognised child actor - not to mention what happens when you stop being one.

For this interview in full video visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGgX95TPapw&https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGgX95TPapw&

or join the Patreon for your very own hi-def downloadable copy., along with hours of extra bonus content on all things ALF extended universe. https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF re-enacts scenes from The Dick Van Dyke Show, as Kate prepares to give birth."

A series of comical events mean Dick Van Dyke is without his trousers at work.

Hang on, wrong script...

It's here! It's finally here! After a season battered by strikes, unexpected pregnancies and various other emergencies, Kate is about to give birth to that most beautiful thing - the end of the series. Due to a series of comical events mean they are without their trousers, Ben Baker and John Matthews are smoking cigars in the waiting room who have birthed another year of top flight podcasts about Melmac's favourite son. God bless us all!

Want to support another series of the show and entertain yourselves in the off-season with our many audio and video exclusives from the Shumway extended universe? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"After experiencing a mild earthquake, ALF prepares for the worst."

Time for a quick tremble? ALF certainly doesn't as he faces his first of Los Angeles' seemingly common quakes and goes into several modes - all of them troubling and weird. Just another day at the ALF factory then with your head foremen Ben Baker and John Matthews.

Want to get in our protective bunker? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund the next season of ALFsplaining whilst receiving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details:

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"With some old movies to entertain him, ALF imagines in black and white that he and the Tanners are silent movie stars."

It's a dream sequence episode....no, wait it's an obsession of the week episode....hang on, wait - can it be both? Kings of the golden silents Ben Baker and John Matthews crank the film up to see what chaos the little scamp is going to get into next. But mostly just end up explaining a lot of inaudible jokes.

Want to help our meager possessions? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund ALFsplaining whilst receiving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details:

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"Jake's mother (Randee Heller) visits him and ALF catches her stealing Kate's brooch."

The prospect of an episode based entirely around the Pat Benetar-faced teenage neighbour of the Tanners would have filled us with misery once upon a time but Ben Baker and John Matthews have come to enjoy his interactions with our beloved furry pal so this should be a good one. Just watch your jewellery...

Want to get our mams out of chokey? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund future episodes of ALFsplaining with monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details:

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"To prepare Brian for his Boy Scout trip, ALF and Jake camp out to overcome his fear of the outdoors at night."

We always suspected ALF was a midnight creeper and now we have the proof as Ben Baker and John Matthews grab their bivouacs for an evening under the stars with a couple of young friends. There's nothing funny about it....but when did that stop ALFsplaining, eh?

Want to help us buy a roof for the tent? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund ALFsplaining whilst getting monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details:

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"ALF acquires an ant farm and then arranges a funeral after the ants die."

Death comes for us all one day and for some ants ALF has had about five minutes that moment arrives midway through this episode where he experiences grief apparently for the first time. Despite all that "planet with everyone he knew and loved exploding" business. Stood paying their respects are Ben Baker and John Matthews, your ushers into the next life....and beyond.

Want to follow our casket? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund this season of ALFsplaining whilst recieving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

This episode is dedicated to Spunky. He sure could dig.

"Thanks to ALF's mismanaged phone calls, Lynn gets two dates with Danny and Randy for a dance."

Well that sounds like...a different sitcom. And indeed this week we are pivoting to "LynnSplaining" as the absence of other characters means she takes the driving seat in a plot ripped straight from "Saved by the Bell".

Is ALF off doing one of his special secret South African concert appearances? No, he's definitely there but as for how much.... well, you'll have to join Ben Baker and John Matthews to find out within.

Want to reward our patience with a timer? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund this season of ALFsplaining whilst recieving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"ALF blames his streak of bad luck on a Melmac superstition of burning a history book"

Its time for another bewitching trip into Tannerland with the King of All Our Fates, Mr Shumway. We delve deep into Melmac lore for a distinctly meaty sort of ritual. Doing the Hokey Pokey alongside them are your regular hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews.

Want to ward off the evils of Earth based terribleness? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund this season of ALFsplaining whilst recieving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining which has just uploaded a new episode: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"Jake has a crush on a girl at school named Laura but cannot express his feelings. ALF, inspired by the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, ghostwrites love letters for Jake."

Its time for proclamations of love from the lad with the big snout - yes Cyrano de Melmac is let loose on the emotions of a teenage boy...and it might actually work? There's even a guest star who went on to be quite famous! Your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are in the bushes with their binoculars scoping all the action. But whats new?

In love with what we do? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help fund this season of ALFsplaining whilst recieving monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining too: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"An extortionist threatens to turn ALF in to the immigration authorities for being an illegal alien."

Its a high stakes adventure as ALF shifts into being the paranoid sci-fi thriller it always could've been with a suprisingly suspenseful tale that could still play strongly in the modern climate. Ben Baker and John Matthews are in the middle of it with one of those big conspiracy boards covered in string trying to put together the pieces.

Like what we do? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and help us flush out this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining too: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"When Raquel plans a surprise baby shower for Kate, one of the neighbours brings her baby to the party. Meanwhile, ALF has an allergic reaction to a baby and tries to move in with Jake."

Oh hey, Kate is pregnant! We'd forgotten being as the previous five episodes failed to mention it once. If you wanted to see an episode of "ALF" which was not very much about ALF and more about babies, this is the episode for you. As for Ben Baker and John Matthews...well, you'll have to listen and see what they thought yourselves.

Like what we do? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us birth this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining too: https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"ALF believes that a reclusive new neighbour is ⁠Elvis Presley⁠, and is further convinced when the man displays Elvis-like tendencies"

Uh huh. Thank you very much. Pie and chips twice.

Just some of the Elvis based phrases we all love and admire - and nobody more than ALF who dons his conspiracy cape to find out if a man who doesnt look or sound very much like the King might actually be him. Its a typical romp for the lad, made even better by a script by a returning Mike Reiss and Al Jean.

As always trying to keep track of the millions of pop culture references are your guides Ben "The King of Wistful Stinking" Baker and John "The King of Rollo" Matthews.

Like what we do? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us produce this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for a hunk a hunk a more details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining too: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social⁠

"When Jake easily repairs Willie's car, he and ALF think the mechanic may be sabotaging the car for needless repeat business, so they start Operation Sam-Scam to furnish proof"

Now this sounds like a bit of classic ALF roister-doistery of the highest level with hidden camera hi-jinx, teenage lust, the correct way to score darts, real life undercover TV reporting, cuckery, microwavable ice cream and poor sweet Willie merely wanting some peace and justice.

Your referees as always for this knockout are Ben Baker and John Matthews. ...FIGHT!

Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us produce this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for more of the punch drunk details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

And dont forget our other show Pantosplaining too: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social⁠

"After a verbose houseguest of Willie's reveals he is in the Witness Protection Program, ALF is convinced gangsters are stalking the Tanners."

Its a caper episode! Or is it a sensitive look at someone on the spectrum? Or maybe its instead a practical guide to large net crafting? Ben - please call me Benji - Baker and John - please dont call me ever - Matthews dont know and they're the hosts of this damn thing. Its good to be back.

Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us produce this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for more of the fabulous details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"Willie introduces ALF to simple magic tricks."

And 'simple' is very much the watchword for this strangely empty sort of episode. Still lots of great gags and business like a trick made inside Kate's sun hat and straight up arson from Willie. The stupifying Ben Baker and John Matthews are your glamourous assistants trying to work out Captain Eo, Senor Wences, "Racy" Don Johnson, Nina Buckley and ALF dressed as Jimmy White fit into the tale.

Merry Christmas and thank Jebu there's no "Special" one this time. To celebrate, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us produced this season of ALFsplaining and monthly exclusives from the Shumway extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF mistakenly believes his cousin Blinky is living in Barstow, getting himself captured by a deranged freak show owner."

Its a tale of secret cousins, trash newspapers, kidnap, taking a glimpse and unimaginable powers. Ben Baker the Amazing Aardvark and John Matthews the Hairy Parrot stand exhausted in the middle of it. Glue an antenna on this!

Want to find a friend or two? Why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and helping us produced this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"Seeing Willie and Kate reminiscing over their old stuff in the attic and show the family film footage of them attending the Woodstock festival, ALF asks Willie about the 1960s, causing Willie to ponder if he abandoned the ideals he held during those years."

The Wonder Years was doing big business in 1988 with its melancholic boomer look back at the sixties so if its good enough for Fred Savage, its good enough for the boy Shumway who is once again tormenting Willie's dreams. Ben and John as ever are there to ogle the results.

If your share our ideals maaaaaaaaaaan, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and throwing some bread at this groovy season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"Kate starts working and then discovers that she is pregnant."

My that is inconvenient timing but if anyone knows how schedule a joke its Willie Tanner and his clearly fully functional downstairs which has put a fictional baby in Kate's fiction factory. Its an episode clearly written on the fly to accommodate Anne Schedeen's real-life pregnancy and Pod Detectives Baker and Matthews have a few ideas when it might have happened. And WHERE.

If you want to support this hairy progeny of ours, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF must avoid the Alien Task Force when a homeless guy blows the whistle on him."

Im sure he's had worse blown on him....I mean, erm....happy Thanksgiving. Or Fappinao if you're from Melmac like ALF who is in danger of being pulled apart for experiments thanks to the shady behaviour of Flakey Pete. Its almost like his name was trying to tell us something.

Sat in the van waiting for action are Ben Baker and John Matthews with some magazines and a deflated balloon for company. Also: Trevor sings!

If we continue stuff your bulging turkey, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"The Tanners are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner with the Ochmonek's bizarre relatives"

TWO PARTS? And we're getting double Trevor and Raquel?? Strap us down and feed us rubber vomit! And who wrote this? The bloke who did ALF's Christmas Special? Oh ffffff......

...well, this is going to be an interesting Fappiano for Ben Baker and John Matthews. But could it be a miracle?

If we stuff your turkey, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

If you've got this far into the series of "ALFsplaining" you'll be unsurprised that Ben Baker and John Matthews are pretty obsessional men. Not about anything predictable of course - this ALF podcast proves that! But as we've a week between episodes of the sitcom, we thought you might like to learn about another of our big shared loves - panto posters.

Listen along to the pilot of "Pantosplaining" where we pluck a poster from panto history and look at what we can find out about it for a real deep dive with many diversions into silliness.

Why is Chris Quinten the new Robocop?

Which position does Jess Conrad play in the Showbiz XI?

What makes a good celebrity photograph?

And will Norman Collier ever get that microphone fixed?!?

Let us know if you like it and follow us on our new Bluesky account here: https://bsky.app/profile/pantosplaining.bsky.social

"ALF reveals that Lynn is dating Eddie to her parents' dismay."

They do seem obsessed with Lynn dating oddballs, dont they? And few come odder than Michael "Des" "Barnes", aka that British bloke who was in all the American sitcoms.

Equally odd and also with erm...well you know, Ben Baker and John Matthews are also here. But you knew that.

If we make your teeth chatter comedically, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF hosts The Tonight Show for Johnny Carson...."

ALF is live across America and its not a dream sequence. I mean, its not really much of anything but who needs explanations when you've got the U.S' most beloved late night talk show of all time? Its all a ruse to make a clip show but there's a fair bit of new material with the ALFer meeting lots of interesting guests, including...The Pope?

In the wings, Ben Baker and John Matthews wait eagerly to see if they've been bumped. To help their case, they've invited a returning special guest to explain all things Carson - writer, musician and real life American Charlie Mason. Find more of his stuff on soaps.com.

If we make you shout "HIYO!" in the streets, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"Trevor and Raquel have a falling-out, so ALF and Jake try to get them back together."

Oh boy, its an Ochmonek episode! Finally things will be getting back on track after a weird pair of openers. This comedy masterclass will be overseen by visiting romance experts in the field Ben Baker and John Matthews who attempt to bring harmony to another episode of ALF.

If thinking of us makes Chicago's music appear in your minds, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting this season of ALFsplaining and new exclusives from the extended universe. Click here for more of the details: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF meets his guardian angel who makes him see life without the Tanners, and vice versa."

A wonderful life - it is?! ALF's getting out of the house by means of fantasy again and this time it involves Sheena Easton. Ben Baker and John Matthews look on confused and wondering how this all ties into "Saved By The Bell", Bloomingdale's or Donald Trump. All will be revealed inside!

Want some of our personal Preparation Shumway? Join the Orbit Guard and support our journey through the remaining two seasons whilst getting tons of bonus stuff too: https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

"Lynn's date at the drive-in goes well until she discovers ALF hiding in the back of the car."

We're back! Unless you're listening to this in the moon year of 2027 in which case we never went away so shut up. Ben and John are here with more than a little befuddlement as to the....everything of this episode, and in particular, the beer mat it was seemingly penned upon. Please still love us, Uncle Fusco.

If this is very much your kind of root beer, why not consider joining the Orbit Guard and supporting the next season of ALFsplaining and beyond. Click here for more of the details: https://www.patreon.com/c/ALFsplainingExtra

The second part of our exclusive chat with Paul Fusco, the man who gave the world ALF, voice and soul.

In this part he talks about the strangest merchandise to make the shelves, celebrity fans, who ALF would be feuding with on social media right now, the influence of Monty Python and The Two Ronnies on his humour, there's an encounter with right wing pundit Bill O'Reilly, why ALF is needed more than ever in the current climate, his annoyance of "dark side" anecdotes about the series, why Jerry Stahl was wrong, where next for the lad Shumway and lots more.

Oh, and yes, we ask him what ALF smells like.

It's a brilliant interview and we're so grateful for his time which long exceeded what we were hoping for. He's a funny, genuine guy and we hope one of the revivals takes off so he can adopt us as the children he never wanted.

Want even more sidebar Shumway in your eyes and ears? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

What do you do when you finally meet God?

Its a question Ben and John are about to learn the answer to as they meet the person central to their obsession this past fifty episodes - Paul Fusco, puppeteer, producer, writer, and creator of both the show and, of course, ALF himself.

He gives a rare all-access interview talking about how ALF came to exist, his early work, the oft-reported tensions on the set, the show he regrets turning down, battles with executives, the nearly made "ALF" prequel movie, the legend of Bernie Brillstein, why he didnt become a popstar and lots more.

In fact so such more that we're continuing it next week!

Want more sidebar Shumway in your eyes and ears and other extremities? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

NOTE: DONT LISTEN TO THIS ONE BEFORE YOU HEAR SEASON TWO!

Thought you were done with Ben Baker and John Matthews for the summer? Not even close!

Not only will we have lots more exciting one offs here and there but there's the now standard series lookback where we go over our favourite episodes of the second run alongside some listener-doxxing stats, an investigation into the TV landscape our furry friend thrived in, questioning Dan Aykroyd's part in the ALF phenomenon, the crowning of the series' MVP and hear some messages from our most adoring fans. Yes, plural.

Want more content as you wait for season 3? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

"After realizing that Willie and Kate have emptied Lynn's college fund to support him, a guilty ALF gets ten newspaper routes to earn money for the family."

Another episode in which ALF learns a valuable lesson about....nah, of course not...although he is briefly aware of his impact on the Tanners. Ben Baker and John Matthews fully weigh up the impact he's had on them too as we reach the end of season two and our last review episode for a while.

There'll still be regular updates - audio and video - for the Orbit Guard who support this show being made via ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra but right now, we are more fried than a something cat sizzler burger something something....etc....

....see what we mean?

Its been a blast though and we'll be back before you know it. And we might even bring a couple of pals....

"The Tanners plan a party for ALF, who is depressed that he is the only one of his species."

There have been some odd episodes of ALF this season but your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews might have been officially outfoxed by this mix of dream sequences, sketches, downplayed melodrama, boffo gags, horrendous sound effects and confusing the blind. We'll miss it when its gone.

If you want to help us buy more cheap imitation porcelain, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep our self-produced show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more.

"ALF plays pink elephant for Kate's alcoholic friend Maura"

Crack open a tinny and pour that nebuchadnezzar of floor polish as its a boozy, woozy sort of episode with a very special message - although your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are struggling to find it in amongst the salad and dry heaving. Maybe don't listen to this one whilst eating....

If you want to help us buy more delicious medicinal pints, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep our self-produced show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"ALF gets a ventriloquist dummy in the mail that takes control of him."

Well that all seems perfectly straightforward! Join Ben Baker and John Matthews for a surprisingly not very meta look into a puppeteer's art, soul and hooves. Helping them out on pre-recorded tape are former guests Al Jean, Mike Reiss and Phil Fletcher who all add some interesting pointers on the episode which is good because the first two wrote the episode...and the last one has probably seen it.

If you want to help us buy more oil to take care of our little wooden pals, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep our self-produced show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"Willie gets a promotion that relocates him to San Diego, however despite hating the new job and proclaiming how much he loves the house they currently live in, it takes drastic moves by ALF to make him realize what he's doing."

Willie's out! And we're all bowing under its enormous pressure as his new job takes him away from the loving bosom of his family....and the actual bosom of ALF. Ben Baker and John Matthews await their cheques eagerly as - inevitably - chaos ensues. No, really.

If you want to help us buy food for mouth, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep our self-produced show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"Willie tries to teach Brian nonviolence in dealing with a school bully, but changes his ways when the bully's lowlife father comes to the Tanner residence and insults the entire family."

An episode about Brian being repeatedly punched in the face? Erm..., we didnt kill him. That is to say, your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews didnt, as they're still rubbing liniment into their unmentionables after this heavyweight Melmacian Mauler smackdown.

If you want to help us buy more delicious stinking liniment, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep our self-produced show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

Here on ALFsplaining, we are big fans of balance - be it following every Howard Jones track with one by Nik Kershaw or one of them seals with a beachball you used to see at the zoo in old cartoons. And so after speaking to the lovely Mike Reiss, Ben and John thought it only right and proper to talk to his former long-term writing partner Al Jean.

Like Reiss, he also worked on Sledge Hammer, The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, The Critic, Its Garry Shandling's Show and, of course, The Simpsons. In fact Al would be credited as showrunner for over 450 episodes of that last one which is surely the biggest TV programme of us and most people's lifetimes.

And yet we're going to talk to him about "ALF".

Those other shows come up as do, inevitably, ALF pogs but Al talks us through what they learned from their year on the show, the cast's terror on set, how basketball solved an office dilemma, which comedy superstar walked in at random and asked to be on "The Simpsons", why him and Mike stopped writing together and, of course, what he thinks ALF smells like.

This is another wonderful chat with a genuine icon who has worked on the best US comedy programmes for four decades and it was a genuine honour that he agreed to be a guest.

And if you want to support our future shenanigans, please consider joining The Orbit Guard for lots of ace video and audio extras about our Melmacian mate: ⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

In today's very special episode of "ALFsplaining", Ben and John speak to the writer Mike Reiss.

If you aren't familiar with the name - firstly, C'MON - but you'll know the shows he's worked on, including "Sledge Hammer!", "The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson", "It's Garry Shandling's Show" and "The Simpsons" where he has worked for over three decades.

He also co-created "The Critic", has written gags for tons of animated movies and now is turning his experiences travelling the world into a new Substack newslatter titled "Now I've Seen Everything!"

Oh, and he worked on some show called "ALF".

Joining us live from New York, Mike tells us about how he got involved with the second season despite never seeing a second of it prior, how he used what he learned on "ALF" in his future work on "The Simpsons", what the writers room was like and how Jerry Stahl is probably the last person to ask about that, which now very well-known actor nearly played teenage tearaway Jake Ochmanek, how some of the writers wanted to reboot our boy Shumway in modern society, why the puppet could never get wet and, most importantly, answers the one billion Wernick question - what did ALF smell like?

This is a great chat full of insider knowledge with a really friendly guy which we really hope you enjoy. Find Mike's new Substack here: https://reissm.substack.com/

And if you want to support our future shenanigans, please consider joining The Orbit Guard for lots of ace video and audio extras about our Melmacian chum: ⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠

"The Tanners take in a stray dog, much to ALF's dismay. "

It's big guest name time as Anne Ramsay from "The Goonies" and "Throw Momma From The Train" appears as an unscrupulous dog purchaser several months before her early passing. She does not look well throughout but still overshadows Ben Baker and John Matthews who look like stuttering tramps next to her acting chops.

If you want to help us pay for a dog, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"ALF moves in with his blind friend Jody in her condo."

Remember Blind Jody? Well, she's back - in....well, still blind form but she needs a place to stay and apparently that means only one man. Or alien. Perfect hostsBen BakerandJohn Matthews have laid out the best silverware too for their houseguestNina "Buckers" Buckley who shocks everyone by already being a massive ALF fan!

Find her being very funny here on Bluesky.

And listen to her ORIGINAL IP DO NOT STEAL podcast Reclining Pair here.

And if you want to help us drink our weight in Shasta Cola, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"ALF spots a criminal by his neighbor's house, and walks inside to investigate."

We left Ben and John on a cliffhanger - our first of the series but far from its last - with ALF trapped Chez Ochmonek as the Police close in on him. How will Willie get him out of this one? And who'll get Willie out too? Its an exciting one so fetch your popcorn and a gunbelt as its time to visit a very strange episode of ALF indeed...

And if you want to help us pay for tear gas, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠⁠ for more.

"Willie is chosen by the neighborhood to lead a neighborhood watch. But ALF takes control of the radio and starts to talk as if he was Willie."

There's a crime spree going down and ALF is the man to fix the pus-ridden streets of Hemdale. Ben Baker and John Matthews go ahead and make his day in this unusual two-part opener which occasionally feels like a totally different sitcom alltogether. And the less said about Pat Benatar Jnr the better...

And if you want to help us pay for walkie talkies and binocular wear, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠⁠ for more.

"Willie's Uncle Albert visits the Tanners, and collapses from a heart attack after getting a glimpse of the alien, causing ALF to feel grief thinking he caused the death"

More murder from the Melmacian mofo? Gosh! Best get an expert in the field over! Call for Paul Abbott from The Big Beatles and Sixties Sort Out for this McCartney-music monikered episode. He'll help Ben Baker and John Matthews sort the dead men from the dead boys! This one gets dark and its entirely the fault of Paul Fusco!

And if you want to help preserve the body of ALFSplaining, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠ for more.

"ALF is put on trial for breaking the Ockmonecks' window."

All rise for ALFsplaining….it's the court case of the century!

Can Shumway, G prove his innocence to prosecutor Tanner, Wilbus in the court of Judge Kate? In the reporters box, Ben Baker and John Matthews scrawl crude things in their notebooks as they consider pivoting the whole show to a crime caper in order to improve the flagging ratings. Now dats moider!

And if you want to help us clear this spatter, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠ for more.

"ALF befriends Trevor and Raquel's nephew Jake from New York."

A replacement for Brian? Surely not! (we didnt kill him) Either way, wonder writers Al Jean and Mike Reiss are on scripting duties to introduce a new Ochmonek to the party so Ben and John will be coming the episode for Simpsons-style jokes. And for nits like usual. Obvs.

And if you want to fix our telescope, perhaps consider joining the Orbit Guard. You'll get a tons of bonus stuff and keep this here show on the air. Visit ⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra⁠ for more.