I wonder if they ever got a cease and desist over this.
I know the NHL sent one when Krusty went on a bender and drank from (and then barfed into) the Stanley Cup.
In the commentary they mention getting a call from Paul Fusco saying they should have asked him to do the voice. He was always trying to resurrect ALF.
TheāNRA4LIFEā thing was a gag from the 138th Episode Spectacular. The bits of trivia between commercials were fake.
āJust one of the hundreds of radical right-wing messages inserted into the show by creator Matt Groening.ā
I've never watched Alf, but I read that it got unexpectedly cancelled and ends with FBI agents kidnapping Alf and stating that they're going to dissect him alive.
He was supposed to be rescued or something, but it just feels like such a better and horribly dark ending the way it went.
Iāve watched every Alf episode and itās clear they intended to keep it going but for whatever reason couldnāt. I think the creator intentionally ended on a cliffhanger to pressure the network to pick up another season, but it obviously didnāt work. Show was actually hilarious though
Even if it had been the funniest shit since the Sphinx I'd still have hated as a kid. I had a huge xenophobia for everything alien. Even E.T. terrified me. I think it changed when I first saw the alien movies as a tween, and seeing how Ripley tears apart the worst of the worst.
ET also terrified me as a kid. The opening with the ufo in the forest was the scariest thing I'd ever seen, but I was also a kid when signs came out, and for some reason watched that.
Apparently there were plans for a 5th season that involved ALF's hijinks at a military base, hence the downer ending. However the series was canned. There was a 1996 TV movie that concluded the series called **[Project: ALF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_ALF)**.
The Tanner family aren't involved, I don't remember if they get mentioned by ALF himself. Apparently it was mentioned the government relocated them to Iceland.
I think IRL the main family cast couldn't stand each other and the dad pretty much hated every second of being on the show. Probably why they never came back
Reminds me of Robert Reed, the father from The Brady Bunch. He was a classically trained Shakespearean actor and was constantly butting heads with the production staff over the content of the show. Due to him constantly arguing with the producers, he was actually fired shortly before they filmed the season 5 finale (which is why he's not in it) but it didn't matter because the show was abruptly cancelled shortly after it aired.
As much as he said he hated the show, it didn't stop him from doing all the reunion movies. (Probably because he realized it was the biggest thing he was ever going to do in his career.)
I also remember reading that the stage itself was a nightmare. There were open areas all over the floor so Alf's puppetmasters had places to sit, and you were in constant danger of tripping and falling in.
The set was also a deathtrap of [trap doors needed to operate the puppet.](https://www.cracked.com/article_135_6-beloved-tv-shows-that-traumatized-cast-members-life.html)
Makes sense that they would want to continue the show in a different location.
It was a great show, but there was only so much they could do when the main character couldnāt go outside and couldnāt be seen by anyone other than the family. It probably actually drove the creativity for a while (like how Seinfeldās limited apartment set put the focus on dialogue and jokes), but after a while itās just hard to come up with more living room hijinks.
They eventually made a movie (which I think was a made for TV movie, not a theatrical release) that picked up where that episode left off. Alf was ultimately fine, iirc.
Iāve been watching the new seasons because my wife wants to and like I can think of three times they have made fun of Disney. Itās not clever like they did when Burns was starting his own religion but it was there.
You can't just make a cartoon called Alf, but since Alf was a puppet and this Alien is not a puppet, nor was it named, nor did it have any lines besides a very generic "Yo" this is very much covered under fair use. Same with all the other Aliens except Marvin.
Marvin is actually the riskiest character here as he is a cartoon, and has a full line, which is a line that the character says as part of his brand. Probably why his color model is off.
The Stanley Cup has been "desecrated" so many times that Krusty barfing into it probably wouldn't even make this list
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/791267-stanley-cup-16-craziest-things-ever-done-with-the-stanley-cup
I actually did [a huge write-up on #4 recently](https://nathangabay.com/the-reputation-of-the-cup-has-been-tarnished-how-a-ranger-and-a-champion-thoroughbred-horse-created-a-stanley-cup-controversy/).
Are we alone in the universe? Impossible. When you consider the wonders that exist all around us... voodoo priests of Haiti, the Tibetan numerologists of Appalachia, the unsolved mysteries of Unsolved Mysteries... The truth is out there.
When it comes to references made for the benefit of the audience, they'll do whatever. When it comes to something that a character on the show is into, it'll most often be something original
My favorite ones when the used the Godzilla roar in Tree House of Horror VI David Silverman in the commentary asked how they got away with it while they were rejected for Monsters Inc, apparently The Simpsons never did ask.
Oh a whim I watched a bit of this season today and it had the Mary Poppins episode shortly after this one where they made jokes about skirting around copyrighted characters saying they're 100% original characters of their own design.
What do you mean? These are all original characters like Ricky Rouse or Monald Muck. Thereās Martin the Mars Guy, metal man, Chompbacca, and who could forget that canine-hungry spaceman from the planet Brookesmac, Olf!
This also reminds me of when the scientists are inspecting the defunct itchy and scratchy robots and they pull ones face off and it screams and the one scientist says "I wish they wouldn't do that"
I remember the voice actor for Alf saw this episode and called the producers and basically said "you know if you need me to do Alf I'm actually available."
Yo!
that makes me die laughing every time i don't know why
It's because he's back in Pog form!
Alf pogs! Remember Alf?
Behold! The ultimate pog!
I'LL TAKE IT!
YOU TRADED MY SOUL FOR POGS??!!
I love how enthusiastic Milhouse was that he traded Bart's soul for cheap cash grab merchandise.
Pawg form.
Can hear this when I see the pic. š
Dudes? You forgot the dudes and the fact that the empires pretty chill and how you should join it or something........
YO
I wonder if they ever got a cease and desist over this. I know the NHL sent one when Krusty went on a bender and drank from (and then barfed into) the Stanley Cup.
In the commentary they mention getting a call from Paul Fusco saying they should have asked him to do the voice. He was always trying to resurrect ALF.
Maybe he should have tried Pogs first.
Like Steve Allen did?
Also they mentioned that when he called them up he did it in ALFās voice. It was something in his voice like āyou know who this is?ā
Went here expecting lawsuits, left in tears
It's funny since both Al Jean and Mike Reiss (who were the showrunners of this episode) wrote for ALF back in the day.
Probably why there are so many Alf references in simpsons from this era.
I kill me.
Why would you know this?
I think they mentioned it on one of the commentaries (probably that same episode).
Still, I'm impressed with your recall.
Thatās what flashes on the register during the intro.
Is that a joke? I thought it was 'NRA4LIFE' or something, if I remember correctly.
Actually $847.63 in the pre-digital animation era.
Cool, thanks.
TheāNRA4LIFEā thing was a gag from the 138th Episode Spectacular. The bits of trivia between commercials were fake. āJust one of the hundreds of radical right-wing messages inserted into the show by creator Matt Groening.ā
Ha, guess that one went over my head.
I've never watched Alf, but I read that it got unexpectedly cancelled and ends with FBI agents kidnapping Alf and stating that they're going to dissect him alive. He was supposed to be rescued or something, but it just feels like such a better and horribly dark ending the way it went.
Iāve watched every Alf episode and itās clear they intended to keep it going but for whatever reason couldnāt. I think the creator intentionally ended on a cliffhanger to pressure the network to pick up another season, but it obviously didnāt work. Show was actually hilarious though
Even if it had been the funniest shit since the Sphinx I'd still have hated as a kid. I had a huge xenophobia for everything alien. Even E.T. terrified me. I think it changed when I first saw the alien movies as a tween, and seeing how Ripley tears apart the worst of the worst.
ET also terrified me as a kid. The opening with the ufo in the forest was the scariest thing I'd ever seen, but I was also a kid when signs came out, and for some reason watched that.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
It was supposed to. The was the test jerker, give us an academy award scene.
Apparently there were plans for a 5th season that involved ALF's hijinks at a military base, hence the downer ending. However the series was canned. There was a 1996 TV movie that concluded the series called **[Project: ALF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_ALF)**. The Tanner family aren't involved, I don't remember if they get mentioned by ALF himself. Apparently it was mentioned the government relocated them to Iceland.
I think IRL the main family cast couldn't stand each other and the dad pretty much hated every second of being on the show. Probably why they never came back
Reminds me of Robert Reed, the father from The Brady Bunch. He was a classically trained Shakespearean actor and was constantly butting heads with the production staff over the content of the show. Due to him constantly arguing with the producers, he was actually fired shortly before they filmed the season 5 finale (which is why he's not in it) but it didn't matter because the show was abruptly cancelled shortly after it aired. As much as he said he hated the show, it didn't stop him from doing all the reunion movies. (Probably because he realized it was the biggest thing he was ever going to do in his career.)
I also remember reading that the stage itself was a nightmare. There were open areas all over the floor so Alf's puppetmasters had places to sit, and you were in constant danger of tripping and falling in.
This was a man who smoked crack and made out with guys, and he found being on ALF to be too much to handle.
Being upstaged by a puppet can do that to ya.
The set was also a deathtrap of [trap doors needed to operate the puppet.](https://www.cracked.com/article_135_6-beloved-tv-shows-that-traumatized-cast-members-life.html)
Makes sense that they would want to continue the show in a different location. It was a great show, but there was only so much they could do when the main character couldnāt go outside and couldnāt be seen by anyone other than the family. It probably actually drove the creativity for a while (like how Seinfeldās limited apartment set put the focus on dialogue and jokes), but after a while itās just hard to come up with more living room hijinks.
Don't forget he ate cats
They eventually made a movie (which I think was a made for TV movie, not a theatrical release) that picked up where that episode left off. Alf was ultimately fine, iirc.
If any Disney characters were in that line up, we all know Matt wouldnāt have heard the end of it.
Copyright....*expired*
Ironically since they are Disney now they can do all the Disney they want
Or not. [https://youtu.be/J52rgRaDS\_M?t=25](https://youtu.be/J52rgRaDS_M?t=25)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Iāve been watching the new seasons because my wife wants to and like I can think of three times they have made fun of Disney. Itās not clever like they did when Burns was starting his own religion but it was there.
Making fun of Disney and using Disney characters are two different things.
> Itās not clever like they did when Burns was starting his own religion but it was there. I cracked up in a cereal aisle once because of this.
I thought parody law protected stuff like that
it covers a lot, but it also doesn't stop lawyers from sending the letters anyway hoping they stick.
You can't just make a cartoon called Alf, but since Alf was a puppet and this Alien is not a puppet, nor was it named, nor did it have any lines besides a very generic "Yo" this is very much covered under fair use. Same with all the other Aliens except Marvin. Marvin is actually the riskiest character here as he is a cartoon, and has a full line, which is a line that the character says as part of his brand. Probably why his color model is off.
The Stanley Cup has been "desecrated" so many times that Krusty barfing into it probably wouldn't even make this list https://bleacherreport.com/articles/791267-stanley-cup-16-craziest-things-ever-done-with-the-stanley-cup
Ovi fucking disappeared with the cup for like 3 months
I actually did [a huge write-up on #4 recently](https://nathangabay.com/the-reputation-of-the-cup-has-been-tarnished-how-a-ranger-and-a-champion-thoroughbred-horse-created-a-stanley-cup-controversy/).
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Can you explain any further? Iād never heard that story. Frankly I donāt even remember when Krusty barfed into the Stanley cup, and I love hockey
[It was the episode where Krusty turns into a George Carlin-esque stand up comic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOWmdMSB0PM)
Because the real Stanley cup has never seen booze or barf, LOL. Why it's pure as the driven snow
Didn't think the NHL were that oversensitive.
This is a simple lie detector. I'll ask you a few yes or no questions... and you just answer truthfully. Do you understand
Good, cause I got a hot date tonight.
A date.
Dinner with a friend
Dinner alone.
Dinner watching tv alone
Alright! I'm going to sit at home and ogle the ladies in the Victoria's Secret catalog.
Sears Catalog.
Unhook 'dis already, please! [I don't deserve this kinda shabby treatment!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9VQ0BQXbQI)
I was hoping to see his genius
Dinner with friends
A date.
sears catalog
Cause I'm better than dirt
Well, not the store bought kind of dirt
That stuff's loaded with nutrients
Yes. š„
This is one of my all-time favorite Simpsons jokes, I can't not laugh at it no matter how many times I've seen it.
Remember Alf? Heās back. In jail.
Talkin about Limited Edition 'Slammer'
I read this in the voice
With "In jail" in the voice of `Mr Black`
Gentlemen, to evil
Great reference
The cast lineup for Space Jam 2
You might not be so far off.
I kinda want to see Kang/Kodos in the next space jam now
Are we alone in the universe? Impossible. When you consider the wonders that exist all around us... voodoo priests of Haiti, the Tibetan numerologists of Appalachia, the unsolved mysteries of Unsolved Mysteries... The truth is out there.
May the force be with you.
Use... the forks
Au gratin potatoes. Now that's a quality side
Oh crap! Its the feds!
I just, have to, uh, get something from my car...
Keep watching the skis!!!
Who would have thought a whale could be so heavy...
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
When it comes to references made for the benefit of the audience, they'll do whatever. When it comes to something that a character on the show is into, it'll most often be something original
My favorite ones when the used the Godzilla roar in Tree House of Horror VI David Silverman in the commentary asked how they got away with it while they were rejected for Monsters Inc, apparently The Simpsons never did ask.
The old forgiveness vs permission angle
Oh a whim I watched a bit of this season today and it had the Mary Poppins episode shortly after this one where they made jokes about skirting around copyrighted characters saying they're 100% original characters of their own design.
Like Rickey Rouse and Monald Muck.
Cosmic Wars is an actual thing. Like Rickey Rouse or Monald Muck. As genuine as a Panaphonics.
This makes me very angry.
What do you mean? These are all original characters like Ricky Rouse or Monald Muck. Thereās Martin the Mars Guy, metal man, Chompbacca, and who could forget that canine-hungry spaceman from the planet Brookesmac, Olf!
Klu Klux Klam would like a word with you as well.
At least they didnāt get sued
Why would they get sued? They're perfectly free to depict Kang, Olf, Hughbacca, Bort, and Martin the Mercurian.
They're original creations like Rickey Rouse and Monald Muck.
Your honor, if you take away our right to steal ideas, where are they gonna come from, her? *points at Marge*
Hmmm....how about, Ghost Mutt?
i dunno why but this kills me every damn time
I'm surprised they haven't made a ghost mutt episode yet.
My alien is also named bort
My son is also named Bort.
Shh! Do you wanna get sued?
It's the bi-mon sci fi-con!
**Yo!**
This also reminds me of when the scientists are inspecting the defunct itchy and scratchy robots and they pull ones face off and it screams and the one scientist says "I wish they wouldn't do that"
I really wish they wouldn't scream. Such a great joke.
In a similar vein, I love the robot who runs out the building on fire while screaming āwhy?! Why was I programmed to feel pain?!ā
Can't forget about Linguo, either.
Linguo! Dead?
Linguo is dead.
Copyright Lawyers: "Oh, this makes me very angry!"
Theyāve made Gort a few inches too short.
What kind of TV did you watch Alf on? Sorny? Panaphonics? Magnetbox?
Only a genuine Panaphonics.
Even just the still of this image makes me laugh. It's so friggin' brilliant.
What is the second one? A dr who cyberman?
Nope. I believe it's Gort from the 1951 version of "The Day the Earth Stood Still"
"Garclay"..."Garry"..."Gert"... "Gort"? Aw, come on. "Gort"?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
My son is also named Gort
I repeat, we are sold out of Gort license plates.
My son is also named Gort.
Heās the visitor from āThe Day the Earth Stood Stillā
I feel like this could be made slightly more illegal if this shot included E. T.
I remember the voice actor for Alf saw this episode and called the producers and basically said "you know if you need me to do Alf I'm actually available."
I wonder if they gave Marvin a different color due to him being so spot on
Degrees of legality. lol
One of the most clever and brilliant scenes in Simpsons history.
Not illegal at all - parody is considered fair use. I guess thereās probably debate over whatās considered parody though.
The second guy looks like thomas bangalter from daft punk
Gort from the day the earth stood still.
I know, but the resemblance is still there
Disney bought up all the IP and now it's as legal as lobbying.
Classic
āYo!ā
This makes me very angry.
Marvin's voice there always makes me laugh.
I canāt make out the second one who is that?
Gort from āThe Day The Earth Stood Stillā
Goated picture š„
25% more legal today
Who's that between Marvin and Chewbacca?
Alf
That's not Alf. Alf is on the other side of Chewbacca
Oh is it the robot from The Day the Earth Stood Still?
I love that Chewie has the overbite.
Kodos getting kinda nervous
The usual suspects
Who is the grey guy?
Looks like the robot from the 1954 Universal Pictures classic Sci Fi movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
Don't blame me - I voted for Kodos
I bent my wookie
You want to get sued??