Shout! Factory is at it again, this time trying to see if they can bring back Alf the same way they brought back Mystery Science Theater 3000. Just like all entertainment news seems to be going this decade, this one is all about streaming!
ALF is making a comeback after a distribution coup by Shout! Factory, which wrestled the distribution rights away from Alien Productions, the former owners of the series’ various properties and archival masters. Now, Shout! promises to share their “unparalleled access” of their recently acquired treasure trove with the world.
— Matt Schimkowitz, A.V. Club
In addition to the possibility of new Alf stuff coming to Shout! Factory, the company has also acquired rights to all episodes of the original Alf TV series, the Alf TV movie, plus smaller properties including the Alf animated children’s show. With any luck, Alf will soon be chasing cats and driving people crazy… even if Willie is no longer around.
I couldn’t be more excited that Shout! Factory will be marketing and distributing ALF and working with the series’ creators, Paul Fusco and Tom Patchett,” said and new business development. “ALF was an instant classic when it debuted on network television over 30 years ago, and the series stands the test of time and appeals to multiple generations.”
— Jeffrey Peisch, Shout! Senior VP of Programming
For those who weren’t around for the eighties, Alf is an alien life form (get it?) who crash lands in the garage of a suburban middle class family. Hijinks follow as the loud-mouthed extraterrestrial befriends the family and is kept secret so the government can’t get capture him. It’s like E.T except the creature in question is more like a hairy, muppety Rodney Dangerfield. Oh wait, do you know who Rodney Dangerfield is? Darn. Okay, well just check this out instead:
