ALF – Season Three

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: D     Episodes: C

 

 

ALF was always one of the odder hit TV shows and by having an alien who was actually also a puppet, was part of a dysfunctional family typical of bad 1980s TV and was accepted like he and the situation was beyond normal always struck me as odd.  With the commercial breaks and the fact it was new at the time, the show seemed like an odd fluke.  Today, going through the Season Three set, its eccentricities are magnified out of its time period and without any breaks.

 

The show was never offensive and except for a disturbing scandal involving the male lead we will pass on, it was a show that was suitable at best.  It actually outlasted Mork & Mindy, while it never eclipsed My Favorite Martian and proved that people would accept major puppet characters outside of the Muppet world.  ALF still owes a legacy to Jim Henson, but is not as charming or is supposed to be.  He is a light comedian at best and continues to be so in new appearances, so ALF also is a host in the menus, though the 4 DVD set has no real extras.

 

The 1.33 x 1 image was shot on professional NTSC video and has aged fairly well, if not as well as some similar productions.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is fairly good, but again, nothing exemplary.  The combination is adequate and at least as good as it ever looked on TV.  Lionsgate has issued an acceptable, basic set for fans and they at least will not be disappointed.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo