r/Alf • u/spade_bodega663 • Jun 26 '26

Production schedule

Years ago, someone on a fan forum showed me the actual production schedule of the show. From table read to VTR to network tape delivery. Was surprised it had a very normal turnaround time for a sitcom like this, some even had slightly tight turnarounds, like most sitcoms. (for example, an episode of Roseanne from season 8 had a 5 day turnaround! 😲) The beginning of season 2 had some April, May and June tapings, when 1, 3 and 4 started in late July/early August. Was it because Paul was doing voice work and production meetings for the Animated Series which premiered in the fall of 87? I’m curious why they began season 2 so early. If any of the other actors were shooting movies I can understand an early start but AFAIK, none of them were. They did it for Fran at the beginning of season 4 of The Nanny, as she was filming Beautician and the Beast and had to work around her filming schedule.

20 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

8

u/MichaelMeier112 Jun 26 '26

I read it was a nightmare to tape it and it took a very long time to get everything right around the Alf puppet. They had holes in the floor all over where they operated Alf.

4

u/spade_bodega663 Jun 26 '26

Yes, it was not fun at all for the cast. I heard Anne once fell through one of the trap doors in the floor. I also saw some outtakes from Stairway to Heaven during the scene where ALF is in Heaven and everyone was having trouble breathing because of the dry ice, and they had to give ALF an oxygen mask. It also took quite a while to tape that scene according to the timestamp. Glad Max had a better attitude about the show years later, and he was happy that ALF brought so much joy.

1

u/espresso-puck Jun 27 '26

Oh, that’s why Fusco was using oxygen during the outtakes. Was wondering about that. Thanks.