ALFsplaining

"After another visit from Larry, ALF subjects the Tanners to a barrage of unwanted psychoanalysis" Yes, the Melmacian Mind-Mangler has a new obsession of the week - which does not go unnoticed for once - and it is analysing the Tanner family. But oh such riches in their quirks and neuroses! How could anyone resist probing into Willie? Even your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are slipping on their white coats and pondering with the best of them. They always were Jung at heart. 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/houseofsplain/

"Using Willie's home computer, ALF discovers and becomes addicted to making stock-market deals." Remember when being online seemed like a good idea? Us neither but its ALF's window to the outside world - and all of its lovely money. Frankly everything that happens in this episode is Willie's fault so business as usual for your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews as they look hopefully at their Patreon link. 'What IS that Patreon link' you ask? Why its https://www.patreon.com/houseofsplain/ and is full of lots of exclusive podcasts and videos.

"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. 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/houseofsplain/

"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! 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/houseofsplain/ https://www.patreon.com/houseofsplain/

"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.... 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/c/houseofsplain/

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. 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

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

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

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

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

"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