ALF's Special Christmas 1 and ALF's Special Christmas 2 (1987)

Directed by: Burt Brinckerhoff
Screenplay by: Steve Hollander
Starring: Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson, Benji Gregory
Guest Starring: Cleavon Little, Carl Franklin, Glenn Withrow, Keri Houlihan and more.

I'm sure I'm not the only person out there that used to watch ALF. I managed to find the episode Glenn was in, and I actually remember watching it because it was so totally different from any sitcom Christmas episode I'd ever seen. It still is, to be honest.

ALF was one of those shows that you look back and think about how this would never get made now and you can't quite figure out how it succeeded. But watching it, I find it's a really good show. Some smart writing and decent laughs.

Glenn doesn't have a huge role in the Xmas episode, but his character's storyline is at least an "upper." This has to be one of the most depressing Christmas specials ever, but that's what makes it so good. The Tanner family is staying at a cabin for the holidays, ALF takes off when they get angry with him, hitching a ride with Cleavon Little, who is on his way to play Santa at the hospital. While ALF is there, he meets, Tiffany (played by Keri Houlihan), a young girl who is dying. Never kill the kid or the dog? This show didn't pay attention to that convention - the viewer is told straight up that Tiffany won't be around for another Christmas, and she isn't miraculously healed by the end of the episode. In fact, it ends with her waving goodbye to ALF from her hospital window as "Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus" is read. I remembered this storyline, even 20 years later.

Cleavon Little's character happens to be planning to kill himself later on that night, as he's despondent over the loss of his wife some months before. ALF basically interrupts his suicide attempt.

Glenn's storyline lightened the mood a little. He plays an overzealous first-time dad whose wife is in labour and gets trapped in the elevator (with ALF). Fans will be pleased to note Glenn does not die in this show.

All in all, I'd forgotten what a decent series ALF was. And kudos to writer Steve Hollander on this one - I haven't seen many shows, forget about sitcoms, tackling issues of death, depression and suicide around Christmas and the holidays.

Purchase Information

ALF is available on DVD. These episodes were from season 2.

Amazon.com and CDuniverse.com carry them, as well as many other stores.

ALF can also be view on Hulu.com.
 

Pictures
(Click to enlarge)



Richard (Glenn Withrow) and his wife arrive at the hospital ... and he almost forgets her.



Right before Richard's wife is trapped in the elevator.



Glenn, Cleavon Little (Santa) and Carl Franklin



Heading to the stairs.

Video Clips



Richard and his wife reach the hospital