ALF Convention

[ALFsince86]

Has anyone here ever thought about an ALF Convention? I was thinking about it over breakfast this morning; conventions aren't just for Trekkies and Star Wars fans anymore. People get together for Elvis, "You Can't Do That on Television", and you could call many of the gatherings that take place around Labor Day Jerry Lewis Conventions. So why not ALF?

The problem with conventions. Because they are run by fans for fans conventions almost never make money, in fact, from the tales I have been told, most conventions lose money. So before anyone thinks of heading it up, you won't become a millionaire off of it and you probably won't have as much as what you started with.

That being said, here are some things to consider if a convention is planned...

Where should it be? No, I'm not even getting to the hotel or convention hall part yet. I'm thinking, where, what state or country? Is there some central location that would be fair to most of us? Probably not, as I know some of you are international fans.

Accommodations....Do we want to rent rooms from the same hotel/motel or is it every Melman for himself?

Guests. It would be great to have Paul Fusco, Max Wright, and the other stars of ALF present. I think it would even be cool to have some of the folks who brought ALF to life in Marvel Comics aboard (since the comic series ran the same length as the series, only different years; 1988-1992). It would also be nice to invite the president of the original ALF Fan Club.

Dealers. Can we actually find people who, for a day at least, would have enough to sell exclusively ALF?

Events. With guests you can have autograph signings. We could also show various episodes of ALF, the episodes could come from the original series, the cartoon shows, ALF's Hit Talk Show, and Project: ALF. We could possibly play the old ALF boardgames (if anyone has those) and computer game (if anyone STILL has something to play it on).

These are just some ideas. If someone wanted to organize it I am sure that better ideas would occur. It would be a great way to get together with ALF fans from all over the planet. However, it won't be inexpensive, even for the participants (unless you live in the area where the convention is held). Don't forget, besides admission, there will be the need for food, taxi services or gas for your own vehicle, perhaps a rental car, hotel/motel, and memorabilia. It would be fantastic if we could get permission to make items specifically for the convention--t-shirts, pin-back buttons, perhaps even the photos for the ALF stars to autograph.

Let me hear your thoughts. No, I'm not volunteering to organize it, but I did put the thought in someone's head (maybe a lot of someones).

[ALFanatic]

ALFsince86,

I would love an ALF convention,but such an event seems most unrealistic when we have difficulty getting a handful of Forum members to participate in a "Chat Night".

Mike

[ALFsince86]

Well, I hadn't thought about that, but I'm recently back to this site, so I didn't realize that was such an issue.

[Admin]

I definitely love the idea! But I would also have doubts about the attendance. However, what I would like to see is Paul Fusco/ALF attend a Sci-Fi convention...a convention featuring several different shows (Star Trek, Star Wars, ALF...) - having ALF as the "main course" wouldn't work (in my opinion).

Maybe in the future when ALF makes his BIG comeback we can have an ALF Convention!!!

[ALFsince86]

Has Paul Fusco ever done a sci-fi convention? That probably would be the place to start and just see the kind of reception he would get there. Look at Butch Patrick (who played Eddie Munster), he often attends conventions and is very popular, but the convention might be a tie-in to television cars (Batmobile, Munster Koach, Monkeemobile, etc.).

[ALFanatic]

Mr. Fusco appears to be somewhat of a recluse. Except for a few very brief verbal exchanges with audience members at taping of the "ALF HIT TALK SHOW" episodes, I am unaware of of any reported sightings of Mr. Fusco appearing at public events or venues, and he certainly seems to work at making any form of direct communication impossible. He may not even take his wife out to lunch.

Mike

[ALFsince86]

I got a very nice autographed ALF photo from him in 2002 or so. Of course, I guess that's not exactly "direct" communication.

I suppose Max Wright is also reluctant to do shows, since he had some problems with ALF during the show's run. I wonder what the former child actors are up to? I guess I wouldn't want to disturb their normal lives to do shows. Whatever happened to "Kate"?

[ALFicionado]

An ALF convention would be really, really sweet. I'd definitely go if possible, I'd love to meet some of the makers of ALF as well as some cast members & buy a lot of memorabilia.

Where to put it? In Germany, of course

[ALF]

I love this idea! Man, since I'm still in school it would be pretty hard to organize it, but it's still a great idea! Although I think the universal location would be a bigger dilemma than the expense. And I'm not sure the cast and creators would be as reachable or even willing to participate (yes, for instance Max Wright). A thought came to my mind when Admin mentioned ALF making it big time in the future: this all sounds like a movie premiere! I know the "upcoming" ALF movie flipped, so that's a definite no, but if it ever happens -- wait, if it ever happens only cast members, directors, and producers would be able to attend. Forget it.
But great idea!

[Admin]

Where to put it? In Germany, of course

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[ALFicionado]

Where to put it? In Germany, of course

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

It wasn't a selfish reason on my part, it's just fitting since he's huge in Germany

[ALF]

lol yeah he is huge. I wonder why (and I'm serious).

[ALFicionado]

lol yeah he is huge. I wonder why (and I'm serious).

Well, more devotion might be a reason, Europeans don't always leave things that are not "hot" at the moment.

But Germany are pretty known for taking fandom to another level. Other huge shows over there are Married... With Children, Magnum, P.I. & Knight Rider (without the backing of some German investors, Baywatch would never have gotten a second season)

[Admin]

Well, more devotion might be a reason, Europeans don't always leave things that are not "hot" at the moment.

I definitely agree with that statement.

[ALFsince86]

Yes, I realize ALF has a lot of German fans, so it would be kind of difficult for either the German or American fans (depending where it was held).

An ALF movie could be sweet, but I'm not sure how I'd want it done. ALF might look good CG (like "Alvin and the Chipmunks"), but then I'd miss him as he is.

[Jessica]

Sounds like you have a great idea people, but what exactly is a convention?

[ALFsince86]

Thank you for your question, Jessica.

A convention is when a group of fans get together to celebrate something they all enjoy. Perhaps the most popular are the "Star Trek" conventions, although it recent years "Star Wars" has had quite a few.

At a convention, fans usual meet the people who put the show/movie together--writers, directors, cast members, etc. They may watch certain episodes or films, participate in other events, and buy memorabilia--both vintage collectibles and items made specifically for the convention (usually the latter are just t-shirts, pins, etc.).

Normally there is a charge to get into the convention and other special events might have a charge attached to them. For example, I went to one convention where, if you paid more for admission, you could eat with various "Star Wars" cast members.

[ALFicionado]

An ALF movie could be sweet, but I'm not sure how I'd want it done. ALF might look good CG (like "Alvin and the Chipmunks"), but then I'd miss him as he is.

No WAY!! ALF should NEVER be made with CGI, it would not look good and it would be an insult to us fans. I'm tired of CGI taking over movies completely. ALF works fine with a puppet and should always stay that way.

[ALFsince86]

I agree!

[Jessica]

Thank you for your question, Jessica.

A convention is when a group of fans get together to celebrate something they all enjoy. Perhaps the most popular are the "Star Trek" conventions, although it recent years "Star Wars" has had quite a few.

At a convention, fans usual meet the people who put the show/movie together--writers, directors, cast members, etc. They may watch certain episodes or films, participate in other events, and buy memorabilia--both vintage collectibles and items made specifically for the convention (usually the latter are just t-shirts, pins, etc.).

Normally there is a charge to get into the convention and other special events might have a charge attached to them. For example, I went to one convention where, if you paid more for admission, you could eat with various "Star Wars" cast members.

Ooo, really cool!!