17 hours ago
- Paul Fusco has played ALF for nearly 40 years, limiting his career to one character.
- Fusco's insistence on keeping ALF's illusion real (not a puppet) caused production difficulties, stifled the show, and led to its cancellation.
- His high standards caused him to turn down opportunities like SNL, which required breaking the illusion.
- The show's ratings dropped, and it was canceled on a cliffhanger; later revival attempts failed.
- Fusco's creative limitations offer a broader lesson: being too rigid can harm collaboration and sustainability.
- Fusco downplayed tensions on set, but others like Max Wright disagreed.
- The article advises creatives to avoid letting pride prevent their work from being accessible to others.