"After becoming addicted to reruns of Gilligan's Island, ALF dreams that he has joined the castaways."

If you heard Friday's set up, you'll know that this is an episode of a sitcom all about a sitcom character becoming obsessed with a different sitcom. Confused? Dont be. Just join Ben Baker and John Matthews in the lagoon with your coconut cream pie and say "aloha" to ALFsplaining, little buddy. Then get digging.

Want to help get us off this fecking island? Join the Orbit Guard here and support the hard work that goes into this very silly series: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

More ALFsplaining? So soon? Well, as Monday's episode entirely revolves around the American sitcom "Gilligan's Island" - a sitcom not especially well known in the UK - we thought it would be polite to record a little introduction to what that series was all about. And to help, we've got a real life American as a guest!

Not only is he a writer and editor at the website TV Line, Charlie Mason has written the lyrics to several Eurovision favourites including Conchita's "Rise Like A Phoenix"! But more importantly, he knows about all things Gilligan and this is a lovely little sidebar chat which should set you up nicely for Monday's madness.

Want more? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF has to go one week without destroying anything in the Tanners' house."

Welcome wherever you are to the series by series watchalong of the American sitcom "ALF" with Ben Baker and John Matthews - and would you believe it but we've actually run out of season one! Clearly the producers felt it couldn't top the image of Racquel Ochmanek being spun around in an airplane toilet so had to immediately stop and take victory laps across America.

And so here we are for season two and to assist us with easing back into the Shumway swimming baths, we have a guest joining us today - Rob Manuel of B3ta, Fesshole and countless other glorious wastes of your online time - but is he a fan of the Melmacian marvel? Well, you'll have to listen and find out!!!!! Also: no.

Find Rob online here: https://x.com/robmanuel

And his new "Fesshole" podcast is available via these here links: https://pod.link/1748844286

Want to support our journey through season 2 and beyond? Join the Orbit Guard here and help us with this madness: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

How have Ben Baker and John Matthews already whizzed through 26 episodes of ALF? Gams knows but they need time to process what just happened hence this look back over season one. They choose their best and worst episodes alongside some bonus nonsense they couldn't fit in elsewhere. How top was the Willie overall? And who was the series' MVP? Its all in here and we'll be back with the next run of Melmacian mumblin' before you know it. Especially if you're listening to this ages in the future in which case we hope you enjoy the past between trips to the moon.

Want us to set upon season 2? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF gives The Tanners a real estate promotion for a sales pitch and Willie opposes the idea of going on vacation and leaving ALF at home when Trevor Ochmonek offers to take them on his plane..."

Its a Trevorganza! And your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews are all in for this series finale which takes in talking toasters, stinking pigs, shrimp allergies, pony rides and one of the funniest visual gags of the series. So enjoy in audio form with us, wont you?

Want us to tackle season 2? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

"A cockroach from ALF's spaceship grows to gigantic proportions."

One of the most "sci fi" of the ALF plots so far, its alien vs alien to the death as scriptwriter Jerry Stahl tries to make up for the appalling "ALF fancies a teenager" script earlier in the run. Holding the bug spray are Ben Baker and John Matthews who are really only in this for the Trevor. Special sexy guest star Paul Gannon from Cheapshow, Digitiser and all that groovy stuff thankfully manages to prise them off him long enough to discuss the sci-fi tropes and the unusual tone throughout this episode for a prime time family sitcom. About ALF.

Oh this one is a bit swearier than usual so just be aware. Soz.

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"Brian announces that he needs to come up with a project for the Science Carnival. On his own, Brian creates a model of the Solar System. ALF points out that there are inaccuracies and offers to help."

And by 'help' he means 'be a dick when people dont know about two bonus planets that are on his much more detailed maps being a space alien and all'. Ben Baker and John Matthews are your hosts trying to make sense of this really baffling edition which feels like a bottle episode but also has several sets and guest stars, including a returning Marcia Wallace as Mrs Lyman. Science has never been so....oh, you know.

Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

"ALF discovers the alluring world of horse racing thanks to Kate's mom who bets on them."

A romp through ALF's newfound love of the geegees and gambling which apparently he had never heard of in his previous 228 years despite being a bit of a shady bum back on his home planet. Letting it ride on a photo finish are your hosts Ben Baker and John Matthews, who have only ever bet on those mechanical horses they have in Blackpool.

Want some betting tips? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra