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PODCAST

ALFsplaining

Ben Baker and John Matthews

An episode by episode love letter to the 1980s sitcom ALF from a British perspective with Ben Baker and John Matthews.

tv & film tv reviews

All Episodes

00:27:15

Gilligansplaining - with Charlie Mason

ALFsplaining ·

2024/09/27

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

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00:39:21

Working My Way Back to You - with Rob Manuel

ALFsplaining ·

2024/09/23

"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

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00:36:45

Season One Wrap-Up

ALFsplaining ·

2024/09/02

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

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00:39:54

Come Fly With Me

ALFsplaining ·

2024/08/26

"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

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00:39:21

La Cucaracha - with Paul Gannon

ALFsplaining ·

2024/08/19

"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

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00:38:28

Weird Science

ALFsplaining ·

2024/08/12

"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

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00:37:49

The Gambler

ALFsplaining ·

2024/08/05

"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

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00:34:56

It's Not Easy Bein' Green

ALFsplaining ·

2024/07/29

"Brian must perform a song about asparagus for the school play, but is too nervous." If the above description doesnt give you the shivers, you're a braver person than Ben Baker and John Matthews who would like it to be known this episode was recorded before the tragic death of Benji Gregory. But also that there are singing children in this episode. Yeah. Want some bonus stuff? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness:

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00:35:28

Lookin Through the Windows

ALFsplaining ·

2024/07/22

"During a power outage, ALF believes that Raquel was murdered by Trevor when he watches them have arguments through their windows." It was a hot and steamy ALF....I mean night. But with the electric, air-con and more importantly the TV out, our furry friend has to make his own entertainment - naturally to Willie's disgust. But when it becomes a noir murder mystery, can he really complain any further at ALF's findings? Ben Baker and John Matthews have been sent up from "the

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00:34:52

Going Out of My Head Over You

ALFsplaining ·

2024/07/15

"Tired of lying to keep ALF a secret to others, Willie goes to see a therapist." A really unprofessional one to boot! What will he say when he meets ALF for the first time? Other than "WHAT THE F**K IS THAT HAIRY SH*THOUSE!?!?" obvs. This is a rollercoaster of an episode and Ben and John do their best to track the Bob Newhart references and wonder how Larry stays in business. Want some bonus therapy? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness:

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00:36:39

Wild Thing

ALFsplaining ·

2024/07/08

"ALF begins to go through a Melmacian psychological and physiological transformation which happens every 75 years..."Its the inevitable 'Evil ALF' episode...although to be honest its hard to tell as its mostly business as usual for the cat-caressing child of another planet where this sort of thing is standard. How will the Tanners cope? Can Willie create a suitable cage in time? And is Brian really that stupid? All this and more will be revealed! Want some bonus excitement

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00:37:32

Border Song

ALFsplaining ·

2024/07/01

"ALF befriends a Mexican teenage immigrant who wants to go back home." But more importantly, ALF's got a smallholding and he wants us all to revel in its pleasures. Whatever the hell it is that he's growing in there. Ben Baker and John Matthews are more agog at seeing Willie's office life, not to mention his poisonous banter with his secretary. Truly, its got everything - and yams! Want some bonus excitement? Join the Orbit Guard here and support us doing this madness:

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00:34:29

Try to Remember (Part Two) - with Phil Fletcher

ALFsplaining ·

2024/06/24

"ALF tries to leave and disovers that he is naked. They won't let him leave and he feels that he is a hostage."Things have heated up in the Tanner residence since last episode - and we dont mean the complaints over ALF's "speciality bath" - as Ben, John and returning guest Phil Fletcher wonder out loud if ALF will ever get his memory - or his trousers - back. Lots of great insights into the puppetry too which is what you get when you invite a world class puppeteer onto

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00:34:10

Try to Remember (Part One) - with Phil Fletcher

ALFsplaining ·

2024/06/17

"ALF loses his memory and thinks he is insurance agent Wayne Schlegel after accidentally electrocuting himself in the bathtub. The Tanners then use flashbacks to restore his memory." Yes, its a clip show, the scourge of the American TV environment...apparently. As we've seen most of the clips already, Ben Baker and John Matthews thought it was an apt time to bring in a ringer who hasnt seen them all. Its our celebrity - and only - friend Phil Fletcher off of the telly and - warning

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00:36:34

I've Got a New Attitude

ALFsplaining ·

2024/06/10

"ALF plays matchmaker with Dorothy and her new boyfriend Whizzer." Boyfriend.... pushy oddball who lives in her apartment block...same difference, right? We've another star guest turn in this episode from Paul Dooley although Ben Baker and John Matthews are really more excited about that endless box dragging. What does it all mean? Ah, just listen already! And if you like the series, maybe join the Orbit Guard here: https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

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00:37:46

A Little Bit of Soap

ALFsplaining ·

2024/06/03

"Dorothy thinks ALF's favorite TV soap opera, Midwest General, is sleaze, and shows him her favorite, One World to Hope For, which ALF thinks is boring. Angered, ALF argues that he could write a better script for the series than the writers are coming up with. So ALF actually writes a script and sends it in." Oh that standard sitcom trope! Join Ben Baker and John Matthews as they attempt to understand time and the Tanners place within it in this very silly but very funny episode

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00:38:01

Mother and Child Reunion

ALFsplaining ·

2024/05/27

"Kate's mother Dorothy arrives for a surprise visit that forces the Tanners to lock ALF in the garage for several days."After half a season its time for someone else to meet ALF and who better than the terrific Anne Meara who gives a lot from a very little in this hairy take on the classic warring family tropes from lesser sitcoms. Applauding it all in the wings are John Matthews and Ben Baker, two high level ALFthusiasts whose credentials are impeccable. Want to support all the

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00:36:13

Oh, Tannerbaum

ALFsplaining ·

2024/05/20

"ALF spends his first Christmas on Earth." ITTTSSSS CHRRIIIIIIISTTTMMAAAASSSSSS! Wait, no it isnt. Its bloody May. Still thats how it used to be back in the old TV days and to prove it, ALF is on the lookout for snow. Despite living in California. Ben Baker and John Matthews are on hand to unwrap ALF's many gifts and if you fancy sending one yourself, support the show via our smashing Patreon which is full of bonus stuff such as audio, video and obscene research data. Go to

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00:38:55

On the Road Again

ALFsplaining ·

2024/05/13

"Willie suggests that they go to San Diego on vacation. Kate is all for it, but the family is unsure what to do with ALF." ALF and the Tanners on holiday in a tiny camper? Why the stink must be unbearable! Also: holiday adventures apparently just next to Christmas, a guest turn for some meat-enthusiast woodsman and a running ALF that has to be seen to be believed. Or heard. Your hosts as ever are premier ALFsmen Ben Baker and John Matthews and you can ogle their new Patreon via this

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00:36:52

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

ALFsplaining ·

2024/05/06

"ALF buys a car for Lynn after the family car continues to be unreliable." Was it your dream to imagine our favourite Melmacian crusing down the freeway in a very expensive sports car bought for a teenager? Of course it was, you're just regular people like John Matthews and Ben Baker who navigate through the bees to bring you their reaction to this very strange episode. And if you like them, maybe chuck a few bees at our new Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ALFsplainingExtra

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72 results

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